Middle School
Parent Success
101
Presenters: Robin Hater
Erica Leppert
Chele McKissick
Please use the Chrome book
to take a quick pre-survey!
Organization
7 Strategies to consider
Strategy #1: Use Checklists
 Get
list




into the habit of keeping a “to-do”
Post assignments
Post household chores
Post needed materials for class
Keep a dedicated list for homework
assignments
 Cross
off completed items to give a sense of
accomplishment
Strategy #2: Organize
Homework Assignments
 Prioritize

assignments
What should be done 1st?
 Start
with one that is not too long and not too
difficult
 Don’t save the longest/hardest for last


Use the school planner to help
Access online communication for
clarification as needed
Strategy #3: Keep Organized
Notebooks
 Use
binders, notebooks, or folders to keep
track of papers



Use dividers or color-coded notebooks to
separate class notes
Separate “to do” and “done” folders can
help organize worksheets, signed forms, etc.
Remember different strategies work for
different people!
Strategy #4: Conduct a
Weekly Clean-Up
 Sort
through book bags and notebooks or
binders on a weekly basis



Old tests and papers can be organized and
kept at home
Will help to “lighten the load” while also
decluttering organization storage
Encourage a similar practice with their
locker at school
Strategy #5: Keep a Master
Calendar
 Structure
and consistency are key
 Use a large, wall-sized calendar to track
family commitments





Extra curricular activities
Days off from school
Major events at home and at school
Note exam and project due dates
Will help avoid scheduling conflicts
Strategy #6: Prepare for the
Day Ahead
 Cut


down on morning confusion
Pack needed supplies (schoolwork, books,
etc.) in book bag the night before
Lay out clothes, shoes, accessories the night
before
Strategy #7: Provide Support While
Your Child is Figuring out Their
Organizational Style
 Not

all strategies work for everyone
Encourage student to “try out” different
styles of organization
 Remind

them to use the strategies
Make copies of checklists and schedules if
needed
Homework
7 Strategies for Helping with Your Child
Strategy #1: Environment
A




homework space should:
Be well lit
Be quiet
Be public (i.e.: living room, kitchen, etc.)
Have easy access to required materials
(pencils, paper, etc.)
Strategy #2: Getting Through It


Establish a set time for doing homework each
night.
Chunking


Make a plan that includes periodic breaks.


Set manageable goals for completing work.
Homework does not need to all be completed
at one time.
Use a homework contract to set expectations
and consequences
Sample Homework Plan
2:30-3:00 TV show/video game
3:00-3:30 Language Arts Homework
3:30-4:00 Computer
4:00-4:30 Science Homework
4:30-5:00 TV show
5:00-5:30 Math Homework
5:30-6:30 Dinner
6:30-7:00 Social Studies Homework
Sample Homework Contract
 Homework
Contract
Strategy #3: Giving Support
 Give

help not answers
Help your child research/find the answer
Strategy #4: Keep It Positive
 Have
a positive attitude about
homework.

The attitude you have will be the attitude
your child adopts.
 Give
praise for effort.
 Create a reward system.
Strategy #5: Get Help
 If
homework is taking your child too long
(based on team info), contact their
teacher.
Strategy #6: Plan Ahead

Keep your family’s “master calendar” in mind
when completing assignments.



Your child may do more work one night and less
another due to practices, appointments, etc.
Create a detailed plan for completing longterm assignments.
Studying should take place each night in
addition to homework to avoid “cramming”
the night before a test.
Strategy #7: Be Informed
 Know
your child’s teachers’ expectations.
6th Grade
How do you communicate
with parents?
When/how often is
Progress Book
updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly, or How long should nightly
another website to keep parents homework take?
updated?
How do parents access
online text books?
Team Black Progress Book notes
Pearl
Email/phone calls Planner
(6-1)
notes
Remind 101
Blogger
The minimal
Remind 101
expectation is weekly, Blogger: theblackpearlteam.
but many teachers
blogspot.com
update this info daily
1 hour or less. It is given
This was sent home with
early in the week to allow students at the beginning of
choice and flexibility.
the year. Contact Robin
O'Neal
(oneal_r@westcler.org)
Mystic
Topaz
(6-2)
Weekly newsletter Team
website
Team email:
teamtopaz6.2@gmail.com
Remind 101
Progress
Book notes Positive Post
Cards Grade sheets for
students with D's or F's
Minimally at least once Team website:
weekly. Grades are
www. gems6-2.com
posted anonymously in access extra worksheets,
all classrooms for
homework, news posted, etc.
students to view.
LA: 20 minutes silent
Student planner has a sheet
reading (reading log) + 2-3 with all login information for
additional assignments (15 websites and texts
min)
SCI:
10-20 min./night SS: 20
minutes
MA: 30
minutes
Onyx
(6-3)
Progress Book notes
website
Team Grades and homework Team website:
are updated each
www.onyxgems.wordpress.com
week.
Should take no more than LA: listed on syllabus MA:
30 minutes each night.
Digits online
SCI:
contact Cindy Leazer
(leazer_c@westcler.org)
7th Grade
How do you communicate
with parents?
When/how often is
Progress Book
updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly,
or another website to keep
parents updated?
How long should nightly
homework take?
How do parents access
online text books?
Sapphire
(7-1)
Team newsletter Progress Grades are updated
Book notes
each Monday
A website is in the works, but the No more than 40-60
newsletter is the main form of
minutes
communication currently
Science
www.pearsonsuccessnet.co
m
Math
mymathuniverse.com
Username: wcID #
Password: success1
Diamond
(7-2)
Team newsletter Schoology: At least weekly
all assignments
Progress Book: grades
Schoology. See Emily Malone for About 20-30 min/subject
the access code
malone_e@westcler.org
Science
www.pearsonsuccessnet.co
m
Math
mymathuniverse.com
Username: wcID #
Password: success1
LA:
posted on Schoology
Star Quartz
(7-3)
Team newsletter Progress Assignments and
Book
grades are posted
Emails/phone calls
weekly
Team brochure
Team website:
www.jeffcott.weebly.com
Remind 101
Good news notecards
Danger grade notices
Team website:
www.jeffcott.weebly.com
Math
www.successnetplus.com
Username: wcID #
Password: success1
About 15-20 min/subject
8th Grade
Jade
(8-1)
How do you communicate
with parents?
When/how often is
Progress Book
updated?
Do you use Schoology, Weebly,
or another website to keep
parents updated?
How long should nightly
homework take?
How do parents access online
text books?
Progress Book
Weekly parent email
2-3 times per week
depending on the
length of the
assignment
Team website is being created
Math:
www.mrsgorman.weebly.com
30 minutes per subject
Math/Science: the front of the
workbooks
Ruby Reds Progress Book
Weekly At least once a week
(8-2)
parent emails to come
by each teacher
Working on setting up a
Total time = 1-1.5 hours
schoology account. Should be up
and running by 2nd quarter.
Students were given access
codes for all online texts. See
Faith Manker
manker_f@westcler.org
Emerald
(8-3)
Working on setting up a
schoology account
Science:
www.myscienceonline.com
Username: wcID # Password:
success1
Weekly Friday emails
Usually on a weekly
basis
LA: 30 min
MA: 30-45 min
SCI: 30 min
SS: 20-30 min
Common Homework Problems and
Solutions
Problem #1: Child does not do
his or her best work.
 State
expectations
 Set a mandatory homework time
 Praise hard work
Problem #2: Child refuses to
do homework
 State
expectations
 Set mandatory homework time
 Assess knowledge of material

If it is too hard, contact teacher
 Establish
consequences (contract)
 Work with teachers
Problem #3: Child forgets to
bring homework home.
 State
expectations
 Set responsibilities for bringing things home
 Set a mandatory homework time
 Work with teachers
 Use planner
Problem #4:Child takes all
night to do homework
 State
expectations
 Check learning environment for
distractions
 Use a timer and set time limits for work
Problem #5: Child won’t do
homework on his or her own
 State
expectations
 Chunking (split difficult tasks into smaller
more manageable steps)
 Be consistent
 Foster independence; give help without
giving the answer
Problem #6: Child waits until
last minute to do homework
 State
expectations
 Set time for homework
 Use a calendar to organize project
timelines and establish goals
Problem #7: Child won’t do
homework if you’re not home
 State
expectations
 Mandatory homework time
 Find a way to monitor-by phone, check
work when you get home
 Praise
15 Minute Break
Feel free to visit local student
support agencies in the front
lobby!
Progressbook
and Schoology
Navigating the Technology
Progressbook
 To
log into your account you will need the
parent login and password that was given
to you at the beginning of the school
year.
 To log into Progressbook you will go to
http://grades.westcler.org. You can also
access the site through the Glen Este
Middle School webpage.
Schoology





Schoology.com is used for communication,
homework, online discussion and posts.
Students and parents will need to create an
account and join the courses.
To join courses you must enter the code for
each class.
Parent codes allow you to view the content
but not submit answers or post.
Let’s take a look – http://www.schoology.com
Please use the Chrome book
to take a quick post-survey!