School and Academics
7th and 8th Grade Writing: What to Expect
Just about every twelve and thirteen year old still struggles with writing, whether that means ideas, sentence structure, paragraphs, or flat-out wacky spelling. How do you know your kid is on track?
8th Grade Social Studies: What to Expect
Hard to believe, but in most districts itâs true: barely two years after finishing elementary school, your eighth grader is now a âseniorâ of middle school. Teachers hope that this will mean new levels of good citizenship and disciplined work.
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:
Middle School Science: What Happens
Maybe it’s the Bunsen burners or those life-size models of human intestines, but there's something about a science classroom that keeps most middle school kids riveted. Teachers want it that way. In fact, says the National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA), these are critical years.
Social and Emotional
10 Ways to Deal with a Teen that Talks Back
Here are some ways to deal with a teen that talks back and shows disrespect.
Your Middle Schooler's Social Life
Think fifth grade was a bumpy ride? Welcome to middle school, the roller coaster of puberty, peer pressure, and social insecurity. As their bodies change, so do their social interactions: middle schoolers are constantly seeking to assert themselves socially as they look for affirmation in their ...
Social Graces: What to Expect From Your Middle Schooler
Education and manners expert Cindy Post Senning says parents play a key role in guiding their children through adolescence to become compassionate and mannerly adults. Post co-authored a book on the subject of teaching manners by age called "The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent’s Guide to Raising ...
Middle School Power Struggles
One of the most fun parts of raising children is their love of exploration. As children enter into middle school, one of their favorite things to explore is power: who's got it, how much do they have and how can I get some? Though this may be a difficult exploratory process for you and others in ...
Milestones and Development
How to Talk to Your Middle Schooler
Does your middle schooler blame others for her actions? Perhaps she says, "The teacher gave me a D" when she should say, "I didn't check my answers and got a D." Boost your child's sense of responsibility by adding these three words to their daily vocabulary: chose, decide, and pick.
How Your Middle Schooler Thinks
Middle schoolers are officially in the realm of the "young adult." Your once little tot is now beginning to look and talk just like a grown-up. But, although your child does think mostly like an adult, there will be some exceptions. So, what are they?
Gender Differences: Middle School
Here is a thorough parenting guide to understanding gender differences in middle school.
How to Start Thinking about College ... in Middle School!
Believe it or not, middle school lays important foundations for higher education. And whether it's calendars or coursework, there's a lot you can do now to pave the way for high school and college success.
Recent Questions
Our Essential Middle School Gift Guide
Childhood Immunizations
Learn about recommended vaccines and the latest immunization schedules for your child.
Fun Learning Ideas
- Body Odor and Bad Breath: 6 Things to Tell Teens About Hygiene
- Tackling Theme in Literature
- What Happens Over Time To Those Who Bully And Those Who Are Victimized?
- Teens, Body Odor and Deodorant
- Grammar Lesson: Adjective, Adverb and Prepositional Phrases Review
- 100 High-Frequency Words for Older Students
- 7th and 8th Grade Writing: What to Expect
- Grammar Lesson: Irregular Verbs
- Understanding Teen Decision Making
- The Three Classes of Levers
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