Elementary vs. Middle School
by Melanie F.
Grades go in order. Obviously, we all know that. But, in our school, it stops at 5th grade. Which means that when you’re in 5th grade, you have to look at middle schools to go to. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Now, as we’re touring the schools and hearing about how they work, we’re noticing a big difference between them and PS6. A huge difference. Some so huge that it makes us wonder, “Why isn’t this at PS6?” For example, we have to walk in two straight lines with our class, stopping every now and then for them to catch up. I understand why they do that with kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders, but why 5th, 3rd, and 4th graders? Aren’t we capable of going from one place to another? In middle school you can go places by yourself. Also, it’s not like it’s preparing us for something or anything in life.
Another huge difference between middle school and elementary school is classes. I know, it’s strange how class can be different. It’s just learning, right? Well, besides the 5th grade, our grades at this school mainly stay in one classroom to learn all different types of subjects and such. 5th grade swaps classes just for math, but we stay in our own classes for every other academics. But in middle school, you switch classes for every subject. You have math teachers, history teachers, science teachers, Spanish teachers, English teachers, everything you can imagine has a separate teacher. Also, you get to go out to lunch everyday!
I was wondering how another 5th grader was feeling about this transition, so I asked Neve Diaz-Carr how she’s handling it all. The first question I asked her was if she was nervous about leaving the school. She said that she is only really afraid of the academic issues, but it might be a bit intimidating. Also, she thinks the 5th grade work is a bit easy for her, and she’s afraid that the middle school work might be harder… much harder.
The next question I asked Neve is if she thinks that all the responsibilities in middle school will be challenging. She says that even though there are a lot of responsibilities, PS6 has prepared us for everything that is to come and we’ll be ok. Also, if we try hard enough through all the hard times, we can do it and are capable of it.
The last and final question I asked Neve is if despite the responsibilities, if she thinks middle school will be strict. She said no, she actually thinks they will be easy going and might get stricter as the year goes on, but still give you time to adjust.
In conclusion, the middle school year will be totally opposite from elementary school. But the bumpy road will always grow smooth again!
Now, as we’re touring the schools and hearing about how they work, we’re noticing a big difference between them and PS6. A huge difference. Some so huge that it makes us wonder, “Why isn’t this at PS6?” For example, we have to walk in two straight lines with our class, stopping every now and then for them to catch up. I understand why they do that with kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders, but why 5th, 3rd, and 4th graders? Aren’t we capable of going from one place to another? In middle school you can go places by yourself. Also, it’s not like it’s preparing us for something or anything in life.
Another huge difference between middle school and elementary school is classes. I know, it’s strange how class can be different. It’s just learning, right? Well, besides the 5th grade, our grades at this school mainly stay in one classroom to learn all different types of subjects and such. 5th grade swaps classes just for math, but we stay in our own classes for every other academics. But in middle school, you switch classes for every subject. You have math teachers, history teachers, science teachers, Spanish teachers, English teachers, everything you can imagine has a separate teacher. Also, you get to go out to lunch everyday!
I was wondering how another 5th grader was feeling about this transition, so I asked Neve Diaz-Carr how she’s handling it all. The first question I asked her was if she was nervous about leaving the school. She said that she is only really afraid of the academic issues, but it might be a bit intimidating. Also, she thinks the 5th grade work is a bit easy for her, and she’s afraid that the middle school work might be harder… much harder.
The next question I asked Neve is if she thinks that all the responsibilities in middle school will be challenging. She says that even though there are a lot of responsibilities, PS6 has prepared us for everything that is to come and we’ll be ok. Also, if we try hard enough through all the hard times, we can do it and are capable of it.
The last and final question I asked Neve is if despite the responsibilities, if she thinks middle school will be strict. She said no, she actually thinks they will be easy going and might get stricter as the year goes on, but still give you time to adjust.
In conclusion, the middle school year will be totally opposite from elementary school. But the bumpy road will always grow smooth again!