Top Tips for Parents

• Tip #1: Help your child set a regular study and homework routine.
• Tip #2: Highlight the connection between middle school classes and your child’s career interests.
• Tip #3: Continue to encourage reading for pleasure, beyond school assignments.

Benefits

• Setting up a regular study and homework routine teaches students to make studying a priority.
• Making the connection between middle school classes and a future career motivates students to explore their options and to work hard in order to reach their goals.
• Encouraging middle school students to read for pleasure develops their curiosity, the habit of reading, and builds vocabulary and comprehension.

At This Age Your Child Is Learning By

being physically active… reading for pleasure… completing homework… thinking about careers… writing… drawing… joining clubs & other activities… researching… hobbies… board games… crafts… sports… taking fun classes outside school

Simple Things You Can Do To Encourage Your Child’s Learning

• Check on assignment completion and test preparation schedules often. Use a calendar to help your child plan. For longer assignments, help your child break the project into smaller pieces and set a due date for each task.
• Check on the organization system used by your child. Be patient and offer continuous help to get back on track.
• Ensure your child has the materials for completing assignments (books, paper, supplies, organizer binder, computer access).
• Encourage your child to speak to their favorite teachers and guidance counselors about meeting people in the community who have careers that interest your child.
• If your child doesn’t have a specific career interest, start exploring careers through guide books at the library, make an appointment with a school counselor or explore career websites.
• Set time away from electronics (cell phone, TV, computer, video games) for your child and your entire family.
• Remind your child to always have a book to read and bring it along for trips, camping outings, waiting rooms, etc.
• Be aware of your child’s interests. If there’s a movie, TV show or video game that your child enjoys, encourage him or her to talk to school media specialists and local librarians who can recommend books related to this interest.

Web Resources for Homework Help

Brainfuse: http://wyld.state.wy.us/dbloginform.html
(Have your library card and PIN number handy!) Online resource available through the TC Library. Provides live tutoring in English and Spanish in subject areas; offers tests in areas including reading, writing, math, science to test key learning objectives. Students get immediate feedback. It offers live tutoring for students learning Spanish. It offers essay review for student papers within 24 hours.

Internet Public Library: http://ipl.org/div/teen/
Homework help for teens.

Web Resources for Emotional Development Support

Scholastic: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/parentsHome.jsp
Guide on starting, adapting and succeeding at middle school.

U.S. Dept. of Education: http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html
“Help Your Child” series of resources. Articles in English and Spanish.

PBS Kids “It’s My Life”: http://www.pbskids.org/itsmylife
Testimonial videos and resources on issues and difficulties that teens deal with every day.

Web Resources for Reading, Math and Sciences

Brain Pop: http://www.brainpop.com
Animated and interactive educational site for science, math, reading, technology and more.

American Library Association Young Adult Services:
http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/06qp.cfm
Quick picks for reluctant readers.

Cool Math: http://www.coolmath4kids.com
Lessons and games to review math concepts for children up to 13.

Khan Academy:  www.khanacademy.org
Free instructional videos on everything from arithmetic to physics, finance and history.  Includes 125 free practice exercises to sharpen math and science skills.

Web Resources for Career Research

The Fun Works…for Careers You Never Knew Existed: http://thefunworks.edc.org/SPT—homegraphic.php
Describes cool careers, what they earn, what classes to take and related online games. Includes a career quiz to help guide which careers to explore based on interests and strengths.

Kids Portal for the US Government: http://www.kids.gov/6_8/6_8_careers.shtml
A career list with in-depth information about what each professional does on a daily basis and how to become one.