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Grader for College
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Table of Contents
Prepare My Sixth Grader for College, Month by Month
Create a Collegegoing Culture in My Home
Know How Much to Save for College
Create a Study Plan with My Sixth Grader
Help My Sixth Grader with Smart Goal Setting
Get to Know My Sixth Grader's Guidance Counselor
Help My Sixth Grader Create a College Portfolio
Talk with My Child about the Middle School Transition
Help My Sixth Grader Choose Extracurricular Activities Wisely
Help My Sixth Grader Master Computer Skills
Getting into College Takes Smart Goal Setting in Middle School
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
Prepare My Sixth Grader for College
2 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
Yes, if you want to plan for college now while your kids are still in middle school. This Guide contains information on paying for
college, choosing the right classes in middle school, improving middle school study skills, teenagers’ activities, and much more.
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
Prepare My Sixth Grader for College
Yes, if you want to plan for college now while your kids are still in middle school. This Guide contains information on paying for
college, choosing the right classes in middle school, improving middle school study skills, teenagers’ activities, and much more.
How does it work?
l Quizzes help you know where you stand.
l Articles give you the background information you need to make a decision.
l ShortCuts help you take immediate action. Choose one or go through them all.
What will I learn?
l How to help my sixth grader set goals and study better
l How to help my middle schooler choose classes that will be beneficial
l How to save money for college
l How to promote the idea of college in our home
Quick Solutions
l What can I do in 15 Minutes? Take the “Do We Have a ‘Collegegoing’ Culture at Home?" quiz. Color a banner in your favorite
college team’s school colors—hang it in your house.
l What can I do in an hour? Find out about different careers (with your preteen) on mappingyourfuture.org. Attend middle school
orientation with your child.
l What can I do in a day? Visit a college campus or attend a college event with your family. Bring your middle schooler to work
with you and let him or her see what you do at your job.
Prepare My Sixth Grader for College, Month by Month
Monthly Checklist Provides Simple Tips for Parents
Follow these tips for parents and preteens, and be sure your sixth grader is on the road to middle school success and prepared for
college:
The Summer Before Sixth Grade
l Create a college portfolio—Have your child include items such as middle school report cards, nominations and academic
awards received, sports awards, volunteer hours, and extracurricular activities. Check out EduGuide’s “Help My Sixth Grader
Create a College Portfolio” ShortCut for stepbystep instructions on how to make an extensive portfolio.
3 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
l Surf the web—Spend a few hours with your sixth grader exploring different careers and colleges by checking out websites
such as mappingyourfuture.org. Click on “Careership” to find a description of many possible careers plus a tool that helps
with you and let him or her see what you do at your job.
Prepare My Sixth Grader for College, Month by Month
Monthly Checklist Provides Simple Tips for Parents
Follow these tips for parents and preteens, and be sure your sixth grader is on the road to middle school success and prepared for
college:
The Summer Before Sixth Grade
l Create a college portfolio—Have your child include items such as middle school report cards, nominations and academic
awards received, sports awards, volunteer hours, and extracurricular activities. Check out EduGuide’s “Help My Sixth Grader
Create a College Portfolio” ShortCut for stepbystep instructions on how to make an extensive portfolio.
l Surf the web—Spend a few hours with your sixth grader exploring different careers and colleges by checking out websites
such as mappingyourfuture.org. Click on “Careership” to find a description of many possible careers plus a tool that helps
match your kid’s interest to different jobs.
l Encourage summer jobs—Your kid doesn’t have to work 40 hours a week, but encourage even eight to ten hours of
babysitting, yard work, or volunteering each week. Colleges like to see that kids show initiative and responsibility at a young
age.
l Get to know your child’s guidance counselor—Meet in August and make sure the counselor knows your child is planning to
attend college. Ask questions about your state’s middle and high school requirements, plus what classes your child can take
to earn high school credit during middle school. Refer to EduGuide’s, “Get to Know My Sixth Grader’s Guidance Counselor”
ShortCut for more details about how to make the most of your meeting.
l Master computer skills—Teachers expect students to use computers for research, presentations, and general schoolwork,
and they will use computers even more as they get older. Many colleges even offer applications for free if you complete them
online. Since most colleges charge about $60 per application, this that can really add up to big savings if students submit
online applications! For more information on how to achieve this goal, see EduGuide’s “Help My Sixth Grader Master Computer
Skills” ShortCut.
August
l Attend middle school orientation—It’s important to have at least one parent attend orientation with your middle schooler. This
is a great time to sign up to help in the classroom, with PTA, or with athome projects. It also gives you a chance to meet your
child’s teachers, the principal, and the support staff at the school.
l Encourage extracurricular activities—Middle school sports provide opportunities for sixth grade students to participate with
other kids their same size and age. This can be helpful for kids who may not be completely developed and may have a tough
time going up against bigger seventh and eighth grade students. Plus, most sixthgrade programs don’t make cuts, so all kids
get a chance to play. Besides sports, middle schoolers can also join clubs, theater (drama), academic organizations, or
volunteer in the community. For more help with activities, look at EduGuide’s ShortCut entitled, “Help My Sixth Grader Choose
Extracurricular Activities Wisely.”
October
l Attend parentteacher conferences—This is a great opportunity to talk with teachers and find out how your child is doing in
school and where he or she can make improvements. For a complete guide to preparing for conferences, check out our
“Conferences Are Great Time for Parentteacher Communication” article
l Discuss internet rules—Make sure your preteen is aware that what he or she posts on facebook, MySpace, or other sites can
affect college admissions later on. You never know which “friend of a friend” may see something your child has posted on one
of these sites. It could be used against your child when applying to colleges if a college admissions officer has access to your
child’s internet accounts.
November
4 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
l Talk about grades—Even though colleges don’t look at middle school grades, it’s a good idea to talk to your kids early about
affect college admissions later on. You never know which “friend of a friend” may see something your child has posted on one
of these sites. It could be used against your child when applying to colleges if a college admissions officer has access to your
child’s internet accounts.
November
l Talk about grades—Even though colleges don’t look at middle school grades, it’s a good idea to talk to your kids early about
grades. Many scholarships are based on academics, so the better your kids do during middle school to prepare themselves
for high school, the better chance they have to receive academicbased scholarships.
December
l Continue to save—If you are already saving toward your child’s education, keep on saving. Even if you haven’t saved much (or
even if you’ve saved nothing at all), it’s not too late. Even putting $50 a month into a savings account for your child’s college can
be helpful. Our Guide, “Help My Child Pay for College” offers several suggestions for saving for college.
January
l Take your kid to work with you—Let your child see what you do at your job and what other jobs are available at your place of
employment. If your child is interested in learning more about your friend’s job, ask if he or she might tag along for a few hours.
February
l Check out Career Day at the middle school—Volunteer and get a close look at what types of careers are being presented to
your middle schooler. Take the opportunity to discuss what your child learned and what he or she might be interested in as a
possible career.
April
l Check out colleges—Attend a sports or other event at a nearby college with your entire family. This is a fun way to see a
college campus and talk about the different activities available at college.
May
l Update your child’s college portfolio—Put any of the following in your child’s portfolio: awards, highquality writing samples,
report cards, sports honors, and volunteer opportunities.
l Start preparing for seventh grade—Meet with the counselor again and review your child’s schedule for the upcoming year.
Sources:
www.questbridge.org
www.ed.gov
www.publicschoolreview.com
Create a Collegegoing Culture in My Home
If you want your kids to attend college after high school, you have to start by creating a collegegoing culture in your home. A college
going culture includes the practices, attitudes, and actions of parents and siblings that support and encourage kids to attend college.
Here are some ways you can be sure that your family is creating a collegegoing culture in your home:
Create a Collegegoing Culture in My Home
If you want your kids to attend college after high school, you have to start by creating a collegegoing culture in your home. A college
going culture includes the practices, attitudes, and actions of parents and siblings that support and encourage kids to attend college.
Here are some ways you can be sure that your family is creating a collegegoing culture in your home:
l Attend local (or close by) college sporting events. Many kids look up to college athletes and get excited watching them on the
field or court. By taking your kids to a college event, you’re opening up an exciting new world.
l Visit college campuses. Pick a few colleges to visit. Not only will it get your kid excited about college, but also it will save you
time during junior and senior years when you and your kid will want to visit several campuses.
l Talk about where, not if. Discuss where your kid wants to attend college. Make it a part of normal conversation, not just
something that’s talked about once in a while. When you talk about your child’s graduating class, instead of using their high
school graduation date (class of 2010), use the date of college graduation (class of 2014).
l Talk about goals. Encourage your kids to talk about their goals after high school. Emphasize the importance of smart goal
setting and achieving your dreams. Inform them about your own goals in your life and how you plan to reach them.
l Discuss your experiences. If you attended college, tell your child about your experiences and how much college changed your
life. If your child is the first one in the family to attend college, create excitement by talking about all the positives of college life.
l Support a specific college. If your family has a favorite college, hang that school’s banner or flag somewhere in (or outside of)
your home, or wear a college tshirt. Your child doesn’t necessarily have to attend that school, just show your kids your
excitement and support.
l Use outside experiences. Use a trip to your pet’s veterinarian as a chance to talk about what a veterinarian does in her or her
job daily. Expand the conversation to include what other types of doctors do in their jobs.
l Create a “college month.” And pick a different university each month to highlight. Involve the whole family to find out the college
sports team name, school colors, academic specialties, size, location, and any other interesting facts. Be creative: make
cupcakes in the school colors and watch the school’s sporting events on TV.
sources:
www.collegetools.berkeley.edu
www.colorincolorado.org
Know How Much to Save for College
Use a College Savings Calculator
If you’re not sure what kind of financial goals to set to fund your child’s college education, a college saving calculator, such as this one
on the TIAACREF Web site, can help as you think about saving money for college.
Information You’ll Need before You Start
l Cost of tuition for one year of college today: If you’re not sure where your child might go to school, simply pick a public four
6 ONLINE EDUGUIDE
year college in your state and check its Web site for its annual tuition. www.EduGuide.org
l Tuition inflation rate: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent. Depending on the school, the area of the country, and
www.collegetools.berkeley.edu
www.colorincolorado.org
Know How Much to Save for College
Use a College Savings Calculator
If you’re not sure what kind of financial goals to set to fund your child’s college education, a college saving calculator, such as this one
on the TIAACREF Web site, can help as you think about saving money for college.
Information You’ll Need before You Start
l Cost of tuition for one year of college today: If you’re not sure where your child might go to school, simply pick a public four
year college in your state and check its Web site for its annual tuition.
l Tuition inflation rate: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent. Depending on the school, the area of the country, and
the current economy, this figure could be between two and eight percent.
l Years to save before college: Assume your child will start college at eighteen, and subtract his or her current age to arrive at
this number.
l Initial savings: the amount of money you already have set aside for college
l Contribution amount: If you have a dollar amount you’d like to contribute monthly, put it in here. You can change the amount to
see how the totals change on the calculator.
l Assumed rate of return: This calculator sets a default rate of six percent.
What the Calculator Will Tell You
l What four years of college will cost by the time your child attends
l How much money your savings plan will have earned by that time
l Your savings shortfall
l What you would need to do to make up the difference, either as a lump sum, additional monthly contributions, or additional
yearly contributions
Keep in mind that most students do not pay full price for college (see “The Real Cost of College”). Note: This exercise focuses on
tuition only. College costs usually include room and board, books, and other costs.
Putting It All Together: Three Examples
1. Aaron and Julie have a new daughter, Alicia. They want to open a 529 college savings plan for her with the hope that she will attend
Big State University in eighteen years. They already have five hundred dollars to open up an account. They are not sure how much to
invest monthly, but think that fifty dollars a month sounds reasonable. Let’s see:
l Today’s tuition at Big State U: $9,000
l Tuition inflation rate: 6 percent
l Years to save before college: 18
l Initial savings: $500
l Monthly contributions: $50
l Rate of return: 6 percent
According to the calculator, in eighteen years, four years at Big State University will cost $112,380, or about $25,689 per year. Aaron
and Julie’s 529 Plan will have $20,567, not quite enough to cover one year’s tuition. If they set their monthly contributions at $100 per
month, they will have $40,550, enough to cover all of Alicia’s first year of school and $14,800 of her second year. To fully fund Alicia’s
college tuition, they would need to set aside $265 per month.
2. Phil and LaDonna have a tenyearold son, Ty. They haven't really thought much about college, but now that Ty is approaching
middle school, they think they should invest something toward his college education. They plan to start with the thousand dollars they
7 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
received as a federal tax refund, and then deposit one hundred fifty dollars a month in a 529 plan. Will that work? Here’s how the
numbers work out:
and Julie’s 529 Plan will have $20,567, not quite enough to cover one year’s tuition. If they set their monthly contributions at $100 per
month, they will have $40,550, enough to cover all of Alicia’s first year of school and $14,800 of her second year. To fully fund Alicia’s
college tuition, they would need to set aside $265 per month.
2. Phil and LaDonna have a tenyearold son, Ty. They haven't really thought much about college, but now that Ty is approaching
middle school, they think they should invest something toward his college education. They plan to start with the thousand dollars they
received as a federal tax refund, and then deposit one hundred fifty dollars a month in a 529 plan. Will that work? Here’s how the
numbers work out:
l Today’s tuition at Big State U: $9,000
l Tuition inflation rate: 6 percent
l Years to save before college: 8
l Initial savings: $1,000
l Monthly contributions: $150
l Rate of return: 6 percent
According to the calculator, in eight years, four years at Big State University will cost $62,752, or $14,345 per year. By investing one
hundred fifty dollars a month, Phil and LaDonna will have saved $20,321, enough to pay for one full year and part of a second. If they
were to invest $265 a month (what Aaron and Julie need to invest to fully fund their child’s education), they would have $35,609,
enough to pay for about 2 1/2 years of college. To fully fund Ty’s college education, Phil and LaDonna will have to invest $455 per
month.
3. James and Elise have a fifteenyearold daughter, Mandy, who just informed them that she wants to go to Big State University in
three years. James and Elise have never really thought much about paying for college. Mandy is a smart girl, but they’re not sure how
much she might get in scholarships. They decide to start putting something away but aren’t sure how much good it will do. Here are
the numbers:
l Today’s tuition at Big State U: $9,000
l Tuition inflation rate: 6 percent
l Years to save before college: 3
l Initial savings: $500
l Monthly contributions: $200
l Rate of return: 6 percent
According to the calculator, in three years, four years at Big State University will $46,892, or $12,044 per year. By investing $200 per
month, James and Elise will be able to pay $8,482 towards Mandy’s first year of college. If they invest $455 per month (what Phil and
LaDonna need to invest to fully fund their child’s education), they will have $19,007, enough to pay for all of Mandy’s first year and
about twothirds of her second year. To fully fund her education, they will need to invest a whopping $1,073 per month.
These examples illustrate the benefits of investing early for your child’s college education. But if you haven’t started saving yet, does
that mean you shouldn’t? Should James and Elise even bother if all they can put aside is two hundred dollars a month? Absolutely.
The $8,482 they save is $8,482 they won’t have to borrow and pay back later. Saving is always worthwhile.
You may wonder if saving now will cut your child’s financial aid later. A little for some families, but you’re still better off having money
than not, just as you’re better off earning wages than not despite income taxes. Using today’s aid formula, a low or middleincome
family could lose up to five dollars in aid for every one hundred dollars extra they saved in any of the current college savings tools.
Create a Study Plan with My Sixth Grader
A Good Plan Puts Study Tips in High Gear
Take some time and read these helpful study tips with your child. This ShortCut, written for preteens and teenagers, includes some
useful information on improving middle school study skills.
According to a study by Joan Carver, the following are signs of a solid study plan with a good chance of success:
8 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
1. Simple.
family could lose up to five dollars in aid for every one hundred dollars extra they saved in any of the current college savings tools.
Create a Study Plan with My Sixth Grader
A Good Plan Puts Study Tips in High Gear
Take some time and read these helpful study tips with your child. This ShortCut, written for preteens and teenagers, includes some
useful information on improving middle school study skills.
According to a study by Joan Carver, the following are signs of a solid study plan with a good chance of success:
1. Simple.
2. Specific. Say what you're going to do and where, when, and how you're going to do it.
3. Positive. Say what you are going to do (not what you're going to stop doing).
4. Repetitive.
5. Independent. Make sure the student is doing the work and not depending on somebody else.
6. Immediate.
7. Committed.
Write down your study plan. Why? Because when you write something, you're more likely to do it.
Here's an Example
This is a study plan for completing an assigned reading. Does it include the seven traits listed above?
I will read at least ten pages of Animal Farm between four and five every afternoon until I’ve finished the book. I'll read in my bedroom
where it's quiet and there are fewer distractions. After I finish every page, I'll pause to ask myself what happened in the story. I'll answer
out loud to help me remember.
Now It's Your Turn
Create a study plan for one of your assignments.
l Write down your plan.
l Make sure it includes the seven steps.
l Check it over.
Don't underestimate the power of making plans. Remember: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
For additional study tips for your specific learning type, check out our EduGuide Discover My Child’s Learning Style.
Help My Sixth Grader with Smart Goal Setting
9 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
Take a few minutes with your preteen to read and discuss the following steps, designed to help kids find the best goals to set and
For additional study tips for your specific learning type, check out our EduGuide Discover My Child’s Learning Style.
Help My Sixth Grader with Smart Goal Setting
Take a few minutes with your preteen to read and discuss the following steps, designed to help kids find the best goals to set and
help them keep those goals realistic and achievable.
Brainstorm
l Free write. Jot down ideas for goals as they come to you without evaluating or editing them until all possible smart goal setting
has been captured.
l Make an idea web. Ideas go in the center circle, details in the smaller circles.
l Experiment with mindmapping software such as FreeMind, MindNode, or MyMind, all of which you can download from the
Internet for free.
Goals to Set
Pick a goal. That’s right, just one. Once you accomplish your first goal, you can celebrate and move on to the next goal.
Goal Setting and Success
Select a goal that you can accomplish in weeks or months, not years. For example, if your longterm goal is to become a ballet dancer,
set a goal of practicing for an hour a day for a month. Assess your progress after a month and then set the next goal.
Be Specific
The goal “I will be nicer to my sister” is too vague. Ask yourself the question, “How?” Answer: “I will invite my sister to go shopping or to
a movie at least once a week.” For help focusing on your goals, take the "'Get These Goals in Line' Challenge."
Measure It
A realistic goal is one that can be measured, either by time or amount.
Keep It Simple
A goal that is too hard can be discouraging. Breaking a challenging goal down into steps (see ShortCut: "Achieve Your Goals") can
help keep your spirits up and give you the minisuccesses you need to stay focused.
Stay Positive
Positive goals are motivating (see ShortCut: "Use Affirmations and Visualization"). Word your goal in a positive way: “I will get a B in
English” instead of “I’ll stop flunking English.”
Write It Down
Make your goal real by writing it down, perhaps in your goal journal if you are keeping one (see ShortCut: "Make a Goal Journal").
Need practice writing realistic goal statements? Try the “'Get These Goals in Line!' Challenge."
10 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
Make your goal real by writing it down, perhaps in your goal journal if you are keeping one (see ShortCut: "Make a Goal Journal").
Need practice writing realistic goal statements? Try the “'Get These Goals in Line!' Challenge."
Get to Know My Sixth Grader's Guidance Counselor
Tips for Parents
Do you know who your child’s counselor is? Does your child know? Now is the time to get acquainted with a person who can help your
child achieve middle school success. You want to make sure that he or she remembers your child—for the right reasons.
Schedule an Appointment
Call the school to find out the name of your child’s counselor and schedule an appointment. You don’t have to have a specific problem
to solve, but in order to get the most out of your meeting, try to keep focused on a single topic. Here are some ideas:
l Getting to know you. Share your hopes and dreams for your child. Tell the counselor about his or her interests, activities, and
jobs so the counselor can begin to create a picture of your child. Let the counselor know your child’s academic strengths and
weaknesses, and ask advice about the best courses for your child.
l Volunteer your time. The counselor can give you a schedule of dances, career days, and other volunteer opportunities that are
available throughout the year.
l Show me the money. If you’re unsure how to pay for college, the school counselor can provide information about future high
school scholarships, grants, awards, and financial aid for school that you can start thinking about while your child is in middle
school.
l On the right track. If your child is excelling in school, inquire about advanced classes, programs, and extracurricular
opportunities to keep him or her challenged. If your child is struggling, ask about tutors, peer assistance programs, and
outside help.
l Red flags. If your child or your family is going through a difficult time—divorce, illness or death in the family, unemployment—be
sure to let the counselor know, especially if these circumstances are affecting your child’s grades.
Keep in Touch
Even if you only have one formal facetoface meeting with the counselor, be sure that he or she knows you are out there, active and
concerned about your child’s school progress. How?
l Say “hello” when you see the counselor at school functions like open houses, parentteacher conferences, school plays and
concerts, athletic events, and award ceremonies. Don’t discuss your child’s academic situation, just be friendly and visible.
l Attend schoolsponsored workshops and parent meetings related to course selection, graduation requirements, and college
planning. You might be surprised how few parents attend these events. Your presence there will show how committed you are
to your child’s educational success.
l Call or email with questions. Most counselors will reply to phone and email messages from parents. This respects their time
and yours.
Help My Sixth Grader Create a College Portfolio
11ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
Need practice writing realistic goal statements? Try the “'Get These Goals in Line!' Challenge."
Get to Know My Sixth Grader's Guidance Counselor
Tips for Parents
Do you know who your child’s counselor is? Does your child know? Now is the time to get acquainted with a person who can help your
child achieve middle school success. You want to make sure that he or she remembers your child—for the right reasons.
Schedule an Appointment
Call the school to find out the name of your child’s counselor and schedule an appointment. You don’t have to have a specific problem
to solve, but in order to get the most out of your meeting, try to keep focused on a single topic. Here are some ideas:
l Getting to know you. Share your hopes and dreams for your child. Tell the counselor about his or her interests, activities, and
jobs so the counselor can begin to create a picture of your child. Let the counselor know your child’s academic strengths and
weaknesses, and ask advice about the best courses for your child.
l Volunteer your time. The counselor can give you a schedule of dances, career days, and other volunteer opportunities that are
available throughout the year.
l Show me the money. If you’re unsure how to pay for college, the school counselor can provide information about future high
school scholarships, grants, awards, and financial aid for school that you can start thinking about while your child is in middle
school.
l On the right track. If your child is excelling in school, inquire about advanced classes, programs, and extracurricular
opportunities to keep him or her challenged. If your child is struggling, ask about tutors, peer assistance programs, and
outside help.
l Red flags. If your child or your family is going through a difficult time—divorce, illness or death in the family, unemployment—be
sure to let the counselor know, especially if these circumstances are affecting your child’s grades.
Keep in Touch
Even if you only have one formal facetoface meeting with the counselor, be sure that he or she knows you are out there, active and
concerned about your child’s school progress. How?
l Say “hello” when you see the counselor at school functions like open houses, parentteacher conferences, school plays and
concerts, athletic events, and award ceremonies. Don’t discuss your child’s academic situation, just be friendly and visible.
l Attend schoolsponsored workshops and parent meetings related to course selection, graduation requirements, and college
planning. You might be surprised how few parents attend these events. Your presence there will show how committed you are
to your child’s educational success.
l Call or email with questions. Most counselors will reply to phone and email messages from parents. This respects their time
and yours.
Help My Sixth Grader Create a College Portfolio
12 ONLINE EDUGUIDE www.EduGuide.org
One of the most important pieces of information colleges will ask for is a list of your child’s accomplishments. The best way to keep
and yours.
Help My Sixth Grader Create a College Portfolio
One of the most important pieces of information colleges will ask for is a list of your child’s accomplishments. The best way to keep
track of those accomplishments is to create a portfolio as soon as your child begins school. To avoid a lastminute scramble to find
the necessary information during your child’s senior year, follow these tips for parents and kids.
What Should My Preteen Include in the College Portfolio?
l Academic information. This includes classes taken during middle school (especially if high school credit was earned) and
report cards.
l Sports awards. If addition to the actual award, keep any sports banquet programs that include a special recognition (MVP,
academic honors, etc.) your child might have received.
l Community service (volunteer) hours. Even if your preteen volunteered for just an hour or two raking leaves with a church
group, write it down. You’ll be amazed how the hours add up!
l Extracurricular activities. Include any school clubs, dance classes, piano lessons, jobs (including babysitting), and any other
activity your child has been involved in during school years.
l Academic nominations and awards. Even if your child was nominated but didn’t actually receive the award, keep track of the
nominations. Also, be sure to keep a copy of the honor roll from your local newspaper when your child is listed.
l Letters of recommendations. Have your teen ask one or two favorite teachers from each grade to write a letter of
recommendation highlighting his or her strengths in the classroom.
How Should My Child Create a College Portfolio?
l Buy a portfolio. Keep it simple—a threering binder (with dividers) or an accordion file is all you need.
l Label the dividers. You can either divide the information by years (sixth through eighth grades) or by categories as listed
above.
l Design a cover. Your child is going to have this portfolio for the next several years, so encourage him or her to make it unique
and add some personal flair.
l Keep your portfolio updated. Add to it as often as you can. If there’s some information you’re not sure if you should keep, save
it anyway. If you don’t use it, you can always throw it away later.
Talk with My Child about the Middle School Transition
A Positive Transition Is Key to Success
Often, the middle school years cause preteenagers stress and anxiety. So, how can we make the experience better for our kids?
Cheryl Mathews, a junior high counselor, gave the following tips for parents on how to ease stress in children as they enter middle
school.
1. Be upbeat about what lies ahead. Don’t reminisce about your bad middle school transition. Instead, focus on the positive
13 aspects of the experience: a chance to learn about many different subjects, meet new people, and grow into a young adult.
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2. Recognize their fears and take teenagers' issues seriously. Most incoming middle schoolers worry about being the “new
kids on the block.” They fear they will not be able to open their lockers or that they will forget which class they are supposed to
it anyway. If you don’t use it, you can always throw it away later.
Talk with My Child about the Middle School Transition
A Positive Transition Is Key to Success
Often, the middle school years cause preteenagers stress and anxiety. So, how can we make the experience better for our kids?
Cheryl Mathews, a junior high counselor, gave the following tips for parents on how to ease stress in children as they enter middle
school.
1. Be upbeat about what lies ahead. Don’t reminisce about your bad middle school transition. Instead, focus on the positive
aspects of the experience: a chance to learn about many different subjects, meet new people, and grow into a young adult.
2. Recognize their fears and take teenagers' issues seriously. Most incoming middle schoolers worry about being the “new
kids on the block.” They fear they will not be able to open their lockers or that they will forget which class they are supposed to
go to. Give your child strategies that will ease her fears: she can practice with combination locks at home or tape her schedule
to the inside of her binder.
3. Offer support. Talk to your child about the school day. Ask how things are going, but don’t grill them. Let your kid face some
natural consequences, but help them avoid pitfalls when you can.
4. Hold your child accountable. You can bet the teachers will. In middle school, kids are responsible for getting to classes on
time. They are responsible for grades and for completing homework assignments.
5. Give your child the opportunity to make some decisions on his or her own. What is a good bedtime? How much sleep is
needed? Let your child experiment, within reason Provide resources to assist in the decisionmaking process (eight to ten
hours is considered “normal”). Give your child some articles on exercise and good nutrition to help guide in making good
decisions.
6. Pick your battles. Decide what is important to you and what you can let slide. If you hate the outfit your kid wants to wear but it
meets school guidelines, let it go.
7. Give them the tools they need to succeed. Make sure they have a wellstocked area for homework that is free from
distractions. Consider supplying your child with an academic planner and demonstrating how it’s used. See our "Help My Kid
Choose the Right Organization Tools" ShortCut.
8. Allow them the freedom to make mistakes. Expect mistakes. According to Matthews, Kids this age are on an “emotional roller
coaster. They are children one day and adults the next. They want to be different, but they want to fit in. This is a great time in
their life to make mistakes. Know that you’ve done a good job. Know that this time will pass.”
Help My Sixth Grader Choose Extracurricular Activities Wisely
Extracurricular activities are an important part of your preteen’s daily routine. But, knowing which activities and how many to choose
can be a bit challenging. Here are some helpful tips for parents and preteens that may help when trying to decide which
extracurriculars to choose.
How Many Activities Should My Child Choose?
Some kids might do best with just one extracurricular while others can successfully juggle three or four activities. Encourage your child
to pick one or two and stick with only those activities for a few months. If he or she is staying on top of school work and balancing the
14extra activities successfully, consider adding one more. Keep in mind the time commitment when making final choices.
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their life to make mistakes. Know that you’ve done a good job. Know that this time will pass.”
Help My Sixth Grader Choose Extracurricular Activities Wisely
Extracurricular activities are an important part of your preteen’s daily routine. But, knowing which activities and how many to choose
can be a bit challenging. Here are some helpful tips for parents and preteens that may help when trying to decide which
extracurriculars to choose.
How Many Activities Should My Child Choose?
Some kids might do best with just one extracurricular while others can successfully juggle three or four activities. Encourage your child
to pick one or two and stick with only those activities for a few months. If he or she is staying on top of school work and balancing the
extra activities successfully, consider adding one more. Keep in mind the time commitment when making final choices.
How Do We Know Which Activities to Choose?
When narrowing down choices with your child, consider the following list (although there may be additional activities at your local
middle school and in your community, this list will give you and your preteen some ideas about what to contemplate when looking at
all the choices):
l Career activities. Thinking about becoming a teacher? Volunteering in an elementary school classroom would be a good way
to see what teaching is all about. If your preteen is interested in theater, trying out for the school play, joining the drama club, or
helping with set design could prove beneficial to his or her career choice. Time commitment: Once a week.
l Sports. Sixth grade sports provide opportunities for sixth grade students to participate with kids their same size and age. This
can be helpful for kids who may not be completely developed and will have a tough time going up against much bigger seventh
and eighth grade kids on teams where cuts are made. Time commitment: Every day.
l Special interest groups. Art Club, Photography, Chess Club, Science Olympiad, just to name a few! Check with your middle
school’s student services department for a complete list of groups. Time commitment: Once a week to once a month.
l Yearbook/school newspaper . If your child has any interest in writing, layout and design, or photography, these groups can be
great for gaining valuable experience. Time commitment: Usually once a week to once a month, but may require extra time
during deadlines.
l Band or choir. Most middle schools offer some type of band or choir program. If your child has any interest in music, this could
be a fun activity to consider. Time commitment: Usually two or three times a week, but often requires extra practice time.
The choices may be overwhelming, but the benefits of extracurricular activities are numerous. Students learn time management skills,
make more friends, try new challenges, enhance college applications, and possibly even travel.
Sources:
kidshealth.org
Help My Sixth Grader Master Computer Skills
Check out these simple but useful tips for parents and kids.
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What Computer Skills Should Kids Have?
Sources:
kidshealth.org
Help My Sixth Grader Master Computer Skills
Check out these simple but useful tips for parents and kids.
What Computer Skills Should Kids Have?
l Touch Typing. The huntandpeck method won’t work for your kids during high school and beyond. Learning the proper way to
type as a preteen will be beneficial as they get older.
l Word processing. Most high schools (and some middle schools) require students to type reports and English papers in a
wordprocessing format. Ask the teacher what format he or she prefers. In addition, college students will need to prepare
nearly all of their work on a computer.
l Spreadsheets, graphs, and presentations. Programs like Excel (for spreadsheets) and PowerPoint (for graphs and
presentations) are becoming more popular as teachers’ expectations increase. Handdrawn charts and graphs can’t compare
to the fancy designs available on these advanced programs.
l Web literacy. Knowing how to “surf the web” wisely is important to middle school students as their homework load increases.
Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! can become a student’s best friend!
l Email and social networking accounts. Most middle school kids should be mature enough to handle their own email address
and instant messaging accounts. Schools (especially colleges) often use exclusively electronic communication.
l General computer maintenance. Computers are great as long as they are working properly. Knowing how to maintain
software and hardware is the key to a healthy relationship between operator and machine. Work with your preteen and show
him or her the basics on the computer.
What Should My Child Do to Master Computer Skills?
l Get creative. Ask your preteen to develop a simple household chores list in a chart format, manage their savings account on
line, create a fancy letterhead, or anything that helps him or her improve computer skills.
l Be internet safe. Before your kids set up their accounts, talk to them about what should and shouldn’t be posted for all to see.
Discuss the dangers of cyber bullying, predators, and general computer etiquette.
l Take classes. Some middle schools offer computer (and typing) classes for students. Many schools even require students to
take at least one computer course during middle school. If your preteen is interested in more classes, check out local
computer stores, community libraries and community colleges.
l Get online. Even if you don’t have internet access in your home, your kids can still get online. Public libraries, coffee houses,
print shops, and school libraries often have computers and wireless internet that can be used for free or for a slight fee.
l Practice, practice, practice. The more your child practices computer skills, the faster he or she will learn how to use different
programs. Trial and error is sometimes the best way to improve.
l Set up email and social networking accounts. Your local internet provider can help you set up an email account for your
child—just call the customer service number and ask for help. The social networking sites usually have stepbystep
instructions for setting up accounts as well.
l Ask for help. One of the best resources for computer help is friends. Ask your friends or your preteen’s friends to spend some
time helping your child navigate the computer. Be sure to prepare a list of specific questions ahead of time to make the most of
your friend’s time as well.
l Become web literate. Knowing how to use Google, Yahoo! and similar search engines is helpful, but deciphering the
information from these websites can be more difficult. How do you know if the information is accurate and from a credible
source? Guide your kids to ask questions like, “Is the site trying to sell a product? How old is the information? Is the
information onesided or does it give both sides of a story? The last thing you want your child to do is turn in a school (or
college) paper with inaccurate information.
Sources:
www.allbusiness.com
www.questbridge.org
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Sources:
www.allbusiness.com
www.questbridge.org
Getting into College Takes Smart Goal Setting in Middle School
When Kids Plan for College They Get There Sooner than Later
EduGuide staff
It’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s transition to college. Teacher Sherry Bowen recently reviewed a government
publication that makes a convincing case for starting early to plan for college with smart goal setting. Take a few minutes with your
teenager and check out the link below.
According to Bowen, Think College? Me? Now? A Handbook for Students in Middle School and Junior High School starts with the
following tips: Keep your options open. College can mean any path to higher learning: fouryear, twoyear, technical, business, or
community college.
l Think about money. By starting now, you can explore many options.
l Raise hope. The book offers many examples that show how attending college affects future earnings.
This booklet, available free from the U.S. Department of Education, also explains why people need a college education, what kinds of
jobs college graduates can get, how to get ready for college, and what courses to take.
Readers will learn the importance of putting together a college support team. This team can include parents, teachers, counselors,
librarians, and other students who plan to attend college.
With easytoread pie graphs and lists of ways to start looking for state financial aid, grants, scholarships, loans, workstudy programs
and federal aid information, this booklet covers all areas of college preparation.
Source: Lynda Wacyk is a former EduGuide editor from Grand Ledge, Michigan.
Due to the dynamic nature of our quizzes, they are only available on the web. Follow the addresses below to take a quiz on our
website.
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
http://www.eduguide.org/Parents/TakeQuiz/tabid/114/quizId/62/view/StepTakeQuiz/Default.aspx
Getting into College Takes Smart Goal Setting in Middle School
When Kids Plan for College They Get There Sooner than Later
EduGuide staff
It’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s transition to college. Teacher Sherry Bowen recently reviewed a government
publication that makes a convincing case for starting early to plan for college with smart goal setting. Take a few minutes with your
teenager and check out the link below.
According to Bowen, Think College? Me? Now? A Handbook for Students in Middle School and Junior High School starts with the
following tips: Keep your options open. College can mean any path to higher learning: fouryear, twoyear, technical, business, or
community college.
l Think about money. By starting now, you can explore many options.
l Raise hope. The book offers many examples that show how attending college affects future earnings.
This booklet, available free from the U.S. Department of Education, also explains why people need a college education, what kinds of
jobs college graduates can get, how to get ready for college, and what courses to take.
Readers will learn the importance of putting together a college support team. This team can include parents, teachers, counselors,
librarians, and other students who plan to attend college.
With easytoread pie graphs and lists of ways to start looking for state financial aid, grants, scholarships, loans, workstudy programs
and federal aid information, this booklet covers all areas of college preparation.
Source: Lynda Wacyk is a former EduGuide editor from Grand Ledge, Michigan.
Due to the dynamic nature of our quizzes, they are only available on the web. Follow the addresses below to take a quiz on our
website.
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
http://www.eduguide.org/Parents/TakeQuiz/tabid/114/quizId/62/view/StepTakeQuiz/Default.aspx
Due to the dynamic nature of our quizzes, they are only available on the web. Follow the addresses below to take a quiz on our
website.
Do We Have a Collegegoing Culture in Our Home?
http://www.eduguide.org/Parents/TakeQuiz/tabid/114/quizId/62/view/StepTakeQuiz/Default.aspx