| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Quack Addict
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject: Moving up from ES to Middle School...should I worry? |
 |
|
| I've taught at various elementary schools for 6 years. Now I'm moving up to a middle school. I handled grade 1-6 pretty well. Any advice, warnings, experiences, etc. I should be aware of at the middle school level? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| You'd have to get a love stick like other K-teachers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thoreau
Joined: 21 Jun 2009
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: Moving up from ES to Middle School...should I worry? |
|
|
| Quack Addict wrote: |
| I've taught at various elementary schools for 6 years. Now I'm moving up to a middle school. I handled grade 1-6 pretty well. Any advice, warnings, experiences, etc. I should be aware of at the middle school level? |
There is no canned curriculum in my school. I'm on my own with regards to lesson planning. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
On the 'positive' side:
- fewer probing digits (in fact, 0 - they know I would break it  ); and,
- less crying.
On the 'negative' side:
- wrestling, wrestling & more wrestling;
- punching;
- kicking;
- waining enthusiasm for anything but: wrestling, wrestling & more wrestling; punching and kicking;
- a dramatic increase in the frequency of hearing "Teacher, teacher... he hit me."
- swinging from the air con/heater;
- walking on (carved) desk tops (I'm just waiting for one to fall through the hole he's drilled in it);
- having to speak over the almost constant sound of shattering glass; and,
- hormones. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Quack Addict
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On the 'negative' side:
- wrestling, wrestling & more wrestling;
- punching;
- kicking; |
I wondered about this. I go 6'6" about 230 lbs and found it easy by size alone to intimidate elementary school kids. My fear is that the middle school boys would invite such threats of "beat downs". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Moving up from ES to Middle School...should I worry? |
|
|
| Quack Addict wrote: |
| I've taught at various elementary schools for 6 years. Now I'm moving up to a middle school. I handled grade 1-6 pretty well. Any advice, warnings, experiences, etc. I should be aware of at the middle school level? |
The Korean teachers may try to palm off a lot more work on you. Any "festivals" or preparation for English contests, will have you doing the lion's share of the work when it comes to prepping students. Then they will take all the credit.
Also a dramatic increase in the number of co-teachers coming to class late or not at all.
Then again you could get a good school...it all depends. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quack Addict wrote: |
| Quote: |
On the 'negative' side:
- wrestling, wrestling & more wrestling;
- punching;
- kicking; |
I wondered about this. I go 6'6" about 230 lbs and found it easy by size alone to intimidate elementary school kids. My fear is that the middle school boys would invite such threats of "beat downs". |
Middle school classroom management 101:
The first time you teach any given class, watch for the 'leader(s)'. The second time, take him/they when he/they 'act up' (guaranteed he/they will - you're being tested) and absolutely 'destroy' him/them in front of the class (you can build up their self-esteem at a latter date). Much to your K, co-teachers' amazement, you will never have to carry a stick and be able to control them with 'the look'.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Do not do it.
It will be a year of hell compared to elementary school |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Quack Addict
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP wrote: |
Do not do it.
It will be a year of hell compared to elementary school |
Please elaborate if possible. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: Moving up from ES to Middle School...should I worry? |
|
|
| Quack Addict wrote: |
| I've taught at various elementary schools for 6 years. Now I'm moving up to a middle school. I handled grade 1-6 pretty well. Any advice, warnings, experiences, etc. I should be aware of at the middle school level? |
Why would you want to change to middle school if elementary is fine?? The only reason to go from elem to middle is if you CAN'T STAND elem age students. The classes are shorter, the material/prep is much easier, the days are shorter. What are you thinking? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quack Addict wrote: |
| DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP wrote: |
Do not do it.
It will be a year of hell compared to elementary school |
Please elaborate if possible. |
Make a post in the jobs forum (this forum I think, sorry I'm busy....) asking what middle school is like.
My predictions (I have about 30 seconds)
Awkward and negative students
Lazy studetns
Rude studetns
Tired and exhausted studetns
Getting them to speak like trying t get blood out of stone...
etc
When it comes to HS - times every thing above by a factor of ten, except maybe they're more willing to talk....
If you like ele, stick to it, it is by far the best age and I will never teach MS or HS (again.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zulethe
Joined: 04 Jul 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP wrote: |
Do not do it.
It will be a year of hell compared to elementary school |
You will regret it. I guarantee it.
I teach elementary as well and I can't stand spending even one minute with the middle schoolers on the occasion I meet them at our volleyball tournaments.
Two people already told you so.
You should have asked the questions before you switched. Or have you actually already switched? If your in mid-move and you can still stay at your elementary school, stop right now. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Think of your worst 6th grade students or classes and that`s what you get to go into everyday. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quack Addict,
My boy's middle school K teachers grasp at straws to find any excuse to delay leaving the staff room when the 'bell' rings. They can be quite creative at times... and when they can't delay any longer, one would think - by their pace - they were being marched to the gallows.
Personally, I find this amusing. Walking into any given class is akin to a visit to the zoo (except the animals are not in cages).
I like it... but it's certainly not for everyone. Every term, a couple of rookie, female K teachers 'disappear' (the Ks are not exactly forthcoming as to what happened)... I'm pretty sure they end up in a rubber room somewhere. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Goku
Joined: 10 Dec 2008
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
It can be good or bad, it depends...
do you like being ignored? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
