Top Ten Myths Of Transitioning To Middle School

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Top Ten Myths Of Transitioning To Middle School

• BBFA Transitions Program
• April 30, 2009

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MYTH 10

• Older students are going to bully my child by
  stuffing him in a locker and giving him a
  swirlie.

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Reality

• Never in 20 years have we seen this
• Older students look forward to volunteering and
  mentoring younger ones
• Older students have empathy and can be positive
  role-models and Ambassadors

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Myth 9

• I have twins going into middle school a more
  physical mature daughter and a son who is shorter
  and less mature than average. Im afraid that
  they will be teased daily for their physical
  appearance.

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REALITY

• Social bullying is a RECIPROCAL reality
• A time to learn COPING SKILLS, SELF-ADVOCACY and
  SELF-REFLECTION
• Adults CAN and WILL help
• Students can seek help
• Teachers
• Counselor
• Associate Principal
• Groups
• Classroom lessons

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MYTH 8

• My child is going to get lost in a new building
  going from class to class and is going to be
  penalized for being tardy.

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REALITY

• There is a grace period for tardies with new 6th
  graders
• Teachers go over maps, schedule and help walk
  students from class to class
• Orientations to tour students done prior to new
  school year
• Teachers write passes if students are late to
  class and confused as to where to go
• Teachers posted in hallways to assist students

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MYTH 7

• Ive heard that parents arent allowed in the
  building and arent welcomed to be part of
  activities.

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REALITY

• Kid desiring separation is developmentally
  appropriate
• Parents have many volunteer opportunities
• PTO
• Clubs, Sports
• Evening Events
• Field Trips
• Clinic

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MYTH 6

• I need to buy my kid a cell phone because Ive
  heard that every middle schooler has a cell
  phone.

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REALITY

• Cells phones are NOT on the suggested list of
  materials
• May not be a wise separation of adolescents
  developmentally
• Cells phones not allowed in classes due to
  cheating
• Students allowed to use phones in office to call
  home
• Students responsible to keep belongings in locker

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MYTH 5

• Kids will have difficulty making new friends and
  maintaining old friendships unless they join
  every single club and sport

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REALITY

• Shifting friendships and friendship groups is
  developmentally appropriate
• Extra-curricular activities are a great way to
  make new friends BUT . . .
• Be careful of over-scheduling them
• Balance extra-curricular interests with new
  academic demands

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MYTH 4

• Ive heard that parents have no control over
  peer pressure in middle school. If their friends
  do it, they want to do it, too.

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REALITY

• Need to fit in is paramount for middle school
  kids
• Need to look like others
• Need to be with others of similar interests
• Friendships will shift need to learn assertive
  refusal and use parents as scapegoats
• Healthy Peer Pressure and limits

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MYTH 3

• I dont have a way to know what kind of parents
  my childs new friends are so I worry about
  letting them hang out with new kids.

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REALITY

• Shifting friendships and making new friends are
  developmentally appropriate and should be
  encouraged
• Shifting friendships will be a reflection of who
  they are becoming and the developmental task of
  identity
• Make your house the hang out place for your
  childs friends
• Get to know the parents of your childs friends
  call them communicate

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MYTH 2

• This is the first time that students receive
  letter grades. Is it true that teachers grade
  tougher so that students take the work more
  seriously?

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REALITY

• All grades are posted on internet
• You can view how they are doing daily
• Each teacher explains his/her unique grading
  system
• Focus on positives and on effort
• Teachers available before, during and after
  school for assistance
• Formal assistance available as needed

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MYTH 1

• Is it true that our kids will be getting 5 hours
  of homework per night?

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REALITY

• Learn district guidelines on homework
• Set homework routine for your child time, place,
  sequence
• Talk to teacher(s) and/or counselor if your child
  is spending an inordinate amount of time
• Spending too much time on homework might mean
• A lack of long range planning
• A lack of quality homework time
• Struggles with material
• Health issues/Emotional Issues