Middle School doesn't seem so scary after all

In the fall, I have to change the title of this blog because while we'll be continuing our adventures as grade school parents, we'll be embarking on a new role - parents of a middle schooler! Yep, folks, that's right - we're off to middle school in August.

Tonight was the parent orientation. We toured the 6th grade hall where they assured us that they don't assign top lockers to the short kids, encouraged us to teach our children how to use a combination lock, and understand that 4 minutes to get from one end of the hall to the other while stopping at your locker is really doable!

We got to meet the principal and both assistant principals, discuss the dress code (boys, your pants have to be up, we don't want to see your underwear, and shirts with sleeves are safe options), and see the cafeteria and media center. We met the teachers for the core areas (math, science, world-geography, language arts, computer/creative writing) and the electives (P.E., art, band, chorus, dance (or was it drama?), and research).

I thought I'd be anxious about the beginning of middle school, but after going over today and seeing things first-hand and talking with the teachers and administration, I am actually excited about it. I think it will be a wonderful experience and know that our soon-to-be-middle-schooler will have a world of opportunity ahead of him... and I can't wait to experience it with him!

Summer Reading List

Rising 6th graders are required to read two of the following books over the summer.

1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madelene L'Engle
2. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
3. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
4. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
5. Skellig by David Almond
6. Sounder by William Armstrong
7. Tangerine by Edward Bloor
8. Wanderer by Sharon Creech
9. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Over-achiever that I am, I've requested all of them from the library now so we can preview which ones to have for summer reading. We already have Island of the Blue Dolphins and maybe Sounder.

Last Writes Upon Request for the school year

Today is the last Writes Upon Request for the school year. It used to be a big deal - making sure to go to bed a little early the night before, have something special for breakfast the morning of. Now it's just another school day.

Two years ago, when 5thgrader was a 3rd grader, he completely shut down when asked to write about anything. Writes Upon Requests were horrible, miserable, anxiety-ridden days. But we're so proud of him because he has worked hard to overcome his anxiety - or at least learned to function within its constraints - and has consistently scored 4.5's (out of possible 6's) this whole year. He has reached deep within himself and lived to tell about it!

Today's assignment is expository. I never even knew what that meant until they started doing WURs. (It means explaining.)

Here's what Writes Upon Request means (I found this on one of the county school pages):
WUR-“Writes Upon Request” Assessment. In an effort to prepare students for the FCAT Writing Assessment, and to provide opportunities for students to improve their writing skills, **** County Schools conducts the “Writes Upon Request” Assessment Program. This program assesses student writing in first through tenth grades at set times during the school year. Students throughout the district are given grade-appropriate prompts (topics) and time limits in which to respond. Trained classroom teachers utilize the same scoring method as the *CAT Writing Assessment to score student papers. Scores are reported to parents.