5 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Elementary Teacher Before Middle School.

The transition from elementary school to middle school is just as important as the transition from middle to high school. It can be scary and daunting for both the student and parents. Most children will be changing schools and learning a whole new routine. They’ll have more teachers, more homework, and a lot of time time, less support. So, what can you do as a parent to be as prepared as you can be for your child to enter middle school this fall?

Here are 5 questions you can ask your child’s teacher(s) during parent teacher conferences and end of year progress meetings.

1. Is my child academically prepared for middle school?

Now, you probably know this answer already if you’ve kept up with their work and test scores throughout the year, as well as end of year testing scores, however, it can be helpful to hear directly from the teacher.

2. How well does my child work independently in class?

Again, you probably have a pretty good idea, especially of how they work at home. But sometimes, the way a child is in class versus at home can be different. Middle school requires a level of independence that elementary school does not. If your child still relies heavily on support and prompting in class, that may be something you work on over the summer.

3. What can we do over the summer to best prepare?

   If your child has an IEP, they may be recommended for ESY. You may have already been in contact with their teachers about extra support. Receiving a list of specific topics or skills from their teachers or test score breakdowns can be very helpful! If you work with a tutor over the summer, the tutor can take that information and create an individualized summer plan to make sure they are caught up and ready for the next grade.

4. Does my child advocate for themselves when they need help?

   ESPECIALLY if they have an IEP with specific classroom accommodations or modifications, it is important that your child knows how to ask for help.

5. Are there specific gaps that could become bigger challenges in middle school?

So often children fall through the cracks and just kind of slide on through elementary school. It is harder for that to happen in middle school.

Bonus questions

6. How does my child handle transitions?

7. What type of learner is my child?

8. Is my child organized in class?

9. How does my child handle frustration or challenges in class?

I understand that most involved parents will know the answers to most of these questions, however, your child’s teachers see them for more of the day in a comepltely different environment. They are also trained to look out for certain things.

Helping your child prepare for middle school over the summer encourages a smooth transition for all involved parties in the fall.

If you’re looking for any extra support this summer, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Thanks for chatting! See you next time,

Jessalyn

Website: inspiredtutors.org

Email: jessalyn@inspiredtutors.org

Phone: (907) 600-4954

Instagram: @ inspiredtutors

YouTube: Inspired Tutors