Ms. Douglas

Math and Science Websites

Math and Science are two areas where some students continue to struggle in striving for understanding and mastery.  I have include in this publication some websites that can be used at home for practice.  I hope that this listing will be helpful to students and teachers looking for support outside the classroom.

Math Helps and Websites

http://www.mathpower.com/

http://www.freeworldu.org/static/portalFreeHomeworkHelp.aspx?gclid=CK_jzLL0n5gCFQpgswodqXeKmw

http://www.mathleague.com/help/fractions/fractions.htm#improperfractions

http://library.thinkquest.org/4471/

http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/fraction_main.htm

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm

http://quizlet.com/

  Science Helps

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_7th_science.htm#life

http://www.williamsclass.com/MainSitePages/SeventhGradeScience.htm

http://quizlet.com/scatter/57677/

Attitude Adjustment

How many times have we heard someone say to a young person that he/she needed an "attitude adjustment?'"  In a middle school environment that phrase has been mentioned many times in conferences and with colleagues when discussing the needs of students.  In reality, all constituents who interact with adolescents need to have an "attitude adjustment".

The middle school years are the most difficult years in a life of an individual due to the many changes that are taking place intellectually, emotionally, and physically.  Unfortunately, some of the people in the adolescent's life are not always looking at all the changes but focusing on one, the age of the child.

When a young person enters middle school, that does not necessarily mean he/she is ready to take on all the responsibilities of a teenager.  Parents still need to check up and stay connected to the student and teacher so that a young person learns how to function on his own to complete the tasks of homework, getting projects completed, doing chores at home and all the extra curricular activities that go with growing up and taking on new responsibilities.  The bar of expectation for accepting responsibility should be raised to realistic goals but mentoring and modeling of expected behavior needs to be continuous.  When the modeling and passing the baton of responsibility occurs, we can expect to see attitudes change within the parents, teachers and young people.  In other words, we need to drop the phrase, "He/she ought to know how to.....(fill in the blank)."

Getting To Know Me

The seventh grade students have been getting to know themselves through classroom guidance using several tools.  One of the tools, Career Cruising,  that we have been using can be accessed at home using the password and user name that was given during class instruction.  The classes also created their own poems using their names and several prompts that included their likes and dislikes in several categories.  The Career Game, which is a pamphlet was also used to help students think about their future careers.  Another suggestion that is offered through the state is a collaborative effort between Career, Technical and Agricultural Education and Georgia Virtual School. It is the site www.gacareercounselor.org  The site is interactive and guides students through a series of steps as they progress through middle and high school.  I would recommend that students start doing this on their own even though it will be presented in a classroom guidance lesson.

Homework

Homework is a part of the learning process that serves the purpose of review, practice, preparation and enrichment of concepts learned in the classroom.  Research supports homework if it is meaningful, and related to materials studied in class.  Research also states that it should match the student's ability level.  The amount of homework that is expected in the middle school can vary with the complexity of the material but in general about sixty minutes is a good guideline.  In establishing good study habits. a reasonable amount of time to prepare and retain information is about ten to fifteen minutes per subject each evening.  Students do not necessarily see the need to study even when there is not an immediate test but good study habits can be formed from implementing quiet time for reading.  A website to view on the topic is:

www.parents-talk.com/expertsadvice/ea_sl_0004.html

Study Plan

The seventh grade students have been learning effective study skills through classroom guidance lessons.  Students are learning the importance of scheduling and managing their time to create more effective study habits.  I am including in this post a study plan to implement at home for further enhancing the possibility of establishing good study habits that will be used throughout the academic years.  Parents are encouraged to actively be involved in providing time and space for good study habits to occur.

STUDY PLAN

The study plan is set up for an hour fifteen minutes study time.

1.    Set the timer for fifteen-minute intervals for each subject.

2.    For each subject, plan to spend fifteen minutes doing one of the following:

1. Review the lesson that was taught in the classroom.
2. Review any notes or work sheets that were taken in class during the day.
3. Check the homework and the notebook to ensure all work is in place.
4. Organize the notebook in preparation for a quiz.
5. Reread a section of the textbook that is relevant to a lesson.
6. Take notes over a section in the textbook.
7. Use the SQ3R method of studying for the study time

(skim , ask, read, recite, review).

8. Use note cards to study vocabulary--one word on one side, meaning on             other side.
9. Make up a test and find the answers, using the divided page method.
10. Use a tape recorder for reading.  Play back when you are resting.
11. Use the Internet to look up topics that relate to your studies (with parent permission).

3.    Repeat each evening at the study time that was set.  On the weekend, read for pleasure for one hour fifteen minutes.

Developed by:  Lillian Douglas

Welcome to School Year 2008-2009

The new school year is off to a smooth start.  Hopefully, our seventh grade students are feeling comfortable with the status of being in the middle, not new, not on their way to high school.  The important issue that I would like to address this year is for students to be able to enhance their ability to stay organized and  better manage their time.  The ability to be able to retrieve needed information and be timely with tasks that are required is an important skill that can set the pace for the year.  With that in mind, one of the first classroom guidance sessions will be  how to improve study skills.  Parents can aid in this task with the following strategies at home:

• Have a set time for homework to be started and completed (Flexibility is needed if there are set activities on different days of the week.
• Ask to see the agenda and know when projects are due by posting them on a calendar that is visible to all.Check the agenda and ask questions about the assignments.  Signing is necessary for most teachers, but be aware of notes and other information on the agenda.
• Check i parent weekly and teacher blogs daily if possible;
• A parent conference can be held if you have an urgent concern. Email lillian.douglas@cobbk12.org
• If a student is absent for prolonged periods for illness or family emergencies contact teachers.

This list in not inclusive of everything that can make this a successful school year but observing the list can help keep your student on the right track to success.

My position at Dodgen is fulfilling the part time position for the seventh grade but feel free to refer any concerns to any of our counselors. 

    

Keeping the Main Thing the Main thing

As we come to the end of another school year, educators are once again reminded how quickly the years pass.   We see our students making strides in all aspects of their lives.  We can see the growth that was made academically, socially, emotionally, and physically in our students.  We want the best life for all students and know that it is possible with a community effort being involved in their lives.  A look at Maslow's hierarchy lists "safety" concerns as the lowest and most essential factor of needs to be met in a person's life.  So it is with that factor in mind that I would like to remind parents and community to stay in touch with our youth throughout the summer by being aware of where there are, who they are with, and what they are doing.  Since we share in the responsibility of keeping our youth safe, it is all right to ask questions, expect straight answers, place boundaries, demand and give respect, and remind them to accept responsibility for all of their actions and choices.  Have fun with the family and come back next school year ready to place the best foot forward in strides to have a fantastic year.

Internet Safety

Internet Safety continues to be a concern with the school, parents and the community.  Dodgen has taken a proactive role in educating students by inviting FBI and GBI representative to speak over the last few years.  This year is no exception in that we have planned a presentation on March 27th for the students.  One of our major concerns and emphasis has been on cyberbullying and access to media that can be potentially harmful if not used in a positive way.  There is a plethora of information that parents can access to maintain or ensure safety for youth in the home and community.  The following site has included some safety tips for students of various ages.

http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/safety_tips_11_13.aspx

also see: www.cyberbullying.org

Reminder for Transition Dates for Fifth Year Students

The dates for all the transition visits for 5th grade students to Dodgen are:

May 5, 2008  East Side Students visit Dodgen from 9:15-11AM

May 6, 2008  Murdock students visit Dodgen from 9:15-11AM

May 7, 2008  Kincaid students visit Dodgen from 9:15-11AM

May 9, 2008  Mt.Bethel & TimberRidge visit Dodgen from 9:15-11AM

The Parent Orientation is May 5, 2008.  There will be an informational meeting for parents of students in Special Education and Advanced Learning Program at 5:45 PM.  The general meeting for all parents will be held in Dodgen's theatre at 6:30 PM.  Parents of students entering Dodgen from private schools or home schools are welcome to bring their student to one of the student visits on a date of their choosing.  Please visit the Dodgen web page for  registration information.

Take Time To Talk

There has been media coverage about  the importance of communicating with your kids on a regular basis.  As a Professional School Counselor that has the opportunity to observe, interact and communicate with students daily, I cannot emphasize the message strong enough in the middle school setting when given the occasion to speak to parents.  Our resources for reaching the sometimes unreachable teens has been growing and being addressed through research and community awareness of the need.  A recent discovery of another resource that is relevant and hopefully will be accessed by interested parents is http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/  Take time to click on the thirty second video clips and send for the free information that can be shared with friends and groups that have an interest in mentoring our youth.