Middle School: School and Academics Articles

How to Write a Letter to a Politician
Is your middle schooler fired up about politics, but disappointed that he's not old enough to take a trip to the polls? Sure, he may be a preteen, but that doesn't mean he lacks the passion to do good in his community. Here's a quick guide on how to write a letter to your local politician:

Sixth Grade Social Studies: What to Expect
It's the first month of sixth grade. If you're waiting with baited breath, you're not alone: it can be a nerve-wracking time. Sixth grade typically means a new and larger school building; several teachers, and new responsibilities like homework planners and lockers.

Middle School Science in the Kitchen
Science is happening all around us, twenty-four hours a day. Every time we breathe in and out, ride our bikes or cook dinner, we are experiencing scientific events. So why should we limit our child's opportunity to learn about science to one short period of the school day?

Back to School Book Picks for Middle and High School
Find out what teachers recommend your teens and adolescents read to get them ready for school.

7th and 8th Grade Reading: What to Expect
In case you were in doubt, your seventh or eighth grader is probably all too happy to remind you: for kids this age, elementary school is definitely over. When your kids say this, of course, they’ll probably be thinking of skateboards and iPods, but in the classroom it’s definitely true, too. ...

7th Grade Social Studies: What to Expect
Congratulations! Your child has made it through sixth grade. In a perfect world, that means that lockers, planners, backpacks, and all the other new systems of middle school are old hat.

6th Grade Math: What to Expect
It seems like yesterday you were counting pennies, leaves, and gold stars with your first grader. Now she's taking sixth grade math. It's a shock to lots of parents—and kids, too. So what can you expect? Here's a list of general themes your bound to see in sixth grade.

Get Your Preteen Out of a Reading Rut
Middle School is typically when a child's bookshelf starts collecting dust. The good news is that there are authors using techniques to draw kids into the world of their books, and hold them there cover to cover. Here's a list of the top five books that accomplish just that from the executive ...

Organizing for Boys: Getting Your Guy Through Middle School
In today's standards-driven, no-nonsense classrooms, boys seem to be struggling to follow-through with homework, let alone sit still for five minutes. So how can you help them get organized and on track?

Is Your Middle Schooler a Reluctant Reader?
Reluctant readers are easy to spot. They never voluntarily pick up a book when they could be playing video games, shooting hoops, or text messaging their friends. What causes some children to love reading while others avoid reading at all costs?
- Reading, Writing, and Crossing the Midline
- Talking in Class
- Help Your Child Understand One-to-One Correspondence
- Holiday Helper: Embellished Tote Bag
- Healthy Store-Bought Lunch Box Snacks
- Foster Self-Regulation Skills with Games
- School Avoidance
- Stop! It's a hexagon!
- Make a Dreamcatcher
- Stop Worrying Parents!