Emily's Middle School Experience So Far

Mostly? It's been good. I mean, she seems happy (most of the time at least), likes switching classes and seems to like her teachers. Really the only thing that has been too much for her? The absurd amount of organization that they expect out of an 11 year old, let alone one who has more trouble with this sort of thing than the everyday 11 year old.

For lack of a better way of wording this, I am going to list the "problems" we have had with organizational type things so far this year:

-lost her agenda that she needs everyday.
-missed two math assignments (although they weren't technically missing, she had them in her folder and just forgot to turn them in when the teacher asked).
-forgot a rough draft of a paper she needed in order to write the final draft.
-forgot to bring home a modified study guide her social studies teacher gave her ( but YAY for her social studies teacher actually following her 504 plan)
-has been late to math class once
-is late to homeroom frequently( although in all fairness her bus is one of the last ones to arrive thanks to us living on the other side of town, but I am fairly certain it arrives in plenty of time for her to get to class).
-forgot to write a rough draft of a paper, or even tell me about the final draft being due...found out when I called the homework hot line.

To me? This seems like a lot...considering we are only ending the 2nd full week of school. There are some people who are going to argue that this is just a "kid being a kid." while I agree on some level, the truth is? This is by no means some thing we can let go, nor is it something that I think most kids go through. If that were true, that all kids in her age group were this disorganized, I sincerely doubt the expectations of those in charge would be the same. In other words, if it was the norm for kids her age to forget their things, lose their things and be late to things, it would be unlikely that those in charge would expect that of them, or at least not to the degree that they do. It's not like I am saying that makes it so there is something wrong with Emily...just that she's a little more unique than one might think, and perhaps her way of doing things (or even not doing them) is a little different then what would be considered "average" for her age. The bottom line is, while I don't think it's ok to insist on doing anything to inherently change her, if she is to "survive" in this crazy little world called "middle school"she is going to have to make some changes in the way she does things.

I spoke with her guidance counselor the other day. She in turn met with Emily yesterday. I also know that the guidance counselor has been going to all of the classrooms during SSR time (Silent Sustained Reading) and speaking with all of the 6th grade classes about middle school, organization, "talk aloud strategies" and various other things. Both the guidance counselor and Emily's math teacher who I met briefly at Open House have said Emily has a wonderful attitude, is willing to accept help, and that she is a "good kid." So that will certainly help her in the long run.

Next Up: Organizing ideas...both mental and physical that may help.

Middle School:Expectations

This will be the first in a short series of posts. If I were to include all my thoughts on this subject in one entry, you could potentially be reading for days!

I thought I would start by listing quite literally what was expected of Emily as far as what she needs for each class, and what she is expected to remember to bring with her to each class.

Chorus (yes she actually needs stuff to go sing): black 3 ring binder, 2 pencils, composition notebook, agenda. Students will write journal entries in the comp book at the end of every chorus class. Concerts are mandatory. There are two each year.

World Geography: 2 inch 3 ring binder, notebook dividers, colored pencils, textbook,agenda.

Math: 2 inch 3 ring binder, notebook paper, pen, pencil, textbook, agenda. 3-4 nights homework will be given. Late homework=no credit.

ELA (you ready for this?) agenda, homework folder, SSR book, pencil, reading notebook, writing journal, reading log, 2 textbooks.

Science: white notebook, text book, agenda, pencil.

The school uses the "rotation" scheduling approach, so they have classes on an A B C schedule. They also have specified locker breaks, in which they are allowed to go back to their lockers to trade books etc. for the next class.

Let's use an "A" day as an example. On an "A" day she needs to have the following with her in the morning before her next locker break: 2 inch 3 ring binder, notebook dividers, homework folder, colored pencils, textbook,agenda,white notebook, text book.

At her next locker break she needs to have/remember all of this: 2 inch 3 ring binder, notebook, pen, pencil, textbook, agenda, homework folder, SSR book, reading notebook, writing journal, reading log, 2 textbooks.

At her final break of the day she needs to remember to bring home her agenda, homework folder, and any textbooks or binders/notebooks she may need to complete her homework.

Oh, and did I mention that they are not allowed to carry their backpacks around the building? Taken directly from the handbook: In order to avoid congestion in the corridors, and to assist students in the organization and care of books and materials, backpacks and book bags may not be carried during the school day. Upon entering the building, backpacks, book bags, and gym bags will be placed in the student lockers.Locker breaks will be held periodically throughout the day. I have yet to be in there when the hallway was bustling with kids going to a fro, but let me tell you, on the few occasions in which I have been there (including tonight for Open House) the hallways seem plenty wide, as do the cluster areas where the lockers are located. This seems like a silly rule to me, and if I were in charge,I would be more concerned with books being dropped, or pencils being slipped on, or any other number of things that could occur when kids are carrying armloads of books around.

Anyway, is it me, or does this seem like a lot for even a "regular" kid who doesn't have issues with organization or attention, above and beyond what would be considered normal for the age?

Elementary school, for all it did do, certainly did not do an adequate job preparing Emily for the "big leagues", at least on an organizational level. I am appalled by most of what is expected of her.