I absolutely love teaching middle school. Sometimes, though, when people hear that I teach middle school, they seem to feel bad for me. Like middle school is some type of unknown vortex for kids. Maybe that’s why I love it so much. It’s a time of creativity, instability, and the unknown. It’s a time when kids are going from being children to young adults. So much happens from 6th to 8th grade, and as a special education teacher, I have the unique experience of working with kids all the way through their middle school years. It’s truly a blast (granted, there are really hard days, but overall, it’s a blast!).
I’m noticing more and more that kids are having significant difficulty transitioning over from elementary school to middle school. Trust me, it’s always been a challenge for both the kids and the parents. Lately, though, it’s been downright crazy. I’m not sure if it’s due to increased standards, busy and challenging home lives, or something unseen. Regardless, I see a big need to increase our kids more for middle school years.
Middle School Transition Kit
With that, I recently put together a Middle School Transition Kit. It outlines everything a first year middle schooler needs to know about, including staying engaged in classes, dealing with different teachers, effective study habits, study halls, the importance of grades, lunch time, knowing the rules, changing for gym, and so much more. It’s amazing to see it all with a different lens, since there are such huge changes from elementary to middle.
I also put together the top 10 keys to middle school success:
#1 Sleep well. Teens and young adults should be getting 8 to 10 hours per night. Enough sleep is critical for your body and brain to function well.
#2 Eat right. Healthy and balanced meals give your body and mind energy to work well throughout the day. Take extra time and effort to make sure you’re not only eating enough, but eating a mix of everything you need (fruits, veggies, dairy, and whole grains).
#3 Do your homework. Making it a habit to do your homework each night will help you practice skills and be ready for the quizzes and tests. It also helps to show your teacher that you care, which may come in handy when you need his or her help.
#4 Pay attention in class. Focusing and using class time wisely is one of the best ways to get ahead in middle school. Since you’ll be switching around from class to class, it’s important to pay attention and follow along for every minute that you can.
#5 Get involved. Research shows that school involvement can be a big determining factor for your success. Kids who are involved with after school activities, sports, and clubs are more likely to do well inside and outside of school.
#6 Think positive. Things are going to get tough and overwhelming at times. It’s important to stay positive and know that you CAN do whatever you put your mind to.
#7 Ask for help. Whether it is academic, social, or emotional help, there are adults at the school ready and willing to help you. Seek out and ask for help when you feel you might need it.
#8 Stay organized. A little organization goes a LONG way in middle school. Writing down homework in a consistent place and keeping pages organized in the right spots will help you study, turn in work, and do better on tests/quizzes.
#9 Make goals. Give yourself something that you want to attain by the end of the marking term. Then, make a plan and stick with it to get there.
#10 Take risks. Middle school is the time when you start to grow up and figure out who you are in the world. Take risks and be brave. It will pay off in the end!
If you’re interested in teaching these keys to success to your middle schoolers (or future middle schoolers), get your own student-friendly free Middle School Keys to Success worksheet here:
Do you have any more keys to success that you think are necessary for your middle schoolers? Please share!
Nice advice, this sure is the pathway to success. Staying Organized, Making Goals and Taking Risks is important and also this may be the age typically they start forgetting to laugh at their mistakes.
Thank you!
I think as a a first year middle schooler good friends have been so important. During a bad day a hug and a good friend makes a world of a difference.
how do i get these posters to hang in my center?
That’s a great idea to make posters out of these tips! Right now I only have a free printable list but I’ll add that to my to do list. Thanks for the idea.
Maybe you can thumbtack it to your wall or cork board. You can also tape it to your wall.
Thank you for talking about the importance of asking for help when needing it at school. We just moved to a new town and want to help our son succeed in his new elementary school, soI’m glad I found your post. It is important to remember that understanding the type of learning you work with would allow you to find the right help and adapt to the type of teaching your teachers would employ in order to help you understand topics.
So glad this post was helpful to you! I always talk to students who have moved about how helpful it can be to have a new, fresh beginning. Wishing your son the best of luck with his fresh start.
Thanks for this. I am going to 6th grade on August 9th. I am searching for a lot of tips to do well and have success in middle school. Thanks so much for this tip page.
Pay attention in school and you’ll get good grades
Wow this really helps
It’s going to be a great year!