ADD, Middle School student and organization

is there an AVID program at your middle school? here's a link to what the program is about: [url=http://www.avidonline.org/info/?tabid=1&ID=549]AVIDonline[/url] my son was in this program in middle school, and they REALLY helped him get organized and learn HOW to be successful. call your son's school and ask if they have the AVID program, if so, GET HIM IN! lol.

that's another reason i liked our avid program....they kept track of his progress every week, he was so accountable for his grades, to someone other than me. i feel like he was able to sink or swim a bit without me....but not completely without a net. lol.

My school district doesn't have an AVID program. L has a para (he's in a CWC)-mainstream class with para. Last year, he was in 5th grade: one teacher. Middle school is different. And his grades are all over the place. And he's supposed to go to math help after school one day a week. He says he goes but I have to find out. I may suggest AVID to the board of ed. Let's see what happens.

Well, yes and no. Middle school is the time for the kids to try out all kinds of different classes, extra-curriculars, and other stuff. It's also a time to start withdrawing the total support that they got all through elementary. BUT, it is NOT the time to let them go cold turkey! We don't hold hands, but our teachers offer a ton of help if we figure out that a kid needs it. The problem is that in middle school we don't "chase" after them to help. The majority of kids do get it. It's the ones that don't that tear me up--not every teacher (even the terrific folks I work with) has the experience of parenting a child with issues, a child of this age, or even understanding that while their bodies are big, they are really just little on the inside. For my sons with issues I use a student planner notebook. We also kept a big calendar with due dates and assignments on it. Many schools now have their weekly plans and assignments online so you'll know what's up in each class. Color code everything--math is red, reading blue, etc. Then you'll know where to find it. I'd also suggest faxing or emailing homework if possible--I love it when my forgetful babies use technology to keep up. I put my homework on my blog for kids who forget theirs at school. It also allows me to "talk" with moms and dads about what's going on. Talk to your school to find out what non-traditional supports are available.

L has a planner. He got good for awhile then started not handing in homework. He goes to a YES after school where he's supposed to do his homework. I'll ask his teachers to email me assignments so I can go over them with him. I don't want to hold his hand but I don't want him to fail either.