Homework Middle School
From LoveToKnow Teens
Homework middle school expectations change drastically from when your child was in elementary school. Not only are they juggling physical and emotional changes during adolescence, but increased activities, jobs and school demands. Making homework a priority during middle school will greatly increase your student’s academic abilities in high school.
Junior High Homework Expectations
As your child ages, he or she will be asked to take on more responsibilities. While some might be fun responsibilities, like joining the baseball team, others might be more difficult for them—like homework. Though many upper elementary students have homework, it is usually a few times a week and rarely takes more than a half hour. Once students get into middle school, however, that half hour turns into a half hour per core subject.
Find out what the school’s policies and expectations are regarding homework when you register your student for junior high. A student handbook will often outline the district’s overall policy regarding grading and homework. Teachers might also have their own views on homework, so talking to those available during registration can help you find out what you need to know.
The first few days of class are when the teachers will outline their expectations for grading. Grading might be based upon:
- Homework attempts, regardless of correct answers
- Graded homework assignments
- Pop quizzes
- Scheduled mini-tests, chapter or book tests and term tests
- Individual projects
- Group activities
- Research papers
- Journaling
Ask your child if you can see the policies from each teacher. This way, you will know what to expect regarding homework in the upcoming months. You will also be able to prepare yourself for any possible difficulties in subjects your child struggled with in elementary school.
Homework: Middle School Schedules
A middle school student and his parent, even ones who are prepared, may still be surprised by the amount of studying that needs to be done outside of school. Creating a schedule and sticking to it will not only provide ample homework time, but reinforce to your child that academics come first. It can be easy for a middle school student to get caught up in all of the new and exciting extra-curriculars offered and ignore their studies.
Every family and child will need to find a schedule that works for them. You must take into account family time, sports, clubs, religious obligations and part time jobs when you create the schedule.
Involve your student in creating the schedule, as he will be able to provide important information. For example, it might be impossible for him to do homework right after sports practices because he is too energized to sit still. Or he might have an extra study hall on a particular day, allowing more free time at home. Letting your child participate in creating the schedule will help you find one that works effectively for everyone.
Weekday Schedules
Each day might bring new activities and schedules. A basketball team might practice after school two days a week and before school the other three. Daily schedules may change, which is why it is important to talk to your child about scheduling. A sample weekday schedule may look like the following:
- Wake-up: 7:00 a.m.
- School: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Football practice: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Dinner with the family, chores, relaxing with family: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- Homework: 7:00 until finished
If your teen is working a part time job, his or her schedule might be slightly different. Most part time jobs for teens under age 16 require shorter hours, so it should not interfere too much with academic abilities. If you feel that work is getting in the way, think about having your teen find a summer job that will not cut into study time during the school year. Here is a sample schedule for a middle-school child with a part time job:
- Wake: 6 a.m.
- Additional study time: 6:30-7:00 a.m.
- Drama practice: 7:00-8:00 a.m.
- School: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Part time job: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Family time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Homework: 7:30-finished
Of course, each family will cater the schedule to their own needs. If you find you like eating dinner later in the evening, your child could get started with homework after a half-hour of relaxation.
Weekend Schedules
The weekend schedule is often very different from the weekday. While your child has the free eight hours he is not in school, it usually gets filled with family gatherings, outings with friends, club meetings or religious obligations. Several hours at a job might be worked, too, whether it is mowing lawns or babysitting.
Saturday and Sunday schedules might need to be changed weekly. It is important to be flexible and allow your child time with friends and family. Homework is often left until Sunday evening, when a student may stay up late, trying to get it all done. Instead, try to carve a few hours out on Saturday morning or afternoon to alleviate the burden.
Tips for Junior High Homework
Getting used to the new homework load can be hard for parents and students. Try incorporating some of these tips to make the transition from elementary to junior high school go more smoothly:
- Know the policies and expectations of each teacher.
- Stay in contact with teachers, through conferences and email.
- Let your child know school is their biggest priority.
- Get homework help for your teen if they need it.
- Cut back on activities or jobs if your teen is overwhelmed.
- Make a study space at home that is free of distractions like television and siblings.
- Buy a student planner to help your child track assignments and activities.
Get more tips for helping with homework middle school students from Bridging the Great Divide: A Solutions Guide for Parents of Middle School Students, a joint publication of the National Education Association and LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 800 times. This page was last modified 16:58, 27 August 2008.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook