Elementary school classrooms are vibrant, secure spaces where students spend most of their day. When it is time to attend lunch or gym, the teacher leads all of the students to their destination. Books and coats are kept in a classroom cubby that is not locked. Once children move to the middle school, they are assigned a locker with a lock in the hallway. Middle-schoolers must be able to organize their materials so that they have the correct books for each class. In addition, classes are spread around the building, and students need to navigate the middle school and arrive to class on time.
Elementary schools are not divided into different periods, and often one teacher teaches all of the subjects. Upon arriving to middle school, students will receive a class schedule that lists the different subjects they are taking. Each subject will most likely be taught by a different teacher. Furthermore, depending on the size of the middle school, students may find that they are in class with different peers each period. Dealing with different teachers and subjects can be daunting for a new middle-schooler. Parents can support their children by helping them to organize their classes and materials by using a planner.
Access to electives, sports and clubs is one of the benefits of becoming a middle school student. Parents and children will have more choices to make than they did when they were in elementary school. After-school sports such as football, field hockey, basketball, baseball and softball are often offered for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. In addition, drama club, chess club and community service clubs are extracurricular opportunities for middle-schoolers. Middle-schoolers often are allowed to choose the art, music and foreign language classes they would like to take.
Parents can support their children through the transition from elementary school to middle school by discussing the differences before they attend. Buy a combination lock so your child can practice opening a locker. Attend parent orientation so that you are aware of the academic and behavioral expectations for middle school. In addition, tour the middle school with your child in order to prepare him or her for the changing of classes. Finally, purchase planners and folders to help your child organize class materials. All of these steps will aid in helping your child transition to the middle school.