Webster County High School

Be an active partner in your teen's education It is as important now for you to be involved in your teen's education as it was when your student was younger. Don't wait for signs of trouble to make contact with your teen's teachers. Ask about what your teen is learning and how you can help. Check in with a school counselor to find out if your teen's classes will prepare your student to achieve goals. Ask how other parents are getting involved at school, and consider joining them. https://tpitip.com/?32jO18889

Note cards make it easy to organize research When your teen has a project to research, suggest taking notes on index cards instead of paper or online. Your student can use different colors of cards to organize different types of information. Then, after researching, your teen can lay the cards out on the floor and arrange them under headings such as "introduction," "main points," "details" and "conclusion" to make a physical outline to follow when writing. https://tpitip.com/?32jM18889

Let your teen experience problem-solving firsthand It's hard to stand back when kids are making less-than-perfect decisions. But if parents solve their teens' problems for them, the teens can't learn from their experiences. Instead, when your student has a choice to make or a problem to solve, suggest brainstorming possible solutions and the pros and cons of each. Listen to your teen's concerns and reasoning, and provide guidance if needed. Then let your teen make the decision and learn from the consequences. https://tpitip.com/?32jK18889

Have your teen put math to practical use One way to support your teen's efforts in math is to demonstrate how useful it is in everyday life. You are probably interested in the average amount you spend on groceries in a month, for example. Tell your teen how much you budget for food. Then hand over your receipts. Have your teen calculate the average of your actual spending each month and compare it to your budget. Suggest making a chart that shows the difference. https://tpitip.com/?32jJ18889

Ask for your teen's expert opinion There's one topic on which teens are the experts: themselves and their ideas. So when you read or watch an interesting news story, talk to your teen about it. Ask, "How does this relate to your own life?" Ask for your teen's opinion on it. Allow a little time for your student to think it through and express ideas clearly. You may learn more about your teen's ideas, worries, friends and life. And you'll be learning from the expert. https://tpitip.com/?32jG18889

Small daily steps lead to math and science progress Taking advantage of as many science and math classes as possible in middle and high school expands teens' college and career options. For success in these classes, encourage your teen to study every day. Your student should start study sessions by reviewing. Answering the sample questions in the chapter is also good practice. Remind your teen to avoid falling behind. Studying science or math is like climbing stairs. Progress is made step by step. https://tpitip.com/?32jD18889

Give your teen the key to better notes When students struggle to remember what happened in a class, it may mean that they need to take better notes. Share these note-taking strategies with your teen: Listen for what the teacher emphasizes and use abbreviations instead of writing down each word. Review notes as soon as possible after class while the information is fresh in mind. Then each evening, your teen can study the notes to reinforce understanding. https://tpitip.com/?32jB18889

Provide structure to reduce afternoon risks Did you know that the peak time for juvenile crime, as well as drug and sexual activity, is the afternoon? To promote safety after school, set clear rules about where your teen can go and responsibilities at home and away from home. Then monitor your teen's activity. Encourage your student to get involved in a supervised school activity such as band or a sport. It's also helpful to coordinate with other students' parents about curfews and rules for your kids. https://tpitip.com/?32id18889

Don't abandon rules to avoid a conflict with your teen As children get older, many parents are tempted to relax their discipline rules. But teens still need limits. When everything else in their lives seems to be changing, they need to know your guidance will be constant. Don't give in to demands for more freedom just to keep the peace. Instead, give your teen the opportunity to earn more freedom by taking on more personal responsibility. https://tpitip.com/?32ic18889

Use fun lists to get a helpful habit started The emotional and physical changes that happen during the teen years can make many kids forgetful and disorganized. This is usually a temporary phase. But if your teen's memory needs a boost, help establish the habit of writing down lists. Have your teen make lists of favorite songs, restaurants, books, etc. Then encourage your student to carry the habit over to school and make to-do lists of tasks and assignments. https://tpitip.com/?32ia18889

Volunteer to strengthen community and connection Students learn a lot from volunteering. And few things bring parents and teens closer than working together to help others. Look for opportunities to volunteer with your teen. Check out groups such as the local branch of the American Red Cross. A local park may have clean-up days. Nursing homes and senior centers may also welcome friendly helpers. You and your teen could even do something on your own, such as putting together toiletry kits for the homeless in your area. https://tpitip.com/?32iZ18889

Plan for success at a parent-teacher conference Parent-teacher conferences are not just for solving problems. They also help you ensure that your teen is doing as well in school as possible. To make the most of a conference, ask questions that dive deep into your teen's school life: What do you see as my student's strengths? Is my teen performing at, below, or above grade level? Does my teen work well independently? In groups? What can I do to help? https://tpitip.com/?32iY18889

What should parents do when students cheat? If you learn that your teen has been caught cheating at school, the first thing to do is stay calm. Next, get your teen's side of the story. Why did your student cheat? If your teen admits to cheating, offer thanks for telling the truth, then explain that cheating is always wrong. Talk about the consequences that will follow at school and at home. To move forward, work with your teen and the teacher to figure out how your teen can succeed without cheating. https://tpitip.com/?32iW18889

Make it clear that learning is the point of education Good grades are important, but learning is the real reason for going to school. When you discuss school with your student, ask questions that focus on what your teen is learning. For example, instead of asking about an expected math test grade, have your teen show you how to work some recent math problems. Ask about ways your teen has become a stronger writer, or which science experiments have been most interesting. These kinds of questions show that learning is what counts. https://tpitip.com/?32iV18889

Teach your teen to manage time, hour by hour Time management is a critical skill for busy teens. To encourage it, have your teen calculate the hours available in a week for activities, including studying (after subtracting time for sleeping, eating and school, there should be about 50-60 left). For one week, have your student keep an activity log during those hours. Then together, use the log to figure out the best times to study, like when your teen is most alert. Finally, have your teen plan the next week's study schedule. https://tpitip.com/?32iU18889

Encourage your teen to join the fight against bullying Bullying can be a problem in the teen years. That's bad news. But there is good news, too. At this age, teens are developing a strong sense of right and wrong, concern for others, and feelings of outrage about injustice. To help prevent bullying, discuss the different forms it takes and enlist your teen's help. Explain that it's important to tell a trusted adult right away if your student is aware of students threatening or bullying others. https://tpitip.com/?32iT18889

Offer a challenge to deal with distractions When an activity such as an online game or mobile app interferes with schoolwork, many parents take it away. But that may simply make the distraction more appealing to your teen. Instead, challenge your student to design a schedule that allows enough time to complete assignments with time to spare for the game when the work is done. Sticking to the schedule will strengthen responsibility and accountability. https://tpitip.com/?32iS18889

Teens often learn self-discipline by trial and error Research shows that self-discipline has a positive impact on students' grades, attendance and test scores. To help develop your teen's sense of self-discipline, avoid coming to the rescue (unless it's a matter of safety). A teen who experiences the consequences of forgetting to turn in an assignment, for example, will learn to plan ahead. You can also encourage your teen to participate in activities that require regular practice, such as playing a musical instrument or a sport. https://tpitip.com/?32iK18889

Help your teen explore strengths and discover interests One of the important ways teens can plan for life after high school is to learn more about their own strengths and interests. Encourage your teen to read a variety of materials that will introduce new possibilities. Suggest that your student ask people about their jobs and how they prepared for them. Then challenge your teen to try new pursuits and activities. It's the easiest way for teens to discover their strengths. https://tpitip.com/?32iJ18889

Resolve to help your teen have a great school year Does the start of school seem like the "real" start to the year? Then make some New Year's resolutions! To help your teen's school year go more smoothly, resolve to: Meet with your teen's teachers before the end of the first marking period. Check with the counselor to make sure your student is on track to graduate and meet college admissions requirements. And whenever you can, attend school events that involve your teen. https://tpitip.com/?32iE18889