Life is a series of moving from one situation to another, we are constantly transitioning to new experiences. We like to think that we evolve as we age, but change is still just as hard as it was when we were young. If school counselors and other educators can assist students in preparing to transition to the upper grades and new school buildings, then perhaps making similar changes as adults will become easier. It makes sense that like many aspects of life, facing change has its beginnings in elementary school.
Children go through many different transitions as they age into school. First, they must face the transition into school; many children attend a preschool before entering the school system, but for others kindergarten is their first experience of being away from home for any period of time. It is important for each transition to be as smooth as possible for students. One particularly challenging transition for many students is the move from elementary school to middle school or junior high school. There are many changes involved with making the move to middle school; students are often faced with a larger building and more students, changing classrooms for each class, opening lockers, navigating a schedule, being the youngest students in the building again, and creating new friendships (Parker, 2009). Students also tend to get more involved in clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities. Dimmitt and Carey (2007) noted that students who have a difficult time adjusting to a new school tend to poor peer relationships, weak self-concepts, and struggle academically. These are all areas that professional school counselors can provide assistance to students. Professional school counselors working at the elementary level should team with the middle school counselor to create a plans that can be implemented from both sides of the transition. Counselors can also work with parents, teachers, and other faculty to provide students with holistic preparation for the new challenges they will face at the middle school (Dimmitt & Carey, 2007). By teaming with all the stakeholders, counselors can help students to feel more confident and ready to face middle school.
Below are several items that I would use in implementing a transition plan for students. The first is a detailed plan created by the Clark County School District in Nevada. It provides students with information detailing what the first week in middle school will be like, the kinds of teachers they will have, organization strategies for academic success, and much more. It also serves as a career planning guide and helps students to begin thinking about high school and what happens after. I would like to develop a similar plan if I obtain a position at an elementary or middle school. The second document details strategies for educators in assisting students with the middle school transition. This is a document that I would distribute to the teachers and administrators in my building. The final document is a survey that I have used for a transition group I ran for 5th grade girls; these students were identified by teachers as needing more preparation for transitioning. This is a survey I will continue to use with students.
Transition to Middle School - Strategies for Educators
Dimmitt, C., & Carey, J. (2007). Using the ASCA National Model to Facilitate School Transitions. Professional School Counseling, 10(3), 227-232. Parker, A. K. (2009). Elementary organizational structures and young adolescents' self-concept and classroom environment perceptions across the transition to middle school. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 23(3).