<p>No, I am not asking anything college application related for my middle school sister before anyone starts freaking out on me!</p>
<p>But I am a senior…I guess I am a pretty Type-A kind of person so I have been great about keeping myself busy all through high school. Since I am going off to college next year, I wanted to make sure my sister gets more motivated in terms of school stuff. She has so much potential but I think she’s just lacking motivation.</p>
<p>Any ideas for a 7th grader, whether it is over the summer, ongoing, or spring break to keep her busy? I want her to do well, and she wants to do well too, but she needs a little push!</p>
<p>She seems to enjoy more things math/science related than English, but I suppose either way she needs more opportunities to find out something she really enjoys. What things could she do? We live in Chicago and she’s hesitant to go out far away right now so maybe keep this location in mind!</p>
<p>Have you looked into Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development? It offers programs for high ability learners of all ages. We had a good experience with them. Also I imagine U of C must have opportunities, as well as other colleges in town. And all those fabulous museums must have summer classes. And is there a reason you are looking into these activities instead of your sister or your parents? You sound like a wonderful older sister but unless your sister is motivated (and you mention she isn’t terribly) this effort might be futile. Your example of hard work and dedication will speak volumes to her - that might be her greatest motivation. And again, I’m surprised this post is coming from a sister and not a parent. Are they not supportive?</p>
<p>centraleagle, I’m sorry but I am a bit offended by your post. I am simply writing this because I was looking for insight and not a judgement on whether my parents are supportive or not. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t be anything I am today without the help of my parents - they are the best. My sister and I really lucky and we both know that. I just tend to use this site way more than they do…in case you couldn’t tell from my post counts - so I thought I could help them in their search for summer plans about my sister. I don’t really feel the need to further justify my reason of posting. </p>
<p>However, thank you I will certainly look into those Northwestern programs.</p>
<p>What about sending her to a very fun, well rounded, normal sleep-away summer camp focused on kids her age. Give her the chance to be a kid and explore a variety of things–arts and crafts, sports, theater, music, outdoor activities, etc. She’ll build friendships, grow socially, experience new things, and gain self-confidence.</p>
<p>OK, this suggestion is really expensive unfortunately, but look into Summer Institute for the Gifted. I attended one summer and it was one of the best experiences of my life. They run a good academic and also fun three-week camp for “gifted” kids. You have to be identified gifted to attend, but there are a lot of ways to go about getting identified, so it’s not that hard. Check it out. The cost may be prohibitive but if money isn’t a big issue, I would definitely recommend it.</p>
<p>to OP: =D im so glad you posted this!!! im a senior too, and i’ve been looking for ways to motivate my 7th grade sister as well. [im also trying to motivate my 5th grade brother too =]</p>
<p>You don’t need to look outside to motivate her. The best motivation kids can have to push them towards academic success is to be surrounded by people who are academically successful and who promote academic success as an important and worthwhile goal. So really, YOU can motivate your sister, even from far away. Call her a lot, talk to her about your college work and college life. Invite her for a weekend to visit you at school, take her to the science labs on campus so she can look at the cool equipment. Talk to her about how much fun college is, how much fun it is to learn and explore. Send her books and novels that you enjoyed reading as a kid (or discover new kids books, maybe the two of you could have a long-distance bookgroup? Kids books don’t take that much time for you to read and it might be an important thing for your sister). Seriously, her relationship with you and her natural inclination to copy your behavior patterns will be her one single greatest motivator. </p>
<p>BUT since you’re a college student and entitled to your own life too, it probably is good to think about things closer to home she can get involved in. Summer science camps are a great idea. Do you have community centers or YMCAs in your community that might offer low-cost summer science programs? Is there a science center or a science museum for kids nearby? Those almost always offer awesome science programs and they also have volunteer opportunities for older kids to be counselors at these camps, so as she ages out of the program as a camper, she can grow into a counselor, leader, and mentor for younger kids. </p>
<p>If her middle school has science clubs or groups too, that would be a good thing, though she’s at the age where she’ll be hyper sensitive to being characterized as “different” or even “smart” so she may be reluctant to get involved. If that’s the case, you can only encourage her, but she has to make the choice for herself. </p>
<p>Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry too much. What you might see as lack of motivation might be just her finding her own way. Keep being a great sister and a good example, and keep in touch with her while you’re at school, and just be patient that she’ll find her way.</p>
<p>There are lots of programs to choose from: SIG (summer inst for the gifted), the Johns Hopkins programs, regular sleep away camps (especially in the Northeast). there are special math programs (ROSS), and gaming programs (digital media, and many others). But the trick is to find something that your sister really enjoys. Otherwise, it’s an expensive waste of money. Look in the summer programs here on CC.</p>
<p>But 7th grade is just a tad early to be too rigorous about the stuff that matters for colleges. That said, she should just find or explore a passion and have fun. camps are a great way to do that.</p>
<p>PS: I don’t think centraleagle was implying your parents weren’t helping too. No need to feel defensive.</p>
<p>Take a breath. She’s in 7th grade. My youngest is in 7th grade, and I know, having lived through 7th grade twice before that 7th graders will become ten different people by the time they get to 9th grade!</p>
<p>Also, she may or may not become motivated in the same ways you do. Posters are making assumptions about educational programs. Frankly, your sister may be looking, at this time in her life, to be different from you. </p>
<p>I agree, that the environment of loving support will probably get her through to become the successful adult she will need to be. Until that time, spend time with your sister doing things she may be interested in. You’ll be away at college, and she won’t have your undivided attention very much longer.</p>
<p>hardworker: =] right now… im trying to get my little sister to look at her SSAT cracker LOL. the thing is, she isnt going to boarding school, so there’s no point in making her study. but our school offers it for free, so i think she should just take advantage of the oppurtunity.</p>
<p>nope, i havent found anything yet… the problem with summer programs is that my family travels alot over the summer, and we dont really stay in one place. plus… i dont think my family would let her go into a sleepaway camp unless she really really really wanted to go there.</p>
<p>im looking at SIG and summer programs offered at colleges in cities that we are most likely to spend the most time in.</p>
<p>=D ill let you know if i find anything worthwhile.</p>
what types of things are you doing? let me know if you come across anything interesting</p>