IMPORTANTCOMMUNICATION IS SO

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Middle schoolers! The pre-teen and early teen years can be a bit interesting, to say the least, not only for the teen, but for the adults involved in their lives as well. It can be especially challenging for parents. Whenever you mix new academic and social environments with emerging hormones, there are bound to be conicts.

1.)1.) Academics: Understand the increased work load. The academic world of middle school is more intense than elementary school was and high school will be. In New York, students in 7th and 8th grade have to not only take traditional core classes each year, such as math, science, social studies, and English, they are also required to have one year of technology education and a half year of each of visualvisual arts, music, and health education. They need to have physical education class ve times in ten days, or as the state indicates, two times one week, and three times the following week. They also need to have instruction in library and information skills (at least once per week) and instruction in career development and occupational studies. They also need to have ¾ of a year, (yes, I said ¾), in home and career sskills. Furthermore, they are required to have two years of a foreign language by the end of 9th grade. Added to the academic stress is the fun of the state assessments. Don’t downplay the increased work load. Let your teens know how proud you are of how they are handling things.

2.) Organization: Organization can be a challenge for these students. Many of them have developed a system of how to organize their desks in the elementary classrooms. Now, these students are without their desks, and in most schools, they are not allowed to carry backpacks or book bags for security reasons. I have found three strategies that have helped these students: rst, one three-ringed binder per classclass keeps all class materials together in one place; second, each class should have its own color. For instance, if it’s

decided that English is going to be yellow, then the binder is yellow, and the book cover on the textbook is yellow. This will help the student grab the right material for class during their quick three-minute transition from class to class. The last strategy is to have a planner where all of the homework assignments can be recorded. This is vital for the student as well as the parent to help keep track of short and long term assignments.

3.)3.) Communication: Communication is vital. It is important for you and your teen to have an on-going dialogue. Do not ask the standard question, “How was school today?” You will most likely get the standard answer, “Fine.” Instead, ask probing questions like, “What did you learn in English class today?” or “What crazy thing did Mr./Ms. “Teacher” do today?” It takes a unique individual to teach Middle Schoolers; it is my experience that at least one teacherteacher will do something “unique” to stand out in your teen’s eyes. By using probing questions, you will likely get more than the standard one-word response, as well as get a glimpse into what your teen is thinking.The other part of communication is with the school district. It is important get to know the teachers your teen spends his/her days with.4.) Activities: Yes, activities are important to your teen, but also you want to make sure that the teen can balance the stress of school with the commitment of activities. These activities can include modied sports, clubs and organizations at school, to scouting and 4-H. All of these things are benecial, but at the same time, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. Teens not only need positive activities to keep them interested and ococcupied, but they need plenty of rest to keep them working at their best.

So remember these things the next time your middle-schooler comes home from school, drags him or herself through the door, throws the backpack in the corner, the coat on the oor and grunts, “I’m home.” Just wait. High school is just around the corner.

Marrick McDonald, secondary educator