Rosa Said:

Do you have a list of 50 or more words 6th graders should know?

We Answered:

Go to the bottom of this site for online vocabulary/spelling and other types of help:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skill…

Sixth Grade Reading Program - Curriculum Standards, Lessons, Activities, Printable Worksheets:

http://www.time4learning.com/reading/six…

6th Grade Word List Reading Inventory:
http://www.rfp-templates.com/search/for/…

Marcia Said:

why is my 11 years old daughter so lazy when it comes to herself?

We Answered:

You could do what I did with my daughter. She is currently mad at me (not even a strong enough word).

Every day when my daughter comes home from school she must give me her assignment book. I have talked to her teacher and her teacher is willing to sign if my daughter has wrote down word for word what her assignments are.

She has to do homework before she can do anything else. And I add on my own homework. My daughter started slipping in reading also so now she has to read 45 minutes each day.

She also has no privileges atm until her grades come up. She can hang out in her room and study. If she has nothing to study she can read. If she has finished her book I will come up with something.

I do not expect my kids to get straight A's either, but I do expect them to try their hardest, and if the grades show they did not try their hardest there will be consequences. Education is way to important to let it just slide.

Geraldine Said:

Book Question?

We Answered:

Go for it - take your time and dont rush through it. It is a long complex work. Dont get frustrated by all the names and if it helps you make a few notes along the way. With patience, you should get through it. Allow yourself an hour or more of quiet reading time each night- no tv or radio - no distractions if you can and just sink yourself into the book. Yes I think you will truly enjoy it. It will be a memorable read for you. Pax C

Armando Said:

Chances of me getting into Harvard Westlake?

We Answered:

You appear qualified to attend HW. Some kids will have higher test scores and grades than you, but there will be kids with similar stats who will be admitted. There are 75 spaces for 9th grade, and they will receive 4 to 5 applications per space, like the other good private schools, so the competition can be tough.

I don't know if your tardies will show up unless your school has a big issue with them and points them out. Most schools are unlikely to do that if you're a good student overall. I saw my son's K - 8 transcripts last year that went to all of the schools. It had his complete grades from K on one side and and his ERB test scores from 2nd on the other. But supposedly they don't look at anything before about 6th grade. I think his attendance record was on there with the grades, but not that noticeable.

Do you know many kids or parents at HW? Is it the right fit for you? Will you be able to excel with their rigorous curriculum? Every school has it's own *flavor*, even if they seem similar. Last year my son applied to 3 extremely rigorous schools, HW being one, all three have the same National Merit, SAT, matriculation stats. But the schools are very different. He absolutely loved one, one was Ehhh, one was No. He was admitted to all 3 and a Catholic school that was his 2nd choice. He went with his first choice and LOVES high school. Choose the school that is the right fit for you, not what you think of it's prestige, if your friends are going, etc. If you are accepted to HW, but Viewpoint feels right to you, stay at Viewpoint. If HW really feels right, and you've spoken to lots of students and visited, then choose HW. Will changing schools add a lot to your travel time? You will have so much homework, at least at HW, in high school, be prepared!

Schools with heavy matriculation to the Ivies are often for other reasons than just the education, like legacies or generous donations by families. These students are qualified (as are 85% of Ivy applicants), but they have *extra* qualifications. Of course, this is kept quiet. You need to stand out -- especially among your classmates. It will be harder to stand out at HW, as they have a higher rate of National Merit recognized seniors, higher SAT scores, etc than Viewpoint, and the kids have been working on their resumes and college plans for years. Because generally, that's the kind of parents who send their kids to HW.

What is your Passion? Is it music, karate, sports? Make sure you use your Passion so your extracurriculars and community service have Focus and Depth, the Ivies want to see Experts. Like a musician might compete and win state or national level awards, be in the school orchestra or band or chorus, write music, play in a *professional* band, volunteer teach music to underprivileged kids.

Have you visited the Ivies yet? In high school, remain open to all college options, don't just go for the name, but choose the college that is really best for you. But of course, do your best work in high school so you have options.

If you are waitlisted, there is still a chance that you will get in. Not everyone who is admitted decides to attend, and then they may need to fill spaces in a second round.

Good luck with your admission to HW, if you decide it's the best fit for you.

Steve Said:

I feel that I have an unfair English teacher...?

We Answered:

Certain amount of things you could do
1. bring any essays that you think may be unfairly marked to another english teacher in your school and ask them to mark it honestly.
if the two grades you receive are evidently different, bring it to your english teacher and call her up on it.
2. even if she doesn't ask you questions in class - when she asks another pupil, have the answer prepared in your mind before they answer aloud - this way you can stay on top of the work even if she doesn't call you up on it.
3. Even if she tells you that she thinks B is a great grade - SAY to her (but don't be aggressive or accusing).
Simply ask her to explain WHY you didn't get an A. WHY she thinks that your essay/test wasn't satisfactory enough to receive the top mark - this way you'll seem more eager to learn and you can learn from your mistakes.
4. If you think your grade is truly unfair, read over the whole thing, pretending you are marking it for a different individual. If, in your heart of hearts, you believe it's worthy of a better grade - tell your teacher.

Whatever you do, don't think that it's pointless trying in English. If anything, you should try harder in English if you're receiving straight As in everything else. You won't have this same teacher forever, and if you try your hardest this year, next year you could be top of the class with a more appreciative teacher.

Good luck.

Todd Said:

Educational Sponser?

We Answered:

Have you thought of homeschooling him? you can go at his pace, my child is not as gifted as yours, but he is very smart and we homeschool him.