I am a private school educator who at one time implemented a 5th through 8th grade program and am working in a group in grad classes on developing a 5th through 8th grade middle school concepts. It was interesting to read your thoughts and concerns.
The middle school I helped to implement had many problems, one being parent's misinformation on how their 5th graders develop in this year of school. A 5th-8th grade model can be very successful and rewarding for the students. The key is implementing it correctly along with high parent education of the changes children and adolescents go through as they finish 4th grade and go into 5th. As a 20+ year veteran teacher, I do know the emotional baggage 5th graders feel when they are linked to 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. They are so far beyond the thought processes of these grades. At the same time 6th graders are often the brunt of the upper classman hierarchy which does not help them either. They are all ready to become independent thinkers and workers but also still need some of the care of these grades. Then again 7th and 8th graders need a lot of care too. Therefore, if in a 5th through 8th grade model, the connections are made between the 5ht and 6th grades and the then with the 7th and 8th grades, you have a much more balanced school environment. Then when it comes to extras such as band and other appropriate electives, the 5th/6th graders benefit from participating along side the 7th/8th graders who can serve as leaders. Yes, 7th and 8th graders go through a miriad of changes, but so does 5th and 6th. If we treat all of these students with love respect and high quality academics, all can benefit beautifully under the roof of one building. And yes, 7th and 8th graders like some outdoor equipment too and "recess" time as well!
We are in our second year of having 5th graders at the middle school. It was a VERY hard transition brought about completely by our district's financial downward spiral. I have not heard one positive comment in the past 2 years about having the 5th grade at middle school. The 5th graders are not offered anything special (such as 5th grade band or choir). When school started in the fall (2 years ago) for the 5th graders, they did not even have any playground equipment for recess time! Parents rallied together and forced the middle school to put in some equipment. Also, on the grade school level which is now K-4, the 4th graders really lack the maturity to be the 'leaders' to the other grades.
This is the second year the 5th grade has been at the middle school in our district. The 6th and 5th grade classes are in one section of the building and then 7th and 8th in another--but they do pass each other in the halls alittle.
My only concern with this is the 5th graders having to ride the bus with middle school and high school age children--I remember the 1st day my daughter then in 5th grade came home and she was like mom they were talking abouth this on the bus--I WAS LIKE IGNORE THEM!!!!
I guess that's my main concern--the board doesn't seem to have a plan in place yet. I'm worried that we don't have time to get the kids and their parents ready for the change. 5th and 6th grades will be a bit separated from 7th and 8th, but 5th will still be elem and 6th will be considered middle. As a PTO, we need to help everyone adjust and I don't know where to begin.
[ 05-18-2005, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: AJ Flanagan ]
Our middle school was 6-8 for 23 years then they added the new middle school on the same building as the high school and the old middle school is now the Intermedite center which houses 5/6 grades. We had some parents freaking out (me being one of them). I feel your pain. How will their schedule be working. Are they going to be kept seperate from the older kids and have a different routine? It seems our 5/6 and new middle school has done very well. This has been the first year in operation, if that makes you feel any better.
Has anyone had to adjust to a shift of the 5th grade from elementary school to the middle school? Our School Board is proposing to do this for "educational" purposes (although we know our district is in trouble financially.) Our middle school currently houses 6th thru 8th grade. Has it worked out for you? What is your biggest challenge? Are their ANY positives? HELP! :eek:
[ 05-18-2005, 07:13 AM: Message edited by: AJ Flanagan ]
