The Truth About Middle School Classes

By Jennifer O'Donnell, About.com Guide

Middle school classes often require more work on the part of your tween.

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If your tween is headed off to middle school, he or she might be wondering how difficult the middle school classes will be. It's true, middle school can be more challenging for students than elementary school, and in general, the middle school experience isn't nearly as nurturing. But it's important for students to know that while classes may be more challenging, they may also find them a little bit more interesting.

The Truth About Middle School Classes

In middle school, students take on more responsibility for their coursework. They may have to cover more material in class than they're used to, and they may be required to do more outside of class. Expect your child's homework load to increase in middle school.

But on the flipside, your tween may find his middle school courses a little more interesting. For example, his science class might require more time spent in the lab conducting experiments, or her foreign language class may spend a portion of the year learning about ethnic food, music and culture. It's important for parents to point out all the positives about what their child is learning in school, and to point out that now he or she is a big kid, and is preparing for those high school years, which are just around the corner.

In addition, your child may be able to choose an elective in middle school. An elective is a class that is not required, but that will still enrich your child's education. Elective classes might include art, chorus, band, or home economics (also referred to as independent living). Choosing an elective can be exciting for your tween. Be sure your child chooses the class that most interests her, even if it's not the class you hoped she'd pick.

Middle school students usually take six courses; English 7, Math 7, History, Science, Physical Education (PE) and an elective. A foreign language might be offered as a 7th required course, or as an elective.

One of the things that sets middle school classes apart from elementary school is that students usually have different teachers for different subjects. That means your child might have as many as seven teachers. Learning how to work with more than one teacher can be a challenge for some middle school students, and it's common for students to have complaints about certain teachers, or to dislike them altogether. These situations are helpful in teaching your child how to work with a variety of personalities, and to also prepare him for what's ahead in high school and college.

Because middle schools are generally larger than elementary school, your tween may worry about finding her classes, or about getting lost, especially on the first day of school. That's why it's important for you and your child to take a tour of the middle school, and to chart your child's daily schedule.

Middle school teachers may cover class material quickly, and they don't have the time to make sure students keep up and stay on top of their studies. Be sure you check in with your child periodically, to make sure there aren't any issues that you need to know about. If your child begins falling behind in class, a tutor might be able to help. It's important to make sure your child stays on top of his studies, because it's very easy to fall behind quickly. In addition, it's important for your child to learn good study habits now, so that he'll have them when he starts high school.

The Truth About Middle School Classes

The Truth About Middle School Classes

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