z Kennedy Chronicle Grade Level Guidance

BY ANNABELLE SCHNEIDER

Everybody’s nervous for their first day of school in a new grade. You don’t know your teachers, classrooms, or schedule yet. So we asked K-8th graders some questions that might help for the next school year. Below is a list of some things to look forward to, some challenging things that you may (or may not) look forward to, and some advice. K

The best part of the grade is making lots of new friends and the teachers are really nice. The hardest thing you learn is how to play the “Moo Moo Game” and making word papers, but it’s really fun to learn how to read and write.

ADVICE: ALWAYS DO WHAT THE TEACHER SAYS AND YOU WILL LEARN LOTS. 1

The best part of the grade is choice time, and learning how to tell a good story is the most fun thing to learn. It’s hard to learn how to tell time in first grade. The teachers are silly and make school fun with lots of jokes.

ADVICE: BE YOURSELF! 2

Reading time and writer’s workshop are great parts of 2nd grade. Social studies can be hard, and the books we read are longer and harder. The teachers give you Fun Fridays, and that’s awesome!

ADVICE: FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE TEACHER SO THAT YOU CAN KNOW WHAT TO DO! 3

The teachers are always trying to find new ways to challenge you at this grade level. We learn multiplication and how to write responses! Learning measurement is hard, and get ready to do a lot of writing!

ADVICE: PRACTICE YOUR MATH FACTS. 4

Crazy and fun activities are the best part of fourth grade! The teachers make learning super fun and interesting. The hardest things we learn are “showing not telling” in writing and dividing big numbers. Don’t feel intimidated by this grade level!

ADVICE: BE KIND…KINDNESS MATTERS! 5

The best parts of this grade level include activities in science, book projects, and writing more complex storylines. The teachers let you be independent while still helping you. Learning fractions can be hard, but you’ll get through it!

ADVICE: STAY ORGANIZED AND WORK HARD. 6

The best part of 6th grade are the fun inclusive projects, pajama days, book buddies, and science debates. The teachers are fun and engaging, helping you through challenging work like long division with fractions and percentages. The most fun things learned include ancient civilization and group projects.

ADVICE: DON’T STRESS AND GET READY FOR A FUN YEAR. 7

In 7th grade, one of the best things is that there are so many new and different classes with fun and interesting teachers. One of the most fun things learned are definitely making catapults! On the other hand, some things that are challenging are adjusting to all the classes, much longer and more complicated math (hello pre-algebra), and learning to speak a new language.

ADVICE: WORK HARD AND HAVE FUN, AND JUST KNOW THAT IT GETS EASIER :) 8

The best things about 8th grade are all the fun events organized by the PTA! The teachers are diverse and personally care about you. Trashketball and the Unplugged Arcade are exciting, and you work with a lot of different people throughout the year.

ADVICE: RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS AND FOCUS. c

PAGE 2: See what everybody is listening to and take a trip into the past with end of the year memories.

PAGE 3: Take a peek into the first grade zoo.

PAGE 4: Big issues of the future and past are explored.

PAGE 5: Thank goodness Kaisteroni Pepperoni and his assistant didn’t find a phobia of musicals as we look at 4 smash hits and a slew of off the beaten path fears.

PAGE 6: Find a way to make an extra buck this summer with tips based on activities you already love.

PAGE 7:

After you’ve made some money, it’s time to kick back and relax with your favorite summer activities.

PAGE 8: Quiz yourself with these excellent puzzles.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & COMPLIMENTS

Email us at thekennedychronicle@gmail.com

The Kennedy Chronicle is an after school club for 6-8th graders facilitated by Caroline Hanly, 4th grade ELA teacher, and Kristen Cox, parent volunteer.