Children who study in a primary school following the Montessori Method of education do occasionally find it a bit difficult to adjust to the demands made by middle school. This article is intended to serve as a guide for those students so that they can adapt to the change from primary school to middle school easily.
Writing practice
The first and foremost aspect that you need to bear in mind is that you have to start practicing writing. One has to write neatly, legibly and also write with a speed. It will only come with practice. Start by writing a diary. Organise your thoughts. Do not worry about spelling errors/ grammatical errors as you can be helped by your parents in overcoming this weakness. Keep a pocket dictionary near your study table. Refer to this dictionary whenever you come across a difficult word.
Read English and Social Studies books as if you are reading a story book. If you hate a subject, the subject will also start hating you!
Drawing
Subjects like Geography and Science will need you to practice drawing. Even if you cannot draw well the first time, do not give up. Seek the help of your parents/ teachers. Practice and practice until you get it.
Special precautions during the exams!
1. Do not lend your notebooks / text books to your classmates just before the exams. You may however help them in xeroxing the books and returning the same immediately.
2. Plan for purchasing pens/ pencils, refills etc much in advance. Always carry at least 2 spare pens and 2 spare pencils with you while attending the exam.
3. Make sure that you understand what the syllabus for the exam is. If in doubt, ask your teacher.
4. Once the exam time table has been released by your teacher, copy it neatly on a white paper and stick it near your study table. This will help you in the preparation for the exams and planning your schedule.
5. Be polite to your friends and tell them that they can contact you for any urgent needs. Clarify to them that they should not take too much of your time by asking too many doubts or questions that are silly.
6. It is a common occurrence in some schools that text books/ note books are lost or misplaced just before the exams. So, do not carry too many notebooks/ text books as the exam time nears. Take care of your notebooks and text books with additional care in the days preceding your exams.
7. It will be worthwhile to request your dad or mom to Xerox your notebooks and keep a backup at home. In case you lose the notebook, there is nothing to worry. You will be saved the trouble of searching for your book or requesting your friends for their books.
8. Be on the school premises at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the exams.
9. Do not cram till the last minute as this cramming will end up confusing you more!
10. Do not discuss the paper too much with your friends after the exams are over.
11. Always carry a bottle of water to drink with you and always carry a few biscuits with
you that you can munch on the journey back home from school. Why not have a kit
kat?
12. Take proper care of your health during exam time as if you fall sick, your parents
will be anxious and you may not be able to attend the exams. Now, that is bad,
isn’t it? So, remember – health is wealth.
