Growing up, I did not attend Middle School. I attended a small, private school that housed grades Pre-K through 8th grade and held two grades per classroom. There was not a separate wing for grades 5-8. We had higher privileges afforded to us because of our age: we could participate in school sports; like basketball and volleyball. We could join cheerleading in 7th and 8th grade. We often were chosen to hold better speaking roles for the annual play or musical.
I had friends that attended the local public schools. One public school was K-8 and the other two schools were K-5 and 6-8. Depending on where you lived in town, determined what local school system you attended. The Catholic grade school was K-8 and the 6-8 grades were in a separate wing of the school. My friends that attended either of these schools felt that they had a better experience than myself and my fellow classmates. They had other opportunities for socializing than I had. They had Middle School dances, Spelling Bee's, Social Clubs, and extra-curricular events. It did not bother me or my other classmates that we did not have those things at our school. We had plenty of after school activities that we could do outside of school and within the community. We did not feel that we were lacking in anything.
In fact, sometimes we felt that we had a better experience than some of the other kids in the community. Our class sizes were small; often 21-22 students in both grades combined. That allowed the teachers to connect with the students on a more personal level. Our teachers moved from class-to-class for certain subjects; like Mathematics, Science, and English. We were able to get to know those teachers on a more personal level, as well, because we had them for several years depending upon the subject matter taught.
Our parents were heavily involved in the school for PTA, sports referee, game nights, and more. This allowed the students to get to know the parents and the parents to get to know the students. It created a strong community bond within the small school of only 100 students between grades Pre-K through 8.
The readings certainly gave me a greater perspective on the history of Middle Schools and Junior High Schools. I was unaware of their formation and could certainly have a greater appreciation for the teachers who chose to teach at that particular grade level. My daughter is entering 7th grade in the fall and her educational experience is certainly different from my own. That is ok. I understand the need for such a school for grades 6-8. Those students have such different needs than those of the younger class levels. They need smaller class sizes and varied subjects to help them achieve the goals specific to their age-level, abilities, and needs. They also are emotionally different than those of the younger classes. They need teachers who are able to meet them not just academically, but emotionally as well. They need more support to navigate the changes they are experiencing at this particular time in their lives.
I'm grateful that a program exists today to adequately train teachers to properly teach students in grades 6-8. To me, it does not matter if you call it Middle School or Junior High. The needs emotionally and academically are very important at this level. Students need to be prepared for the future. This is the point in time where they grow and gain the skills necessary for high school and beyond. They need teachers who are willing to help them better prepare themselves for the future. I plan on being one of those teachers. It is my goal to be a Middle School Social Studies Teacher. I still remember my teachers during this time in my life. They left a positive impression on my life and I would like to do the same thing for other students. I think this course will set me up with great strategies, learning lessons, and skills to help reach those Middle School students. I'm looking forward to learning more!
Hi Diane!
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you and your family!
I wrote in my post about how the only K-8 schools I was aware of growing up and still to this day are private schools. I went to a K-5 building and then 6-8 and always envied the private school down the street because they always seemed so much closer. Much to what you have to say about knowing the parents and smaller class sizes. For me I think it's almost like a grass is always greener situation. I truly did love my middle school experience and the grade levels that were there. As a substitute teacher now I cannot imagine have younger grades than 6th grade in the building. Even just as 6th graders they seem so much younger than the 8th graders. I think that speaks to the tremendous emotional, physical, and educational growth students at this range experience like both the texts this week mention.
Do you think that in a K-8 building like you had would not serve as good of a purpose for our students these days?
I wrote how children and young adults seems to be growing up so much faster with each year. I feel that a building with a wide range of grade levels would hamper the education the older students would get. For instance the social-emotional learning. In the building I sub in we had no bullying and thought provoking posters posted all around the school this past year. I think if we were in a building with younger grade levels those posters may have not been appropriate or made much difference to the students if they were the traditional "no bullying" campaign with soft animals. You know what I mean?
I really did enjoy though learning about the way different schools came about. It gave them so much more meaning for me.