Making middle school a little easier
November 2, 2012
By Dick Behrens
Principal
Bonners Ferry Middle School

The following are a couple of thoughtful and some what humorous ideas presented by Cindi Rigsbee, the 2009 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and a parent of adolescents, on how to help children be successful in middle school.

First, communicate.

Always remember that it is most difficult if you actually expect an answer. How many times did I as a parent ask, “What did you learn today?” only to hear, “Nothing.”

Apparently there was NO learning for 180 days in school!

Now I know the way to handle vague mumblings from our middle school kids; make sure your questions are specific. Instead of “What did you learn today?” try “What did Mrs. Watson cover in social studies?" Once they are able to share, “We identified continents,” the door is open to delve into the actual learning experience.

Another idea is to make a game out of it. For example, 3-2-1 works well at times like this; “OK, tell me three things your teacher covered today, tell me two things you already knew about the lesson when you got there, and tell me one thing you still have a question about.” (Parents who have access to Power School for checking grades can keep up to date on what is going on in their child’s classes and be prepared with questions when their children come home.)

Secondly, provide an atmosphere conducive to organization.

Children who move from one elementary classroom to multiple teachers and classrooms in middle school sometimes struggle with organization. You can assist by ensuring there is a system in place that allows kids to get homework done, papers signed, and information shared.

First of all, a schedule is so important!

Even in these days with a multitude of after-school activities and commitments, it is easy enough to provide a quiet place for homework to be completed as soon as everyone arrives home.

In addition, making sure the backpack is zipped and ready by the door, clothes are laid out, and lunches are packed can make those chaotic mornings a little less hectic.

Resist the urge, though, to clean out the “Black Hole” of wadded-up papers that live in the backpack. I never mastered this strategy myself and was blamed for invasion of privacy on more than one occasion, but assisting a child through a backpack, and even a locker clean out, can produce a mountain of assignments that have not been submitted.

In short, be involved in your pre-teen or teenager’s life as much as you can without them feeling the need to push you away. Finding that balance will make transition from elementary to middle school easier for parents, students, and teachers.