7th Grade Seminar

The Best is in the Middle

Don’t Stress, Find Success! http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/video/

AttendanceHomeworkAsk for helpGet organizedKeep track of grades (Parent

Portal)Manage your timeHang out with friends who care

about schoolSet goals

Get Organized Without Losing It

Your backpack is not a: -trash can, homework folder, refrigerator, or PE locker

Manage your mess - clean out papers and unneeded items from folders and binders - use tools like subject dividers and pencil pouches

The Clock is Ticking….. -Make a schedule

-Prioritize (What does that mean, anyways???)

-Use a monthly calendar

- Break down large projects

- Reward Yourself

October

1 2 3 4

5 6Book Report Assigned

7Other workRead Chpt. 1 -3

8Other workRead Chpt. 4-6

9Other workStudy for tests

10Math testSpelling test

11

12 13Other workRead Chpt. 7-9

14Other work Start Rough draft

15Other workRough draft

16Other workRough draft

17 18

19 20Other workFinish draft

21Other workRewrite

22Other workRewrite

23Other workRewrite

24Book Report Due

25

26 27 28 29 30

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

Homework: Just Do It

• Make it a Habit - Have a regular time - Have a regular place - Easiest vs. Difficult

• Dealing with Distractions - Noise - Siblings - Electronics

• Pace Yourself - Take a break, Have a snack, Move around

Grade Point Average (GPA)

2.0 is required to participate in extracurricular activities such sports and school dances

3.0 is required for Counselor’s Honor Roll3.8 is required for Assistant Principal’s Honor Roll4.0 is required for Principal’s Honor Roll

ACT report The Forgotten Middlestates:

Students who are not on track for college & career readiness by 8th grade are not likely to reach that level of readiness by high school graduation.

The level of academic achievement that students attain by 8th grade has a bigger impact on college & career preparedness than any other factor including courses taken, grades earned in high school, or student testing behaviors.

Be SMART about Your Goals

Specific – state exactly what you are aiming forMeasurable – State what and when you want itAction-Oriented – State exactly what you will doRealistic – realistic is possible, not just a dreamTimely – give yourself enough time What are some important academic goals in

middle school?

Show Me The Money

Assuming that a person works until age 65 and earns the average salary:

o A high school graduate will earn nearly $333,000 more than a high school dropout.

o A worker with some college will earn $538,000 more than a high school dropout.

o A worker with a college degree will earn almost a million ($945,670) more than a high school dropout.

Getting Through Middle SchoolCharacter Counts!

TrustworthinessCitizenship

Responsibility

Respect Caring Fairness

What Else Is Going On??

• Anger• Depression• Dealing with conflicts• Problems outside of school• Harassment/Intimidation

What To Do About It Physical Outlet (Releasing) Sports Exercise

Creative Outlet (Expressing) Journaling

Poetry Art work Song writing

Talk to Someone You Can Trust Parent Other relative

Counselor Coach

Youth Pastor

Friend

I was only joking… pbskids.org/itsmylife/video

Is someone making you feel badly?Do you avoid coming to school?Are you afraid to tell someone?

The National Education Association states: 160,000 students stay home each

day because they are afraid to come to school.

Steps to Take

Address the person calmly.Say, “I don’t want to have a problem with

you.”Move away to an area with supervision.Share situation with an adult at school.Talk about it with parents at home.

What Doesn’t HelpBad mouthing the personConfronting the personGetting your friends involved