Four tips for sixth graders (and everyone else, too!)

Beginning MacArthur can be overwhelming for new, and returning, students. Hopefully, these four tips will make your year better!

Sixth grade can be difficult to begin because students may be nervous of not making friends, or afraid of the older students, or lost on a new campus.  For whatever the reason that the start of the year can be nerve-racking, I am here to make the school year easier for sixth graders socially and academically.

When faced with so many rules, new faces, and new experiences, it can be easy to make mistakes or get into trouble.  These are four tips could make your school year easier and better.  (They may be helpful for seventh and eighth graders, too)

(1) Be nice

First off, no one wants to be picked on or bullied, so do not do it!  When students are nice to each other, they will get along and avoid conflict.  It is that simple.  Of course if you do find yourself in a difficult situation, speak to an adult immediately, such as a teacher, counselor, noon supervisor, or your parents.  That will help you resolve the situation quickly and appropriately, before it significantly affects your school year.  

As a sixth grader, I was bullied at times.  Now I know it is important to be positive with all students on campus.  Sixth-grader Abigail Carrazco said, “Some of the older kids can be mean, but some can be seriously nice and helpful.”  We should all work on being the helpful ones!

(2) Look at your handbook

As a sixth grader I had a lot of questions like – when does a semester end? who can give out detentions? what is the consequence for the third missed assignment?  Many of these answers are in the MacArthur School Handbook.  Knowing and understanding the rules clearly will help everyone avoid consequences and succeed to the level of their ability.

The handbook is like an agreement between the students, staff, and parents.  If students feel they are being unfairly punished, such as getting an unnecessary homework card or a detention for an unacceptable reason, turn to the MacArthur handbook and make sure the rules are being followed correctly.  This is especially helpful regarding clothing and dress codes; anybody can look at the handbook for the rules on what to wear.   

(3) Be prepared

This does not just go to sixth graders, this goes to all grade levels who are confused on what to bring to class or what is expected at MacArthur for everyone.

It is best to just take all the materials that are asked for.  All information on materials is on page 18, but what teachers usually look for are black, red, and blue pens, 3 inch binders, paper, and an SSR book (Reading Counts book.)

Tardies are also a very big problem for sixth graders because many do not plan their locker visits in advance.  Go to your lockers and gather all the materials for class ahead of time.  Anybody can do so before school, nutrition, lunch, and after school, without having to visit lockers during passing periods.

(4) Do what is asked

It is easy; do what is asked of you.  What I mean is when teachers ask you to do homework on a specific page or complete an assignment in a specific way; write it down and do it.  Know what is required and complete the assignment or task as best as you can.  Students are not going to get in trouble for having difficulty in a subject, but everyone will get in trouble for not following directions.  

Many kids tend to forget, and that leads in homework cards and detentions, sometimes referrals and Friday schools. Elijah Cueva, eighth grader, agrees with me and said, “Sixth graders: always do what’s asked and have all materials, homework, etc.”

They are not a lot, but I believe that these tips helped me in my sixth grade year, and I hope they are helpful to all readers.