Tips for Heading to Middle School
First Tip, Get Excited!
Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School For 5th Graders Only!
Message from Mrs. Phelan
Dear Lowell Students,
Can you believe it is time to start wrapping up the school year? Just think of it, you have worked hard for 6 whole years (kindergarten - 5th grade) in elementary school and now will be transitioning into Middle School. You might be asking yourself, what's next? I've got you covered. Below are some videos, links to articles, and tips on the transition to Middle School. This is an exciting time, and knowing what's in store will help ease some of the anxiety of the unknown.
Love,
Mrs. Phelan
Message to Caregivers from Nurse Taverna
During the school year, I am asked to address health-related issues that various age groups are experiencing.
Today, I would like to share some of my discussion points with the fifth-grade students.
It's very important to pay attention to daily hygiene. Hygiene should be prioritized by students and checked by caregivers daily. Developing good personal hygiene habits takes practice. Daily bathing, showering, and clean clothes help prevent unpleasant body odors.
The class also viewed a YouTube video, "Personal Hygiene for Kids: Hygiene Habits, Showering, Handwashing, Tooth Brushing, and Face Washing," produced by Smile and Learn.
Nurse Taverna
Nurse Taverna's Tips for Girls and Boys
Here are some tips from the Website: Parents Toolkit:
6th Grade Physical Health
By 6th grade, children have begun to establish many of the personal habits that will help determine their future health and well-being. Gross motor skills, which involve whole-body movement, are just about fully developed by this age, although they will continue to be refined as children grow and gain strength. The same applies to fine motor skills, which involve the coordination of small muscle movements. Children in 6th grade are usually 11 or 12 years old, and the information in this section covers children in the typical age group. However, the age at which children reach milestones for physical growth varies considerably. Keep in mind that the information here is intended only as a general guide. If you are concerned that your child’s physical development seems to lag behind his peers, you should consult your pediatrician.
Engaging in regular physical activity and exercise is important for adolescents. It promotes growth, helps them build strength and develop healthy bodies, and can even enhance academic performance. Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Many children become less physically active with the onset of puberty, just as their risk of developing conditions such as diabetes and obesity increases. Regular physical activity and exercise can help adolescents feel in control of their bodies and can be a helpful way of dealing with the stress and emotional changes that also occur during puberty.
Benefits
The benefits to your child of physical activity can include:
- Increased self-sufficiency and confidence
- Improvements in learning
- Better sleep
- Weight management
- Stress management
- Improved social skills
- Decreased time spent watching TV or playing with computers
- Decreased risk for chronic diseases later in life
Recommendations
The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This does not need to be 60 minutes of sustained activity at a time but can include different episodes of activity that, together, total 60 minutes or more. Children should be engaged in a variety of activities that require different degrees of exertion. These should include vigorous activities, such as running, and more moderate activities, such as brisk walking.
Weekly Activity
The guidelines recommend that children and adolescents engage in vigorous physical activity at least three times a week.
Building Muscle Strength
Building muscle strength is especially important for children and adolescents, and exercise is key to achieving this goal. Muscle-strengthening activities are those that force the muscles to do more than the normal workload and should include all the major muscle groups of the body. Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include climbing, sit-ups, and push-ups. The guidelines recommend that children and adolescents engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least three times a week. Building muscle strength is especially important for children and adolescents, and exercise is key to achieving this goal. Muscle-strengthening activities are those that force the muscles to do more than the normal workload and should include all the major muscle groups of the body. Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include climbing, sit-ups, and push-ups. The guidelines recommend that children and adolescents engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least three times a week.
Follow these tips on how to advance your child's physical health and development in 6th grade.
Building Bone Strength
Building bone strength is also important for growing children and adolescents. Bone-strengthening exercises build strength through the force that is exerted on the bones. Exercises that achieve this important goal include running, skipping rope, and playing hopscotch. The guidelines recommend that children engage in bone-strengthening activities at least three times a week.
Structured Exercise
Children in 6th grade do not necessarily need a structured exercise regimen if physical activity is a part of their everyday activities. Many children this age are active in organized sports, which can be an excellent way for them to get the recommended amounts of physical activity and establish regular exercise habits that can become the basis of lifelong fitness.
Sleep
Sleep is fundamental to the development of a healthy child. As your child ages, their schedule will fill up with more homework and extracurricular activities, like sports. To ensure that they are set up for success at school, it is important to continue to prioritize a good night of sleep. Well-rested children perform better academically, are less susceptible to viral infections, and have lower rates of obesity. Experts say the biggest detractor from a healthy night of sleep for children is technology. The artificial light emitted from computers and mobile-electronic screens can disrupt your child’s sleep cycle and cause them to wake up feeling sluggish. A well-rested child will wake up spontaneously in the morning and will have the energy for the entire day. If you notice that they are yawning at inappropriate times, or get reports from school about their hyperactivity and misbehavior, your child is most likely not getting enough sleep. Consult with your child’s health care provider about additional steps you can take to ensure your child gets a more restful night of sleep.
Nightly Sleep Needs
Sixth-grade students need 10 hours of sleep every evening. Students who need to be up at 6 AM to get ready for school should go to bed around 8 PM. Though an 8 PM bedtime may seem unattainable to some, experts recommend making sleep a priority by encouraging your child to get as much sleep as possible. The closer they are to getting the recommended amount of sleep, the better.
Questions? Concerns? It Is Normal To Have Them!
Fears & Faves
The School Day
Friends & Activities
Top 10 Keys to Middle School Success
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 their 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 is 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 over whelming at times. It is 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.