Developing Independent Middle School Students
Middle school students mature and develop at different paces. Some students arrive home from school and independently complete their homework assignments. Other students require various levels of support to use organizational strategies. The process towards independence takes time. The goal is to allow your child to learn/internalize a process with your support and then to remove the supports and foster independence.
Child A
Description
Not Yet Independent
Profile
Inconsistently writes homework in myHw app and/or is often unclear about assignments or their details
Does not utilize tools such as MY DE or peer, teacher or parent support
Does not fully utilize TAG as a support
May complete work too quickly or may struggle to stay on task and/or to complete assignments in a reasonable amount of time
Assignments may be incomplete, incorrectly completed, of poor quality, or frequently lost
Next Steps
Goal: Move from active, daily, side-by-side modeling of effective homework-completion behaviors, to daily “sidebar coaching” with leading questions, to periodic coaching
Set up clear expectations and a consistent plan:
- Designate a workspace
- Check In daily
- Compare myHW and MYDE
- Create an afternoon/evening schedule that includes daily activities, breaks, meals
If your child is rushing through their work
- Ask to see completed assignments
- Set timer to 20 minutes and have student spend that amount of time on the assignment
There may be push back:
- Remind your child you are here to support them so they avoid having to redo assignments
- Set up a time table for pulling back your support
When you see they are doing more of this on their own you can check in every other day
Child B
Description
Somewhat Independent
Profile
Writes most homework in myHw app when in class
Will check MY DE, email peers or teachers with a nudge from a parent
Utilizes TAG when requested by a teacher
Might ask a parent for content support for an assignment
Perhaps not a self starter, but once they start, they will complete their work
Next Steps
Check in frequently
Help your child create a homework place and a routine
Be sure they know you are available to guide, help navigate and support
Make every attempt not to “take over”
Do not fix the content – ask questions to prompt further development of ideas or encourage them to reach out to a teacher or look at the rubric, ,handout/guidelines for the assignment
Ask them how they did or will utilize TAG
Child C
Description
Independent
Profile
Writes homework in myHW when in class and checks it against MY DEwhen at home
Utilizes TAG – they initiate seeing teachers
Emails peers or teachers for clarification
Completes quality assignments in a timely manner
Utilizes rubrics/directions/handouts to ensure assignment is thoroughly completed
Uses designated homework place, without distractions (social media, phone/chat group, etc)
Next Steps
Smile and be grateful!
Ask for a “tour” of myHW or MY DE
Give positive feedback on the effort they put forth
You can ask them in depth, thought provoking follow up questions about their work
Check in once in a while to see how things are going and offer support
There may be a bump in the road. Reassure your child that this is a normal part of learning ~ remind them of all of the supports they have available to them and the strategies they use to be successful students