Post-conference Notes

If I didn't show you the letter about the Human Growth and Development classes in the spring, all the information is here.

Here are some common notes:

• Check your planner and the online calendar every day. Start long-term assignments when they are assigned and do a little each day instead of waiting until they are due. 
  
• To improve on MLA formatting, print out the format guidelines and put them in the writing section of your 3-ring binder. Ask for help.
  
• Have your parents look over your open-book science tests before you hand them in. They might tell you to write more complete answers, for example.
  

If you have trouble focusing while you are reading, there are a few things you can try:

• Read the book out loud to your parents while they are doing something like cooking or washing dishes or doing laundry. Talk about it while you read.
  
• Get multiple copies and read aloud together. Act out as you go.
  
• Get an audio copy that you can listen as you read along.
  

If you struggle with getting your ideas down when you are writing, I suggest talking into a recording device. Then play it back to take dictation.
 
Finally, if you already know the career you want,

• Google the Top Ten Schools for your career. Parents can plan summer vacations to nearby locations so you can tour the school while you are there.
  
• You can also start to interview people who have the career you want to get into. The last question in an interview should always be, "Who should I talk to next?" By the time you get to the fifth or sixth person, you might learn about jobs you've never heard of before!
  
• You can ask if you can job shadow someone too. I had a student who got to do field studies on the beach for a week or more with a marine biologist the summer after she finished fifth grade!