Middle School Language Arts: August 2012

I have scored all pre-assessments. Any child who needs improvement with fluency and comprehension will be bringing home a Book in a Bag for homework assignments. Each week, your child will receive a new book to read at home. Your child is to read this book EVERY NIGHT that week. Re-reading text helps build fluency and comprehension skills.

The bag will also contain a handout with specific homework assignments.
It would be a good idea to keep this in a special place throughout the week so it does not get lost.

The complete Book in a Bag is due back each FRIDAY, with all of the parts completed. Please make sure it is on-time so that I may prepare the bag for the following week.

Please make sure that you monitor your child's progress and sign off on the Reading Log each night.

Middle School is a big step in any kid's life. They leave the little world of elementary school into the big world of middle school. Some parts will be scary, and some will be fun. After all, it opens the door to what your remaining years will be like. You better make the most of those years. The years you have in middle school will stick with you forever! But always know that all you need is your mind. And remember to be yourself and good luck!

Hygiene depends on your preferences.

Hygiene depends on your preferences. For boys, put on some deodorant and shower regularly. For girls, it is not necessary to wear makeup, but if you feel that you prefer it, go for it. Don't overdue it; too much makeup (especially mascara and eye shadow) makes you look unnatural and fake you never want people to think you are, and it becomes obvious you are trying too hard. Go for natural colors instead.
Pay attention in class.

Pay attention in class. Take notes and listen. If you don't pay attention, you won't understand anything later. Middle school isn't just about your social life. You should try to be smart and get good grades.
Ask questions.

Ask questions. Although it's not the most popular thing to do, ask questions when you are completely clueless about something. Maybe that one question will help you on a test. It usually does.
Always be yourself.

Always be yourself. Everyone will truly like the real you. Although it may be considered "cool" to do what everybody else is doing, fitting in only crushes your ability to stand out. Remember, put your own individual stamp on life. Don't let others determine what you do or what you don't do. Stand up for yourself. Be in control. With that said, don't totally neglect others' opinions on how you should be. If you don't like what they say, just say, "Thank you, but I like myself the way I am." It actually works. Never try to change yourself, you are unique just the way you are.
Get interested in an artistic club or sports organization offered at your school.

Get involved. Middle school has a lot of activities that you can engage in, such as Band, Chorus, sports, art, and dance. You can engage and develop a new passion from music or other things. You can meet lots of new friends while you are taking the class. You don't have to be good at what you take as an activity. You are at school to learn. (Also there is girl/boy scouts,chess club etc.)
Keep a few (or more) books on hand in case you need something to do during free time or need it for class.

Keep a book handy. A book is an asset that is very good to have with you. If you are not as socially engaged in school these days, a book will act as somebody interesting to talk to. If anyone just like you ends up seeing you reading their favorite series then you will probably start to chat up a storm. This can start a friendly relationship. Books build up your vocabulary and promote eloquence. This will help you a lot in class.
Keep priorities straight.

Keep priorities straight. Remember school is for learning, so don't be so consumed with extracurricular activities that you forget your core classes. If you practice sports after school all the time you won't get to study. And you should write down your homework in a notebook.
Stay out of gossip and getting in trouble with friends.

Stay out of gossip and getting in trouble with friends. Middle school are usually the years when you get tangled up in drama without meaning to. For some people, their friends turn into someone who they could barely recognize anymore. If you find a friend becoming "poisonous", don't be afraid to politely stop the friendship; it will help you in the long run.
Don't get consumed with your grades.

Don't get consumed with your grades. Middle school grades have an effect on your future, such as if you are trying to get into an advanced high school, but you don't have to focus your whole life on them. Of course, don't slack off and get caught up into your social life. Focus on your understanding of the material.
Know your teachers well.

Know your teachers well. Some teachers expect more than others and different teachers have higher or lower trouble tolerances than others.
If you see a possible bully or an old one from elementary school, then stay away. Avoid sitting next to them or making contact, but they might have forgotten about you. If so, then don't remind them. They could have also changed so don't always ignore them. Don't let a bully pick on you or a friend, the situation can and will only get worse-you or a friend could be seriously injured by a bully. Put an end to bullying as soon as it starts. Get a trustworthy adult such as a teacher. The punishment will only get worse for the bully if he/she continues after being ratted out.
Seek out friends from previous years of school. Try to keep in contact and also try to give them contact info before school/end of elementary school. Don't see any old friends or need new ones? Find some new friends! You can meet new people everywhere in school. Remember to choose your friends wisely. You want friends that have similar interests, you don't want to be friends with someone just because they are popular. You have the whole school to pick from so there is plenty of choices.
Don't wear what the "cool kids" wear. It makes you seem like a follower, so start a new style. Wear clothes that you love but aren't regular jeans and a T-shirt that everyone has. Wear clothes that you think are cool. Let your outfit say something about you as a person.
Sit up front. It will make it easier for you to pay attention, and you will get better grades.
When trying out for sports, have the right equipment. Also, make sure the coach notices you. And if you don't make the team, keep trying, and don't give up! And have good grades for sports. Trust me, you will need them!
Stay cool! Don't do bad things just because the "cool" kids are doing it. It won't help you at anything. It will just make your grade go down, people will not like you, and even if the "cool" kids are doing it they don't really like you, they just want you to be "uncool". Punishments get worse than detentions. soon it will a suspension and soon you could get expelled permanently. Don't let people change you!

When you're picking your electives, pick the things you enjoy doing; for example, theatre! It makes the day go by more quickly, and you might just make a new friend.
Remember that you will get through it! Savor weekends and breaks. Eventually summer will come and you will be another step closer to going to college.
The most important thing. Be yourself! this may sound cliche, but honestly, that is really all you have to do to get by in middle school. Any school, really. If a person doesn't accept you for who you are, then that is their problem, not yours. Remember that. Move on until you find someone who suits your personality.
Remember: There is no such thing as a "popular" kid. Everybody is popular in their own way, and don't change who you are to try and get accepted by others. If you just let things roll, and be yourself, then you will get along with your peers much more easily.
When you get to middle school, most kids think that they are ready to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. However, this is not the case. Just because you are in middle school doesn't mean you're not a kid anymore. Stay far away from boyfriend/girlfriend relationships, because that only creates more drama and pressure on you. Right now, at your age, just have fun and be a kid. Boyfriends and girfriends will come eventually, but middle school is usually full of so much drama between boyfriends and girlfriends that having one will make it much worse.