MAPLE CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Helpful Suggestions 1. USE A COLOR CODING SYSTEM (I.E. RED FOR ENGLISH, BLUE FOR MATH, ETC.) – THIS HELPS KEEP MATERIALS MORE ORGANIZED AND CAN BE RETRIEVED QUICKER FROM LOCKERS. 2. WRITE YOUR NAME ON YOUR BELONGINGS – IF SOMETHING IS LOST, THIS MAKES IT EASIER TO GET IT BACK TO THE STUDENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. 3. AVOID BIG TRAPPER KEEPERS – DUE TO LIMITED LOCKER SPACE. 4. DESIGNATE A FOLDER FOR HOMEWORK AND CARRY IT TO ALL CLASSES – THIS HELPS KEEP IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENTS IN ONE PLACE TO BE COMPLETED AT HOME.

5. KEEP A COPY OF STUDENT’S SCHEDULE WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES – CERTAIN CLASSES CHANGE AT THE START OF A NEW QUARTER. THIS HELPS AVOID CONFUSION. 6. KEEP AN EXTRA STASH OF SUPPLIES AT HOME WHEN STUDENT’S RUN OUT – IT’S BEST TO REPLENISH AFTER LONGER BREAKS FROM SCHOOL (I.E. CHRISTMAS BREAK, SPRING BREAK, ETC.). BUY THEM NOW TO GET THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRICES INSTEAD OF PAYING FULL PRICE LATER ON. Helpful Suggestions

Establish a Routine at Home 1. DETERMINE THE TIME IT WILL TAKE TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK – HAVE A SET TIME AND A QUIET PLACE FOR HOMEWORK EACH NIGHT. REMOVE DISTRACTIONS FROM THE AREA (I.E. PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES) THAT ARE NOT NEEDED WHEN COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS. 2. EMPTY BACKPACKS EVERY NIGHT – MANY TIMES ASSIGNMENTS OR IMPORTANT PAPERS FALL TO THE BOTTOM AND CAN BE MISSED. 3. ONCE HOMEWORK IS COMPLETE, PUT ALL MATERIALS BACK INTO THE BOOK BAGS - THIS WILL PREVENT STUDENT’S FROM LEAVING IMPORTANT PAPERS AND ASSIGNMENTS AT HOME DURING THE MORNING RUSH. ALSO - DESIGNATE A LOCATION TO KEEP THE BOOK BAG SO IT CAN BE GRABBED ON THE WAY OUT THE DOOR.

Locker Organization 1. LINE UP YOUR MATERIALS (I.E. BOOKS, BINDERS, NOTEBOOK, FOLDERS, ETC.) ACCORDING TO YOUR CLASS SCHEDULE. 2. DO NOT HAVE ANY LOOSE PAPERS IN YOUR LOCKER. HAVE A DESIGNATED PLACE FOR ALL ITEMS AND GET IN THE HABIT OF TAKING THE TIME TO RETURN ITEMS WHERE THEY BELONG. 3. KEEP SOFT-COVER BOOKS ON THE TOP SHELF OF LOCKER TO AVOID BEING RIPPED OR DESTROYED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. KEEP YOUR LAPTOP ON THE BOTTOM SHELF ONLY.

Locker Organization 4. PUT GRADED WORK IN YOUR BOOK BAG RIGHT AWAY OR KEEP IN CLASS BINDERS – THIS ALSO ELIMINATES LOOSE PAPERS IN LOCKERS. 5. KEEP LOCKERS FROM BECOMING TOO CLUTTERED FROM UNNECESSARY ITEMS (I.E. EXTRA CLOTHING, SHOES, LEFTOVER FOOD). THERE IS LIMITED ROOM IN THE LOCKERS AND THIS PREVENTS THEM FROM BECOMING JAMMED. 6. FIND THE ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU – (I.E. USE ORGANIZATIONAL SHELVES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE). THERE IS NOT ONE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

Use Your Time Wisely! 1. BRING ALL NEEDED MATERIALS TO CLASS – WHEN IN DOUBT BRING IT. THIS ELIMINATES HAVING TO GO BACK TO LOCKERS AND LOSE CLASS/INSTRUCTION TIME. KNOW YOUR TEACHER’S EXPECTATIONS (I.E. WHITEBOARDS) 2. RETRIEVE NEEDED ITEMS FROM YOUR LOCKER BEFORE SOCIALIZING WITH YOUR FRIENDS DURING PASSING PERIODS – THEN USE THE REMAINING TIME LEFT TO VISIT. THIS WAY YOU WON’T FEEL RUSHED AND MISS GRABBING SOMETHING. 3. FOLLOW CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS – (I.E. IMMEDIATELY TAKE YOUR SEAT, READ THE BOARD, COMPLETE ANY SEAT WORK).

Keeping Track of Homework/Assignments 1. FOLLOW TEACHER’S SYLLABUS FOR ORGANIZATION OF CLASS PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS. 2. DESIGNATE A HOMEWORK FOLDER TO KEEP LOOSE HANDOUTS NEEDING TO BE COMPLETED. 3. USE LAPTOP TO TYPE OUT DAILY HOMEWORK ON MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT OR ELECTRONIC STICKY NOTE. 4. PURCHASE A PLANNER TO WRITE DOWN YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. 5. USE THE STUDENT CALENDAR ON CANVAS TO TRACK ASSIGNMENTS & TESTS/QUIZZES.

Stay Informed IT IS LIKELY THAT STUDENTS WILL HAVE HOMEWORK EVERY NIGHT. IF YOUR CHILD IS COMING HOME MULTIPLE NIGHTS IN A ROW WITHOUT HOMEWORK, HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO VERIFY: 1. POWERSCHOOL & HOMEWORK BOARD – CHECK GRADES, MISSING ASSIGNMENTS, AND NIGHTLY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS BY GRADE LEVEL AND TEACHER. TO LEARN MORE THERE ARE BREAKOUT SESSIONS AT 6:00, 6:30, & 7:00 IN ROOM A CANVAS – THERE IS A STUDENT CALENDAR TO HELP TRACK ASSIGNMENTS, UPCOMING TESTS, AND LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS (I.E. PROJECTS, ESSAYS, ETC.). TO LEARN MORE THERE ARE BREAKOUT SESSIONS AT 6:30 & 7:00 IN ROOM A111