Webster County High School

Is your teen at risk of dropping out of school? Pandemic challenges have significantly increased the number of students at risk of dropping out of school. Some teens disconnect emotionally from school well before they actually drop out. Be alert for these warning signs: constant complaining about school, skipping classes or whole days, failure to complete assigned work, poor or failing grades in core subjects, giving excuses for failure and hanging out with new friends who aren't in school. If you see one or more of these signs, work with the school counselor to get your teen back on track. https://tpitip.com/?32bB18889

Study strategies help teens learn a foreign language Learning a foreign language means developing new habits. Remind your teen that memorizing words, conjugations and phrases takes daily practice. Encourage your student to study out loud. Speaking the words while reading them uses both sight and hearing to reinforce learning. When an unfamiliar word pops up, your teen can try to figure out the meaning from the context, jot it down to look up later, then keep on reading. https://tpitip.com/?32bA18889

Discourage digital multitasking during homework time Teens love their digital devices, and often use them to help with homework. But before long they are distracted by the latest viral video or meme. To help your teen stay focused, discuss multitasking and how research proves it doesn't work. Have your student put any device not needed for the assignment in another room. Then set an example: Don't check your phone when you should be concentrating on something else. https://tpitip.com/?32ae18889

High personal expectations motivate teens It is important for parents to have high expectations for their students' academic achievement. But it is just as critical for teens to have high expectations for themselves. Encourage your student to envision the future and set short- and long-term goals. Help develop and strengthen your teen's talents, and focus on what is possible, rather than on what isn't. If a setback occurs, ask, "What can you do differently next time?" https://tpitip.com/?32ac18889

You can help with math homework you don't understand Sooner or later, most parents face questions from their teens about math homework the parents don't understand. When it happens, help your teen figure things out by asking questions like these: What do the directions say? What do you already know that can help you? Can you show me what you've done so far? Can you find an explanation in your textbook, your notes or online? Would it help to draw a diagram? Can you call someone from your class for help? https://tpitip.com/?32ab18889

How important are college entrance exams to your teen? If your student is anxious about the ACT or SAT exams, collecting some information may help. Have your teen list colleges that may be of interest, and then research answers to two questions: How important are SAT or ACT scores to admittance at those schools? What range of scores do admitted students have? Your teen may be relieved by the answers. More schools are becoming test-optional, and students with a wide range of scores gain college admittance. https://tpitip.com/?32aa18889

Ask your teen to write about screen time Watching TV or videos is usually a pretty passive activity. Why not make it a chance for your teen to build writing skills instead? Ask your student to write about the show. Then read and discuss your teen's writing and the shows. And if your teen watches less because writing about it seems like work? That frees up more time to read, exercise and engage in other positive screen-free activities. https://tpitip.com/?32aZ18889

Study schedules help students stay on track It isn't strictly necessary to study at the same time every day. But sticking to a study schedule is the best way for your teen to be sure to get homework done. Students are more likely to follow a schedule they make. So suggest that your teen schedule homework sessions on a calendar. They should be scheduled for times your teen is most alert. Help your student be realistic about the time each task will take. https://tpitip.com/?32aX18889

Review class expectations with your teen Your teen is expected to participate in class activities, whether school is in person or online. Make it clear that this means arriving prepared and on time, paying attention, asking thoughtful questions and contributing to class discussions and group activities. Reinforce that paying attention means actively listening even when not called on, and not daydreaming in class. Your teen should also never do work for one class during another. https://tpitip.com/?32aW18889

A little extra studying makes a big difference Often, when teens have poor study habits, they don't change them because they don't think it will help. To demonstrate the effect studying can have, challenge your teen to study one subject for an extra 15 minutes a day. The key is to make the time really count. Your teen might work on difficult math problems or make and take a sample history test. Then watch how the extra studying affects your student's grade. https://tpitip.com/?32aV18889

Do you know what to expect from your teen? Many parents ask what is "typical" for kids their teen's age. Don't be surprised if your student needs your help but won't admit it, or stays on an emotional roller coaster: up one minute, then down. Your teen may argue more and criticize well-loved things such as home, school and you. Your teen will probably try your patience, and may even do as you suggest … but not while you're looking. https://tpitip.com/?32aU18889

Challenge your teen to map social media connections Does your teen realize that an online friend who lives in Frankfort is in Kentucky, not Germany? Strengthen your student's geography skills by offering a challenge. Have your teen mark the locations of social media connections on a map. Which friend lives closest? Who lives farthest away? https://tpitip.com/?32aS18889

Share strategies to help your teen stay organized Many teens need some help when it comes to getting organized. Help your teen establish a regular time and place for doing homework. Suggest making daily to-do lists and using a timer to help concentrate on the task at hand. Then help your student create regular routines, like preparing for the next day in the evening, and having a work area clean-up once a week. https://tpitip.com/?32aR18889

Observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by helping your teen find out more Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Encourage your teen to learn its significance by researching facts about King's life and work. What causes did he support? What did he believe in? Talk with your teen about the concept of injustice. You might also read King's "I Have a Dream" speech together, then discuss King's dreams and what we can all do to help make sure they are fulfilled. https://tpitip.com/?32aQ18889

Demonstrate what reading can do for your teen Once students learn to read, parents often spend less time helping them maintain their skills. But this sends the wrong message. Instead, motivate your teen to read often by demonstrating the many benefits reading provides. Reading helps people: enjoy laughter and excitement, learn how to manage relationships, gain insights into themselves and others, understand current events and develop opinions and values. https://tpitip.com/?32aP18889

Know when to be firm and when to be flexible Establishing discipline for teens can be a tricky business. The key is to know that some things are non-negotiable, like the standards of conduct you set, while other rules will have to adapt as your teen grows and changes. Don't try to avoid a fight by letting your student get away with being rude or slacking off on schoolwork. On the other hand, when your teen demonstrates consistently responsible behavior, consider allowing a little more freedom. https://tpitip.com/?32aO18889

Make a difference by getting involved with school Even a little involvement by parents and family can make a difference in a teen's education. It isn't hard. You can tour the school to get a better understanding of what your teen is talking about. Or attend school events, especially those involving your teen. You can attend workshops for families or offer to plan one on a topic you think is important. Above all, keep in touch with your teen's teachers and ask how you can help at home. https://tpitip.com/?32aM18889

Help your teen develop executive skills Does your teen constantly hand assignments in late, or procrastinate until there's no time left then rush and hand in sloppy work? Motivation may not be the issue. Your teen may be missing "executive skills." These planning and organizing skills are among the last to develop. To help build them, teach your student to make checklists, to minimize workspace clutter and to use visual reminders, like a big calendar. https://tpitip.com/?32aL18889

Teach your teen a process for solving problems To succeed in school and become capable adults, teens need to learn to resolve problems for themselves. Teach your teen this six-step process to make problem-solving manageable: 1. State the problem in your own words. 2. Brainstorm a bunch of solutions. 3. Write down the pros and cons of each solution. 4. Choose a solution. 5. Try out your solution. 6. Evaluate. What did you learn? https://tpitip.com/?32aK18889

Steer your teen's urge to explore in a positive direction Teens are excited about trying everything life has to offer. This is often positive. But sometimes it can mean trying drugs, alcohol or sex. To steer your teen's desire to explore in positive directions, suggest signing up for a class that sounds interesting or trying a new sport that looks fun. Just make it clear that exploration often involves responsibility. Getting a part in the play means seeing the show through. https://tpitip.com/?32aJ18889