In the Middle and in the Know
Middle Schoolby Kathy Robinson, National Center for Family Literacy Training Specialist
Motivating middle-school-aged children to extend learning beyond the classroom setting offers many challenges in both the home and school environment. However, this practice is essential because adolescent learning is a continuum that requires ongoing opportunities to support development.
Middle-school-aged children are best motivated when new learning is linked to prior knowledge and experiences. It is important that children in this age group engage in real-world problem solving -- it is a stage of personal transitioning viewed as preparation for life.
Newspaper activities offer many opportunities for parents and their middle-schoolers to read, share information and make informed decisions together.
Reporting
Words. Together, assign sections of the newspaper for each family member.
By browsing through their assigned sections, have your family individually make
a list of five words that are new to them or they are unaccustomed to using.
Make the activity more interesting by finding words that start with a certain
letter, selecting only adjectives, etc.Math
in the Real Sense. Ask your child to select three favorite (video department,
shoe, etc.) and three least favorite stores. Ask your child to make a shopping
list of items to purchase from the favorite stores. Together make a comparison
chart or bar graph that shows the price for the items based on favorite and
least favorite stories. Keep a tally of the savings and then see if your child's
opinion has changed regarding favorite and least favorite. Talk about why or
why not.Writing
to Share an Opinion. Ask your child to select an article of interest from
the newspaper or a current event that he or she feels passionate about. Then
guide your child in writing an editorial response to the article or craft a
letter that expresses his or her opinion of the event. Now ask your child to
read an editorial in the newspaper that is a response to another article or
issue. How does your child's letter differ from the editorial in the newspaper?
How is the editorial in the newspaper organized?
