Starting Middle School During COVID-19
While my older daughter is finishing up middle school, my younger one is just starting 6th grade this fall! Even though she has heard all about the middle school experience from my older daughter, my younger still faces her own set of concerns, especially in the context of COVID-19. Here are some of the paradigm shifts we have discussed with her to prepare her for middle school.
Learning Environment
While the transition from elementary school to middle school is already a big one, a transition during the uncertainties of COVID-19 is especially difficult. Since spring, we have had to learn how to manage distance learning which included
- scheduling class Zoom meetings and Google Meets
- balancing screen time for academic and social activities
- navigating online textbooks and resources for learning
- having limited access to the teacher (Daily video lessons, an optional 30 min Zoom Q&A session, and a weekly class check-in are just not the same as connecting and learning in-person.)
Returning to school will look very different from what we have ever seen and experienced, but some things still remain true whether in a distance learning or hybrid style school program. My daughter will have to learn how to
- actively participate and speak up especially because it is a virtual classroom
- take initiative to ask teachers questions when she does not understand because it may be easier to “fall through the cracks”
- be resourceful to learn a different school’s or teachers’ online learning management system
- find alternate or multiple sources to help her understand content if her teachers aren’t available
Social Environment
In the elementary school setting, students are housed in one classroom and they can also play with friends in the playground. Now, having to move to a virtual or hybrid middle school experience, my daughter will have to learn how to connect and make friends with others in a virtual way. To overcome the socially awkward middle school years, and now to have to overcome the social distance hurdle are no easy tasks! These are the topics of discussions we’ve had, and no doubt, will continue to have as we support her adjustment to the “new normal” of doing school in the COVID era.
- Don’t be shy. Take initiative in the virtual class to say “hi” and introduce yourself.
- Ask people about themselves and their interests.
- Ask if anyone would like to do a virtual lunch together.
- Offer to hop on a Google Meet and do homework or class assignments together.
Wishing you the best as school opens up this fall,
Jaime
Copyright © 2020 by GenParenting
Discovering the joy of teaching while in high school, Jaime pursued her B.A. in English at Santa Clara University. She also received a teaching credential and a M.A. in Education Administration from Santa Clara University. Jaime taught English Language Arts at Rancho Middle School, motivating and inspiring young people to become effective communicators and contributors in their community. From being a Middle School English Language Arts/English Language Development teacher to becoming a stay-at home mom, Jaime is an education consultant who presents literacy workshops. Her workshops focus on a combination of her ten years of teaching expertise with tried-and-true experiences that she uses with her own children. Jaime is also a Teacher Consultant with the San Jose Area Writing Project. Jaime’s mission is to share effective reading and writing strategies with families to encourage literacy.