Students need a calendar and an accountability system. In his calendar or planner, your preteen needs to chart his class schedule and assignments. He needs to know what class he is expected to be in at what time, what room the class is in and what assignments are due each particular day. A student needs to record homework assignments and their due dates at the end of every class. He should to chart projects and tests. The student's plans may be turned in for a grade or checked by a parent for accountability and encouragement.
Your student needs an organized work space. Many students in middle school receive the combination to a locker for the first time. Students unaccustomed to this new space sometimes let it become disorganized and messy. Make sure lockers are neatly arranged so a student can grab her book and assignment for the next class and go without needing to shuffle. A student should also have a binder to store assignments and notebook paper. Demonstrate the use of dividers to store notes and homework for each class.
Clean out the locker and binder regularly. Keep graded papers and projects that have been handed back at home until grades are final for a term or semester. If the teacher loses the grade or is in doubt about the assignment, a student will be able to find and resubmit it. Clear lockers of excess paper and trash that accumulates over time in the rush of a busy day.
Middle school classes take on an element of responsibility. Class projects are often assigned and students are responsible to contact classmates as well as know their own schedules. If the planner does not have a contact sheet, make one and insert it into the front of your child's binder. The student uses the sheet to record numbers and addresses, as well as teacher's email addresses if contact needs to be made.