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4. Identify other resources.

• Don't hesitate to line up extra support if needed. If your child is having regular problems completing the homework for a certain subject, it may be time to schedule a conference with the teacher for you and your child. A teacher may be willing to offer suggestions for tutors or small-group study sessions in your area. Some schools offer peer tutoring or, in some instances, local high school students or community members may volunteer as tutors at the middle school.
• Get to know the guidance counselors and other school employees. Educational support professionals generally know most of the students in the school, and their relationship with your child will continue as they advance from one grade to the next. In addition to teachers, other school employees can be great resources for homework assistance.
• Encourage your child to find homework buddies. It is always a good idea for children to identify a homework buddy in each class, someone they can call with questions or if they miss class.
• Consider providing technology aids to boost homework help. You may want to take advantage of the many technology-based tools now available. Today, parents can choose from a variety of educational software programs and a vast array of online resources.

5. Stay in touch with your children's teachers.

• E-mail can be an effective way to maintain regular contact with middle school teachers. The typical middle school teacher has about 150 students, many more than grade school teachers have. While this may limit the time teachers are available to talk with you by phone or meet with you in person, e-mail can be a great way to catch them during their daily breaks and in the evening. Check to see whether your child's teacher has access to e-mail.
• Let teachers know of any significant changes at home. Especially because they have so many students, middle school teachers need to have all the information possible regarding things that are going on with your family that may affect your child’s school performance.
• Get involved where you can. Unlike elementary school, parents in middle school are not often asked to help in the classroom. But you can offer to help in the classroom for special projects, to drive and chaperone on field trips, or to share some relevant expertise.

6. Nurture your child's interests.

• Inspire learning outside of school. Children who see opportunities for learning everywhere are more likely to view schoolwork as an extension of their interest in the world, rather than as a burden. If they enjoy sports, encourage them to hunt for articles in the paper or magazines about their favorite teams. If they love the arts, share reviews of movies or plays from newspapers and magazines. If you have a budding scientist, explore local parks and look for interesting plants to identify and study.
• Find activities that parallel what your child is studying in school. Learning expands for children who live what they learn in school. If your child is studying a foreign language, check out a popular teen movie in that language from the library or find a cookbook with recipes from that country to prepare together. Visit a museum exhibit on mummies if your child is studying ancient Egypt. Encourage your child to use new math or writing skills to balance an allowance budget or to write a poem or essay for a local contest.