I have two kids with ADHD and EF issues. The most notable year was when they were in 8th and 6th. The 8th grader's teachers all were consistent in using the same system for posting assignments, grades, class materials, etc. It was the best year ever. The 6th graders teachers all went their own ways. She had four or five different places to have to check for assignments. This was before Canvas was implemented so maybe it's gotten better, certainly couldn't be worse.

Expect that you will need to work with your student to learn routines to review what's been assigned and plan out what needs to be done when. In middle school, I'd expect that you need to sit down with them daily to start with. By high school we had weekly meetings to review due dates, check in on anything late/missing. My older child was able to be completely independent on this by junior year while my younger is finally there as a senior.

OP, which middle school? They are pretty different in how they support kids with ADHD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me to understand what middle school at APS looks like...I'm assuming they switch classes? Do they have teams..ie a couple of teachers to a "team" that the kids switch classes between (this is how I did it growing up) How heavily do they rely on ipads/or chrome books? Do they have text books?

I ask because we have a 4th grader with adhd who struggles with executive functioning, academics and is addicted to screens.

Text books. You are hilarious.

Don’t worry your kid will do fine; there isn’t much homework so as long as they behave in class and do work as assigned during the block, there won’t be any issues with executive function. Everything is on the iPad so just track that one thing.

I could not disagree with this advice more. Don't worry your kids will be just fine? HOw dismissive and out of touch can you be?

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader at Gunston has a math textbook this year as well. I’m addition to a math workbook.

Hasn’t middle school always had math textbooks?

My 8th grader at Gunston has a math textbook this year as well. I’m addition to a math workbook.

My 7th grader at Williamsburg also has a math book. I have a kid with adhd, no 504, and I have been delighted with Williamsburg. It is so much better than elementary. There is so much more individualization, valuable instruction, and attention at the middle school level vs elementary.

My 7th grader at Williamsburg actually has a math book this year. It is more of a thick workbook but I think they are working to have more classes with something similar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me to understand what middle school at APS looks like...I'm assuming they switch classes? Do they have teams..ie a couple of teachers to a "team" that the kids switch classes between (this is how I did it growing up) How heavily do they rely on ipads/or chrome books? Do they have text books?

I ask because we have a 4th grader with adhd who struggles with executive functioning, academics and is addicted to screens.

Text books. You are hilarious.

Don’t worry your kid will do fine; there isn’t much homework so as long as they behave in class and do work as assigned during the block, there won’t be any issues with executive function. Everything is on the iPad so just track that one thing.

That is, if they remember to check their iPads and agendas for when test and quizzes are. Some kids get home and check out.

If you do not yet have an IEP, you need to get one before the end of the school year. There is very limited support for executive functioning skills in middle school. I have one child who excels, and one child who struggles. Overall, we really love our middle school, Williamsburg, but I haven’t heard anything positive about any of the middle schools with regard to really helping kids learn to manage an agenda, study skills, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Help me to understand what middle school at APS looks like...I'm assuming they switch classes? Do they have teams..ie a couple of teachers to a "team" that the kids switch classes between (this is how I did it growing up) How heavily do they rely on ipads/or chrome books? Do they have text books?

I ask because we have a 4th grader with adhd who struggles with executive functioning, academics and is addicted to screens.

Text books. You are hilarious.

Don’t worry your kid will do fine; there isn’t much homework so as long as they behave in class and do work as assigned during the block, there won’t be any issues with executive function. Everything is on the iPad so just track that one thing.

Anonymous wrote:At ours, they switch classes. They have teams, but I’m not sure how much that changes things- they don’t appear to be physically clustered. They get iPads and no textbooks. But I think they are doing more on paper and less on the iPad than in previous years.

Does your kid have an IEP? If so, his 5th grade review meeting will include middle school planning. There are special resource periods and home rooms for special ed kids that you can request. They were not offered to us until we asked about options, so I would ask specifically about any help that you think might be needed and not assume they are offering everything.

Trams means the classes are just with your cohort of 1/3 of your grade. You will only have classes with your team, it’s like you go to 3 separate smaller schools. It kind of sucks if your elementary friends are split on another team, you could end up knowing almost no one in your classes.

I’m bummed there is little outside unstructured time (“recess”). They get half hour for lunch and can pop out after eating but it’s so short.

At ours, they switch classes. They have teams, but I’m not sure how much that changes things- they don’t appear to be physically clustered. They get iPads and no textbooks. But I think they are doing more on paper and less on the iPad than in previous years.

Does your kid have an IEP? If so, his 5th grade review meeting will include middle school planning. There are special resource periods and home rooms for special ed kids that you can request. They were not offered to us until we asked about options, so I would ask specifically about any help that you think might be needed and not assume they are offering everything.

Anonymous wrote:Help me to understand what middle school at APS looks like...I'm assuming they switch classes? Do they have teams..ie a couple of teachers to a "team" that the kids switch classes between (this is how I did it growing up) How heavily do they rely on ipads/or chrome books? Do they have text books?

I ask because we have a 4th grader with adhd who struggles with executive functioning, academics and is addicted to screens.

I suggest you join your future middle schools PTA and visit the school. If your child has an IEP or 504, talk with your IEP team and the middle school counselors. Middle school is middle school. Yes, they switch classrooms. Yes, they are often on "teams" so that the same sub-set of students are mostly with the same team of teachers and the teachers on each team collaborate with each other. All of APS is increasingly device-leaning with zero or few textbooks in hardcover form.

But you really should wait until she's at least in 5th grade. Teachers and counselors are busy with their actual current students.

Help me to understand what middle school at APS looks like...I'm assuming they switch classes? Do they have teams..ie a couple of teachers to a "team" that the kids switch classes between (this is how I did it growing up) How heavily do they rely on ipads/or chrome books? Do they have text books?

I ask because we have a 4th grader with adhd who struggles with executive functioning, academics and is addicted to screens.