The first year in junior high or middle school is a big jump from elementary.   Now your child/teenager has to write their last name and be sure they put it on everything they turn in!  Wow seems easy, but for some kids it’s a new habit they must form.

Getting some students to use a planner or organizer is a far-fetched dream.  If your child/teenager isn’t as self motivated or as organized as you would like, here some ideas you can take to keep your child/teenager on task.

• Look at the student progress report 3 times per week.  This way if an assignment is missing, they know to look in the “no name basket” or talk to the teacher about the assignment before too much time passes.
• If you know about a deadline for a reading assignment or a large project, mark it on your calendar and continuously check to see how far along your child/teenager is to keep them on task.
• No computer or television until homework is completed each night.
• Use weekend downtime to catch up on reading, musical instrument practice, etc.
• If you child’s grade is below what is acceptable to you, talk to your child and/or the teacher about extra credit assignments or about other ways to get the grade up.
• Create a folder or a location where you keep each class syllabus.  Review each syllabus and create a schedule with the student.  Question your child any items on the syllabus that you are unsure about.  If you don’t have the syllabus, email the teacher to obtain one.
• Email teachers with any questions or concerns.  They are usually quick to respond.  Build a relationship with your student’s teachers.
• Incentivize your child for getting good grades.  Incentive ideas: 

1. Money for each A or B
2. Remove a few chores
3. Go on a short trip
4. Have a friends gathering
5. Have a special day out with you
6. Choose an item your child wants and buy it when they receive the grades agreed upon

These ideas are working for me.  If you have some ideas you would like to share with other’s please leave a comment.    

Link to older emomsblog post:  Study Habit Ideas