Preparing for Middle School
Are Your 5th Graders Ready for Middle School?
Students attending middle school are around age 11 to 13. It starts with grade 6 and ends with grade 8. The
transition from elementary to middle school can be incredibly overwhelming for your child. It can invoke a
wealth of emotions, from anxiety over meeting new teachers and students to excitement over purchasing new
clothing and supplies. Additionally, they have to deal with increased homework, the responsibility to navigate
from one class to the next by themselves and much more. Regardless of this pressure, you want your child to
experience a smooth transition. As a parent, your concerns are likely to be about the big picture, such as
whether middle school will prepare your child for a successful future.
Middle-school lessons will not simply teach facts — they will also teach how these facts carry over into real
life. Long-term interdisciplinary units will call for creative, agile thinking. Block scheduling (a series of
longer class sessions spread over a one- or two-week period) will let your child immerse himself in complex,
multi-dimensional topics.
“K12 School virtual classroom is a digital learning environment that allows teachers and students to connect in online in real time.”
“These are fun activities that teachers can play with their students over the internet. The purpose of these games is to educate and entertain students, which also helps build friendships.”
“During these unprecedented times and school closures... ...how can a PBL teacher keep students connected and engaged, so a project is just as powerful as what would be expected in their face-to-face classroom?”