Thursday, May 7, 2009
Team 3 Schools
Imagine you are an adolescent transitioning from elementary to middle school. Your parents had to move to a low SES area because of loss of job. Explain the common traits of transition, then take into consideration moving from high SES to low SES environment. What adjustments would you have to make? What are some problems that you may face?
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First thing you are very scared and very nervious. Then there is the fact you are going somewhere you do not know the people. This remindes me of a movie that my girls have Bring it On . The girl moves from a school where she is head chearleader to a school where she is at the bottom of the heap.
ReplyDeleteObviously making any kind of move can be very stressful. But making a move where your status was pretty good to somewhere that you have to start over from scratch can be completely stressful for a adolescent. I think that one must keep in mind that all places are different and you might have to make a few lifestyle ajustments to be in the right mind set. It would be difficult, but with the right guidence and support one should be fine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Dona...and I loved that movie...I think that I have seen all of the remakes of it too. But you are right, the forms of those movies really fit into this section.
ReplyDeleteI agree that making any kind of move is going to be difficult and even the transition from elementary to middle school whether you are moving or not is hard enough
ReplyDeleteit would be hard to make that transition especially in high school, maybe as a younger child it might be easier but all the things you would have to put up with in high school would be unbearable...
ReplyDeletei agree dona, you would have to have an amazing work ethic and family
ReplyDeleteThe adjustment from a higher socioeconomic group into a lower one would be difficult. Participation in extra-curriculars would have to be limited as would extras such as electronic gadgets and status clothing. Children can be mean, that is a cruel fact of life that is hard to learn. The child(ren) would probably feel resentment towards the parent(s) and blame them for their predicament. Also, it is very hard on a student whose parents cannot afford items like computers when the teachers make assignments that basically require the internet in order to complete the task.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine dealing with the SES change along with the normal transition into a new school. Honestly, the hardest school transition I experienced was from elementary school into middle school. You are instantly thrown into a more independent environment. You are no longer coddled or babied to get your work done. Middle school in most cases is treated the same as high school curriculum. You are responsible for choosing your class schedule according to your career interests. This can be very difficult to adolescents who are immature and not ready to think about adult topics like careers. As for the socioeconomic changes you may be forced to change your group of friends among other things. Kids can be very mean and cruel. Let's say you came from a higher SES with the nicest clothes and toys like your popular friends, but now your family can't afford these items. Your friend may isolate you and begin to pick on you for your cheaper clothes and toys. This would be devastating for an adolescent to not only be in a new and challenging environment but also being all alone without their friends.
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ReplyDeleteWetzel,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the child may then resent the parents for the increased struggles they may confront due to the change in SES. It is sad that our society is so superficial that not being able to buy the nicest things can possibly ruin friendships and a child's bond with their parents.
I think it would be a lot harder to move from low SES to high SES. The child most likely doesn't have the brand name clothes or all the new electronics, making that child a "dork." It would be a lot harder for this child to become well liked because he or she is probably intimidated by all the others since they all seem to be "cool" because they have the best of everything. Children are evil and judge very easily. The child would just have to open up and try to make friends, getting involved in extracurricular activities would help.
ReplyDeleteIf the child moved from high SES to low SES I don't think it would be as bad. The child may try to act like he or she is better than everyone else. It would be wise of this child's parents to talk with him or her about judgement.
Nellie, I agree with you about how sad it is that our society is so superficial. It is horrible to see young kids judged by how much money they have.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jarrod.
ReplyDeleteI feel that any child making the transtion from grade school to middle school,would experience the feelings of nervousness, and even fear and intimidation, of being a small fish in a big pond. Moving from a high SES to a lower SES, can be very difficult especailly if ways of life changes. Children can be cruel and may tease and taunt other children, on the other hand, some children may be sympathic, and compasionate. The truth o the matter is that todays society, is very superficial and wrapped up with status symbols.
ReplyDeleteChildren who transition from one school to another is very difficult. The level of learning is different from one school to the next. It is a culture shock to that adolescent. Also leaving old friends and making new friends is very difficult for children. Parents need to be very involved with school transitions.
ReplyDeleteNellie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you also, todays society can be and is very superficial.
It is always difficult to make change. It is so hard going from elementary school where you are the oldest to junior high where you are back to being the youngest again. Then to put the SES on top of that, and moving where you know nobody would be extremely hard. It's always hard to leave your friends, teachers, etc., but you just have to think positive and think of all the new friends you will make.
ReplyDeleteSome of the problems you may face moving from a high SES to a low SES are: the children at the new school may consider you to be stuck up and better than they are.
ReplyDeleteMost major tranisitions are difficult for adolescents to cope with. I feel either way can be very stressful. It's all about fitting in, finding your place. Some problelms you may face in moving from one status to the other is in chosing friends and relationships, and performance in school may change.
ReplyDeletenellie, i agree with your comment about children feeling resentment towards parents that are not able to provide all the very best of what's available, it is too bad that they expect it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with nellie the children feel resentment toward the parents. This has alot to do with the fact that the parents want their children to have the best of everything and the children learn to expect this and when the parent is unable to provide what they are use to they resent them.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, You are right. I teach 20 4yearolds and there is one little girl that goes around telling the other how rich she is and that they don't have what she does and to me that is sad that a 4year old does this. But she has to hear it from somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a difficult transition. Children are trying to find themselves. Leaving a so called "security" blanket into an unknown environment. I think it would be important to get involved in sports and other social networks. I think that would be a fast way to relate to others. I would hope the transition would go smooth and resentment would not set in.
ReplyDeleteI believe this would be so difficult for an already struggle teen. To go from one quality of live to another would be a very hard adjustment on a child, then add in a move away from their comfort zone in a very vulnerable time in their life would be a hard obstacle for a teen to overcome, hopefully with love and support they will adjust/adapt to the new ses and lack of income and all the changes that would come with that!
ReplyDeleteI agree kyndra it is sad but ture that our society is superficial and things that matter really shoudn't.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is a most difficult time for anyone, especially during the adolescence years. We all fear the unknown and moving to another school only adds stress to the situation. While making this transition, grades may drop slightly. Being one thing at one school and going to another and then you are something else can quite challenging.
ReplyDeleteKendra,
ReplyDeleteI agree! When you are comfortable where you are, you sorta have that security blanket around you. When it is shed, well another story.
Moving I can imagine for a student about to go into middle school would be tough on anyone. However it is good that everyone is going into high school on the same level.
ReplyDeleteMy teams blog......
ReplyDeleteDona, I saw that movie. Good comparision!
For me personally, I would have definitely had a hard time. I would have been nervous but very upset at the same time. Growing up, I was very blessed to have mostly everything that I wanted, so if I would have went from everything I wanted to hardly anything- that's hard for a 10/11 year old. Plus going from a somewhat small school to a bigger school where you may not know very many people would make that situation 10 times harder.
ReplyDeleteDona, I watch that movie almost everytime it's on! I think she did better with the move than what other people would, but after all..it is a movie!
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ReplyDeleteDonna, That is so sad that a 4-year old is already aware of economic status at such a young age. she should be playing and having fun not boasting about her money and what she has. The sadder thing is that she probably learned it from her parents. (This is my team's post)
ReplyDeleteon own team.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that everyone sees how hard it would be for some to face. I like Nellies remark about the parents and resentment, and Wetzels remark about the extra cirricular activities. Children do not always know the actual price that goes into these activities!
I agree it would be very difficult. Especially from feeling nervous because you're outside of your comfort zone or what you're used to.
ReplyDeleteErica, I agree. Getting into sports or other social activities will definitely help them feel a part of the new school.
ReplyDeleteMy team's blog
ReplyDeleteThis would definitely be a very hard move. I think that you would definitely resent your parents for this even though they could not control the situation. I believe that it would also be a big adjustment from getting what you want to not having the means for this to happen any longer. Making the transition in the school would also be very difficult and stressful.
ReplyDeleteErica,
ReplyDeleteI agree that sports and activities would be helpful in getting more comfortable at the new school.
Nellie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment. The world we live in is very superficial.
I would agree with most of the class that it would be stressful. It is not bad enough to have to deal with the stress of a normal childhood but to have to change schools would make it even harder. It would be starting over again.
ReplyDeleteI know that it would be hard my son had a hard time with the transition from elementary school to middle school and he still had the same friends. Can not imagine what would happen if he had to go to a totally new environment with no friends.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be scared about moving from elementary to middle school, and I would also be anxious about moving to a low SES environment from what I was accustomed to. Some adjustments that I would have to make include making new friends and accepting a new environment, and I might have to “do without” some of the luxuries that I used to take advantage of because of the loss of a job. It would be a scary time with new situations and challenges, but hopefully my parents could make my transitions a little less tenuous by providing support and advice for me during all of these new experiences.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a very hard transition for a child, especially at that time in their lives. They are trying desperately to fit in and with the job loss and less income, the child isn't going to be able to have the expensive clothes, shoes, and gadgets that children that age love. Especially when your entering middle school and I'm sure they're worried enough about that, but needing to fit in and make friends is very important to a child. Many times if you have the latest fashions or cell phones, kids think it's much easier to be cool and make friends.
ReplyDeleteGoing from middle school to high school is stressful anyway you look at but moving into a place where you don't know anyone is all together scary!
ReplyDeleteI actually went through this when I was an adolescent, it was because of a transfer and not loss though, and it was horrible! I was in such a rough place, besides adjusting from hormones and puberty, kids were so mean and parents were so not into there children's lives! I heard so many awful things and had such an awful time making friends, that I feel into the wrong group of people and into a lot of trouble in order to make friends!
ReplyDeleteTo all the class, you are very correct in stating how hard and stressful it is! It is one of the worst things in my opinion to go through!
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