Parent Involvement in the Middle School
From the desk of Carol C…
Have you ever had a conversation with your teenager that went something like this?
What did you do at school today?
Nothing.
You must have done something.
We did a bunch of stuff. It was boring. I gotta big history test tomorrow.
Have you studied?
Yeah, some. I’ll study tonight…later.
You don’t press any further as you’re tired and well teenagers need to be more independent and responsible. Plus, ” my child doesn’t want me hanging around now that he/she is in middle school.”
Many families of adolescents hold fast to the statements above. We feel that once our children reach middle and high school that we need to step out of the schooling picture letting our children cut the apron strings and take ownership of their learning. Also, academics become increasing more difficult which makes us more hesitant to try to help our children. We have learned over the years however, that our children need us to stay in the picture to support them and increase their chances of success. So how should we support our children in middle school while still giving them the room to grow as independent thinkers? Here are some ideas.
1. Keep your nose in your children’s schooling regardless of their ages. Studies have shown that students whose families take an active part in their school activities achieve higher grades and test scores. Some students were able to make a 40% gain in their achievement levels when families were involved in their schooling.
2. Ignore your children telling you that they don’t want you at school. Heartbreaking to many. Thankfully, almost no children mean this. What they are saying is “don’t come to school to throw a winter party and bring cupcakes, juice, and matching plates and napkins”. Granted you’ll see your children pull away, but just as often you’ll see them running to you for cover when life gets rough.
3. Know what your child is learning. As children grow older and begin to take higher level courses, many adults feel that they can’t help their children because they don’t really understand the material. The important path to helping your child and understanding what they are learning is to engage them in a conversation about their learning. These are types of questions that should lead to a discussion of the material: “Parabolas, what are those? Why do you need to learn about them? How do parabolas relate to other areas you’ve studied in math?” or “I know you’re studying the peoples who settled NC. What impact did the different peoples have on the way NC developed? Why is it important now? What’s the big question you’re trying to answer by studying this?”
4. Make sure your children have the resources they need to further their understanding of the material being presented in class. Teachers, you, the community, the Internet, and a variety of texts help to support your children.
5. Stay in touch with your children’s teachers. Let them know the importance you place on education. Be open to suggestions and don’t hesitate to ask questions. In almost all middle schools, students have several different teachers. This can be a real advantage. Each teacher will be able to give you a unique perspective of your child as a learner.
As the industrial world becomes more complex and demanding, our children’s thinking must become more sophisticated and critical in order to be prepared for entry into the future workforce. This workforce will look for people who can use their critical thinking skills to solve problems, come up with new solutions, and evaluate their own thinking. With that in mind, schools have a new curriculum that is more rigorous in content with an emphasis on the application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills. We, as families, are more important than ever in the education of our children. Staying involved throughout their formal education is one of the best ways to raise their chances of being successful and productive members of society.