Graduating to high school can mean larger classes, bigger school buildings, more responsibility, and more freedom.
Students are almost always excited, but they can also feel anxiety and frustration.
As a teacher, here are 5 things to consider in your middle school classroom.
- Stress management
From grades to bullying to family environments, there are so many reasons why even middle-schoolers experience stress.
You’ve seen it in your classrooms – students are tired from lack of sleep, they are noticeable upset or worried, and sometimes they even get sick.
Motivating your students to stay physically healthy, supporting their need for recreational time, and offering an open ear are all ways to help them relieve their stress.
- Read lots of books
Reading increases verbal, writing, and critical-thinking skills. It will also help kids do well in SOLs, the ACT, and the SAT.
Beyond required reading as part of your curriculum, encourage students to read outside the classroom.
For Earth Day on April, check out one of these!
http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/book-club/2013/03/29/the-best-new-earth-day-books-for-grades-k-12
- Encourage parent involvement
Sometimes parents think their involvement is not as important as a child gets older, but that’s not the case!
Parents still have a lot of influence on their children in middle school and high school.
Though their role is changing, parents can still be involved in the classroom. They can provide support with school projects, monitor extra-curricular activities, or act as a chaperone for field trips.
- Prepare for college
It’s never too early to start preparing kids for college. Students must think of college as an important part of their future.
Help them to research campuses and special programs, and discuss interest and ideas with friends and family.
Try sharing your positive college experiences with your class, and give them direction on how to get started with this checklist: http://www.collegeprep101.com/uploads/1/1/7/2/11721368/middle_school__junior_high_college_prep.pdf
- Schedule a Challenge Discovery program
Duh, we have to say this. But we all know that curriculum based field trips are much more valuable than a recreational day at the theme park.
Especially when that field trip is a team building program on a high ropes course in Richmond, VA.
The truth is your students will learn more about working with others in a day at Challenge Discovery than they will in weeks in the classroom.
How? Through our unique Experience. Learn. Grow. Change. methodology.
Our programs consist of activities and experiences designed to appropriately challenge your students in ways that accelerate learning.
What better way is there to prepare them for high school?
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