Navigating the 6th Grade Journey: Tips and Strategies for Parents

Homeschooling can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both parents and students. But when it comes to educating a 6th grader, the stakes may feel higher, and the journey can be a bit more daunting. As you prepare to embark on this new educational adventure with your child, it’s important to be aware of all the challenges that may come up along the way, as well as all the tips and strategies you have at your disposal. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to navigate the 6th-grade journey in order to help ensure success for both you and your student.

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Create Objectives

When homeschooling a 6th-grader, it’s important to establish clear goals and objectives for the school year. Review Enlightium Academy’s 6th-grade curriculum to see what core courses your student will likely be taking, as well as the electives, social activities, and spiritual opportunities that are available to them. Take some time to discuss with your child what courses they will be learning this year, as well as any areas of interest they may have. Outline learning objectives that are challenging yet achievable, and make sure to set measurable goals in order to better evaluate progress throughout the year.

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Create a Schedule!

Now that you know what courses and extracurriculars to expect, it’s time to start setting up a schedule! This is especially important as structure is key to success. Designate specific times each day for lessons, breaks, extracurricular activities (if applicable), and anything else that applies to your family’s routine. Utilize a calendar or Enlightium’s sample daily schedule so everyone stays organized and finds ways to keep track of assignments and due dates so no one falls behind on their studies.

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Use Resources Wisely

In the age of technology, students can use the Internet to aid in the learning process. However, navigating the web can feel overwhelming; where do students go to find material to supplement their online learning? Enlightium Academy’s Livebinder resources provide concept explanations, video overviews, and step-by-step directions in students’ core courses. 

As students learn to become self-disciplined in an online environment, parents can help keep them accountable using tools such as Hubstaff and Enlightium’s Parent Portal. Parents may also set up a VPN on their students’ computers to provide additional protection during online learning.

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Enjoy the Journey

But don’t forget about having fun! Homeschooling can be extremely rewarding, but it can also become tedious if not handled with balance. If you make learning enjoyable by incorporating interactive activities into each day, then your student is more likely to stay motivated throughout the school year while still absorbing all the necessary material being taught. Consider trying out new things, such as field trips to a local museum or doing creative projects related to what they’re studying, in order to encourage further exploration of the subject matter.

Navigating education with a 6th grader can present its share of challenges, but with the right tools and strategies in place, there’s no reason why parents and students alike shouldn’t be able to thrive during this special time in their education journey! By establishing goals and objectives beforehand, setting up an organized schedule of activities and classes, and making learning fun each day, families can ensure that their schooling experience will be one full of knowledge and growth for all involved.

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Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, hybrid, online, and homeschool K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.