A Typical Eighth Grader
Physical
- Kids this age have high physical energy.
- Skin problems are emerging; hygiene is a key issue.
- Girls: Reach 95 percent of mature height;
- Boys: Voice change for many; growth spurt about a year behind girls
Social
- Neatness is a key issue with personal appearance, but not with personal environment.
- The mirror is their best friend and worst enemy.
- Kids this age are often quieter than 12- or 14-year-olds.
- Their feelings are easily hurt and they can easily hurt other’s feelings.
- Kids this age are often mean when they’re scared.
- Close friendships are often more important to girls.
- Boys hang out in groups.
- Telephone, computer, video games, and other electronic diversions are a major time factor.
- Music is becoming a major preoccupation.
- Peer pressure increases regarding dress, language, music, in-out, being cool.
- Kids this age worry about school work.
- Their humor is highlighted by increasing sarcasm.
- Horseplay and practical jokes are still popular with boys.
Language
- Kids this age often give one word answers to questions.
- Peer lingo is important.
- Their language can be extreme and voices can be loud.
- Kids this age are often rude.
Cognitive
- An eighth-grader’s withdrawn and sensitive nature protects her developing self-concept and intellectual ideas that are not yet fully formed.
- Abstract reasoning and “formal operations” begin to come into play in some 13-year-olds.
- Kids this age take a tentative approach to difficult intellectual tasks; they’re not willing to take big learning risks.
- Many like to challenge intellectual, as well as social, authority.
Source:
From Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14 by Chip Wood, © 1997 by Northeast Foundation for Children
Transitioning to High School
To help you with high school planning, please find below the monthly timetable of Magellan services/programs and WCPSS Magnet and Early College dates:
August:
*Overview of high school registration and magnet process at Open House
*Private and Charter School deadlines differ from the Wake County School System deadlines. If interested in having your child attend one of these options, please check their websites for admission details and deadlines.
September/October:
*Magnet and Early College information sessions offered. Check Wake County website for dates and times. www.wcpss.net/magnet
.
November/December:
*Information sessions, as well as, tours at individual Magnet and Early College High Schools continue. Please check individual school websites.
*Counselor will begin regularly distributing high school information through weekly newsletters and email.
January/February:
*Register at base school beginning early January if applying for a magnet option. You will need a birth certificate, proof of residency, photo id of parent/guardian, child’s immunization record, and any necessary custody documents.
*Open House scheduled at non-magnet schools. Please check school websites for specific dates.
March/April:
*CFNC instruction provided for both parents and students. The College Foundation of NC has a wonderful website useful in planning the high school course of study in addition to tracking activities, awards, and accomplishments for college applications. It is also a great tool for researching and applying to college.
*Counselors from many feeder high schools will be on hand at Magellan to provide registration assistance including forms and enrollment materials.
*”Transition” classes provided for students (who are grouped according to their slated high school). Students will meet with our counselor and former Magellan students to hear tips on transitioning (socially AND academically) successfully to high school.
May/June:
*Parent program regarding helping our students transition successfully to high school
*Drug/alcohol prevention program for students