Buy what you need, no more and no less. Avoid unnecessary gadgets and notebooks which can be cumbersome and a distraction to some students. Try color-coding subjects. For example, purchase your daughter a green notebook and folder for English or a yellow notebook and folder for science. It will be easier for her to remember what to bring to class and what to bring home each day. Keep a copy of your child's schedule and locker combination at home in case it's misplaced.
Purchase an actual planner and buy a small notebook or create a daily planner sheet to be printed out daily. Whatever method you and your son choose, teach your child how to write down his assignments next to the correct subject. If there is no homework, tell him to write that or draw a line through the space to avoid leaving it blank. Tell your middle schooler to go over his planner at his locker at the end of the day to ensure he has all of his books and notebooks to complete his assignments. It may be helpful to write what books he needs in his planner. For example, he can write "science book, yellow folder and notebook" next to his science assignment.
Help your middle school daughter prioritize her homework by not allowing her to put off assignments until the last evening. Many teachers may assign homework on a Monday and give students until Thursday or Friday to complete it. Make sure you check her planner each day to ensure she is completing her assignments on schedule. Make sure your middle schooler has a quiet, well-lit place to study that is free from distractions. Ban televisions, phones and Internet during homework time. Decide what time of day is best for your child to complete her homework; develop a routine with good study habits and teach her to stick with it.
Have a monthly calendar posted where the whole family can see it. Along with activities, doctor appointments and work schedules, include tests and larger project and research papers on the calendar. Teach your child to do a little at a time. For example, if his science project is due in four weeks, every Tuesday and Friday for thirty minutes after dinner, he will work on it. This makes the project more manageable and your child can avoid procrastination and panic days before the final project is due.