It's also very challenging because I'm trying to get students ready for junior high. Not only do I have a curriculum to get them through, but I also have to be sure that they're ready to take on the responsibility of having several different teachers each semester in junior high. Junior high is a big change for them. Students need to have a certain amount of freedom, to feel like they're responsible for their own work. At the same time, they also need quite a bit of support too.
Most students can use support in getting and staying organized.
They can also use help with studying for tests. Having the student set goals for himself or herself helps too. Today, a lot is demanded of our students in terms of grades, especially in this part of the Bay Area . In addition, the children have many extra-curricular activities which they have to juggle with their homework commitments. I think the pressures of taking the Star test and other tests weighs heavily on them, too.