Breaking News! Feb. 24, 2010 Another "must-read" excellent study on middle grades educational practices and their relationship to student outcome: Gaining Ground in the Middle Grades www.edusource.org This study provides specific, actionable practices that middle grades educators and leaders can implement now to improve student achievement. Click here to link to an article summarizing this study:http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/04/24kirst.h29.html?tkn=TXQFNfYgVu7Ki6o6x/aAmYjEpEyTXfamsE3h&cmp=clp-edweek
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Are you concerned that your students are not demonstrating good work habits, time management and organizational skills? You're not alone. A recent report shows that 8 in 10 middle school students do not have the academic discipline they need to be on track for college. Good work habits, time management and organizational skills are essential!
The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World!, is a dynamic 176 page workbook using comics, characters, text and exercises to teach students in grades 6-8 practical skills and strategies for success in middle school. Just some of the skills your students will learn are how to:
- organize a "Goof Proof Binder"
- survive a case of "PPD" (Personal Planner Disorder)
- design a workspace that rocks!
- get and work with a study bud
- uza cmptr 4 mor thn im's
- take the "grrr" out of a group project
- use the "write stuff" to give written work an extreme makeover
- impress teachers as "responsible" students (self-advocacy skills)
- detect and correct unproductive homework habits
- manage a long term project
- use awesome mental powers to remember daily responsibilities
- set goals for success
- identify and control personal goal-busters
- create a Homework Tracking Chart
- take "to do" notes
- sweat the small stuff (Grade Averaging 101)
Our Instructor's Guide has sixteen easy-to-follow lesson plans that coordinate with The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! for a comprehensive Student Organizational Skills (SOS) program. Download a sample copy of the Instructor's Guide here. Ideal for exploratory, advisory, study skills class, after school enrichment, character education, summer school and summer reading. Our 10 fun podcasts help your students to acquire these essential skills!
DALLAS ISD TEACHERS PLEASE NOTE: 12-18-09 - The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! resources have been placed on the DISD recommended list, approved for all schools and departments.
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Rethinking your exploratory, advisory or after school program?
Times are tough. Schools are facing budget challenges as never before. In far too many communities the graduation rate is declining. Tough choices are being made everywhere. Is it time to rethink your exploratory, advisory or after school program? Don’t get us wrong -- at Tween Publishing we love that exploratory and enrichment programs have provided generations of middle school students with the chance to learn the basics of cooking, art, dance, a foreign language, music, even business. In a perfect world, all middle school students would get a chance to explore and enjoy a variety of activities. But, the middle school world is not perfect, and frankly, odds are slim that you have a budding Baryshnikov in your dance class or a young Carlos Santana in your band room. Sadly, it’s far more likely that you have a number of failing or at risk students who are in a race against time. ACT’s recent report, The Forgotten Middle, confirms that "in the current educational environment, there is a critical defining point for students in the college and career readiness process—one so important that, if students are not on target for college and career readiness by the time they reach this point, the impact may be nearly irreversible." The critical point is the end of eighth grade. Shouldn't your school offer an exploratory that teaches essential skills for college and career readiness? SOS is the ideal choice!
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5 Reasons Why to Select Tween's SOS Program (and there are loads more...)
1. Tween's S.O.S. Program is the only comprehensive program designed specifically for 11-14 year olds. Most resources are too limited in their approach to defining good work habits, time management and organizational skills. Being an organized student requires more than using a planner! It requires a full set of skills, practices and habits. (Hint: See the list above!)
2. Most resources are heavy on theory, but light on practice. Let's face it -the average 11-14 year old doesn't respond to organizational theory! This age group needs solid, step-by-step skills instruction and practice. In The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! good work habits, time management and organizational practices are taught in a fun, easy-to-follow, "how to" format. Skills can be immediately implemented for immediate results! The SOS curriculum is a great way to start (or revitalize ) your middle school study skills class.
3. Many resources are unclear on their mission. They confuse work habits, time management and organizational skills content with middle school social or "survival" skills. Our apologies, but The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! won't help your students deal with a bad hair day, or teach them how to handle bullies or queen bees. Our mission is clear: To teach good, work habits, time management and organizational skills for success in middle school.
4. Podcasts! Tween's SOS Program comes with access to ten fun podcasts! Your students can tune in, or download and follow along with the students of U.B. Smart Middle School on their journey to success. Great for independent learners or to supplement in-class SOS instruction.
5. Consistency! With Tween's SOS Program, your staff, faculty, administrators, parents and students can finally be "on the same page" with regard to these essential skills!