Staying the course academically during the middle school years

For many kids, pre-adolescence can be a time of upheaval. Puberty kicks in, peer pressure becomes a significant factor, and new relationships take on major importance as children pull farther away from their families. With all this going on for preteens, is it any wonder that their desire to focus on academics might wane?

Studies show that many children's grades drop during the first year of middle school. It's at this point that they sometimes become less interested in studying and less self-assured about their abilities.

However, today's students are facing more rigorous academic standards and tougher high school graduation requirements. At the end of eighth grade, students will take four state exams in English, math, social studies, and science to test how well they are doing at mastering state learning standards. Some may also take a fifth exam in a foreign language. According to David Payton, supervisor of the middle-level education program at the New York State Education Department, the only way students can hope to prepare for the types of work that await them in high school is to be diligent with their studies throughout the middle school years.

"These tests are designed to let students know if they are on track to earn a high school diploma," says Payton. "Learning the information and skills that these tests reflect takes time and effort. Students can't wait until they are in high school to begin to master the standards."

Motivating your middle schooler

So how do you spark an interest in academics when Sponge Bob Square Pants has become your child's guru and the lure of Internet chat rooms looms large? Here are some ideas:

• Be a positive role model. When talking about your own work, emphasize not only the frustrations but also the satisfactions that go along with reaching a goal or finishing a job. This is a great way to show your children that achievement has its rewards.

• Give your children lots of support. Although the middle years are a time when children crave more independence, they still need your understanding and clear expectations from you. Your positive, patient support can be one of the best motivators there is.

• Praise your children realistically. Use words like "bright," "creative," "imaginative," "kind" and "hard-working," as opposed to "brilliant," "genius," "smartest" and "perfect." And let them know that struggling with a task is not a bad thing.

• Stay involved in your children's learning. This includes asking questions of your children and their teachers, participating in school activities, and checking on homework, test grades, etc.

• Tap into your children's interests. For example, subscribing to a preteen or sports magazine can promote reading; using the Internet along with your children to locate information on their favorite musical groups can promote good research skills.

Skills for school success

• Make sure your children have assignment notebooks. Talk with them about how to use them and why.

• Suggest they open the notebook at the beginning of each class and leave it on their desk until they have written down the daily homework assignment. Encourage them to review their assignments before leaving school to make sure they bring home the appropriate books and materials.

• Have your children use folders or binders to organize paperwork for each subject.

• Help your children decide on a regular location to do homework. Some kids need a quiet space away from all distractions. Others do fine with a little background noise or in the company of others. By settling on an acceptable location in advance, you'll minimize daily fights over who sits where and whether or not it's okay to have the television on.

• Have your children keep all of the supplies they will need to complete assignments in one location, and make it their responsibility to let you know if they are running low.

• Involve your children in developing a study routine. Together, agree upon a set time for them to do assignments.

• Consider a weekly family planning meeting on Sundays to help everyone "regroup" and get organized for the coming week.

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