Middle school strategies

It can vary depending on what the students’ problems are but many of them have issues with textbook material. The writing style of textbooks is a challenge to read and an even greater challenge to comprehend. “Boiling it down” for them can help.
Helping them to prepare for tests - particularly if those tests are memorization-based can help as well. Take them over the information. Get a copy of an old test to check the format and to go over format with them. Verbally quiz them on the material. Offer to stay with them if they need extended time on the tests.

Help them organize their homework and help them to get it done is a BIG help to many of them. If they’re required to read literature that’s above their reading level, get hold of a recorded copy of the book and a tape recorder and let them listen to it.

Also consider getting hold of Mel Levine’s book Educational Care. It has many good strategies in it.

Helping them with the organization part is *huge.* Basically, breaking tasks down so you can actually see what they can do and help ‘em when they can’t is really important — giving them passages to read and answer questions about, then giving them a test on it, doesn’t work too well. I remember those first awful surprises — teacher talking and kid “listening” doesn’t do it. They have to be thinking and processing and doing something with the information.

Go to the “for teachers” section of this site for lots of good ideas for study and learnign strategies (look for Ellis as an author). There are also some ideas & lessons on my site at www.resourceroom.net especially under reading comprehension.