What is the purpose of school?

 ​As a teacher and a parent, I know that every parent wants their child to succeed academically. However, I also know that there is a common misconception that grades are the only measure of success in school. I wanted to take a moment to talk to you about the importance of learning over grades, especially during your child's middle school years.

Middle school is a time of great growth and change for students, both academically and socially. During this time, students are learning not only new subjects and concepts but also important life skills such as time management, organization, and study habits. While grades can be an important measure of how well a student is understanding the material, they are not the only measure of success.

At this stage, it is important to focus on the learning process rather than the end result. Encourage your child to ask questions, to take risks, and to make mistakes. These are all essential parts of the learning process and can help your child to develop a growth mindset. This is the belief that their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication, rather than being fixed traits.

Developing a growth mindset is essential for success both in school and in life. By supporting your child's efforts and encouraging them to embrace challenges and failures as opportunities to learn, you can help them unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.

In conclusion, while grades are an important measure of academic progress, they should not be the only focus of a student's education. Encouraging a love of learning and developing strong study habits will serve your child well throughout their academic career and beyond.

Below are some activities and skills that students can engage in to support their science learning. 

• Use IXL to practice science questions
• Review vocabulary on a regular basis. 
• Active listening and note-taking: Students should actively listen during class lectures and take notes to help them retain important information.
• Review notes regularly: Students should review their notes regularly to help consolidate their learning.
• Asking questions in class and engaging in class discussions.
• Meeting with me during academic support when they do not understand concepts. 
• Reading both fiction and nonfiction text.