How long did your 6th grader take to adjust to MS?

[Anonymous]

DC doing ok-at a magnet where they don’t know anyone - thinks it is all right so far but huge transition from ES.
What’s the typical adjustment period like? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC doing ok-at a magnet where they don’t know anyone - thinks it is all right so far but huge transition from ES.
What’s the typical adjustment period like? Thanks!

Magnet sixth grade teacher here. We know it’s a huge change with seven teachers, lockers, and the like. There’s so much built into our programs to help them adjust. Sometimes students resist doing things this new way and it ends up taking them longer to settle in. For example, writing the homework in the planner every class.

Making friends helps a lot with the adjustment. Usually they make lunch table friends by the end of the second week. Real friendships can take longer.

If your child is struggling in four weeks, we will probably reach out to you, but you can contact us sooner.

[Anonymous]

Our DS, also at a magnet and now I'm 8th) loves his middle school but the first year was sort of a roller coaster. I think for him much of it was puberty, not just the school transition, but there were times when he loved it and seemed to thrive and times when he said he wished he had gone to our local school. That said, it has been a really positive experience overall and 7th and 8th (well, the first four days of it) have been great!

[Anonymous]

3 years

[Anonymous]

Ours adjusted to the magnet MS program surprisingly quickly The program is helping them get to know each other and my 6th grader remarked that he does not miss his old friends or recess.

If they’re having problems making friends, maybe try joining an after school program when they start these.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all of these helpful perspectives!

[Anonymous]

DC came to despise elementary, so MS was a most welcome and hopeful change. I think the desire for a fresh start is overwriting any major adjustment issues. So far so good.

[Anonymous]

This is why all 4th-5th need to be departmentalized..it helps with the major transition into middle school.

[Anonymous]

Mine was not at a magnet (so had some friends) and the transition still took 3-4 months. I would say after the winter break, things were pretty smooth. But it’s a lot and give it time… both the number of class transitions and heightened expectations, plus lots of friend shifts (normal at 11-12, I think).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why all 4th-5th need to be departmentalized..it helps with the major transition into middle school.

All 4th and 5th graders should be either departmentalized (certain teachers focus on certain subjects they're strongest in and teach multiple groups of kids that subject over the course of the day) or regrouped by ability (all teachers teach all subjects, same subject for everyone in the grade at the same time so classes can be formed of kids below, at, and above grade level from among different homerooms.). Either way helps kids prepare for MS, and either way has some "added value" compared to just having 4th & 5th grade teachers teach their homeroom class all subjects like a K teacher would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC doing ok-at a magnet where they don’t know anyone - thinks it is all right so far but huge transition from ES.
What’s the typical adjustment period like? Thanks!

Magnet sixth grade teacher here. We know it’s a huge change with seven teachers, lockers, and the like. There’s so much built into our programs to help them adjust. Sometimes students resist doing things this new way and it ends up taking them longer to settle in. For example, writing the homework in the planner every class.

Making friends helps a lot with the adjustment. Usually they make lunch table friends by the end of the second week. Real friendships can take longer.

If your child is struggling in four weeks, we will probably reach out to you, but you can contact us sooner.

Did transition day help a lot for the MS transition?

[Anonymous]

Give it a few months. If not, they can transfer back to their home school. We did that.

[Anonymous]

Middle school is new to everyone. Drop the notion that your kid doesn’t know anyone. They’re in good company. No one really knows anyone.

Also, hasn’t it just been five days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give it a few months. If not, they can transfer back to their home school. We did that.

Which school did you transfer away from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC doing ok-at a magnet where they don’t know anyone - thinks it is all right so far but huge transition from ES.
What’s the typical adjustment period like? Thanks!

Magnet sixth grade teacher here. We know it’s a huge change with seven teachers, lockers, and the like. There’s so much built into our programs to help them adjust. Sometimes students resist doing things this new way and it ends up taking them longer to settle in. For example, writing the homework in the planner every class.

Making friends helps a lot with the adjustment. Usually they make lunch table friends by the end of the second week. Real friendships can take longer.

If your child is struggling in four weeks, we will probably reach out to you, but you can contact us sooner.

Did transition day help a lot for the MS transition?

Yes, transition day was very helpful.