Preparing for 7th Grade Through the “Ready for Middle School” Project Week in Moerdijk
The transition from 8th grade to 9th grade is a big step for many children. New subjects, homework, different teachers, and new classmates make this period exciting and challenging. They say goodbye to a familiar environment and begin a new phase at school. Many schools choose to consciously reflect on this transition. By looking back and looking ahead, students gain more confidence in the transition to middle school. To prepare students well for this new phase, we’re organizing the “Ready for Middle School” project week in collaboration with Meer Moerdijk and the participating elementary schools.
Workshops / Guest Lectures
“Starting high school isn’t just an exciting time for the kids. It can feel like a big step for parents, too,” says Councilwoman Pauline Joosten. “I remember when my kids started their first year of high school and how exciting I found it.” Over the coming week, 8th-grade students will participate in various workshops and guest lectures. Topics include peer pressure, social resilience among young people—for example, in the neighborhood, at school, and on the sports field—and an introduction to youth work. For a brief glimpse, watch the video “8th-Grade Students Prepared for First Year of High School During the ‘Ready for High School’ Project Week” on the Zuidwest TV website.
Lisette Stoelman is organizing this event through Meer Moerdijk: “For example, we use a ‘Goose Board’ game to introduce children to their first year of middle school in a playful way. We address questions like, ‘What do I do if I’m late?’ It’s wonderful to see how educational and reassuring this is for them.”
For the students themselves, the week wraps up with a spectacular party at Meer Moerdijk, complete with a DJ and dance floor. It’s a fun way to end an educational and bonding week. For parents, there’s an interactive parents’ night at City Hall featuring Steven Pont. He’ll share valuable insights into the adolescent brain during his talk titled “Help, I Have a Teenager.”
More information and registration details for 8th-grade students participating in the project, as well as information about the parent evening for parents of 8th-grade students, can be found on the Meer Moerdijk website.