Middle school is recognized by most authorities as a crucial period in a student's life. You are at the point where schoolwork is becoming more difficult, and your grades are being counted on your official transcript. These factors alone are formidable, but classwork is also becoming more involved and more abstract. It is very important that you develp good study skills that effecitvely help you learn new information. Many students don't know how to study. They sit in thier room with the radio blaring and read over thier notes, again and again. Ten minutes later their parents ask if they've studied for the big test and thier answer is....Yes!!!! Hmmmm I don't think so. One of the questions I get asked the most by students is "I don't understand this stuff, how can I get better grades?"

Heres what you need to do!

1. Figure out what kind of learner you are. There are lots of sites on the web to help you decide. Here are a few good ones:

2. Set aside a regular period of time EVERY night to study or review notes. At the middle school level it should be a MINIMUM of 40 min. per night. The type of learner you are decides HOW you should study. For example if you are a kinesthetic learner you might need to write out a "pretend" test or make note card questions. If you are an auditory learner you may need to hear the information by reading aloud to yourself or by having someone else read it to you.

3. Pay attention in class and ask lots of questions.

4. Use the assignment log faithfully!! With six teachers you need to stay organized and the only way you will remember everything is to write it all down.

PARENTS...Guidelines for Helping with Homework ~ So you don't work harder than your child!!! By Dr. Charles Fay

• Set aside a time each day for family learning. Set aside at least 30 minutes, devoted to "family brain cell development." During this time there should be no TV, video games, computer, etc... Model your own exictement for learning by reading a book, writing letters, etc. Your child my learn by doing their homework, reading, writing stories etc..
• Help only when your child truly wants it. Some parents make the mistake of forcing help upon thier kids. This only creates frustration, anger and kids who believe they can't learn without thier parent's help.
• Help only when there is an absence of anger or frustration. When either you or your child gets frustrated or angry, learning becomes associated with frustration and anger.
• Help only when the child can describe what the teacher said. This ensures that your child continues to believe that it's important to pay attention in class. Unfortunately, some kids learn that it's best to "tune-out" at school and let their parents do all of the teaching at home.
• Move away from your child before he/she "gets it." Some children believe that they can only earn something, or "get it" when an adult is in the same room... or is guiding them every inch of the way. To prevent this dependancy, avoid falling into the habit of sitting at the table as your child does their homework, especially when they are on the brink of learning something new.
• THE CARDINAL RULE : NEVER WORK HARDER THAN YOUR CHILD!!!