How to help your child have a successful 8th grade year

In order for your child to have the most successful year as possible we would like to share with you some strategies that teachers in the cluster try and instill in the students. Having parents and teachers work together to help kids succeed is often the best way to see results and ensure a positive 8th grade experience.

Homework in 8th grade is considerably more than what students have experienced in 6th or 7th grade. Time alone in flex and study hall is often not enough time to make sure homework is done to the standards expected for the class. Often if your child says "I did all my homework in study or flex" it is often not enough time to meet standards expected for 8th grade and additional time should be spent at home working on their homework.

 Please help your child develop a set time period at home for them to be working on their homework in a distraction-free environment.

1. Get your child into a routine will help them focus and improve work quality as this is their "homework time" at home. 
2. Please also help them create/locate a distraction free area at home for them to do their work. No TV, computer access for things other than work,  no distractions from video games, and anything else that may prevent them from focusing on their work. 
3. 8th graders often need some coaching as well in setting the appropriate amount of time to focus on work. Many students prefer to work for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break, then work for another 30 minutes. Having set work and break times will also improve work quality.
4. Talking with students about the content of their homework is an ideal way to help reinforce the concepts in their head. Ask them to explain to you or demonstrate a science concept, math equation, etc. to you in the evening.

EFFECTIVE EFFORT

In our cluster we really try to give a common message that effective effort and hard work leads to success. As much as you can reiterate and model the components of effective effort/hard work at home will help instill this in your child:

HARD WORK

·         Time – A willingness to spend the minutes and hours needed to finish the job well

·         Focus – No TV or other distractions; concentrating only on the work

·         Resourcefulness – Knowing where to go and whom to ask for help when I’m really stuck

·         Use of feedback – Looking carefully at responses to my work so I know exactly what to fix

·         Commitment – Being determined to finish and do my very best work

·         Persistence – If one strategy isn’t working, keep trying different ones until I find one that works.

Thanks for your support and efforts at home this school year, we as a team look forward to working in unison with you in helping your child have a successful school year!

Rich