Successful Ways for Parents and Students to Transition Successfully from Elementary to Middle School

• Always keep your supplies organized in your binder(s) and or desk.
• Never keep loose papers in the front of your binder for more than one day. 
• Use your agenda daily.
• Make sure you have access to a computer.
• Frequently visit the school website.  (parents and children)   Important information can be found there.
• Check your teacher’s blog every day.
• Develop a routine for the evening and learn how to self monitor your time and activities.
• Make sure your child’s schedule is balanced between school and extracurricular activities.
• Design a neutral workplace at home (The kitchen table works well for this.)
• Parents are encouraged to assist with homework, if needed; however, they should not do the work for the child. 
• E-mail your child’s teacher with questions and concerns.  Communication is essential!
• Review your child’s graded work and monitor grades on a regular basis.
• Don’t wait until conference week to discuss your concerns. 
• Turn assignments in on time!
• Do not except your child’s excuses for not bringing books and supplies home to complete assignments.  Instead encourage your child to check his/her agenda at the end of each day to make sure he/she has what he/she needs to complete homework.
• Emphasize to your child that a zero will hurt his/her grades.   Encourage him/her to complete all assignments and turn them in, even if they are late.   Turning in a late assignment is better than not turning it in at all; at least it shows concern and effort.
• Review the class rules with your child.  Make sure  your child understands class expectations.
• Make an attempt to work with your child’s teacher rather than finding fault with assignments, rules, and class expectations.  After all, the teacher wants to see your child succeed and be successful in school.
• Make sure your child reads least 15-20 minutes daily.  Also, practice learning the multiplication facts.  Your child’s middle school math teacher will thank you for this later.
• Make sure your child has a reasonable bed time.
• Consider taking away electronics before sending your child to bed.   A lot of children continue to text, play video games, and visit social websites after they go to bed.  It maybe a good idea to keep electronics in your home office or some other location.
• Encourage your child to accept responsibility for his/her behavior, and work and study habits.
• Help your child learn how to set short and long term goals.