Hooray for Homework!

Anthony has his evening planned. He'll do his math homework before dinner, then follow up dessert with English and science. Afterward, he can unwind from a busy day.

Sound impossible? It's not. Help your child make homework go like clockwork with these strategies.

Think it through

Before he begins, have your youngster make a to-do list. Example: write a poem, read a history chapter, solve 10 math problems.

Then, suggest that he number the tasks, from toughest to easiest, and start with the hard stuff. This "save the easiest for last" strategy will help him finish on a high note, perhaps inspiring him to get in some extra studying.

Think about time

Ask your child to consider different time slots he can use to get work done. For instance, maybe he could set aside a weekend morning or Sunday night.

Also, many middle graders have time during study period or after lunch to tackle homework. Encourage your child to complete one assignment at school each day. The more he does then, the more time he'll have for fun later.

Think positive

Help your middle grader see homework as a chance to prove his independence by getting his work done on time and by himself. Boost his confidence by telling him, "Homework give you a chance to show all that you know." And give him a thumbs-up when he does just that.

Money Myth

Does your child think money grows on trees? To help him appreciate the value of a dollar, have him divide the price of something he wants by how much he would earn at minimum wage job. Example: At $5.15 an hour, a $45 baseball mitt would mean almost 9 hours of work.

Needs or wants?

Setting priorities can make life easier for everyone. Suggest that your child separate "needs" (studying, chores) from "wants" (basketball tryouts, going to the mall). If she understands that needs come first, she's more apt to get them done so she can move on to her wants.

Sign of Trouble

A call from school that your middle grader is cutting class could mean something's wrong. Does he understand the material? Is a friend encouraging him to skip? Talk to your child and his guidance counselor to help get him back on the right path.

Q & A: Bullying in the Family

Q: My older son is bullying my younger one when I’m not around. How can I get him to stop?

A: Start by talking with your older son alone. Listen to his side, and try to find the source of his frustration. Perhaps he is feeling insecure as he grows older. Maybe he is the victim of a bully at school and is tasking out his anger on his brother.

Explain that deliberately hurtful behavior harms the victim and also the hurts the bully by making him feel more powerful than he is. Make it clear that bullying behavior (teasing, hitting, or threatening to hit) is not acceptable under any circumstances. Let the child know what consequences will follow.

Lend a hand

To get involved at your child's school, just ask what you can do. Most Principals and staff welcome assistance, such as answering phones in the office or distributing notices to go home to parents. Pitching in can help ensure that your youngster's school remains a great place to learn!

Up-front Learning

Is your middle grader eager to raise his grades? Suggest that he move to the head of the class. Sitting in the front row limits distractions and can improve concentration. Plus, asking to sit up front will show his teacher and classmates that he's serous about learning.

Cold Remedy

Encourage Creative Thinking

By middle school, most students can follow guidelines for typical question-and-answer assignments. But when it comes to thinking creatively about writing assignments, they often get stuck. Help our child "catch a W-A-V-E" with these strategies.

Write down all possible ideas.
Don't dismiss a thought because it seems skill. (Example: Do a report as a poem or a restaurant menu.) Stopping to evaluate each concert can discourage creative thinking. Keep going! A great idea may be moments away.

Analyze thoughts. Group ideas into categories, such as topics or time periods, to help make connections. Or write thoughts on individual pieces of paper, shuffle and read them again. Seeing things in new ways will get creative juices flowing.

Vary surroundings. Thinking in a different place can spark new ideas. Try the park, library, or bookstore. Brainstorm in several places to see if fresh ideas come to mind.

Expect more questions. Thinking creatively often uncovers more questions. ("Could graphics or pictures help?" "What would the main character choose?") See questions as successes - you're thinking creatively and outside your comfort zone.

Growing

As hormone levels rise in middle graders, their bodies start to grow rapidly. But not everything grows equally, which can lead to big feet or gangly arms. Remind your child that body parts will balance out by adulthood. For now, help him focus on this – growth spurts show he’s growing up.

Report Card Alert

Report cards are useful learning tools. They help measure your child's progress, and they shed light on areas that need improvement. But there's one thing they shouldn't be: a surprise.

Stay on top of your middle grader's progress with these tips.

Watch grades. Check grades online .... Also, look through your child's binder for marked quizzes and homework. Keeping up will let you celebrate success or catch a falling grade.

Know assignments. List test and project dates on a family calendar. That will remind you to see how your middle grader did on each one.

Ask questions. If grades are dropping, ask your youngster to explain. Did he miss assignments? Does he understand the material?

Note: If your child's grades are good, be sure to praise him.

Q & A Privacy, Please

Q: My middle grader is spending a lot of time alone in her room. Should I be worried?

A: Chances are your child just wants privacy. As youngsters mature, they need more privacy to help them become more independent.

Try giving your daughter a small whiteboard to hang outside her room. She can write “Quiet – homework in progress” if she’s studying, or simply, “Please Knock.” That will help you remember to ask before opening her door.

Also, don’t listen to your daughter’s phone conversations, open her mail, or read her diaries. Instead, spend time together, and ask her questions to find out how things are going.

Note: If you have any reason to suspect your child is hiding something important, such as drugs or other dangerous behavior, speak to a school counselor.

Manners, Please

Teaching your child to treat others respectfully can be a daily event. Simple gestures, like letting someone go first at the store or helping an older person with her coat, set a good example. And these everyday lessons help youngsters learn the golden rule: Treat others as you want to be treated.

Turn the music down

My middle grader loves music, but Alyssa used to turn the stereo up so high that I couldn't hear myself think. When she started using headphones, she couldn't even hear me call her to dinner. That's when I became worried about hearing loss and decided to set some guidelines.

Music must be at a safe level, I told her. If she can't hear me talking, her music is too loud. I also limit the time Alyssa can wear headphones to an hour each day. I suggested she break up that hour to giver her ears a rest. The car radio has to lower, too. If we can't have a conversation comfortably, the volume has to go down.

I told Alyssa that I'm glad she appreciates music. I just want to make sure she can enjoy it her whole life!

Q & A: Dating dilemma

Q: I think my son Andy has a girlfriend. Should I talk to him about it?

A: Having a girlfriend is a natural part of growing up, so try to stay relaxed about the situation.

Show interest by asking general questions about his girlfriend ("What is she like?" "Is she in any of your classes?"). Be open to discussing the relationship with your son, but try not to embarrass him by talking about it with your friends or at family gatherings. This is a good time to tell your middle grader your feelings about one-on-one dating. Let him know what you're comfortable with. Perhaps his girlfriend could come over for dinner, or they could go to adult-supervised parties. If you take the relationship in stride, chances are Andy will, too.

You're Great!

Self-confidence can drop when kids enter the middle years. Help your child feel better about himself by encouraging him to develop a talent, such as karate or guitar. Being good at something can help him build his own identity -- and boost confidence in the process.

Rocket launch

Here's a fun experiment to help your middle grader learn how rockets are launched. She'll witness the action - reaction principle - for every action, there is an opposite reaction.

Materials: round balloon, flexible plastic straw, tape, straight pin, wooden pencil with eraser.

1. Stretch the balloon by inflating it several times.
2. Put the long end of the straw in the neck of the balloon. Tape tightly.
3. Bend the straw's short end at a right angle. Push the pin through the middle of the straw's long end and into the pencil's eraser, so the straw can spin freely.
4. Hold the pencil with the straw at a right angle, and blow hard.
5. Stop blowing, and watch the balloon spin.

What's happening? When you child blows into the straw, the air is forced around the bend. The straw - and balloon - react by spinning.

Spring Fever

When spring fever hits, the best cure can be to get outside. If your child spends some time enjoying the weather, chances are he'll focus more on learning when he's in school. Tip: Encourage your middle grader to free up his weekends for outdoor play by finishing assignments during the week.

Attend School Events

Going to school events is a great way to stay involved in your child's school.

You can choose from art festivals, band concerts, sports games, science fairs, and more. Even if your child isn't participating, showing up sends the message that you support the school and the students.

Try to find ways around obstacles to attending. If you have small children, ask relatives or friends to babysit (you can offer to babysit for them next time). If you don't have transportation, seek a ride with a neighbor, or ask in the school office about carpools.

Check your school's Web site or the principal's newsletter for a schedule. Finding even one event per season that can fit into your schedule will show your middle grader you car about her school.

Conference follow-up

After a conference with your child's teachers, follow up on points raised. You can make a list of goals with your middle grader. Then, check back with teachers in a few weeks. You'll improve your youngster's chances for success by keeping track of her progress.

Q & A Prescription drug abuse

Q: Lately I've been hearing that some middle graders are abusing prescription drugs they find at home. How can I prevent that?

A: Unfortunately, abuse of prescription painkillers and household medicines is on the rise among young people. Part of the problem is that medicine is readily available at home or a friend's house.

Talk to your child about the dangers of using drugs he doesn't need (addiction, illness, death). Let him know that even drugs prescribed by a doctor can be dangerous if misused. Arming your middle-grader with facts will make him realize that experimenting with medication is not harmless fun.

Also, keep all medicines (cold tablets, cough syrup, prescription drugs) in a locked cabinet. Having the items out of view will lessen any temptation. Finally, spread the word. Sharing your concerns with other parents will protect your middle schooler and his friends.

The Other Foot