Getting Started with Middle School
Middle School grades are probably the least explored or understood out of the school years. Research also shows that kids go through some declines in reading and mathematics based on how middle school is sectioned as 6th through 8th grades. Research also shows that K-8 schools work well to keep students engaged and learning. When you homeschool, a lot of that preoccupation goes away because your child can continue with what they have been doing.
To explain the role of Middle School, I’m going to dial down on the three sections of school in The United States — this is simplified, but here goes:
Elementary functions as a foundation and an overview, a buffet of subjects and knowledge for your child.
Middle School should be where students engage more: with their own interests and with what they have learned. The subject funnel starts narrowing a bit in middle school and students start recalling what they learned in elementary and seeing how subjects relate as they engage with them.
High School is where the funnel really narrows and science is no longer broad overviews but specifics: Chemistry, Biology in depth, Anatomy. Math is algebra, geometry, calculus, personal finance...Language Arts all move to analysis. This is where everything that has been learned is applied.
Middle School is a bridge between elementary and high school. It is where a student can safely attempt school work — no grade level should be about pressuring the student! However, we do tend to see High School in the USA as a deadline for adulthood. Students anticipate college applications or the next step in their life into the workforce or a trade.
Meanwhile, middle school is free from that pressure, and should be. We as parents can help our kids see that bridge and walk across it, and with the feeling that time is on their side, and ours. How do you want to bridge between elementary school and middle school?
Our team members can help us understand this more as they share their experiences. Today, we will be hearing from our Director, Raquel, and our Hospitality Coordinator, Lili.
How long have you been homeschooling your children? What are their current grade levels?
Lili: I have always homeschooled my two boys. There are now 12 and 14 (15 months apart) and their grade level varies between 8th and 9th. They do several subjects at the same level, but I am more lenient with my younger one in expectations.
Raquel: I have homeschooled for 5 years. They are in 12th grade (though returned to public school), I have an 11th grader and a 4th grader.
What philosophy of education do you prefer, or do you use an eclectic approach?
Lili: We look at academics as only a part of preparing them for manhood. We highly focus on good financial education, history and politics and more than anything a strong Biblical understanding. We strive to have competent communicators and push them to read, read, read! As for the curriculum or resources we use, we are pretty eclectic.
Raquel: We definitely use an eclectic approach. It is a freedom that I really enjoy to be able to pull what interests us from different curriculums and different approaches. I also really enjoy having child directed projects where the child's interests lead us into research or a project.
How did you decide what to teach for your Middle School age students?
Lili: I have a vision and goals document I created early in our homeschooling journey. When I pick out curriculum that will help us attain those goals. We have recently begun to try a couple of “textbook” approach subjects (BJU – Cultural Geography) and have found that the boys are “ready” for this type of teaching method. After the kids learned to read, my approach has been to push them to be independent learners. Most of my curriculum selection is self-paced and self-taught. I currently “teach” one subject and the rest they are on their own. I supervise to make sure they are doing the work and I talk to them about what they are learning. It has worked great for us.
Raquel: It was a bit of trial and error at first as I assumed my children would respond to certain books and methods positively. I then began to see that one of my children likes to be left alone to go full speed ahead with learning, even on an abstract level so we included the classical model. The other child prefers to be held by the hand and have tangible quizzes and tests to track her performance. For that child I have used more traditional, although God-centered text books which small sections are quizzed for understanding and then a larger comprehensive test is given for a few chapters at a time.
What are some of the curriculums you have most enjoyed using for the Middle School Years?
Lili: Our math has been Teaching Textbooks and it works for both my kids. One does it on the computer and the other prefers to read the textbook. Though I am tempted from time to time to find something different, neither boy has complained, so why stir the pot. Our favorite language arts is hands down Institute of Excellence in Writing. We all hate writing and this has been a blessing. We are now doing BJU for history. For science, I fell I’ve never really found anything I really like. We did Master Books and I thought it was just okay.
Raquel: Classical Conversations [a co-op] to develop rhetoric skills. Abeka has a traditional "black and white" learning and tracking system. Saxon math has helped to give a formal approach to mathematics. Time4Learning to have "computer time" and supplement with great graphics and explanations.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as you homeschool during Middle School?
Lili: My biggest challenge is stopping myself from switching “plans.” My oldest once told me as I was explaining a new method to our daily schedule, “Again, we are switching?” So, I am definitely the problem. I can’t do routines as well. But, I have learned to leave things alone that are working. The only other challenge is pushing the kids to be more responsible and proactive in their education. So far, we are on the right track.
Raquel: Occasionally I would get an "attitude" day - A kiddo whining, asking "why do I have to learn this" --I figure that is pretty normal. Some days I would be patient and try to explain "why". I would say it is part of our calling from God , He blessed us with a mind and now we have to develop it and learn to work at things for Him. Most of the time however it is just changes and a bit of rebellion that they go through. So I would explain that this is part of the work of daily life that we have to get done and if they didn't want to attend to their responsibilities, then they wouldn't have privileges in the afternoon like TV time or other games or snacks they would like. One or both of those approaches usually helped get things back on track.
What have been some of the positives of homeschooling through Middle School?
Lili: Having them get an education that is meaningful for their life is the best! We focus on life lessons and do intentional learning. The flexibility homeschooling offers is unbeatable.
Raquel: Becoming friends with my kids. We still have the parent child relationship but there has been so much more time for us to just sit and talk and laugh and learn from their stories or ours as parents. With them being with me all day I felt it gave me the opportunity to address any character/moral issues immediately as they arose rather than it having been hidden from my eyes had they been away from me at a school. Everything from social responsibility to our faith to behavior, even cleanliness gets addressed sooner rather than later because we have been in such close proximity.
What advice would you give someone who is nervous about starting their homeschool Middle School Journey?
Lili: My greatest advice and the most difficult for me to learn was to forget the public school structure. Kids don’t learn only from 8am-3pm, Monday through Friday. You can teach any day and at any hour. Any routines you set, should be to benefit you and your family lifestyle. My husband and I have never trained our kids to be employees, so they don’t need the traditional day schedule. And if they did need it as adults, they will adapt. A second piece of advice and equally important, is to have kids read!! If they learn to love to read, they will be lifelong learners. I can’t stress this enough.
Raquel: Make a "loose "plan because you need to be adaptable as situations arise or schedules change. "Plan" family and schooling goals, curriculum, household maintenance and schedule. Then go for it! Don't let things that didn't turn out the way you thought they would be a sign that you shouldn't homeschool. Have a lightheartedness and sense of humor because many times you will be setting that joyful environment for your children. ENJOY your kids, cherish the ups and downs , your family and your story is in the making. Most of all seek God in everything you do, ask Him what you should teach and LISTEN, He will lead on the right path!
Thank you for all your insight, Lili and Raquel, we appreciate you!
Additional Reading:
Transition from Interest-led Elementary to Middle School Years - Simple Homeschool
Do Middle Schools Make Sense? - Harvard Ed.
10 Do’s and Dont’s of Homeschooling Middle School
- Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers