6th and 8th Grade Changes

Posted by Kellie Hayden Aug 26, 2008

Students attending middle school for the first time are probably filled with excitement and anxiety. The transition can be hard on students as well as parents. Sixth graders are so much smaller than the eighth graders and are easily intimidated. Most middle schools have wings for the different grades. It is important for both parents and sixth grade students to have a positive attitude, to be organized and to keep communication lines open with teachers.

However, the eighth graders may be bigger, but they have just as many troubles. They are feeling like the "big fish in the little pond." Some become lazy, and some start to become apathetic. Parents need to keep communicating with their children about school work and activities. As the children grow bigger, some parents losen up on their discipline because many young teens act like they do not want thier parents around any more. However, these kids need their parents more than ever with all of the peer pressure and impending transition to the high school.

So, parents, your middle school child needs you. Just remember that they may act like they don't want you around, but they really do. And, they probably won't let you know how important you are to their success until much later in life.