I know there is a big problem with those middle years. And I hear friends
with horror stories about the 7 and 8 schools being pressure cookers of
hormonal adolescants, etc. I agree that they would benefit from
specialized teachers, rotation, and a curriculum that is less centred on
them as young teens (a phase in life that passes). I can't help but
believe that if more was organized and expected of them in the middle
years, they'd be achieving more and have less time to run amok. Why do
North Americans spend so many resources and so much energy on pandering
to the crazy state of early teens. It's a phase that passes. Many of
these kids need more to do, not more content that has them navel gazing
and obsessing on themselves so much.

On 11/06/09, Deedee wrote:
> I don't agree. I've taught too many 8's who don't care about making an
> effort because they know they'll pass anyway in elementary. They need
> the credit system.
>
> When you've taught pregnant grade 8's, you realize pretty fast they
> need to be in high schools where they'll get the proper counseling.
> They also need to be in schools with principals who are used to
> dealing with adolescents.
>
> The way 7's and 8's have been placed in high school is usually in a
> separate wing. Thus they don't mingle with the older kids in the same
> way. I also think they benefit from 1) specialist teachers, 2)
> teachers with more time to spend with them under the semestered plan,
> 3) lower class size ratios as OSSTF would never put up with some of
> the class size that ETFO allows, 4) better access to better equipment
> such as computer labs with enough computers and actual science labs.
>
> It's also not realistic to expect 1 elementary teacher to teach
> everything at a grade 8 level well.
>
> Deedee
>
>
> On 11/05/09, MM wrote:
>> The eights are too young as you'll get that 5 year spread again
>> (and in Toronto it's more than that as tons of kids do extra
>> semesters and years). One of the biggest problems I had with the
>> old OAC year in recent years was the fact that we had 13 year olds
>> in huge high schools with kids 18 and older (don't kid yourself
>> there are still enough kids over 19 there too). In some communities
>> this was a bad mix for the youngsters. An average 4 year spread in
>> ages is healthier and allows for a better mixing, without undue
>> influences on teens who are, in many ways, children.
>>
>>
>> On 11/04/09, jb wrote:
>>> Just wondering out loud here: with full day kindergarten, space
>>> in the elementary schools is going to be an issue. Maybe it
>>> would be a good time to move the 7's and 8's into the high
>>> schools.

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