Last Thursday, fourth graders ventured to the fifth grade hallway to preview their upcoming entry into Middle School. They met their future fifth grade teachers, visited future fifth grade classrooms, practiced switching classes, and heard testimonies from current fifth graders. You could feel the nervous and excited energy in the air as they delighted in the responsibilities and privileges that come with Middle School.
A popular topic of discussion among the fourth graders that morning pertained to iPad usage. In Lower School, students have daily classroom access to their iPads. Lower School teachers teach their students to respect their devices and to use iPads as a learning tool rather than a toy. Starting in the fifth grade, though, Middle School students can take their iPads home for the first time.
To prepare for such a responsibility, fifth graders begin their year with a “Meet Your iPad” session hosted by the Tech Center and led by Apple Systems Administrator Lori Snider. Snider uses this opportunity to set expectations for proper device usage and to answer any questions concerning the devices. Fifth graders also take a year-long special subjects course called digital citizenship, where they learn online safety, privacy, security, and ethical behavior.
Snider says this is her favorite meeting of the entire year. “It’s our chance to set the proper expectation for the use of their iPad until they graduate,” she said. “I also use that time to answer all their questions and to reassure them that we’re here to help them with their iPad, no matter what it is, and they never need to be afraid to come to us, even if their iPad is damaged or lost. I never want them to struggle to keep up with their school work because they’re using an iPad that needs our support, especially when I see our students come in and ask for help and walk out with a smile on their face because we’ve developed a great relationship with them.”
JA teachers continuously prepare their students for the future that lies ahead. This starts early in Lower School and continues as the students transition from division to division. The fourth grade preview of Middle School is just a tiny glimpse into the dedication that teachers and staff demonstrate in preparing students for the future.
