Last week I wrote about ways you can help middle school students in your life while they are going back to school. I had a few more ideas than what I wrote down, so today will be our second part to that one. Middle school is often students’ first introduction to the more intense schooling and extracurricular involvement that happens in high school. Middle school students tend to be more active in their learning than they might have been in elementary school.
Though it may be very tempting, do not use generative artificial intelligence to help with these things. It is against the academic codes in many schools, and an important part of learning are the rudimentary steps like drafting, brainstorming, and researching. Your student has to learn how to do that themselves.
Getting Involved In Research
Middle school (or sometimes late elementary school) may be the first time that a student has a really big research project where they pick the topic. You shouldn’t do their research for them, but you can take them to the library to find resources. You can even help them brainstorm topics or narrow down which topic to pick based on how easily you’ll be able to research them. Again, do not ask ChatGPT to brainstorm a topic for them, and if you look up the topic on Google, be sure to scroll past the summary at the top. I talked about this a little last time, but wanted to expand on it.
Volunteer with their Extracurriculars
Try to find ways that you can volunteer with their clubs, theater, sports teams etc. Sometimes that could be as easy as helping work the ticket booth. It can be a bonding experience for you and the kids in your life. It also helps pay it forward for families who may not be able to help at these events for various reasons.
That was way too long so there might be a part three, oh my. Tell us how you help out with your grandchildren down below!
Written by Brigid Coffey
