Final Middle School Transition Toolkit

A
partnership publication by:

GeorgiaA erschoolInvestmentCouncil

GeorgiaDepartmentofEduca on

GeorgiaFamilyConnec onPartnership

GeorgiaParentalInforma onandResourceCenter(PIRC)

GeorgiaParentTeacherAssocia on(PTA)

UnitedWayofMetropolitanAtlanta

Middle School Matters:
A Guide for Georgia Schools on Middle School Transition
Table of Contents
MiddleSchoolMa ers:Overview 3
MiddleSchoolMa ers:SchoolTransi onTeamandPlan 6

MiddleSchoolMa ers:Transi onAc vi es 8
MiddleSchoolMa ers:4thGradeTransi onAc vi esandNotes 11
MiddleSchoolMa ers:FamilyBrochureandVideo 56
MiddleSchoolMa ers:ReferencesandResources 57
MiddleSchoolMa ers:Appendix 59
SchoolTransi onInforma onSheet 60

SchoolTransi onPlan 61
FamilyCommunica onSurvey 62
GradeLevelTeacherPlanningSpreadsheet 63
CareerSurvey 64
PictographExample 65
CareerExposureQues ons 66
ElementarySchoolVisitsAgenda 67
WhatisMiddleSchoolLikeAgenda 68
PeopleBingo 69
PeerMentoringWorksheet 70
Eec veStudySkillsArrowTemplate 71
MiddleSchoolTransi onFamilySurvey 72
MiddleSchoolTransi onStudentSurvey 73
WhereDoYouGoWorksheet 74
MiddleSchoolTransi onNightAgenda 75
LessonPictureTemplate 76
FamilyReadingNightAgenda 77
LearningStyles 80
MiddleSchoolExpoScavengerHunt 81
BridgeCard 82
MiddleSchoolTransi onCampPlanningandImplementa onChecklist 84
MiddleSchoolTransi onCampAgenda 86
PrincipalWelcomeLe er 88
StudentAmbassadorsPermissionForm 89
SMARTGoalSe ngDocument 90
SilentInterviewWorksheet 93
Notes 94
2
Overview
Purpose of the Toolkit
Theintentofthistoolkitistoprovideeducatorswiththeconceptualframeworkformiddle
schooltransi on,materialstoobtainandorganizestudentinforma on,aswellastoinformand
eec velyinvolvestudentsandfamiliesinthetransi onplanningprocess.Thetoolkitis
organizedsothatitiseasytouse,locateitems,oraddaddi onalmaterials.

Therearefivesec onsinthetoolkit:Overview,Schooltransi onteamandplan,4thgrade
middleschooltransi onac vi es,5thgrademiddleschooltransi onac vi es,and6thgrade
middleschooltransi onac vi es.Eachsec onincludesmaterialstoassistreadersinassessing
students,crea ngavarietyofhandoutsforstudentsandfamilies,anddevelopingabodyof
evidenceaspartofthestudentstransi onplan.Thesetools,templates,andworksheetsare
examplesofthematerialsyouwilluseorgivetoyourstudentsandfamiliesasyouwork
togethertohelpyourfuturemiddleschoolstudentstransi onsmoothly.Itisimportanttonote
thatalloftheac vi esdonotneedtobeusedateachgradelevel.Someac vi esmaybea
be erfitthanothers,basedonyourschoolcommunityneeds.

Weencourageyoutopersonalizethetoolkitbyaddingmoretoolsorinforma onand
upda ngthematerialswhenitisappropriate.Wehavecreatedaspaceineachsec onforyou
tomakesnotesoriden fyaddi onstothecurrentcontentsoyoucankeeptrackofwherenew
materialsarelocatedinthetoolkit.

Thistoolkitisdesignedtohelpeducators,familiesandstudents:
Understandthemiddleschool
transi onprocess;

Implementac vi estoengagemiddle
schoolstudentsandtheirfamilies;

Developaplanforstudentstotransi on
tomiddleschoolsuccessfullythrough
theareasofsocial/emo onal,
organiza onal/environmental,academic,
developmental,aswellascollegeand
careerawareness;

Establishconcreteresourcesthatcan
beu lizedwithintheclassroomandat
home;and

Usethetransi onplanningprocessto
ensurethatallstudentstransi onfrom
elementaryschooltomiddleschoolwith
adequatesupportfromtheschool,family,
andcommunity.
3
Overview
What is School Transition?

SchoolTransi onisaprocessthatpreparesallpartnersstudents,families,
schoolsandcommuni estodevelopknowledge,skills,andrela onships
thathelpstudentsmovefromoneeduca onalse ngtoanother.
ngtoanother
Inthisinstance,studentsaretransi oningorchangingfromelementaryschooltomiddle
school.Thetransi onfromelementarytomiddleschoolisachangethatimpactsnotonlystu-
dents,butalsotheirfamilies,schoolsta,andthecommunity.
Schooltransi onisaprocessthatinvolvesfourfacets:
Readyschools;
Communitypar cipa onandsupport;
Familyknowledgeandinvolvement;and
Schools/educa onalse ngscommi edtopreparingchildren.
Transi onshouldnotbeviewedfromonlytheperspec veofstudentsandfamilies,butrather

shouldentailtheperspec vesoffamilies,students,teachers(elementaryandmiddleschool),
administrators,andcommunitymembersasstudentsmovefromonelevelofeduca on
tothenext.
Why is Middle School Transition Important?
Schooltransi onisnotaonesizefitsall
approach,butaframeworkthatincludes
strategiesaswellaspoliciesandprocedures
tailoredtomeettheneedsofstudents,schools
andcommuni es.
Makingthetransi onintomiddleschoolisthe
firstandmostsignificantsteptoinsuringa
successfulmiddleschoolexperience.A
well-plannedtransi onprogramhelpsfamilies
andstudentshaveagreaterpeaceofmindby
providingthegroundworkforasuccessful
beginningofthemiddleschooladventure.
Acomprehensivemiddleschooltransi onprogramincludessupportsdesignedto:
Helpstudentsformarealis cexpecta onofwhatmiddleschoolwillbelike;

Provideaposi veandsuccessfulfirstimpression;
Respondtotheneedsandconcernsofstudents;
Supportschool-ini atedfamilyandcommunitypartnerships;
Demonstrateaninvi ng,suppor ve,andsafeenvironment;
Havemul -facetedguidanceandsupportstructures;
Buildasenseofcommunitybysuppor ngmeaningfulrela onshipsandlearning;and
Ensureasuccessfulintroduc ontothemiddleschoolexperience.
4
Overview
What Does the Research Say?
Areviewoftheliteratureconcerningtransi onofstudentsfromelementaryschoolinto
middleschoolrevealsarobustdiscussionaboutthechallengesfacedbyyoungpeoplein
maintainingschoolengagementandacademicsuccessduringthesecri calyears.Uponentry
intomiddleschool,studentsarebombardedwithenvironmental,social,psychological,and
physiologicalchangesthatmayoverwhelmsome.Lackofspecificskillsneededtocopewith
thesestressorscanhavesignificanteectsonanindividualstudentsabilitytoadjust,
maintainacademicachievement,developfutureaspira ons,andsustainoverallfeelingsofself
-worth.Thepoten alnega veeectsofschool
transi ononyouthinthisstageof
developmenthavebeenwelldocumentedby
research(Eccles&Midgley,1989;Seidman,
LaRue,Aber,Mitchell,&Feinman,1994;
Wigfield&Eccles,1994).Followingthe
transi onintomiddleschool,manystudents
feellessposi veabouttheirownpoten aland
theimportanceofschooling.Theymayputforth
lesseortandgiveupmorequickly.Grades
maydecline.Thereisaperceiveddecreasein
supportfromschoolpersonnelandincreasedengagementwithpeergroups.Studentswith
themostdicultyarefrequentlythosewhoareunabletofocusonschoolandlearning.Itis
reasonabletoconcludethatwithouttheinterven onofathough ullydesignedtransi on
program,theadjustmentperiodfortheseadolescentsislikelytobelengthy(Allan&McKean,
1984)andhasthepoten altonega velyimpactschoolsuccess.Tothatend,itisextremely
importantthateducators,parents,andcommunitymembersworktogethertoaddress
transi onissues.Tobemosteec vethismustbedoneattheschoollevel,aswellasatthe
individualstudentlevel.
Eec veandcomprehensivemiddleschooltransi onprogramshelp(Weldy,1991):
1. Buildasenseofcommunity;
2. Respondtotheneedsandconcernsofthestudents;and
3. Provideappropriate,facetedapproachestofacilitatethetransi onprocess
Inaddi on,researchcompletedaspartoftheProgramonEduca onPolicyandGovernance

WorkingPapersSeriesatHarvardUniversity(Cook,Mushkin&Vigdor,2008),foundthat
studentsmovingfromgrade5intomiddleschoolenvironmentsshowa"sharpdrop"inmath
andlanguageartsachievementinthetransi onyearthatcon nuestohavesignificanceasfar
outas10thgrade,evenjeopardizingtheirabilitytograduatefromhighschoolandgoonto
college.Meanwhile,studentswhopar cipateininten onaltransi oneortsandasaresult
makeasmoothtransi oninto6thgradeareabsentlesso enthanstudentswhodidnot,
experiencelessdisrup onintheiracademicachievementandmaintainhigherlevelsof
engagementinschool.
5
School Transition Team and Plan
Developing a Middle School Transition Team
Thepurposeofaschooltransi onteamistoguideand
developac vi esthathelpstudents,families,and
communi essupportasuccessfultransi onprocess.A
transi onteamalsolooksatpoliciesandproceduresas
wellasfundingandresourcesfortransi onac vi es.
Unlikeotherschoolcommi ees,thesolepurposeofthe
schooltransi onteamistoplan,assess,andimplement
strategiesthatwillsupportthesuccessfultransi onof
studentsandfamiliesintomiddleschool.Teamscanbe
incorporatedasaworkgroupwithinexis ngcommi ees
andshoulddesignatesomeonetoserveasthemiddle
schooltransi oncoordinator.Thispersonisresponsible
forconveningmee ngsandcoordina ngac vi es.The
coordinatormaybetheassistantprincipal,school
counselor,TitleIcoordinator,familyliaison,orsta
memberwhoisinterestedinthiswork.
Aschooltransi onteamistypicallygovernedbyschoolleadershipandisgenerallycomprisedof:
Elementaryandmiddleschoolpersonnel(teachers,administrators,guidance
counselors,familyliaisons)
Families
Students
PTA/PTOmembers
Churchesorfaithbasedorganiza ons
Communityleaders(city/countycouncilmembers,etc.)
Communityagencies(library,BoysandGirlsClub,etc.)
A erschoolprograms
Localbusinesses(smallbusinessowners,largebusinesschains,etc.)
Oncetheschooltransi onteamisformed,typicalresponsibili esconsistof:
Buildingrela onshipsamongkeypartnerstoiden fyneeds,goals,andresources;

Crea nganannualtransi onplanandcalendarthatengageseachofthepartners;
Implemen ngthetransi onalplan;
Developingabudgetforac vi es;
Helpingtoiden fyfundingandleverageresourcesthroughdona onsandin-kindservices;
Recrui ngvolunteerstoassistwithmiddleschooltransi oneventsandac vi es;
Advoca ngforpolicyandcommunitychange;
Engagingaddi onalcommunitypartnerswhereappropriate;and
Developingafeedbackorevalua onprocesstomeasuretheimpactofthetransi on
policiesandac vi es.
6
School Transition Team and Plan
Developing a Middle School Transition Plan
Amiddleschooltransi onplanisawaytoplan,guideandmanagetheimplementa onofthe
transi onprocess.
Theplancanconsistofthefollowing:
Transi onAc vi es-Whatac vi eswillbeimplemented?
Ac onSteps-Howwilltheac vitesbeimplemented?
Cost/Resources-Whatresources(materials,personnel,etc)willbeneededto
successfullyimplementtheac vites?

Personnel-Whowillberesponsibleforimplemen ngtheac vitesandtheircomponents?
Evalua on-Howwilltheeec venessoftheac vi esbemeasured?
Thetransi onplancanbeembeddedinthelargerschoolplan.However,itisimportantthat
theplan,anditsac vi esdonotbecomedormantonpaper.Manyoftheac vi esfoundon
thefollowingpagesofthistoolkitcanbeincludedinamiddleschooltransi onplanasitis
developedortoaddedtoanexis ngplan.Asampleschooltransi onplanandschool
transi onteamformareincludedonpages60and61intheappendix.
Asareminder,successfultransi onisadevelopmentalprocessandshouldnotbelimitedto
themonthsofMarch,AprilandMayduringthe5thgrade.Teamsshouldmeetregularlyto
discusstheplanning,implementa onandexecu onofstrategies.
Keeping the Momentum of Middle School Transition Moving

Schooltransi onteamsplayapivotalroleinhelpingtoensurethatstudents,families,and
communi esaresuccessfulintheirtransi onprocesses.Asindicatedearlier,transi onisa
processthatentailstheeortsofmanyandarespecifictotheneedsofthecommunity.All
schoolculturesdier;therefore,itisnotexpectedthateachschoolwillimplementthisguide
inthesamemanner.Theneedsofyourstudentswillchangefromyeartoyear.Theschool
transi onteamshouldconductaneedsassessmentoftheschool,students,families,and
communityonceayeartoiden fywhatthoseneedsareandstrivetoadequatelymeetthose
needs.Thefollowingsec onswillprovideac vi esthatcanbeusedbyteamstosupport
successfultransi on.
7
Transition Activities
Transition Activities Overview
Thistransi ontoolkitisdesignedtohelpschoolsta,families,andcommuni esfocuson

suppor ngstudentacademicsandself-awareness,alongwithcollegeandcareerreadinessas
studentsmovetomiddleschool.This
toolkitincludestasksandac vi estohelp
withdeterminingneedsandfacilita ng
decisionmakingandproblemsolving.The
ac vi esthatsupportthisprocesswill
enhancethestudentsabilitytolearnabout
themselvesandenablethemtostarttheir
middleschoolcareerswitha
meaningfulfocus.Itistheexpecta onthat
thistoolkitwillprovidevisibleandconcrete
waysofdemonstra ngthelinkbetween
school-basedlearningandprepara onfor
middleschooltransi onbyassis ngadministrators,teachers,families,andthecommunity
withthesupplementaltoolsneededtopreparestudentsforthedemandsofthisnextstep.
The Transition Players and Their Roles

Asmen onedearlier,transi onshouldnotbeviewedfromonlytheperspec veofstudents
andfamilies,butrathershouldentailtheperspec vesoffamilies,students,teachers
(elementaryandmiddleschool),administrators,andcommunitymembersasstudentsmove
fromonelevelofeduca ontothenext.Similarly,eachhasaroletoplayinprovidingor
par cipa nginqualitymiddleschooltransi onac vi es.
mustplayaprimaryroleinthemiddleschooltransi onprocess.While
Schools partnershipsbetweenfamilies,schools,students,andcommuni esmustbe
viewedasequallyimportantwithsharedresponsibili es,itisessen althatschoolstakethe
leadinoeringqualitymiddleschooltransi onac vi esthatequipsta,families,and
communitymemberswiththeinforma onneededinorderforthemtoassiststudentsina
successfultransi onprocess.Thematerialsinthistoolkithavebeendesignedtohelpschools
organizeandsupplementtheacademiccurriculuminthemostecientmannerpossibleto
ensuremaximumeec venessandstudentsuccess.Schoolstaareencouragedtomodify
theac vi esasneededtomeetthelearningstylesofstudentsandthedesiresoftheiroverall
schoolcommunity.
musttakeanac veroleintheirownmiddleschooltransi ondevelopment.

Students Undertheguidanceofschoolsta,families,andcommunitystakeholders,
studentsshouldunderstandtheimpactthattransi onac vi eshaveontheirfuturesuccess,
andtheyshouldassumeresponsibilityforcomple ngthetasksassigned.Studentsare
encouragedtoaskques onsandseekassistancein mesofneedand,mostimportantly,
enjoythenewopportuni esandincreasedfreedomthatcomeswithenteringmiddleschool.
8
mustbepreparedforthemiddleschooltransi onprocessthemselvesinorderto
Families providetheongoinglove,guidance,andsupportneededbystudentsduringthis
cri caltransi on.Familiesshouldworkinpartnershipwiththeschooltopar cipateinthe
middleschooltransi onac vi esoered,aswellaslearnandreinforceinforma onreceived
toensurestudentacademicandsocialsuccess.Manyoftheac vi esandstrategiesprovided
throughoutthistoolkitaretobeimplementedwithinthehomeinaneorttoreinforcethe
curriculumandsupportwhatisbeingtaughtandoeredatschool.
mustinvestinthefuturesuccessoftheirstudentsandtheirfamiliesasthis
Communi es helpscreateecientandproduc veci zenswho,inturn,makethe
communityflourish.Communi esshouldsupportmiddleschooltransi onthroughongoingcol-
labora on,exposingstudentstocareersortechnology,and/orservingasposi verole
modelsthroughschoolinvolvementorina erschoolprograms.Collegeandcareerreadiness
explora onisvitalatthispointina studentsacademiccareer,andcommunitymemberscan
helpshapethefutureoftheiryoungleadersbycapitalizingontheirstrengthsandinterests
duringthistransi onstage.
Understanding the Transition Activities
Atransi onplanshouldincludeac vi esdeliveredby

administrators,counselors,teachers,mediaspecialists, ImportanttoNote:

orbusinessandindustrypartners.Theac vi esshould WhileschoolsorLEAsmaywant

assistrisingandcurrentmiddlestudentsandtheirfam- toconsiderusingthedistrict'sor
ilieswithaddressingacademicconcernssuchashaving theirschoolsTitleI,PartA
toomuchhomeworkandhowtogetextrahelp,orwith alloca onand/orTitleI,PartA
socialissueslikebullyingandmakingnewfriends,or parentalinvolvementset-sideto
withproceduralconcernslikeknowingtherules.For implementtheac vi esbeing
thepurposeofthistoolkit,fiveareasoffocushave usedformiddleschooltransi on,
beeniden fiedtoinclude: pleasekeepinmindthatfederal
1.Social/Emo onal complianceregula onsares llin

2.Organiza onal/Environmental place.Morespecifically,those
3.Academic federalcomplianceregula ons
4.Developmental regardingsupplementnot
5.CollegeandCareerAwareness supplant(SNS)andallowable
costsasgovernedbyOMB
CircularA-87andTitleI,PartA
non-regulatoryguidancemust
s llbeusedtoguidedistrictsand
schoolsonTitleIallowablecosts.
Pleaserefertotheseregula ons
whenmakingdecisionsregarding
theappropriatefundingof
theseac vi esforyour
schoolcommunity.
9
Thefollowingpagesrepresentasamplingofac vi esdeliveredto4th,5th,and6thgradestu-
dentsandtheirfamiliesthatwillassisttheminmakingbe erandmoreinformeddecisions
regardingsocial,organiza onal,academic,developmental,andcollege/careerawareness
issuesandconcerns.Itisrecommendedthatthetransi onplanandthealignedac vi esstart
duringthe4thgradeyear,perhapsinthespring,andcon nuethroughthefirstsemesterof
the6thgrade.Thissugges ona emptstoavoidthecurrentprac ceinwhichelementary
schoolsu lizethela erpartofthe5thgradetoaddressmiddleschooltransi onconcernsor
issues.Studentsandtheirfamilieswillreactbe ertosmallerdosesofinforma on,andthe
variousongoingac vi eswillclarifyandsolidifyinforma onforall.
Asyouprogressthroughthetoolkityouwillno cethatitisdividedintothreegradelevels:
4th,5th,and6thgrade.Foreachgrade,therearenumerousac vi esthatcanbecompleted
bystudents,schools,families,orcommuni es.Pleasenotethatthistoolkitdoesnotaddress
thevaryingacademicabilitylevelsof4th,5th,and6thgradestudents.Therefore,teachersor
schoolstashouldadjustinstruc onasitisrelatedtotheseac vi estomeettheneedsand
abilitylevelsoftheirstudentsandfamilies.Toincreaserigor,itisalsorecommendedto
includehigherorderthinkingskillsorques onsappropriateforeachac vity.Theuseof
applica on,analy cal,synthesis,interpre ve,andevalua veques onswillhelpstudentswith
factualrecallandapplica onofthinkingskills,furtherenforcingthecontentlearned.
Eachac vitypageisorganizedasfollows:
Title-Provides the name of the ac vity

Ac vity-Describes what the ac vity is in thorough detail
Outcome-Describes what results from implemen ng the ac vity
Audience-Describes target audience for the ac vity
AreaofFocus-Describes area(s) of focus most applicable to student learning and success
When-Describes the suggested me for implementa on
Process-Describes how to implement the ac vity
Resources-Provides reference materials for further informa on on the topic, sample
worksheets, or handout templates to aid in implemen ng the ac vity
TipsforSuccess-Describes extra steps or thoughts for considera on that would
enhance the delivery and success of the ac vity
Asyouturnthepageandbeginviewingthetransi onac vi esforeachgradelevel,please

u lizethislegendtoiden fytheac vi esthatbestsupportthetransi onneedsofthe
studentsinyourschoolcommunity.Inaddi on,whilenotrepeatedlystatedattheendof
eachac vity,donotforgetthatitisessen altoevaluatethesuccessofyourmiddleschool
transi onac vi esbyreques ngfeedbackthroughsimplesurveysorfollowupcontactwith
studentsandfamilies.Thisinforma onwillbecri calasyourmiddleschooltransi onteam
revisesyourmiddleschooltransi onplaneachyeartoensuretheac vi esareleadingtothe
desiredtransi onoutcomes.
10
4th Grade

th
Whileo enoverlooked,4 gradeistheappropriate metobeginthemiddle
schooltransi onprocess.Atthisage,studentsareindustriousandcurious,o en
eagerfornewknowledge.Tohelpstudentsmakeasmoothtransi on,theyneed
tobeintroducedtotheincreaseddemandsthattheywilleventuallyfaceearlyon
andinwaysthattheycanunderstand.Theac vi esinthissec onwillhelp4th
graderssharpentheiroverallskillsandwillassistfamilies,schoolsta,and
communitypartnerswithimplemen ngthebeginningstagesofpreparingthese
studentsfortheirtransi ontomiddleschool.
11
Middle School Matters: Transition Activities 4th Grade
Title:FamilyCommunica ons
Ac vity:Familieswillreceivecommunica onsintheformof,butnotlimitedtoflyers,
grade-levelnewspapers,dailyannouncements,phonecalls,socialmediamessages,and
webresources.Alladdressissuesrelatedtoageappropriatesocial/emo onaltopics,
developmentalconcernsrelatedtotransi on,mo va on,careerexplora on,andacademic
goalse ng.
Outcome:Familieswilllearnmoreaboutschoolac vi es,developconfidenceintalking
toschoolstaandencouragestudentlearningathome.
Audience:4thgradefamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,CollegeandCareerAwareness,Social/Emo onal,Organiza onal/
Environmental,andDevelopmental
When:Throughout4thgrade
Process:

Partofthetransi ontomiddleschoolisensuringastudentsstrongfounda oninacademic,

social,anddevelopmentalskillsattheendof4thgrade.Tohelpfamiliesunderstandhowthey
cancon nuetosupportandassisttheirchildduringthis meandinthesetasks,theschool
shouldproviderelevantinforma ontofamilies.Familiesshouldprovidecontactinforma on
atthebeginningoftheschoolyearandcompleteasurveyregardingthebestwaytoreceive
informa on(email,textmessage,mail,website,studentdelivery).Familiesshouldbemade
awarethattheinforma oncollectedwillbeusedforimportantschoolcommunica onsonly
andwillnotbesharedwithanyoneoutsideoftheschool.Informa oncouldconsistof:

Communica ngwithyourchildduringfamilymee ngs

Howtoplanwiththeirchildrenforthefuture
Ageappropriateexpecta ons-cogni veandphysicalchanges
Schoolevents
Makingnewfriendsandkeepingoldfriends
Askingforhelpwhenneeded

Resources:

FamilyCommunica onsSurvey:Seepage62intheappendix.
ParentsGuideto4thGrade:www.educa on.com/grade/fourth-grade
FamilyCommunica onTemplates:www.educa onworld.com/tools_templates/
index.shtml
Scholas c:ManyWaystoReachParents:www.scholas c.com/teachers/ar cle/many-
ways-reach-parentsh p://www.scholas c.com/teachers/ar cle/many-ways-reach-parents

TipsforSuccess:

Haveteachersorotherschoolstakeepafamilycommunica onlog.
Providecommunica onsinlanguagesthatarerepresenta veofyourschoolspopula on.
12
Title:GradeLevelTeacherPlanning
Ac vity:Teachersandsupportstaensurecon nueduseofjointlyorganized metoassess
academicprogress,developmentalissues,social/emo onalconcerns,andacademic
instruc onalconcernsofstudentsmovingto5thgradesotherewillbeadequate meto
addresskeyareasofneedbeforetheirtransi ontomiddleschool.
Outcome:Teachersareabletoprovideacademicanddevelopmentalassistancetotheteachers
innextgradeleveltohelptransi onstudentssuccessfullyandallowthenewteacherstoplan
accordingly.
Audience:4thand5thgradeteachersandsupportsta
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,andDevelopmental
Process:

Teachers,counselors,andotherswillreviewmul pleaspectsofstudentprogress,including
academicachievement,socialandemo onalgainsmade,andcurrentdevelopmentalneeds.
Fourthgradeteacherswillcreatedatachartsincludingreading,languagearts,math,science,
geography,ci zenship,behavior,interac onswithclassmates,andrelatedcategoriestohelp
5thgradeteachershaveageneraloverviewofthewholechild.

Thisprocesswillfocusonposi veaspectsandnotresultinnega ve-formedcri ques.Honest
discussionaboutstudentperformance,skilldeficits,andskillsmasteredwillneedtobeshared
between4thand5thgradeteachersbeforestudentstransi onannually.

Resources:

Teacherswilluseschooldata,testdata,disciplinerecordsandplans,alongwithrelated
resourcestoprepareafulloverviewandrepresenta vepictureofstudentsasthey
transi onto5thgrade.
GradeLevelTeacherPlanningSpreadsheet:Seepage63intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Fourthgradeteachersareabletoanswerthefollowingques ons:

Studentisready/notreadyforfi hgradeacademicallybecause.
Studentisready/notreadyforfi hgradesociallybecause
Studentisready/notreadyforfi hgradebehaviorallybecause
Studentisready/notreadyforfi hgradedevelopmentallybecause...
13
Title:CareerSurvey
Ac vity:Schoolstawillconductasurveyofstudentsintheirschoolorgradelevel,depending
onthesizeoftheschool,todeterminecareerinterestsandcreateagraphtodisplaytheir
findings.
Outcome:Studentswillhavetheabilitytodeterminecareerinterestsbygenderandwillbegin
tostartthinkingabouttheirowninterestaswellaslearnhowtocreateapictograph.
Audience:4thgradestudents
AreasofFocus:CollegeandCareerAwareness
When:Fallof4thgrade
Process:
Startthisac vitywithadiscussionofhowstudentsinterests(thethingstheylike)caninfluencetheir
selec onofacareeroroccupa on.Givestudentsexamples:teachersshouldlikestudents/peopleand
helpingstudents/people;nursesshouldlikecaringforandhelpingpeople;computerprogrammers
shouldlikesolvingproblemsandworkingalone;ar stshouldlikebeingcrea ve;afirefightershouldenjoy
workingonateamandhavegoodphysicalstrength;lawyersmustenjoyteamworkandpublicspeaking;
accountantshouldenjoyworkingwithnumbersandcomputerprograms.

Asktheclasstolookoverthelistofcareers/occupa onsonthesurvey.Askforafewstudentvolunteers
toreadpartsofthelisttotheclass.Iftheyhaveques onsaboutanyofthecareers/occupa ons,takeafew
minutestodiscussthoseoccupa ons.

Dividethestudentsintogroupsof3or4toconductthecareersurvey.Assigneachgroupaclassorclasses
thateachgroupwillsurvey.Makesureotherteachersarepreparedforyourstudentstoentertheirclass.

A ercomple ngthesurvey,askthestudentstocombineallthesurveysthentallythecirclestogetatotal
foreachcareer;tallycirclesbasedongender.Usethedatathatyoucollectedfromthesurveytomakea
pictograph.Besuretoincludeakeythattellsthevalueofeachsymbol.Alsocreateapictographto
comparelikesanddislikesbetweenthegenders.
Followupwithaseriesofques ons:Whatdidyoulearn?Doyouthinkgenderhasanythingtodowith
careerchoices?Why?

Materials:Handouts,careersurvey,pencilandpaper,markers;computerlab(dependingonthelevel,
instruc onandtheeortatcollabora onwithkeyboardingandmath).

Resources:

CareerSurvey:Seepage64intheappendix.
PictographExample:Seepage65intheappendix.
DevelopingComputerPictographs:www.so schools.com/math/data_analysis/pictograph/
make_your_own_pictograph
Crea ngaPictographfromExcel:h p://faculty.kutztown.edu/schaee/Excel/Vallone/Vallone_Excel.pdf

TipsforSuccess:

Includemathteacherswithgraphingcomponent/skillsinlessonorcoordinatethelessontobe
integratedbetweentwoclasssubjects.
Createalargepictographonthewallsootherstudentswillseetheresults.
14
Title:CareerExposure:ClusterofCareerGrapes
Ac vity:Schoolsdevelopvariousopportuni estoshowcasevariouscareerop onsandshare
reallifejobapplica onsthroughcareerdayassembliesorclassroomlessons.
Outcome:Studentswillbecomeawareofcareersineachofthe17careerclusters.
AreasofFocus:AcademicandCollegeandCareerAwareness
When:Winterof4thgrade
Process:

TeacherswilldesignaCareerClusterWordWallforstudents.Studentswilllearnabouta
certainclusterandanswerrelatedques ons.Teacherswillcallonstudentstoreadastory
aloud,whiletheycreatespellingandlanguageartsac vi es,anddevelopauthen c
career-relatedmathproblemsforstudentstocompleteduringtheclusterunitthatalignto
CCGPSandGPS.

Inaddi on,studentswillwriteale ertoinviteaprofessionalfromtheselectedclustertovisit

theirclassroom.Theprofessionalwilldescribetheirjobindetailtothestudents.Studentswill
thenhaveanopportunitytointerviewtheprofessionalwithjob-relatedques onsabouttheir
career.Toconclude,studentswillwriteashortstoryorreportaboutthecareercluster.
Studentscanchoosebetweenexpository,narra ve,orpersuasivewri ng.

Resources:

CareerClusterQues ons:Seepage66intheappendix.
ToStarttheExplora onofSpecificClusters:www.mynextmove.org
ElementaryCareerClusterReadingList:
www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruc on-and-Assessment/CTAE/Pages/Career-
Development.aspx
-www.careertech.org/career-clusters/glance/career-leaders.html
-www.gacollege411.org
-www.gcic.peachnet.edu

TipsforSuccess:

Askstudentstosetrelevantgoalsfromtheirinterviewsifthecareerclusterintereststhem.
Goalscanincludelearningmoreaboutrelatedcareers,educa onalexpecta ons,salary,
etc.Havethestudentswriteandsendathankyoule ertothecareerprofessionalfor
visi ngtheclassroom.
Oerstudentstheopportunitytolearnmoreaboutacareerthatintereststhem.Have
themcompleteapresenta onontheclustertohighlightaspecificcareerorcreateashort
videoorwebpagetohighlighttheirinterests.
Involvemorecommunity,businessesorindustrymembersintheproject.Contacten es
suchasthelocalChamberofCommerceandregionalWorkforceInvestmentBoardto
locatecareerprofessionalswithinthearea.
15
Title:UnderstandingtheRela onshipofAcademicsandPersonalQuali estothe

WorldofWork.
Ac vity:Studentspar cipateinalessonrelatedtoacademicgoalse ng,collegeandcareer
readiness,andself-awareness.
Outcome:Studentswilllearnhowclassroomjobscanhelpthemachievepersonalandfuture
careersuccess.
AreasofFocus:Academic,CollegeandCareerAwareness,andSocial/Emo onal
When:Springof4thgrade
Process:

Duringclassroomguidance,studentswilllearnhowtoemploystrategiestoachievefuture
careergoalswithsuccessandsa sfac on.Studentswilllearnaboutemploymentreadiness
skills,iden fyanddeveloppersonalandethicalworkhabitsneededforschoolandwork
success.Studentswillpar cipateinadiscussionaroundtwoessen alques ons:

1. Whydowehaveclassroomjobs?
2. Howcantheseclassroomjobshelpwithdevelopinggoodworkhabits?

Thecounselorwillwritethewords:PersonalSkills,EthicalSkills(thewordethicalmayhaveto
bedefined)andWorkHabitsontheboard.Askifanyoneknowswhatthewordsmeanand
howtheyhelpapersonintheirwork.

PersonalSkills:Skillsthatareabouthowapersontreatsthemselvesorotherssuchashelpful,
friendly,kindandbeingagoodlistenerandcaring.

EthicalSkills:Skillsapersonuseswhentryingtodotherightthingindierentsitua ons,such
ashonesty,doingtherightthing,doingyourownworkanddoingyourbestwork.

WorkHabits:Skillsapersonuseswhencomple ngworkandge ngitdoneon me.

Importantworkhabitexamplesarebeingneat,organizedandcomple ngworkon me.

Counselorwillaskstudentstodescribeanddiscusstheirvariousclassroomjobsand
responsibili es.

Materials:Chartpaper,chalkboard,careerclusterexamples

Resources:

MissouriDepartmentofEduca onGuidanceLessonPlans:
www.missouricareereduca on.org/for/content/guidance

TipsforSuccess:

Invitelocalguestspeakerstocomeandspeaktostudentsaboutcareersand
goodworkhabits.Askthemtodiscusswhatquali estheylookforwhenhiringpeoplefor
ajobintheirorganiza onorcompany.
16
Title:CircleShare
Ac vity:Circle meisabriefgroupmee ngwhichinvolvesallstudentssi nginacircleto
explorecurrentissuesorconcernsregardingmiddleschooltransi onorsimilartopics.
Outcome:Studentswilldevelopposi verela onships,self-discipline,conflictresolu on,
asser vecommunica onanddemocra cgroupprocessesalongsidetheskillsofspeaking,
listening,observing,thinkingandconcentra ng.
Audience:4thgradea erschoolstudents
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onalandDevelopmental
Process:

Tellthegrouptoformonelargecircle.Informstudentsthatthatcircle meisanancienttool
forstrengtheningcommunity.Na veAmericansregardedthecircleastheprincipalsymbolfor
understandinglife'smysteries.Manlookedoutonthephysicalworldthroughtheeye,which
wascircular.Theearthwasround,andsowerethesun,moonandplanets.Therisingand
se ngofthesunfollowedacircularmo on.Theseasonsformedacircle.Birdsbuilttheir
nestsincircles.Animalsmarkedtheirterritoriesincircles.Intheolddays,tribeslivedin
circularhomescalledteepeesandtheircommuni eswerearrangedwiththeteepeesina
circle.Indeed,toNa veAmericans,thewholeoflifeappearedtooperateincircularpa erns.

Tellthegroupthateachdayinoura erschoolprogrambeginswithcircleshare.Becauseour
programiscurrentlyfocusingonskillsformiddleschool,todayscirclewillfocusonmiddle
schooltransi on.

Tellindividualsthatthetalkings ckwillbeplacedinthecenterofthecircleandwhen
someoneismovedtospeak,heorshewillretrievethes ck.Onceanindividualhasfinished
speaking,theycanreplacethes ckinthecenterofthecircle.Silenceisapartofcircle me
andiswelcomed.

Informthegroupofthedaysques onforcontempla onandresponse.Ques onscouldbe

thingssuchas:Whatskillsdoyouthinkyouwillneedformiddleschool?,Whatdoyouwantto
bewhenyougrowupandwhy?,orWhatareyoulookingforwardtoin5thgrade?

A erseveralminuteshavepassedandcircle mehascometoanaturalstoppingpoint,tell
thegroupthatyouwillnowintroducethedaysac vi es.
Resources:

TalkingS ckExamples:www.southwestwoodcra s.com/talking%20s cks.htm

TipsforSuccess:

Begineachdayinyoura erschoolprogramwithcircle me.Pickatopicfortheweekwith

varyingdiscussionseachday.Also,askthestudentswhattheywouldliketodiscuss.
17
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
18
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
19
5th Grade

Thetransi ontomiddleschoolisonthehorizonfor5thgradestudents.Thisisthe
mewhenstudentsbegintobuildonthebasicstheyweretaughtfrom
previousyearstosolidifytheireduca onalfounda on.Atthisage,children
canfeelboththrilledandoverwhelmedbytransi on;thereforeitsimportant
forteachersandfamiliestocon nuetopreparestudentsbychallengingthem
withprojectsthatrequireplanningandorganiza on.Theac vi esinthis
sec onwillhelp5thgraderssharpentheiroverallskillsandincreaseawareness
astheypreparetotransi ontomiddleschool.
20
Title:ElementarySchoolVisits
Ac vity:Middleschoolteachers,principals,counselorstaketurnsthroughouttheyear
conduc nginforma onsessions(q&a)withfi hgradersattheelementaryschoolaboutthe
middleschool.
Outcome:Elementaryschoolstudentswilllearnaboutmiddleschoolexpecta onsandwill
becomecomfortableaskingmiddleschoolstaques onsaboutacademics.
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,andOrganiza onal/Environmental
Process:

Elementaryschoolswillmakeanagreementwiththefeedermiddleschool(s)personnelto
conductvisitstothe5thgradeclassroomsthroughouttheschoolyeartoaddressques onsand
toallowstudentstobecomefamiliarwithpeopletheywillbeencounteringatthemiddle
school.Thepersonnelshouldchangepervisitandincludeteachers,administrators,principal,
counselors,etc.

Ano ceshouldgotoallfamiliesno fyingthemofthevisitsandfamiliesshouldbe

encouragedtodevelopques onswiththeirchildregardingmiddleschool.Visitsshouldtake
placewithclasssizegroupsratherthanwholegradestoencourageconversa onand
opennessamongstudents.Visitsshouldlastnolongerthan30minutesandshouldbeheld
duringtheschooldayaboutonceaquarter.

Inaddi ontothestudentques ons,topicsforthevisitsshouldbepredeterminedand

discussedwiththeelementaryschoolcounselor.Thesubjectscouldinclude:(1)Whatto
expectfromteachers,(2)Howwillyouracademicschange,(3)Howdoesitfeeltogotoclass
witholderstudents,etc.

Resources:

ElementarySchoolVisits:Seepage67intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Askstudentstocreateques onsoneweekpriortoeachmiddleschoolvisitashomework.
Providestudentswithindexcardstocapturetheirques ons.
Documentallques onsstudentsaskandcreateafrequentlyaskedques onsmanualor
handouttousethefollowingyear.
21
Title:WhatisMiddleSchoolLike?
Ac vity:Middleschoolstudentstaketurnsthroughouttheyearconduc nginforma on
sessions(q&a)withfi hgradersattheelementaryschoolaboutthemiddleschool.
Outcome:Studentswillbecomecomfortableinterac ngwitholderstudentsandwillstartto
buildrela onshipspriortoenteringmiddleschool.
Process:

Middleschoolsshouldrecruitacoregroupofmiddleschoolstudentstoconducta
ques on/answersessionwithfeederelementaryschoolstudentstwiceperyear.Thesessions
shouldbeheldonaSaturdayorintheeveninga erschoolhasendedandallelementary
feederschoolsshouldbeinvitedtoa end.Dependingonthesizeoftheaudience,5thgrade
studentscouldbespokentoallatonceortheycouldbedividedintoequalandmanageable
numbersformoreofapersonalgroupques on/answersession.Eachsessionshouldlastno
longerthan45minutes.

Middleschoolstudentspar cipa ngshouldhelpcreatetheagendabasedonthingstheywish

theywouldhaveknownbeforestar ngmiddleschool.Thescheduleandtopicsshouldbe
establishedthespringoftheprecedingyear.Subjectscouldinclude:(1)Whattoexpectthe
firstday/weekofschool,(2)Theroleofprincipalandcounselors,or(3)Whattoexpectwhen
changingclasses.

Sinceprogrammingisduringtheeveningorweekendotherfamilymembersshouldalsohave
aseparateinforma onsessiontheycana endwhiletheirchildrenarepar cipa nginthe
studentsession.

Resources:

WhatisMiddleSchoolLikeAgenda:Seepage68intheappendix.
PeopleBingoIcebreaker:Seepage69intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:
HoldsessionsatthemiddleschoolonaSaturday,ifpossible,toallowthe5thgradersan
opportunitytogotothemiddleschool.
AskschoolPTA,aswellascommunityandbusinessorganiza ons,toprovidevolunteers
whocanmeetandgreetwithfamiliesandpresentper nentinforma onthatmaybenefit
studentsandfamiliesthroughthetransi onperiodandbeyond.
Coordinatewithlocala erschoolprogramsitesthatservethestudentstodevelop
complimentarysessionstoallowformoreinformalandcon nuousinforma onsharing
betweenstudents.
22
Title:PeerMentoring
Ac vity:Current6thgradestudentsserveaspeermentorstooersupportandguidanceto
5thgradestudentsthroughouttheir5thand6thgradeyears.
Outcome:Studentswillgainawarenessaboutmiddleschoolcultureandstudentac vi es
throughmentorswhohaveexperiencedac vi esandthemiddleschoolenvironment
personally.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onal
Process:

Thefeedermiddleschoolwillagreetorecruitstudentsinthe6thgradetomentor5thgrade
students.Thementorprogramwilllastfortwoconsecu veyears,withthementoring
programendingatthecomple onofthestudents7thand6thgrades.Middleschool
mentorsshouldreceiveabrieforienta onthefirsttwomonthsoftheschoolyeartoprepare
themformentoring.Thepeermentoringshouldbecarriedoutingroups.Therefore,agroup
ofmiddleschoolstudentswillmeetwithelementaryschoolstudentsduringspecifiedplanned
mee ngsthroughouttheyear.

TheelementaryschoolshouldholdaMeetandGreeteventatthebeginningoftheschool
yearforelementaryschoolstudentstomeetthemiddleschoolstudentsinarelaxed,non
in mida ngenvironment.Familiesoftheelementaryschoolstudentsshouldreceivean
invita ontothiseventandplantoa endtolearnmoreaboutthepeermentoringprogram.
AttheendoftheMeetandGreet,familiesshouldhavetheopportunitytosigntheirchildup
fortheprogram.

Mentoringsessionsshouldnotdisruptclassforstudentsandmentoringac vi esshouldbe
drivenbythe6thgradestudents.Actualmentoringsessionsshouldnotbea endedbyadults
butwillbesupervisedtoassistwhennecessaryandfacilitatetheoverallprocess.

Resources:

PeerMentorWorksheet:Seepage70intheappendix.
MakingtheGrade:AGuidetoIncorpora ngAcademicAchievementIntoMentoring
ProgramsandRela onships:h p://educa onnorthwest.org/webfm_send/205
Establishedmentorprogramsthatwillprovideresourcesandassistwithstar nga
mentoringprogram:
BigBrothersBigSistersofAmerica:www.bbbs.org
EMTWebsite:www.emt.org/publica ons.html
-Na onalMentoringCenter:www.nwrel.org/mentoring
-Na onalMentoringPartnership:www.mentoring.org

TipsforSuccess:

Includefamiliesinthementoringevents,butinseparateareastoallowbothstudentsand
families metoconnectandnetworkwithoneanotheraswellaseasefears.
23
Title:PenPalProgram
Ac vity:6thgradeclassesadopt5thgradeclassesandexchangele ersfour mesperyear.
Outcome:Studentswillengageincrea vewri ngaswellasinves ga vethinkinganddevelop
increasedwri ngskills.Theprocesswillallowthe5thgradestudentstolearnmoreabout
middleschoolthroughopenandhoneststudentperspec ves.
AreasofFocus:AcademicandSocial/Emo onal
Process:

5thgradeelementaryschoolteachersand6thgradeEnglish/languageartsteachersshould
coordinateandpairstudentsintheirclasseswithoneanotherforthepenpalprogram.
Studentswillpar cipateinthele erwri ngexchangefour mesthroughouttheyear.

Thefirstle ershouldcomefromthe5thgradestudentstellingthemiddleschoolstudentsa
li lebitaboutthemselvesinclusiveoftheirinterestsandfavoritesubjects.5thgradersshould
alsoaskanyques onsthattheyhaveaboutmiddleschool.Thele ersshouldbehandwri en,
placedinanunsealedenvelopeaddressedwiththerecipientsinforma on,andreviewedby
theclassroomteacherbeforebeingsent.

6thgradestudentsshouldrespondtothele erandhavetheopportunitytoshare
informa onaboutthemselves,sharewhatitislikeinmiddleschool,andansweranyques ons
thatwereasked.Itissuggestedthatresponsestoeachsetofle ersthroughouttheyearare
receivedbythe5thgraderswithinatwoweekperiod.

Attheendoftheschoolyearacelebra onsocialeventshouldbeheldinorderforthepen
palstomeeteachother.Studentsshouldbringthele erstheyhavereceivedthroughoutthe
yearandwearnametags.Anicebreakercouldbeplannedtofacilitateconversa onbetween
thestudentsandrefreshmentscouldalsobeprovided.

Resources:

BenefitsofHavingaPenPal:PenPalsCanPromoteHealthyDevelopment:
h p://tweenparen ng.about.com/od/socialdevelopment/a/benefit-of-pen-pals.htm
Le erWri ngforElementarySchoolStudents:
h p://mathandreadinghelp.org/le er_wri ng_for_elementary_students.html
Le erWri ngTipsandIdeas:
h p://mathandreadinghelp.org/ar cles/Le er_wri ng_ ps_and_ideas.html
TipsforSuccess:

Haveteachersprovidealistoftopicstodiscussineachsetofthele erstospark
studentwri ng.
AskPTAorcommunityorganiza onstosponsorthecelebra oneventbyoering
space,volunteers,food,doorprizes,etc.

24
Title:GradeLevelTeacherandCounselorPlanning
Ac vity:Teachersandsupportstaensurecon nueduseofjointlyorganized metoassess
academicprogress,developmentalissues,social/emo onalconcerns,andacademic
instruc onalconcernsofstudentsmovingto6thgradesotherewillbeadequate meto
addresskeyareasofneedbeforetheirtransi ontomiddleschool.
Outcome:Teacherswillbeabletoprovideacademicanddevelopmentalassistancetothe
teachersandsupportstainnextgradeleveltohelptransi onstudentssuccessfullyandallow
thenewteacherstoplanaccordingly.
Audience:5thand6thgradeteachersandsupportsta
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,andDevelopmental
Process:

Teachers,counselors,andotherswillreviewmul pleaspectsofstudentprogress,including
academicachievement,socialandemo onalgainsmade,andcurrentdevelopmentalneeds.
Fi hgradeteacherswillcreatedatachartsincludingreading,languagearts,math,science,
geography,ci zenship,behavior,interac onswithclassmates,andrelatedcategoriestohelp
6thgradeteachershaveageneraloverviewofthewholechild.

Thisprocesswillfocusonposi veaspectsandnotresultinnega ve-formedcri ques.Honest

discussionaboutstudentperformance,skilldeficits,andskillsmasteredwillneedtobeshared
between5thand6thgradeteachersbeforestudentstransi onannually.

Inaddi on,thisprocesswillhelptoensureat-riskstudentsarenotoverlookedandconnected
toneededprogramsandresourcesatthemiddleschoollevelduringthetransi onperiod.For
example,IEPsandstudentsuccessplanscanberevisedwithelementaryandmiddleschool
staaswellasthechildsfamilytoensuretheyareimmediatelyavailablewhenthestudent
beginssixthgradeorELstudentscanbeconnectedtoappropriatestatomakecertainthey
receivetheservicestheyrequirefromthefirstdayofschool.

Resources:

Teacherswilluseschooldata,testdata,disciplinerecordsandplans,alongwithrelated
resourcestoprepareafulloverviewandrepresenta vepictureofstudentsasthey
transi onto6thgrade.
GradeLevelTeacherPlanningSpreadsheet:Seepage63intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Fi hgradeteachersareabletoanswerthefollowingques ons

Studentisready/notreadyforsixthgradeacademicallybecause
Studentisready/notreadyforsixthgradesociallybecause
Studentisready/notreadyforsixthgradebehaviorallybecause
Studentisready/notreadyforsixthgradedevelopmentallybecause
25
Title:Eec veStudySkills
Ac vity:Studentspar cipateinlessonsfocusingoneec vestudyhabitsandpar cipateina
teambuildingac vity.
Outcome:Studentswillbeawareofgoodstudyhabits/skillstoincreasetheirachievement.
AreasofFocus:Academic
When:Fallof5thgrade
Process:

Startthelessonwithanicebreakerthatwillfacilitateteambuildingamongstudents.The
icebreakeriscalledHumanLe ers.Teacherswilldividestudentsintogroupsof4to5people.
Thisisagameofspeed.Theteacherwillcalloutale erinthealphabetandeachgrouphasto
quicklyformtherequiredle er.Thisac vitycanbedonelyingonthegroundorevenwhile
standing.Thegroupthatformsthele erfastestwinsthegame.Thisgamerequiresstudents
toquicklycommunicatewhichpartofthele ertheywillbeandthereforepromotesclear
communica onaswellasclearleadersinthegroup.Rewardsareop onal.

Followingtheicebreaker,studentswillengageinadiscussionleadbytheteacheronthe
importanceofgoodstudyskills.Possibleanswerscouldbe:makebe ergrades;momand
dadwillbeproud;graduatefromhighschool;maya endcollege;getagoodjob.Dividethe
studentsintosmallergroupsofabout3-4students.Giveeachgroupawhitepaperplatewith
thewordsgoodstudyskillswri eninthemiddle.Haveeachgroupbrainstormwhatthey
believearethebeststudyskills.Thegroupshouldreachaconsensusaboutthetop5good
studyskills.Prepareanarrowtemplateforeachgroupinpropor onalsizetothecircle.Ask
thestudentsineachgrouptowriteastudyskilloneacharrowanda achittotheoutsideof
thecirclecrea ngacirclethinkingmap.Displayeachgroupsthinkingmapforotherstosee.
If meallows,debriefwitheachgroup.Possibleanswersmaybe:TurntheTVo;getadesk
ortable;goodlight;books;pencil/pen;organizednotebook; memanagement;askforhelpif
needed;stayorganized.

Materials:Whitepaperplate,arrowtemplate,tacksorpushpins,andtape

Resources:

ArrowTemplate:Seepage71intheappendix.
ABCTeach:h p://abcteach.com/directory/middle_school/goal_se ng
Educa onWorld:www.educa onworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev151b.shtml
EHow:www.ehow.com/list_6112919_indoor-building-ac vi es-elementary-students.html
EThemesUniversityofMissouri:h p://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1045
TipsforSuccess:

Usethecompletedstudentcirclethinkingmapsongoodstudyskillsduringamiddleschool
transi onworkshoptodiscusshowfamiliescanreinforcethesegoodstudyhabitsat
home.
26
Title:ResourcePacketfor5thGradeFamilies
Ac vity: School creates a resource packet that includes informa on for understanding their
child in 5th grade and what they can do to help in terms of organiza on and study skills,
problemsolving,goalse ng,andcareerawarenessastheymovetowardsmiddleschool.
Outcome:Familieswillfeelinformedandpreparedfortheirchilds5thgradeyearbyreceiving
informa on about resources, family mee ngs, volunteer opportuni es, family workshops,
schoolpoliciesandproceduresandupcomingevents.
Areas of Focus: Social/Emo onal, Developmental, Academic, Organiza onal/Environmental,
andCollegeandCareerAwareness
When:Fallof5thgrade
Process:

Partofthetransi ontomiddleschoolisensuringastrongfounda onofacademic,social,and

developmentskillsatthecomple onof5thgrade.Tohelpfamiliesunderstandhowtheycan
assisttheirchildduringthis meoftransi ontheschoolshouldprovideawelcomepacketto
5thgradefamilies.Theelementaryschoolandmiddleschoolshouldpartnertocompile
appropriateinforma on.Thepacketcouldincludeinforma onsuchas:

Understandingtheimportanceof5thgradeandthetransi ontomiddleschooltheir
familywillexperienceoverthenexttwoyears
Understandingthelanguagearts,socialstudies,mathema cs,andscienceCommonCore
GeorgiaPerformanceStandards
Howtohandlestress
Howtochoosea erschoolac vi es
Howtosupportmychildssocialandemo onaldevelopment
Opportuni esfortransi ontomiddleschoolsupportthatwillbeoeredthroughout
theyear

Thewelcomepacketshouldbesenthomeonthefirstdayofschoolwitheach5thgraderas
wellasmadeavailableatfamilymee ngs,inthefrontoce,inthefamilycenter,andat
communitycentersandapartmentcomplexes.

Resources:

SchoolFamily.com:www.schoolfamily.com
TheParentsGuideto5thGrade:www.educa on.com/grade/fi h-grade

TipsforSuccess:

Askfamiliesatthemiddleschooltoprovideinputonwhatshouldbeprovidedinthe
welcomepacketssotheinforma onprovidedwillhaveafamilysperspec ve.
27
Title:Transi onSurvey
Ac vity:Studentsandfamiliescompletesurveysonwhattheywouldliketolearnabout
duringtheirtransi ontomiddleschool.
Outcome:Schoolwilldiscoverfamilyandstudentexpecta onsforschool/family
communica on,studentlearningandcurriculum,schoolfacili es,schoolenvironmentand
schoolresponsibilityforstudentlearning.
Audience:5thgradestudentsandtheirfamilies
AreasofFocus:AcademicandOrganiza onal/Environmental
When:Fallof5thgrade
Process:

Invitecurrent5thgradestudentsandtheirfamiliestopar cipateinasurveytodetermine
whatinforma ontheywouldliketoreceiveaboutthetransi ontomiddleschool.Givethe
surveyto5thgradestudentsduringtheschooldayandmakeelectronicandhardcopies
availableforfamiliestocompleteandsendin.

Thesurveyshouldbeconfiden alandshouldbeusedbyelementaryandmiddleschoolfamily
groups,counselors,andcommi eesinchargeoftransi onac vi es.Theanswerstothe
surveyques onsshouldbehelpfulindevelopingac vi esfortransi onthroughouttheyear
suchaspaneldiscussions,roundtabletopics,elementaryschoolvisits,informa onsessions,
andtransi oncamps.

Resources:

FamilyTransi onSurvey:Seepage72intheappendix.
StudentTransi onSurvey:Seepage73intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Havecurrent6thgradersdevelopatoptenlistinresponsetothe5thgradestudentstop
fearsandhavethemiddleschoolsparentorganiza ondevelopatoptenlistinresponse
tofamiliestopfearstoshareduringtransi onnightoranothertransi onac vity.

28
Title:KidsAgainstBullying
Ac vity:Studentspar cipateinalessonfocusingonbullyingpreven onandrecogni on.
Outcome:Studentswilllearnhowbulliesactandwhattheycanyoudotohandlebulliessafely
andeec vely.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onal,Developmental,andAcademic
When:Winterof5thgrade
Process:

Duringclassroomguidance,studentswilllearnhowtoiden fybullyingandhowtodevelop
someeec vestrategiestohandlebullies.Theguidancesessionswillfocusonthe
followingessen alques ons:

1. Whyisbullyingpreven onimportant?
2. Whatisbullying?
3. Whobulliesandwhy?
4. Whoisbullied?

Studentswillwatchavideo(www.pacerkidsagainsbullying.org)andaPowerPointpresenta on
onbullyingandhaveadiscussiona erwards.Askstudentstogiveexamplesofbullyingand
theirthoughtsonwhoisbulliedandwhy.Studentsshouldpickapartnertodiscussthese
questions.Studentwillgivefeedbackfromthevideoandsharetheirfeelingsaboutwhatthey
havelearnedfromthevideo.Studentsmayshareiftheyhaveeverfeltorbeenbullied.
*Note:Somestudentsmaynotfeelcomfortablediscussingpersonalinstancesofbullying
andtheyshouldnotbepressuredtodiscuss.Thecounselorwillsummarizethelessonand
askstudentstosignanan bullyingpledgecer ficates.Letthemknowthatthesepledgeswill
bedisplayedandbydisplayingthesepledgesintheschoolhallways,theyaretakingastand
againstbullying.

Materials:BullyingPowerPointpresenta on,KidsAgainstBullyingoathpledges,chartpaper
andvideoWhatBullyingIs.

Resources:

GeorgiaDepartmentofEduca onBullyingPreven on:www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-

Instruc on-andAssessment/Curriculum-and-Instruc on/Pages/Bullying-Preven on-
Toolkits.aspx
KidsAgainstBullyingVideo:www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org

TipsforSuccess:

Havestudentsconductaschoolwidean -bullyingpostercampaignandhavefamiliesand
teachersjudgetheposters.

29
Title:Crea ngaPublicServiceAnnouncement(PSA)
Ac vity:5thand6thgradestudentswilladdressthetopicofmiddleschooltransi onby
makingtheirownPSA.A erwatchinganddiscussingsomeonlinePSAs,studentswillwrite
theirownscriptandfilmaPSA.
Outcome:Studentswillbecomemorefamiliarwiththeideaofmiddleschooltransi onand
learnaboutmedialiteracy.
When:Springof5thGrade
Process:

Beginbytalkingali lebitaboutwhataPSAisandwhatitismeanttodo.Askifthereareany
PSAsthatstudentsremember.Askindividualswhytheyarememorable.Talkaboutyourown
favorites.Together,watchafewofthePSAsontheAdCouncilorBoostUpwebsites.

ProvideacopyofthePSAAc vityandQues onsSheetandanswerthefirstsetofques ons
togetherundertheheadingStep1:ThinkingAboutPSAs.Talktothegroupaboutmiddle
schooltransi ontopicsthatmaybeappropriateforaPSA.Tellthegroupthattheywillbe
filmingtheirownPSA.MoveontoStep2onthePSAAc vityandQues onsSheet:Choosing
YourTopicandStep3:ThinkingAboutSolu onsonthePSAAc vityandQues onsSheet.

Oncetheresearchiscomplete,con nueonwithStep4:PlanningYourOwnPSA.Thisstep
involvescomple ngthePSAScriptOutlineworksheetasagroup.Givethegroup metomake
aplanforfilmingthevideo.AllowthegrouptousethevideocameratofilmtheirPSAand
thendebriefontheac vity.

Materials:Folderswithresearchar clesondierentmiddleschooltransi onissues,video

camera,computerwithinternetaccess,flipchartandmarker.Op onal: Propsthat
correspondtoeachofthethreetopics.

Resources:

PSAExamples:www.adcouncil.org/gallery.htmlandwww.boostup.org/#/tools/
ad_campaign
PSAAc vityandQues onsWorksheet:www.readwritethink.org/files
rsources/30157_ac vity_sheet.pdf
PSAScriptWorksheet:www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/script_outline.pdf

TipsforSuccess:

Askdebriefingques onssuchas:Whatdidyoulearnbypar cipa nginthisac vity?Did

youdiscoveranythingnew?Whatelsedoyouwanttoknowaboutthetopicthatyou
chose?Whocaresaboutthisissuelocally?Elsewhereintheworld?Howcouldyour
groupsideasorthisac vitybetranslatedintoanac on-basedprojecttoimprovemiddle
schooltransi on?
30
Title:MiddleSchoolTransi onNight
Ac vity:Familiesa endatransi onnightatthemiddleschoolthatgivesthemthe
opportunitytotourtheschool,discovernewexpecta ons,learnaboutrequiredmaterials,
andsocializewithotherfamiliesandschoolsta.
Outcome:Families,studentsandteacherswillconnectanddeveloprela onshipsforsupport.
Familiesandstudentswillhaveanunderstandingofthelayoutoftheschoolandcontact
informa on.
Audience:Rising6thgradefamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Developmental,Organiza onal/Environmental
Process:

Risingmiddleschoolstudentsandtheirfamiliesshouldbeinvitedtoa endanocialevening
regardingtheirupcomingtransi ontomiddleschool.Sessionsshouldseparatefamiliesand
theirstudentsearlyintheevening,butbringthemtogetherfortheend.

Familiesshouldtourthemiddleschool,meetwithschoolsta,teachers,andadministrators.
Inaddi on,theyshouldbeprovidedwithinforma onaboutstudentac vi esavailableatthe
schoolaswellasacademicexpecta onssuchasgrading,scheduling,subjectma er,study
skillsandhomework.Informa ononhowtophysicallynavigatetheschool,aswellashowto
remaininconstantcommunica onwithstathroughmul plepathsshouldalsobediscussed.
Familiesshouldbegivenalistofwaysthattheycanvolunteerattheschool,supporttheir
childathome,andjoinfamilygroups.

Studentsshoulddiscussvarioustopicsfoundinthestudenthandbookregardingscheduling,
a endance,behavior,anddresscode.Atouroftheschoolshouldalsobegiventopointout
keyplacesthattheywillneedtovisit.Studentsshouldalsomeetteachersanddiscuss
academicexpecta onsandchangesregardinghomework,studyhabits,and
classroomcontent.

Attheconclusionofthemee ng,bringstudentsandfamiliesbacktogethertowalkthrougha
mini-scheduleandallowforconversa onbetweenfamilyandchild.

Transi onmaterialsshouldbeprovidedtoanystudentsandtheirfamilieswhoareunableto
a end.

Resources:

WhereDoYouGoWorksheet:Seepage74intheappendix.
Transi onNightAgenda:Seepage75intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

AskPTAaswellascommunityandbusinessorganiza onstoprovidevolunteerstomeet
andgreetwithfamiliesandpresentper nentinforma onthatmaybenefittheirstudent
orfamilythroughthetransi onperiodandbeyond.
Placetransi onmaterialsinthefrontoce,familyresourcecenter,communitycenters,
anda erschoolprogramsforfamilieswhomissedthemee ng.
31
Title:MiddleSchoolCommunica ons
Ac vity:Middleschoolssendtheirschoolcommunica onsto5thgradestudentsandtheir
familiessotheycanbegintolearnaboutvariouseventsandtheirnewschoolsculture.
Outcome:Familiesandstudentswillbecomefamiliarwiththecommunica onmethodsofthe
middleschoolandthecurrenteventsoftheschoolcommunity.
Process:

Familiesof5thgradersshouldhavetheop ontosignuptoreceivecommunica onsfromthe

middleschoolbeginningSpringoftheir5thgradeyear.Familieswillhavetheop ontoselect
thebestwaytoreceiveinforma on,butinforma onwillbesenttothe5thgradefamiliesthe
samewayitissenttocurrentmiddleschoolfamilies.Informa onshouldbeprovidedby
phone,email,mail,orstudentdelivery.Ifsendinghomeformsthroughstudentdelivery,the
middleschoolshouldensurethatthefeederelementaryschoolsreceivetheinforma onina
melymannerfromthemtosendhome.Theinforma onshouldincludeupcomingstudent
eventsandac vi es,aswellasopportuni esforfamiliestogetinvolvedatthemiddleschool
level.Familiesshouldalsolearnwheretheycangointhemiddleschoolorwhotheycould
contacttoobtainaddi onalinforma on.

Resources:

TheParentsGuidetoMiddleSchool:www.educa on.com/grade/middle-school
Scholas c:ParentCommunica onStrategies:
www.scholas c.com/teachers/collec on/parent-communica on-strategies
TipsforSuccess:

Havemiddleschoolparentorganiza onsusethisopportunitytoinvite5thgradefamilies
toa endmiddleschoolfamilymee ngstolearnaboutac vi esandevents.
32
Title:Educa onandCareerGoalSe ng
Ac vity:Studentspar cipateinalessonfocusedontheimportanceofse ngeduca onaland
careergoals.
Outcome:Studentswilllearntheimportanceofacademicachievementgoalse ngandhowit
isrelatedtofuturecareersuccess.
When:Springof5thGrade
Process:

Studentswilldiscusswiththeteachertheimportanceofse nggoals.Possibleanswersmight
include:getsyouwhereyouwanttobe;helpsonetomapprogressbyestablishingsteps;
helpstoan cipatethebarriers;iden fieswhocanhelp.

TeacherwillthenwritethefollowingquotebyYogiBarraontheboardorflipchart:"You've
gottobeverycarefulifyoudon'tknowwhereyouaregoing,becauseyoumightnotget
there."Studentswillbeaskedtodiscusshowthisstatementrelatestoeduca onalandcareer
planning.Teacherwilltellstudentsthatgoalsareusuallyveryimportanttotheindividual,
theyarewithinthepoweroftheindividualtomakehappen(realis c),andtheyare
reasonable(possible)andclearlystated.

Teacherwillthendividethestudentsintosmallergroups.Giveeachgroupacopyofapicture
withagirllookingatastackoftextbookswithadiplomalayingonthetop.Askstudentswhat
thefollowingpicturerepresentsingoalse ng:Whatisthegoal?Whatdothebooks
represent?Whatisthe melimit?Isthisanimportantgoalforallofyou?Canyoudoit?

Teacherwillendthelessonbymakingsurestudentsunderstandthatgradua ngfromhigh
schoolandknowingwhattheirnextstepsarea ergradua onwillbeveryimportantwhen
planningtheircoursesatthehighschoollevel.

Materials:BoardorFlipChart,Quote,andPictureTemplate

Resources:

LessonPictureTemplate:Seepage76intheappendix.
Scholas c:www.scholas c.com/teachers/lesson-plan/everyday-study-skills
MathandReadingHelp:
h p://mathandreadinghelp.orgstudy_skills_for_elementary_students.html

TipsforSuccess:

Havestudentsraisetheirhandsattheendofthelessoniftheyhavegradua onfromhigh
schoolasagoal.
Havestudentswriteabouttheimportanceofgoalse ngintheirschools
familynewsle er.
33
Title:FamilyReadingNight
Ac vity:Holdareadingnightfor5thgradersandmiddleschoolstudentsthatencourages
readingandallows5thgraderstobecomeacquaintedwiththenewschoolse ngand
academicexpecta onstheywillsoonexperience.
Outcome:Studentsandteacherswillbuildrela onshipspriortothenewschoolyear.
Studentswillexperiencediminishedsummerlearninglossandincreasedfamilyengagement.
Audience:5th,6th,7thgradersandtheirfamilies
Process:

Attheendoftheschoolyear,distributerising6th,7th,and8thgradesummerreadinglists.
Thelistshouldincluderequiredreadingsandsuggestedreadings,aswellasabriefsummaries
ofthebooks.Invitecurrent5thand6thgraderstoaSummerReadingKick-Oeventheld
atthelocallibraryorthemiddleschoollibrary.Attheevent,summerreadinglistsshould
bedistributed,butfamiliesshouldalsobeno fiedoftheliststhroughvarious
communica onmethods.

Duringtheevent,providetheopportunityforthe5thgradestudentsandfamiliestoseewhat
atypicalmiddleschooleventislike,inclusiveoftheacademicrigorthatwillbeexpectedof
them.Provideopportuni esforcurrentmiddleschoolstudentstodisplayreadingprojectsand
haveolderstudentsmakesummarypresenta onsonbooksthattheyreadtheyear
priortothestudentsthatwillbereadingthemthisyear.Also,provideac vi esfor
studentsandfamiliestocompletetogetherandseparatelythatincludereading.

Provideopportuni esforstudentsandfamiliestomeettheEnglish/languageartsteachers
andhavestudentssetpersonalgoalsforhowmanybookstheyplantoreadoverthesummer.
Collaboratewiththelocallibrarytosponsoracontestformiddleschoolstudentswhojust
a endedtheeventtoencouragereadingoverthesummer.

Resources:
=
FamilyReadingNightAgenda:Seepage77intheappendix.
FamilyReadingNights:
www.educa onworld.com/a_curr/strategy/strategy034.shtml

TipsforSuccess:

Askthelocallibrarytosponsorfamilyreadingnightsthroughoutthesummerandpromote
thesefamilyreadingnightsatendoftheschoolyearevents.
Workwithcommunitypartnersandschoolparentorganiza onstodonatebooksfromthe
summerreadinglisttogiveoutasprizes.
34
Title:FamilyPanel
Ac vity:Middleschoolsworkwithfeederelementaryschoolstoorganizeapanelthatallows
5thgradefamiliestoaskques onsandlearnfromcurrentmiddleschoolfamilies.
Outcome:Familieswillhaveaforumtohavetheirques onsansweredandtobeable
toconnectwithsimilarfamilieswhohavepreviouslyexperiencedthemiddleschool
transi onprocess.
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Organiza onal/Environmental,and
Developmental
Process:

Theparentorganiza onatthemiddleschoolshouldpartnerwiththeparentorganiza onsat

thefeederelementaryschool(s)toorganizeafamilypanelformiddleschooltransi on.The
panelshouldconsistofparentsofcurrentmiddleschoolstudentsandtheaudienceshouldbe
madeupofcurrent5thgradefamilies.Thepanelshouldbemoderatedbythemiddleschool
counselorortheschoolprincipal.Thepanelfromthemiddleschoolshoulduseinforma on
obtainedbytransi onandparentsurveystodevelopthepanelstopics.Inaddi on,
elementaryschoolparentsshouldbegiventheopportunitytosubmitques onsbeforeand
duringtheevent.

Possibletopicsforconsidera oncouldinclude:bullying,clubs,sports,scheduling,family
engagement,grading,homework,etc.

Parentorganiza onsshouldalsousethis metodiscussexpecta onsforfamilyengagement

atthemiddleschoollevelandexplainhowtheparentorganiza onplaysaroleinstudent
achievementandsuccess.Themee ngshouldbehighlightednotasaparentorganiza on
mee ng,butasamiddleschooltransi onac vitytoa ractallfamilies.

Resources:

Mul culturalParentPanel:
www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/resources/paren ng_guides/mul cultural_panels.pdf
TipsforSuccess:

Createadiversefamilypanelrepresenta veofallthefamiliesthatmakeuptheschool
communitypopula on.

35
Title:UnderstandingtheAcademicLandscape
Ac vity:Elementaryschoolsprovideworkshopsandresourcesbybringinginmiddleschool
expertstohelpstudentsandtheirfamiliesunderstandthegradingsystemandsignificanceof
academicsinmiddleschool.
Outcome:Studentswillacquiretheskillsforimprovinglearningandtaskmanagementtobe
successfulinmiddleschool.
Process:

Workshopsshouldbeorganizedbytheelementaryschoolcounselor,schooltransi onteam,
parentinvolvementcoordinators,orelementaryschoolparentorganiza ontohelprising6th
gradeparentsunderstandthemiddleschoolgradingsystem,curriculum,andteachingstyles.
Middleschoolexpertsshouldbebroughtinasguestspeakers.ShareTipsforSuccesswith
parentsanddiscussstrategiestheycanusetosupporttheirchildslearningandacademic
success.Topicstoincludeintheworkshopscanbe:

LearningHowtoManageSchoolandPersonalTime
HowtoUseEec veCommunica onSkillstoAskforHelp
Iden fyingPersonalLearningStyles.
DontBeAStressedStudent
WorkshopsmayevenbethemedbasedsuchasAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader? and

addresstopicssuchasmovingbeyondwhatyoulearnedordidinthe5thgrade(projectwork,
increasedrigor,etc.)

Resources:

LearningStylesTestExample:Seepages78-80intheappendix.
HomeworkandStudyHabitsWorkshop:www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-
Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program-Workshop-Templates.aspx
Communica onSkills:www.mindtools.com/page8.html
TimeManagementSkills:www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm
TheMiddleSchoolStudentsGuidetoRulingtheWorld:TipsandLinks:
www.middleschoolguide.com/products/ ps-links-and-forms
TipsforSuccess:

Inviteguestspeakerstogiveseminarstostudentsandfamiliesoneec ve
communica ontechniques.
Holdworkshopsinconjunc onwithparentorganiza onmee ngs(attheelementary
school)inordertoreachasmanyfamiliesaspossible.

36
Title:MiddleSchoolExpo
Ac vity:Schoolsorganizeaonedayeventtoprovideinforma ontofamiliesabout
extracurricularac vi esforstudents,volunteeropportuni esforparents,andresources
availableattheschool.
Outcome:Parentsandstudentswillbeawareofthevariousopportuni esavailablefor
studentsandfamilies.Studentswillbemadeawareoftheeduca onalrequirementsto
becomeinvolvedincertainac vi es.
AreasofFocus:Academic,Organiza onal/Environmental,Social/Emo onal,and
Developmental
Process:

Themiddleschoolwillholdanexpoattheschooltoprovideanopportunityforrising6thgradestudents
andtheirfamiliestobecomeacquaintedtothemanyopportuni esthatareoeredatthemiddleschool
level.ItshouldbeheldonaSaturdaytoallowasmanystudentsandfamiliesaspossibletopar cipate.

Boththemiddleandelementaryschoolsshouldcoordinateregardingthepromo onoftheeventsothat
allparentsareno fiedandencouragedtoa end.Inaddi ontothemanyac vi esattheexpo,the
middleschoolshoulddeliverabriefpresenta onfollowedbyaques onandanswerperiodimmediately
following.Itissuggestedthatthepresenta onlastbetween15and20minutesandtheques onand
answersessionabout15minutes.Thepresenta onandques onandanswersessionshouldbeoered
twotothree mesthroughouttheeventtoallowallparentsa endingtheexpoachancetopar cipate.
Inbetweentheformalpresenta onconsidersomeofthefollowingboothsorac vi es:

Havesportsteamsandschoolclubssetupthemetablebooths.Askcurrentmiddleschoolstudents
whoplayontheteamsorareclubmemberstostathetablesalongwiththeclubsponsor.
Havestudentartworkdisplayed,askthechoirandbandtoperform,showstudentscienceprojects,etc.
Havespor ngteamsplayexhibi ongamesonthefieldsorinthegymattheschoolandallow
studentsandfamiliestowatch.
Haveascavengerhuntgamewherestudentshavetotourtheschooltovisitthevariousbooths,clubs
orac vi esthatareoeredattheschool.Oerprizestowinners.
HaveGACollege411sessionsinthecomputerlabsostudentscansetupanaccountandbegintolearn
whattheyareinterestedin.
Showstudentproducedvideosinthemediacentertohighlighttheschoolsvideolabordepartment.

Resources:

ScavengerHunt:Seepage81intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:
HavePTA,communityorbusinessorganiza onspar cipatebyprovidinginforma ononresourcesthat
theycanoerstudentsandfamiliessuchasmentoringprograms,a erschoolprograms,
extracurricularac vi es,andacademics/clubs.
Recordtheques onandanswersessionandmakeitavailableonthewebsiteorforcheckoutinthe
familyresourcecenterforfamilieswhowereunabletoa end.
37
Title:Ligh ngtheFlame
Ac vity:Schoolsholdamee ngbetweentheparent,student,teacher,and6thgrade
counselortobeginworkoncollegeandcareerawarenessastheymovetowardsthe8thgrade
bridgeplan.
Outcome:Studentsandparentsarepreparedtotransi onfrom5thgradetomiddleschool
withanunderstandingofthecollegeandcareerreadinessprocess.
Process:

Elementaryschoolwillprovideaparentandstudentnightandinvite6thgradestafromfeed-
ermiddleschool(s)toholdceremoniestotransi onstudentsfrom5thgradetosixth
grade.

Partoftheceremonywillencompassrecogni onsof5thgradeclassstudentsandtheir
families.Theceremonywillincludeasymbolictransi onofcollegeandcareerflamefor
studentsandtheirfamiliesfromelementarytomiddleschool.

A ertheceremony,theprogrammovestosmallgroupsfeaturing6thgradestamee ngs
withstudentsandparentstocoverbasicsofmiddleschool,careerexplora oninmiddle
school,andtointroduceconceptofIndividualGradua onPlanforeighthgrade.Smallgroups
allowmoreopportunityforques ons/answersandgreaterplanningforstudentsmiddle
schoolexperienceandcollegeandcareerfuture.

Resources:

BRIDGECard:Seepages82-83intheappendix.
GaDOECounselorInforma on:www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruc on-and-Assessment/
CTAE/Pages/Counselor-Informa on-.aspx

TipsforSuccess:

Linkthisceremonytoyourschoolsendoftheyearhonorsdaytoincreasea endanceand
alsodemonstratetheimportanceofthisprocesstoyoungerstudentsandtheirfamilies.
Ifalsopar cipa nginthepenpalac vity,havethe6thgradepenpala endthe
ceremonyandincorporatethe6thgradepenpalintopartofthepassingofthecollegeand
careerflame.

38
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
39
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
40
6th Grade

th
The6 gradeyearislikelytobethemostchallengingduringthemiddleschool
transi onprocess.Thisistheoneofthemostsignificantdevelopmentalstages
childrenexperienceand,asaresult,itisvitalforparentstobeinvolvedwithall
aspectsoftheir6thgraderslife.Thesestudentstendtobemorefocusedontheir
socialiden tythanlearning;therefore,itcanpresentquiteachallengeto
keep6thgradersmo vatedandinterested.Thissec onprovidesanassortment
ofgreatac vi es6thgraderscanengageintosharpentheiroverallskills,
remainfocusedandcompletesomeofthefinaldevelopmentalstepsas
theycompletethetransi ontomiddleschool.
41
Title:ParentWorkshops
Ac vity:Aseriesofparentworkshopsthatfocusonvarioustransi ontopicsareprovidedfor
parents.
Outcome:Parentswilllearnaboutvariouswaystohelptheirstudentthroughouttheirmiddle
schoolyearsandadolescence.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onal,Organiza onal/Environmental,Academic,Developmental,
Process:

Workshopsforparentsshouldbedeterminedbythecounselorandparentinvolvement
coordinatorattheschoolbasedonparentneedsasdiscoveredthroughfamilytransi on
surveysconductedinthe5thgradeyear,parentsurveys,sugges onboxes,andrelevant
eventsinthecommunity.

Workshopsshouldbeoeredatvarious mesanddatessuchasduringthelunchhour,a er
schoolhours,eveninghours,weekends,andduringspecialevents.Miniworkshops(20
minutes)canalsobeoeredatthebeginningorattheendofparentmee ngs.Workshopfa-
cilitatorscouldbeschoolsta,healthprofessionals,safetyprofessionals,andlocal
communityorganiza ons.Workshopsubjectscaninclude:

AcademicsExpecta ons,Organiza on,Curriculum,StudySkills

Communica on
ConfidenceandSelfEsteem
Physical,Emo onalandSocialChange
DicultSitua ons(bullying,peerpressure)

Resources:

GaDOEParentEngagementProgramWorkshopTemplates:www.gadoe.org/School-
Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program-Workshop-
Templates.aspx
-LearningYourChildsSchoolSystem
-HomeworkandStudyHabits
-PreparingforCollege
-HelpingYourTeenCopewithPeerPressure
-Communica ngwithYourChildandTeen
TipsforSuccess:

Whenholdingworkshops,considerlanguagebarriers,scheduling,transporta on,andchild
caretoensuremaximummee nga endance.

42
Title:PrincipalRoundtable
Ac vity:Theprincipalgathersseparatesmallgroupsof6thgradestudentsandtheirparents
toaddressques ons,concerns,andengageinconversa onaboutthemiddleschooltransi on
process.
Outcome:Parentsandstudentshavetheabilitytobringaboutchangeinfuturemiddleschool
transi onac vi esforthebenefitoffuturestudentsandinfluencecurrentschoolpolicies.
Audience:6thgradestudentsandfamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Organiza onal/Environmental,and
Developmental
Process:

Principal'sroundtablesareawonderfulwaytoensurethat6thgradestudentsandtheir
familieshavereceivedthesupporttheyhaveneededforasuccessfultransi onandalso
provideinsightintohowtoenhancethetransi onexperienceforfuturestudentsandfamilies.

Parentroundtablesshouldbeheldthree mesperyearatvarious mes.Theschoolshould

no fyparentsatthebeginningoftheschoolyearabouttheroundtabledatesand mesfor
theyear.Roundtablesshouldcon nuetobeadver sedthroughouttheschoolyear,especially
twoweeksbeforetheevent.Leadinguptotheroundtabletheprincipalshouldtapeatwoto
fiveminutevideoregardingtheroundtabletransi ontopicandpostontheschoolswebsite
toencourageparentpar cipa on.Topicstolikelyaddressarewhethertheneedsofstudents
havebeenmetthroughthetransi onprocessandwhataddi onalsupportsareneeded?

Studentroundtableswillbeheldtwiceayearandwillbeconductedusingarepresenta ve
groupofselectedstudents.Duringthosetwomee ng mes,theprincipalwillconductthree
sessionswithgroupsof30studentseach.Theprincipalwillusethe metodiscussstudent
middleschooltransi on.

Resources:

Eec veRoundtableFacilita onTechniques:

www.frost.com/prod/servlet/cpo/4659282.pdf

TipsforSuccess:

Holdtheparentroundtablesatvarious mesthroughouttheyearandinvariousloca ons

aroundthecommunitytoensureallparentshaveanopportunitytopar cipate.
Reachouttoalltypesofstudents,especiallythosewhoareat-riskofhavingthemost
troublewiththemiddleschooltransi onprocess.

43
Title:MiddleSchoolTransi onCamp
Ac vity:Studentsa endatransi oncampatmiddleschoolstobecomeorientedtotheirnew
schedule,schoolbuilding,classmates,andnewresponsibili es.Parentsa endaspecial
transi onworkshopduringthecamp.
Outcome:Studentsandtheirparentswillhavetheirtransi onconcernsaddressedandfeel
morepreparedtoenter6thgrade.
Audience:Rising6thgradersandtheirfamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Developmental,Organiza onal/Environmental
When:Summerbefore6thgrade
Process:

Transi oncampsprovidestudentstheopportunitytobecomecomfortablewiththeirnewschool
environmentbyexploringthestructureandcrea ngasenseofbelongingbeforethenewschoolyear
begins.Thecampshouldlastbetweenthreetofivedaysoverthesummer(threehoursaday)andbe
adver sedtostudentsandtheirfamiliesduringthespringof5thgradetoallow meforthemtosignup.

Thecampshouldprovidestudentswithopportuni estosocializewithotherincomingstudentsaswellas
learnfromsessionsthatwillaidtheminacademicsuccess.Theprincipal,teachers,administrators,
counselors,andcurrentmiddleschoolstudentswillingtoserveasguideswillbeneededtostathecamp.

Sessionsshouldinclude:

Touringtheschool
Understandinglockers
Exploringthemediacenter
Par cipa nginmini-classes
Learningnewstudyskills
Peerpressureandbullying
Howtostayorganized
Changingclasses

Duringthecamp,thereshouldalsobeafamilytransi onsessionoeredeachdaytoprovidefamilieswith
informa on,resources,andatouroftheschool.

Resources:

MiddleSchoolTransi onCampPlanningandImplementa onChecklist:Seepages83-84inthe

appendix.
MiddleSchoolTransi onCampSampleAgenda:Seepage8586intheappendix.
WakeCountyPublicSchoolSystemPackingUp...AGuidetoMiddleSchoolTransi onAc vity8
(p.43)Transi onCampOverview:h p://www.wcpps.net/planning-guides/
transi on_guide_6_graders.pdf

TipsforSuccess:

Enlistparentorganiza onsaswellascommunityandbusinessorganiza onstoprovidevolunteersto

helpwithac vi esandpresentper nentinforma ontostudentsandfamiliesthatmaybenefitthem
throughouttheyear.
Surveystudentsandparentsattheendofthecampanduseresultsforfutureplanning.
Getcrea veabouttransporta onsoallstudentscana end.Partnerwithsummercampsandsummer
programstosharestudents.
44
Title:ParentandStudentTransi onGuide
Ac vity:Developaparentandstudentmiddleschooltransi onguidetoaddresskeyareasof
importanceforrisingmiddleschoolstudentsandtheirfamilies.
Outcome:Studentsandtheirparentswillbeconfident,focused,andpreparedtotransi on
intomiddleschool.
Audience:Rising6thgradestudentsandtheirfamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Developmental,Organiza onal/Environmental,
When:Summerbefore6thGrade
Process:

Manystudentandtheirfamiliesdonotknowwhattoexpectoncetheirchildleaves
elementaryschoolandentersmiddleschool.Adolescenceisanexci ngyetchallenging me
forstudentsandtheirfamilies.Atransi onguideisagreatwaytoensurethatyourstudents
andtheirfamiliesarewellprepared.

Theguideshouldbecreatedbytheelementaryandmiddleschooltransi onteamsand
includearangeoftopicssuchas:

HowdoInavigatetheschool?
WhoshouldIcontactwhenIhaveaproblem?
Whatispeerpressure?
HowwillIstayorganized?
Whatisthemiddleschoollingo?
Whatcanfamiliesdotostayinvolvedintheirstudentseduca on?
WhatwillIbelearning?

Theguideshouldbedistributedatvariouseventsandloca onsoverthesummersuchas
campsandsummerprograms.Itshouldalsobeprovidedatopenhouseandthefirstparent
mee ngfor6thgradefamiliesatthebeginningoftheyear.

Resources:

KentuckyDepartmentofEduca onParentGuideSurvivingandThrivingtheMiddle
Grades:www.educa on.ky.gov/users/otl/Beginning_of_School_Year/Parent%20Guide%
20to%20Surviving%20and%20Thriving%20in%20the%20Middle%20Grades.doc
PackinUp...AGuidetoMiddleSchoolTransi on:h p://lu inroad.wcpss.net/guidance/
Documents/6th%20grade%20info/transi on_guide_6-LRMS%20revised%202011-12.pdf
FamilyMiddleSchoolTransi onBrochure:Seepage56intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Distributeyourownmiddleschooltransi onbrochureorbookletalongwiththeState
FamilyMiddleSchoolTransi onbrochuretoensurefamiliesareequippedwithall
necessaryinforma on.

45
Title:HomeVisitsorFamilySocials
Ac vity:Schoolteamsschedulehomevisitswitheveryfamilywhohasanincoming6thgrader
towelcomethemtotheschool.Whenpossible,familysocialscouldbeusedasasubs tute
alterna vewherealargeamountofnewfamiliesresideinaneighborhoodorapartment
complex.
Outcome:Familiesandschoolstawillbuildposi verela onshipswithoneanotherbasedon
trustandongoingcommunica on.
Audience:Rising6thgradersandtheirfamilies
AreasofFocus:Academic,Social/Emo onal,Organiza onal/Environmental
When:Summerbefore6thgradeorthefirstfewweeksofschool
Process:

Homevisitscanprovideanopportunitytodeveloptrustbetweenthehomeandschool.Visits
shouldbeinformal,lastnomorethanfivetotenminutes,andbefocusedonwelcomingthe
familytotheschoolandprovidinginforma ononstudentsuccess.Incomingfamiliesshould
beno fiedthatschoolstawillbeconduc ngwelcomevisitsandvisitsshouldbescheduled
inadvance.Visitsshouldtakeplaceinpairsandallschoolfacultyandstashouldbe
encouragedtovisitasetnumberofhomes.Itisimportantthatschoolstaistrainedonhow
toconducthomevisitsandbegivensomestrategiestousewhileinthefamily'shome.

Ifhomevisitsareunfeasibleduetothesizeoftheincomingstudentpopula on,anotherway
toreachfamiliesisbyholdingfamilysocialsinsubdivisions,apartmentcomplexes,
communitycentersorinpartnershipwithcommunityorganiza ons.Thesocialwillhelp
parentsgettoknoweachotherinordertobuildacommunityofsupportamongthemselves.
Transi onhandbooksandotherresourcesshouldbeprovidedatthesocials.

Whenfeasible,familiesatthesocialsshouldhaveanopportunitytosignupforhomevisits
fromamiddleschoolcounselor,parentinvolvementcoordinator,orotherschoolstato
addressindividualconcernsorques onsearlyintheschoolyear.

Resources:

NewYorkStatePIRCHomeVisi ngforTeachers:www.nyspirc.org/pdf/Home%20Visits%
20for%20Teachers.pdf
Na onalEduca onAssocia onThereisNoPlaceLikeHome...Visits:
www.educa onworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin241.shtml
HarvardFamilyResearchProjectTheParentTeacherHomeVisitProject:www.hfrp.org/
family-involvement/publica ons-resources/the-parent-teacher-home-visit-project

TipsforSuccess:

Ifunabletovisitallincomingfamilies,considerreachingoutandconduc nghomevisits
withthosestudentswhoaremostatriskasiden fiedbytheelementaryschoolduringthe
ini altransi onperiod.

46
Title:WelcomeLe er
Ac vity:Familiesreceiveale erwelcomingthemtotheschoolandexplainswhattoexpect
fromteachersandstaaswellasprovidesinforma ononhowtonavigatetheirnewschool.
Outcome:Parentsandstudentswillfeelwelcomedtotheschoolandbegintoestablisha
posi verela onshipswiththeschool.
Audience:Rising6thgradeparents
AreasofFocus:AcademicandOrganiza onal/Environmental
When:Summerbefore6thGrade
Process:

Themiddleschoolshouldsendale ertoincoming6thgradersandtheirfamilieswelcoming
themtotheirnewschool.Thele ershouldcomefromtheprincipalonbehalfoftheen re
sta,butitshouldbesentbythestudentshomeroomteacher.Theteacherisencouragedto
writeahandwri ensentenceortwoatthetopofeachle ertoaddamorepersonaltouch.

Thele ershouldincludeinforma onsuchas:

Theschoolscontactinforma on
Theschoolswebsiteinclusiveofimportantinforma onandwhereupdatescanbefound
Theprincipalscontactinforma onandopenocehours
Informa onregardingthefirstdayofschool
Upcomingschooleventssuchasopenhouse,thefirstparentorganiza onmee ngforthe
schoolyear,andnewstudentandfamilyprincipalroundtables
Waystogetinvolvedinthemiddleschoolforboththestudentandtheirfamily

Resources:

PrincipalWelcomeLe er:Seepage87intheappendix.
FirstDayofSchoolLe ersandSurvivalKitsBuildCommunica on:
www.educa onworld.com/a_curr/curr358.shtml

TipsforSuccess:

Placeacopyofthele erontheschoolswebsiteduringthefirstmonthofschoolfor
parentswhomaynothavereceivedacopyoverthesummer.
Oerbilingualle ersiftheschoolpopula onhasna vespeakersofotherlanguages.
47
Title:MiddleSchoolVideo
Ac vity:Currentmiddleschoolstudentscreateavideowelcomingrising6thgraderstotheir
newschool.
Outcome:Studentswillseetheirnewschoolbuildingandnewschoolsta,experiencewhat
opportuni esmiddleschooloers,andhearfromtheirpeersaboutthetransi onexperience.
Audience:Rising6thgraders
When:Summerbefore6thgradeorthefirstdayofschool
Process:

Have6thgradestudentsattheendoftheirfirstyearofmiddleschoolcreateavideoto
welcomeincoming6thgradersandprovideinforma onneededtonewstudentsforthefirst
weekofschool.Pickarepresenta vegroupofstudentstodevelopthevideoasaclassproject
oraspartofana er-schoolproject.Withthehelpofanadultsponsor,allowstudentsto
determinethecontentofthevideousingpoetry,rapmusic,orothercrea vemeans.Content
thatcouldbecoveredincludes:

Picturesandinforma ononschoolleadershipandimportantschoolstatoknow
Adayinthelifeofamiddleschoolstudent
Atourofschoolshowingimportantplacesandthepeopleyouwillseethere
Studentandteacherinterviews
Extra-curricularac vi esclubs,sports,artorganiza ons

Showthevideooverthesummerattransi oncamporinanassemblyonthefirstdayof
school.Also,postthevideototheschoolswebsitesoitcanbeviewedbyeveryone.

Resources:

4thGradeTransi ontoMiddleSchoolVideo:h p://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=20Visits%20for%20Teachers.pdf
MiddleSchoolTransi onVideo:h p://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?
video_id=43265& tle=Middle_School_Transi on
TipsforSuccess:

Ifthemiddleschooldoesnothaveavideo/produc onstudio,workwith
communitypartnersorparentvolunteerstoassistwiththeproduc on/edi ngorteach
thestudentshowtodoit.

48
Title:StudentAmbassadors
Ac vity:7thand8thgradestudentsvolunteertoassist6thgradersduringthefirstmonthof
schooltohelpthemnavigatethemiddleschoollandscape.
Outcome:Newstudentswillfeelsupportedthroughouttheirtransi ontomiddleschooland
knowwhotheycanturntowhenques onsarise.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onalandOrganiza onal/Environmental
When:BeginningofSchoolYear
Process:

Teachersandtheschoolcounselorshouldrecommend7thand8thgradestudentstoserveas
ambassadorsto6thgradestudents.Studentambassadorsshouldreceiveanorienta onthat
includesthedosanddontsofdealingwithnewstudents,ques onsthatshouldbe
directedtoanadult,andtopicsthatshouldnotbediscussed.Ambassadorswillbesta oned
throughoutthehallsbeforeschoolbegins,duringclasschanges,duringlunch,anda erschool
andwillwearbu onsthatsayAskMesotheyareeasilyrecognizable.Inaddi on,
ambassadorswillpar cipateinothermiddleschooltransi onac vi esthattakeplace.

Resources:

StudentAmbassadorPermissionForm:Seepage89intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Ifable,askambassadorstoserveascampguidesduringthesummertransi oncampas
well.

49
Title:GoalSe ng
Ac vity:Schoolsadministerac vi esthathelpstudentsdevelopskillsandworktowards
reachinggoalsinparentteacherandguidancecounselingsessions.
Outcome:Studentswilllearntoestablishchallengingacademicgoalsforschoolandcareer
success.
Audience:6thgradestudentsandfamilies
When:Fallof6thgrade
Process:

Teacher,schoolcounselororteacherasadvisorshouldintroduceconceptofse nggoalsand
theimportanceofreachingaspira ons.Handoutgoalse ngsheetforstudentstoestablish
goalsforacademics,careerexplora on,behaviorandtryingonenewschool-sanc oned
ac vity.

StudentswillreviewgoalsfromthefallsemesterinJanuaryofthespringsemesterofsixth
gradeandthensetnewgoalsforspringsemesterusingsameform.

School-basedfamilyinvolvementcoordinatorcanworkwithcommunityorganiza onsto
establishworkshopstohelpparentssetgoalstobemoreinvolvedwiththeirchildandmiddle
school.

Resources:

SMARTGoalSe ngDocument:Seepages90-92intheappendix.
Mo va onalModulesFoundonGAcollege411:
www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/volunteer_resource/index.cfm

TipsforSuccess:

Havecommunityorganiza onsassistwithfacilita ngworkshopsforparentstohelp

explainthegoalse ngprocesswiththem,aswell,sotheycanhelptheirchildwithse ng
reasonablegoals.

50
Title:ThumbprintMural:HowWeareAlikeandDierent
Ac vity:Studentspar cipateinlessonsfocusingonangermanagement,diversity,and
teambuilding,ensuringthestudentsarereadyforacademicsuccess.
Outcome:Studentswillacquiretheknowledge,a tudes,andinterpersonalskillstohelpthem
respectthemselvesandothers.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onal,Developmental,Academic,Organiza onal/Environmental,
When:Fallof6thgrade
Process:

Duringaclassroomguidancegroupac vityhavestudentsexamineandcomparetheirown
thumbprintstoiden fyandappreciatetheirownsimilari esanddierenceswiththeirpeers.
Theessen alques onsthatwillbediscussedare:

1. HowamIlikemyfriends?
2. HowamIdierentfrommyfriends?
3. Cansimilari esanddierencesbeiden fiedfromthumbprints?

*Note:Grouprulesmustapplyforstudentstostayfocusedandremainrespec ul.

Thecounselorwillhavestudentsplacetheirthumbprintfromaninkpadonapieceofbutcher
paperthathasbeenplacedonawallorboardtocreateathumbprintmural.Adiscussionof
similari esanddierencesshouldthentakeplace.Duringthis me,havestudentscompare
theirownthumbprintsaswellaswritetheirnameandsomethinguniqueaboutthemselvesin
awavylineorotherpa ernaroundtheirthumbprints.

Oncecompleted,studentswillreadtheirstatementsaloudandeveryonewillexaminethe
completedthumbprintmural.

Materials:Butcherpaper,coloredmarkers,inkpad,andmaskingtape.

Resources:

GroupAc vi esforCounselors,SallyElliot,1994
MissouriDepartmentofEduca onGuidanceLessonPlans:
www.missouricareereduca on.org/for/content/guidance
TeachingTolerance:h p://www.tolerance.org

TipsforSuccess:

DisplaytheThumbprintMuralontheschoolswebsiteandmakeitavailabletoschool
parentorganiza ons.
51
Title:SilentInterview
Ac vity:Studentswillexaminestereotypesandfirstimpressionsthroughaget-to-knowone
anotherprocess.
Outcome:Studentswillexaminethelinkagesbetweenonespersonaliden tyandones
culturalassump onsaswellasbuildrela onshipswithotherstudents.
AreasofFocus:Social/Emo onal
When:Fallof6thGrade
Process:

Pairstudentswithapartnerwhotheydonotknowwell.Tellstudentsthattheywillbe
conduc ngasilentinterviewoftheirpartner.Askthemtolookattheirpartnerand
answertheques onsontheSilentInterviewQues onsworksheetastheybelievetheir
partnerwouldrespond,ifheorshecouldtalk.THERESHOULDBENOTALKING!Thepair
shouldhavefiveminutestocompletetheirinterviewssimultaneously.Responsesforeach
ques onshouldbewri enundertheareaonthesheetmarked:Yourresponse.

Stressthatitisokayforstudentstolookattheirpartnerduringthisexercise,evenifthey
mightnotnormallydosuchathing,anditisokaytomakeincorrectguesses!

A erbothindividualshavecompletedthesilentinterview,partnerswillhavetenminutesto
sharetheirpresumedresponseswiththeirpartnersandaskfortheaccurateresponsetoeach
ques on.Theyshouldmarkthecorrectresponsesintheareaofthesheetcalled:Accurate
Response.

Reconvenethelargegroupanddebrieftheexerciserecordingtakeawaysonaflipchart.
Guidethedebriefinginthedirec onoftheseimportantconclusions:

1. First impressions, which we all have, are usually colored by our own feelings and values.
Because of this, our first impressions are some mes wrong.
2. Being asked to share those first impressions is uncomfortable because we are aware that
they might be based on stereotypes and consequently be inaccurate.
3. Knowing that others are judging us is an uncomfortable feeling.
4. Our first impressions can be even more inaccurate if we are unable to ask for and receive
feedback.
5. Assump ons are based on previous experience, as are the categories we use to assess each
other.
6. We o en miss important clues.

Resources:

SilentInterviewQues onsWorksheet:Seepage93intheappendix.

TipsforSuccess:

Encouragestudentstobringtheac vityhomeandfurtherdiscusswithparents/guardians.
52
Title:U lizingaCareerInforma onSystem(CIS)

Ac vity:Studentswillunderstandtheimportanceofusinganelectroniccareerinforma on
systemtogatherdierenttypesofcareer-relatedinforma ontosupportcareerplanning
(i.e.,IndividualGradua onPlan)
Outcome:Studentswillbeawareoftheselectedcareerinforma onsystem(CIS)intheir
school/system.
AreasofFocus:CollegeandCareerReadiness
When:Falla ertransi ontothemiddleschoolac vi es

Process:

Studentswilldiscusswiththeteacher/counselor/advisorthe
Electronic career information sys-
importanceofeduca onalandcareerplanning.WritetheSteven
tems contain information that will
Coveyphraseontheboardorflipchart,Ifyoufailtoplan,then
assist students in answering three
plantofail.Then,dividetheclassintosmallergroups.Askeach
essential questions:
grouptodiscussthephraseandhowthatphraserelatesto
Who Am I?
educa onalandcareerplanning.Possibleanswersmaybe:
Where Am I Going?
iden fyclassesatthehighschool,decideonacareer,decide
How Am I Going to Get There?
whichpostsecondaryschoolonemighta end,determine
gradua onrequirements,decideacareerpathway,create
educa onalandcareergoals,determinewhichoccupa onsarein
Students will have access to ca-
demand;havehighwages;requirehighskills.
reer-related assessments and ex-

ploration and planning tools.
Next,haveeachgroupreportontheirinterpreta onofthephrase.
Advisestudentswhichcareer-informa onsystem(Gacollege411,
It is recommended that students GCIS,CareerCruising)wasselectedbytheschool/system.Provide
take this information home to theURLaddressandpassword/idwhenrequired.Advisestudents:
share with their parents. theywillneedtoestablishanaccountinordertou lizethe
program;theywillcon nuetousethissystemtogatherand
manageeduca onalandcareerinforma onfromnowun lthey
The electronic career information graduateandbeyond;theywillbetheCLASSOF____________.
system will be used to create the Followingthelesson,makesure6thgradestudentsareintroduced
Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) by totheselectedcareerrelatedinforma onsystem(GCIS,
the end of the 8th grade year. Gacollege411orCareerCruising)withapreparedbrochure.Allof
thesesystemshavepreparedbrochures.

Resources:

Orderbrochurespriortothisac vity
Gacollege411:www.gacollege411.org(FREE)
GeorgiaCareerInforma onSystem(subscrip on;requirespasswordandid)
CareerCruising(subscrip on;requirespasswordandid)

TipsforSuccess:

Havestudentsraisetheirhandsiftheyplantovisitthesystemselectedcareerinforma onsystem.
TeachfamiliesaboutCISandpreparethemtohelptheirchildastheylooktowardscomple ngthe
IndividualGradua onPlanin8thgrade.
53
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
54
NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
55
Family Brochure and Video
AMiddleSchoolTransi onFamilyBrochurehasbeendevelopedinbothEnglishandSpanishto
helpstudents,families,schools,andcommuni escommunicatetheimportanceofschool
transi on.Onesideofthebrochureaddresseshowfamiliesshouldpreparefortransi on,while
theothersideofthebrochureaddresseshowstudentsshouldpreparefortransi on.Limited
copiesofthebrochureswereprintedandmaybes llavailablebycontac nganyofthe
followingpartnerorganiza ons:
Inaddi on,ahandoutversionofthefamilybrochurehasalsobeendevelopedforeaseof
copyinganddistribu onatanyschoolorcommunityorganiza onsconvenience.Thiscanbe
accessedat:h p://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-
Engagement-Program-For-Parents-Links.aspxOncethere,clicktheMiddleSchoolTransi on
FamilyBrochureHandoutintheappropriatelanguagetodownloadthebrochure
handoutversion.
TheMiddleSchoolTransi onFamilyVideowillbereleasedinFallof2012.Pleasecheckbackat
alaterdateformoreinforma ononhowtoaccessthisvideoforyourschoolcommunitysuse.
56
References and Resources
References
Akos,P.,Creamer,V.L.,&Masina,P.(2004).ConnectednessandBelongingThroughMiddle
SchoolOrienta on.Middle School Journal,36(1),43-50.
Allan,J.,&McKean,J.(1984).Transi ontojuniorhighschool:Strategiesforchange.The School

Counselor, 32(1),43-48.
ComprehensiveSchoolReformQualityCenter.(2005,January).Works in progress: A report on

middle and high school improvement programs. Washington,DC:Author.
Cook,P.J.,R.MacCoun,C.Mushkin,andJ.Vigdor(2008).Thenega veimpactsof
star ngmiddleschoolinsixthgrade.JournalofPolicyAnalysisandManagement27(1):
104-121.
Eccles,J.S.,&Midgley,C.(1989).Stage/environmentfit:Developmentallyappropriate
classroomsforearlyadolescents.InR.E.Ames&C.Ames(Eds.),Research on mo va on in
educa on, Vol. 3 (pp.139-186).NewYork:AcademicPress.
GeorgiaA erschoolIns tuteMasterTrainersfortheGeorgiaA erschoolIns tute:Cultural

CompetenceandGlobalLearning,May26,2010.
Jekielek,S.&Brown,B.(2005).The Transi on to Adulthood: Characteris cs of Young Adults Ag-

es 18 to 24 in America. TheAnnieE.CaseyFounda on,Popula onReferenceBureau,andChild
Trends
KentuckyDepartmentofEduca on&CenterforMiddleSchoolAcademicAchievement(2011).
Transi on from Elementary to Middle Grades. Retrievedfromh p://www.educa on.ky.gov/
kde/instruc onal+resourcessecondary+and+virtual+learning/middle+school/transi on+
from+elementary+to+middle+grades.htm
Kra -Sayre,M.E.,&Pianta,R.C.(2000).Enhancing the transi on to Kindergarten: Linking

children, families, and schools.Charlo esville,VA:UniversityofVirginia,Na onalCenterforEar-
lyDevelopment&Learning.
Kra -Sayre,M.E.,&Pianta,R.C.(2003).Successful Kindergarten transi on: Your guide to

connec ng children, families & schools. Bal more,MD:PaulH.Brookes
MentoringResourceCenter(2005).Making the Grade: A Guide to Incorpora ng Academic

Achievement Into Mentoring Programs and Rela onships. Retrievedfrom
h p://educa onnorthwest.org/webfm_send/205
Mullins,E.&Irvin,J.L.(2000).Transi onintoMiddleSchool.Middle School Journal,31(3),57-60.
O en,S.,&Akos,P.(2004).HelpingstudentsmoveonTheelementaryschoolcounselor.The
Counselors Classroom (e-column), 4(10). Alexandria,VA:ASCAandTheGuidance
Channel.
57
References and Resources
References
Parker,A.K.(2009).Crea ngcomprehensivetransi onprograms:Amul -facetedapproach.
Focus on Middle School,22(1),1-5.
Pucke ,D.(2011).Parent guide to surviving and thriving in the middle grades. Movingup:
Transi ontomiddleschool-Transi ontomiddlegrades.Retrievedfromh p://
www.educa on.ky.gov/users/otl/Beginning_of_School_Year/Parent%20Guide%20to%
20Surviving%20and%20Thriving%20in%20the%20Middle%20Grades.doc
Schoner,M.,Williamson,R.(2000).Facilita ngstudenttransi onsintomiddleschool.

Middle School Journal,31(4),47-52.]
Schumacher,D.(1998).The Transi on to Middle School. ERICClearinghouseonElementary

andEarlyChildhoodEduca on.Retrievedfromh p://www.ericdigests.org/1999-2/
middle.htm.
Seidman,E.,LaRue,A.,Aber,J.L.,Mitchell,C.,&Feinman,J.(1994).Theimpactofschool
transi onsinearlyadolescenceontheself-systemandperceivedsocialcontextofpoorurban
youth.ChildDevelopment, 65,507-522
SERVE(2008).Planning for terrific transi ons: A guide for transi ons to school teams.
Greensboro,NC:UniversityofNorthCarolinaatGreensboro.
Weldy,GilbertR.(Ed.).(1991).Strongerschooltransi onsimprovestudentachievement:A
finalreportonathree-yeardemonstra onprojectStrengtheningschooltransi onsfor
studentsK-13.Reston,VA:Na onalAssocia onofSecondarySchoolPrincipals.ED338985.
Weldy,GilbertR.(1995).Cri cal transi ons. SchoolsInTheMiddle,4(3),4-7.EJ499102.
Wigfield,A.,&Eccles,J.S.(1994).Childrenscompetencebeliefs,achievementvalues,and
generalself-esteem:Changeacrosselementaryandmiddleschool.Journal of Early
Adolescence, 14(2),107-138.
Resources
Middle School Ma ers! A Guide for Families on Middle School Transi on (AlsoinSpanish)
Middle School Ma ers! A Guide for Students on Middle School Transi on (AlsoinSpanish)
Middle School Ma ers! A Guide for Families on Middle School Transi on Handout
(AlsoinSpanish)
Middle School Ma ers! A Guide for Students on Middle School Transi on Handout
(AlsoinSpanish)
ComingSoon:Middle School Ma ers! A Guide for Students and Families on Middle School
Transi on Video (AlsoinSpanish)
58
Appendix
59
Middle School Transition Toolkit
School Transition Team
SCHOOL TRANSITION TEAM INFORMATION SHEET

SchoolName:__________________________________________________________________________________
Principal:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________
PhoneNumber:________________________________________________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________________________
Transi onCoordinator:__________________________________________________________________________
Agency/School:________________________________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________________________________Fax:_______________________________
Transi onSchoolTeamMembers:
(Selectatleast1-2membersforeachcategory.Theremustbeatleastonerepresenta vefromeachcategoryontheteam.)
***The Transi on Team Partnership is convened by the Principal and will meet at least four mes or more during the school
year. The Transi on Coordinator can be represented by the Principal or someone that the principal or team selects to help
coordinate team mee ngs, transi on plans, and to serve as the contact for the transi on team.
a)School(Principal, Assistant Principal, Elementary and Middle teachers, Parent Liaisons, Counselors)
Name Agency Email Phone
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
b)A erSchool(A er School Program Sta, Family Resource Coordinators, Mentors)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
c)Families(PTA Leadership, Parents and Families of 4th, 5th, 6thand 7th Grade Students)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
d)Community(Religious, Business, Civic Organiza on, Public/Private Agencies, Poli cal Ocials, Higher Educa on)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

SelectedEec veTransi onStrategies:

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
60
School Transition Team
SAMPLE SCHOOL TRANSITION PLAN

SchoolName:___________________________________________________________________________________
Transi onCoordinator:___________________________________________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________________________________________________________
Email:_________________________________________________________________________________________
TheTransi onPlanisusedbothasatooltoplanyearroundtransi onac vi esandasamanagementtoolto

helpguideimplementa on.
Example:(Please insert your own Goal and Indicators below)

Goal:Eec vecoordina onbetweenElementaryandMiddleschools(i.e.,schooltoschoolconnec ons)byFall2012
Indicator1:Schoolleadershipandotherstamemberswilliden fyfeederelementaryschoolsandworkto
establish/improverela onshipswiththem.
Indicator2:Themiddleschooltransi onteamwillworktoestablishconsistencybetweenschoolpoliciesand
prac cesthathelpcreateconnec onsandsmoothtransi onsforchildrenenteringmiddleschool.
Indicator3:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Indicator4:_____________________________________________________________________________________

*Notethisisjustanexample,rememberyourtransi onplanshouldbeanongoing,year-roundprocess.
Indicator Transi onTimeline Ac onPlan Resources/Cost Person Evalua onMethod
Number Includethebeginning Includeeachstep Needed Responsible Describethesourceof
andenddateforthe Listcost,materials, informa onor
strategy andpersonnelas documentthatwillbeused
wellasinkindcosts toconfirmeec venessof
strategiesandachievement
ofindicators
October2012 Reviewexis ngschool Sta Transi on ReportofFindings
2 transi onac vi es,prac ces NoCost/Inkind Coordinator
andpoliciestofindoutwhat
isalreadybeingdone
October2012
Developtransi oncalendar Transi onTeam Transi on CalendarofEvents,Number
May2013 outliningac vi esfor Team ofPar cipants
transi onalac vi esforthe
schoolyear
November2012 Buildconnec onsbyhos ng Refreshments-$50 Transi on Survey
aroundtablediscussion Coordinator
1 betweenpartnering
elementaryandmiddle
schoolparents,staand
personneltolearnabout
eachothersschool
February2013 Sponsoramiddleschool Refreshments-$100 Assistant ParentSurvey
nightinvi ngincoming6th Informa on Principal
gradersandtheirparentsto Packets-$100
visit/tourtheschooland SchoolSta&
learnabouttheprograms Volunteers-Inkind
Adapted from Planning for Terrific Transitions: A Guide for Transition-to-School Teams/1-27-11
61
Family Communication
SAMPLE SURVEY

ET PHONE HOME!
Parents, We Want To Hear From You And
We Want You To Hear From Us!
Even though most parents and educators are not trying to reach another
planet, it can be an astronomical job to communicate back and forth on a
regular basis!
Let Us Know Some Ways
Jefferson Elementary School Can Phone Home!
Families play a critical role in
Please circle an answer for the following questions and return to your students education and success!
childs teacher or drop it off at the front office.
Doyouneedschoolcommunica onstobewri eninanotherlanguage: Yes No
Whatlanguage?
Doyouneedcommunica onstobeverbalinsteadofinwri ng? Yes No
Doyouhaveanemailaddress? Yes No
Maywecontactyouviaemail? Yes No
Ifyes,pleaseprovideemailaddress:
Doyouhaveaccesstotheinternetathome?(ViaComputer,Cellphone) Yes No
Doyouhaveaccesstoacomputerelsewhere? Yes No
Doyouneedanalertwhenemailsaresentsuchasbyatextmessage? Yes No
Doyouknowaboutourwebsitewithyourchildshomeworkassignmentsposted? Yes No
Ifnot,wouldyoulikemoreinforma on? Yes No
Wouldyoubeinterestedinfreeadulteveningtechnologycourses? Yes No
Wouldyoubeinterestedinreceivingregulartextmessages? Yes No
DoyouuseFacebookonaregularbasis? Yes No
WouldyougotoaschoolsFacebookpageonaregularbasis? Yes No
ParentName ____________________________________________
StudentName____________________________________________ Grade______________
Bestphonenumbertoreachyou_____________________________ BestTimes_______________________
A Family Engagement Tool by the Division for Special

Education Supports and Services, GaDOE @ March, 2011 * E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Movie, 1982
62
Grade Level Teacher Planning Spreadsheet
SAMPLE

Students StudentA StudentB StudentC StudentD StudentE

Academic
Achievements
Math
ELA
Science
Reading
SocialStudies
SocialGains
Posi ves
Concerns
Emo onalGains
Posi ves
Concerns
Developmental
Needs
Posi ves
Concerns
Ci zenship
Behavior
TestData
A endanceDa
ta
Parent
Involvement
Data
63
Career Survey
SAMPLE

Inthissurveyyouwilldeterminewhichcareer/occupa onmightinterestyou.EachCAREER/OCCUPATIONis
representa veofoccupa onsinthealignedCAREERCLUSTER.Forexample,TEACHERisanoccupa onthat
wouldbealignedwiththecareerclusterEDUCATIONANDTRAINING.
Selectonecareer/occupa onthatyoumightbeinterestedinlearningmoreabout.Alsoindicateifyouareaboy
oragirlbycheckingtheappropriateboxnexttoyourcareer/occupa onselec on.
Occupation (Career Cluster) Circle one Boy Girl

Nurse (Health Science)

Entrepreneurs-have your own business (Marketing)
Engineer (STEM)
Law Enforcement (Law, Public Safety & Correction Security)
Firefighter (Law, Public Safety & Correction Security)
Landscaper (Agriculture, Food & Forestry)
Truck Driver (Transportation, Distribution & Logistics)
Pilot (Transportation, Distribution & Logistics)
Military (Law, Public Safety & Correction Security)
Teacher (Education & Training)
Accountant (Finance)
Scientist (STEM)
Computer Programmer (Information Technology)
Lawyer (Law, Public Safety & Correction Security)
Administrative Assistant ( Business Management and Administration)
Artist (Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications)
Construction Manager (Architecture& Construction)
Counselor (Human Services)
Chef (Hospitality & Tourism)
Welder (Manufacturing)
None of the above
64
Pictograph
SAMPLE

NURSE
ENGINEER
TRUCKDRIVER
ACCOUNTANT
65
Career Exposure: Cluster of Career Grapes
QUESTIONS

1. Whatcareeropportuni esareinthiscareercluster?
2. Whatcareersinthiscareerclusterdoyoulikeorthatinterestyou?
Chooseaspecificcareerwithinthiscareercluster.
Answerthefollowingques ons.
1. Whatskillsinthisspecificcareercanyoudoorinterestyou?
2. Whattypeandhowmuchtrainingisneededforyourspecificcareer?
3. Whataresomeofthecharacteris csortraitsofyourspecificcareer?
4. Whatisthejoboutlookforyourspecificcareer?
66
Elementary School Visits Agenda
SAMPLE

Elementaryandmiddleschoolstashouldmeetpriortoenteringthe
classroomtodiscusslogis csandprotocols.Iftheteachercollectedques ons
fromstudentsaheadof me,sharetheseques onswiththemiddleschoolsta
beforetheyentertheclassroomtobeginthesession.

11:00am11:05am MiddleSchoolStaIntroduceThemselvestoStudents
11:05am11:10am MiddleSchoolStaTalkBrieflyAboutPar cular

MiddleSchoolTransi onTopics(PickaThemeforEach
Visit)
11:10am11:25am MiddleSchoolStaEntertainsStudentComments/
andQues onsonMiddleSchoolTransi on
11:25am11:28am WrapUpandOpportunityforStudentstoWriteFollow
UpCommentsandQues onsforNextSession
11:28am11:30am ClosingCommentsandWrapUp
Middleschoolstashouldcollectallques onsandcommentsfromstudentsat
endofthevisittoprepareforthenextsession.Studentsshouldbeencouraged
todiscusswhatwaslearnedinthesessionwiththeirparentsforhomework.
PossibleTopicsforeachSession:
1) SchoolLayout,Teachers,andSchoolSta
2) AcademicExpecta onsandHomework
3) SchoolScheduleandChangingClasses
4) SocialIssues(MakingNewFriends)andExtracurricularOpportuni es
67

What is Middle School Like?
SAMPLE AGENDA

***Please allow 45 minutes for this ac vity.
Introduc ons(5minutes)
Thefacilitator(counselor,middleschoolteacher,etc.)shouldintroduce
themselvesandalsohavethemiddleschoolstudentsintroducethemselves.

Overview(3minutes)
Thefacilitatorwillbrieflyexplaintothestudentswhytheyarepar cipa nginthe

WhatIsMiddleSchoolLike?ac vity.

IceBreaker(10minutes)
PeopleBingo(seenextpage)youmaywanttohaveatokenprizeforthewinner.

Instruc ons:Studentshave10minutestocompletetheicebreaker.Eachstudent
shouldreceiveacopyofthegamefacedown.Thefacilitatorwilltellthegroupwhen
toflipthesheetoverandstarttheicebreaker.Intheallo ed me,studentsshould
findonepersonwhocananswertheques onorfollowtheinstruc onsineachbingo
box.Oncethepersonhasansweredtheques on/followedinstruc ons,theyshould
ini al.Youcanonlyhaveeachpersonini alaboxONETIME.Oncethe meisup,the
personwiththehighestnumberofini aledboxeswinstheicebreaker.

MiddleSchoolPresenta onTime(20minutes)
***Each middle school student should read a pre selected ques on under the selected topic.

Topic(example):Whatdoesatypicaldaylooklike?
Star ngtheday-Whathappenswhenyougettoschoolinthemorning?
Changingclasses-Whathappensifyouarerunninglateforclass?
LockersHowmany mescanyougotoyourlocker?Shouldyoushareyour
locker?Whatshouldyouputinyourlocker?
LunchCanyoueatwithyourfriends?
EndofthedayWheredoyougotowaitun lyourarepickedup?Ifyouride
thebus,howlongdoyouhavetogettothebus?

WrapUp(5minutes)
Ques onandAnswers-Havenotecardsforques onsthatelementarystudentsmay

haveaskedthatcanbeaddressedatnextmee ng.
Adjourn(2minutes)
Giveelementarystudentstheday, meandloca onofthenextmee ngverbally

andonacardtogivetotheirparents.

*Remembertohaveaseparatesessionfortheparentstoa endaswell.
68

What is Middle School Like?

PEOPLE BINGO

FIND SOMEONE WHO
Has had Is an only Can tell you Has been to Has lived in
a broken child the person that Florida another
a bone discovered state
electricity
Is left-handed Plays a Is wearing red Will give you Can whistle

musical a high five a Justin
instrument Bieber song
Has pierced Can swim Can say the Likes to go

ears Pledge of bowling
Allegiance
NOW!
Read 5 books Is wearing Has a pet Wears glass- Watches the

last summer black socks es TV show
ICarly
Likes to eat Can rub their Has at least Has jumped Can tell you
spinach stomach and three brothers on a the person
pat their or sisters trampoline that
head at the invented the
same time telephone
Name________________________________________________________
69
Peer Mentoring Worksheet
MENTOR/MENTEE INTRODUCTION ACTIVITY EXAMPLE

LetsGetToKnowEachOther!
Pairthementors/mentees.Leteveryoneknowthattheyhave20minutesto
answerthefollowingques ons:
1. List5thingsyouhaveincommonphysically
2. List5thingsthataredierentbetweenyouphysically
3. Whatare2thingsyoulookforinafriend?
4. Whatareyour2favoritemovies?
5. Whatareyour3favoritesongs?
6. Anidealdinnermenuforyouwouldbe
7. Theonefoodyoudislikethemostis
8. Areyoutheonlychild?Ifnot,howmanybrothersand/orsistersdoyouhave?
9. Whatisyourfavoritethingtodoontheweekend?
10.Whatissomethingthatyouaregoodatdoing?
Attheendof20minutes,leteveryoneknowthatitis metostop.
Explaintothegroupthattheanswerstotheques onswillhelpeveryonegetto
knoweachother.Each methementorandmenteemeettheyshoulddiscuss
oneoftheques ons(andanswers)andhowithasaneectontheirlives.
70
Effective Study Skills
ARROW TEMPLATE

71
Transition Survey
SAMPLE FAMILY SURVEY

HelloABCSchoolFamilies!
Thisshortsurveywillhelpusprovidesupporttoyouandyourfamilyasyourchildtransi onsfrom
elementarytomiddleschool.Pleasecircleyouranswerstothefollowingques ons:
1. Areyouawareofthetypeofcurriculumthatisrequiredofmiddleschoolstudents?

YES NO

2. Doyouknowwhatyourstudentcanexpectfromatypicaldayinmiddleschool?

YES NO

3. Doyouknowtheaverageamountofhomeworkyourchildshouldexpectinmiddleschool?

YES NO

4. Doyouknowthatyourchildcanjoinacademicclubsinmiddleschool?

YES NO

5. Areyoucomfortableusingtheparentportaltogetinforma onaboutyourchildsprogress?

YES NO

6. Doyouknowwhattypesofcommunica ontoexpectfromthemiddleschool?

YES NO

7. Areyoufamiliarwiththesportsac vi esthatyourchildcantryoutforinmiddleschool?

YES NO

8. Doyouknowaboutthetypesofclassesthatyourchildwillhavetotakeinordertopreparefor
highschool?

YES NO

9. Wouldyoubewillingtoa endparentworkshopsaboutacademicstandardsandgoalse ng?

YES NO

10.Doyouknowwheretogoifyouwouldliketovolunteerattheschoolorseekotherwaystobe
involvedatthemiddleschoollevel?

YES NO

*Arethereanytopicsyouwouldliketolearnaboutinmoredetailregardingyourchildstransi onto
middleschool?Ifso,pleaselist.

72
Transition Survey
SAMPLE STUDENT SURVEY

HelloABCSchoolStudents!
Thissurveywilltelluswhatweneedtodotohelpyougetreadyformiddleschool.
Pleasecircleyouranswerstothefollowingques ons:
1. Haveyoueverusedalockerwithacombina onlock?

YES NO

2. Doyoufeelcomfortablechangingclassroomsforeachsubject?

YES NO

3. Doyouknowhowmuchhomeworktoexpectinmiddleschool?

YES NO

4. Doyouknowthatyoucanjoinacademicclubsinmiddleschool?

YES NO

5. Areyoucomfortablewalkingschoolhallswith8thgradestudents?

YES NO

6. Areyoucomfortableaskingfordirec onsifyouarelostfindingaclass?

YES NO

7. Doyouknowthenumberofsportsac vi esthatyoucantryoutforinmiddleschool?

YES NO

8. Doyouknowthetypesofclassesyouwillhavetotakeinmiddleschool?

YES NO

9. Areyoucomfortableea nglunchifyouarenotabletoeatwithyourfriends?

YES NO

10.Areyoucomfortablefindingtheschoolcounselorifyouneedhelpwithclassesorifyouarebeing
mistreatedbyotherstudents?

YES NO

*Doyouhaveanymoreques onsregardingmiddleschool?Pleaselistanythingthatcomestomind.
Everyques onisimportant!

73
Middle School Transition Night
WHERE DO YOU GO SAMPLE WORKSHEET

Asyoucompletetheschooltour,listencarefullyandfillintheblankswiththe
correctanswers.Thosewhoaccuratelycompletethesheetcanexchangeitfora
doorprize cketatthefacultyandstameetandgreetimmediatelyfollowing
thetourforachancetowinaprize.Goodluck!
Wheredoyougowhen...
1. Youhavescienceandsocialstudiesclasses?______________________________________
Listtwo6thgradeteacherswhoteachthesesubjects:___________________________
2. Therearestudentassemblies?_________________________________________________
Whotypicallyleadstheassemblies?__________________________________________
3. Youarehavingproblemswithafriend? _________________________________________
Whoisthepersonyoushouldspeakwith?____________________________________
4. Youarelatetoschool?_______________________________________________________
5. Youhaveconnec onsclasses?_________________________________________________
Listtwo6thgradeconnec onsteachers:______________________________________
6. YouneedtodoresearchforanEnglishpaper?____________________________________
7. Youneedtoeatbreakfastorlunch?_____________________________________________
Whoisthecashier?_______________________________________________________
8. Yourparentswanttolearnaboutnewresourcestostayinvolved?____________________
9. Youdonotfeelwellorneedtotakemedicine?____________________________________
10.Youwanttolearnaboutschoolsportsorclubs?__________________________________
74
Middle School Transition Night
SAMPLE AGENDA

WeCareCountyMiddleSchoolWelcomesYou!

Welcome Principal
8thGradeStudent
Introduc ons GradeTeamLeaders
WhatParentsNeedtoKnow PTAPresident
(ParentsOnly) ParentLiaison
WhattoExpectNext 6thGradeTeamLeader
(StudentsOnly) 6thGradeStudents
SchoolSafety ResourceOcer
Ques onsandAnswers All
SchoolTour ParentTourGuide
WhereIsWorksheet StudentTourGuide
Mini-ClassScheduleWalkthrough All
FacultyandStaMeetandGreet All
ImportantContactInforma on:
WCMSPrincipal Dr.JohnDoe 706.342.5555

john.doe@wecare.k12.ga.us
WCMSCounselor Mrs.AnnDoe 706.342.5555ext123

ann.doe@wecare.k12.ga.us
WCMSParentLiaison Mr.JackSmith 706.342.5555ext222

jack.smith@wecare.k12.ga.us
FrontOce 706.342.5555ext411
WCMSPTAPresident MelissaWilson 706.342.4233

mwilson@gmail.com
ResourceOcer Sgt.WillDoe 706.342.5555ext911
Cafeteria Be yDoe 706.342.5555ext789
75
Education Career and Goal Setting
LESSON PICTURE TEMPLATE

76
Family Reading Night
SAMPLE AGENDA

MeetandGreetRecep on 6:00pm-6:30pm
A endeeswillreceiveaWelcomePacketwithSummerReadingListsandFREEreading
materialsbooks,magazines,coupons,andareadingresourcedirectory/guide
Familieswillsignuptoreceiveemail/snailmailnewsle ersandupdatesfromthelocal
libraryaswellashaveanopportunitytosignupforalibrarycard.
TourofLibrary/MediaCenter
Refreshmentsareserved
GameTime 6:30pm-7:15pm
SightWordBingo-Winnersgettochooseasummerreadingbooktotakehome
BookWalk-Cakewalkwithwordsinsteadofnumbers
BookMarkMaking-Materialsavailabletodesignyourownbookmark
BuildaBook-Writeabookwithyourfamily,makeacover,andprintit
ReadingSta onsandConversa ons 7:15pm-8:00pm
Rotategroupsof5thgradeparentsandstudentsevery15minutestooneofthreesta ons.
(Note:youshouldalsohavesta onsfor6thgradeparentsandstudentswhoarenotdelivering
presenta onstothe5thgradefamiliessotheycanpar cipateandlearnaswell.)

Sta on1(ParentsandStudents):Current6thgradestudentssharepresenta onson
booksthattherising5thgraderswillbereadingtheyaretosharetheplotonly,not
giveawaytheending!
Sta on2(StudentsOnly): Rising5thgraderswilllearnfromcurrent6thgradersabout
readingprogramstheschoolpar cipatesinaswellasexpecta onsforteachers
regardingreadingassignments.
Sta on2(ParentsOnly): Parentswillsitinonapresenta onby6thgradeteachersand
parentsofcurrent6thgraderstotalkaboutreadingexpecta onsinmiddleschool,how
toengagemiddleschoolreaders,andwhatresourcesand psareavailabletoprevent
summerreadingloss.
Sta on3(ParentsandStudents): Parentsandstudentswillmeetallthe6thgrade
English/languageartsteachers,setpersonalreadinggoalsforthesummer,and
developaplanofac ontomeettheirgoals.
Dismissed 8:00pm

77
Understanding the Academic Landscape
LEARNING STYLES SAMPLE

MULTIPLEINTELLIGENCESTEST
Themul pleintelligencestestisdesignedtohelpyoudiscoveryourlearningstyle.Byunderstandingyour
learningstyle,youwilllearnhowtomaximizeyourmethod(s)oflearning,iden fyingwhathelpsyoulearn
andprocessinforma onbest.Learningstylesareapplicableacrossallagesandapplytobothchildrenand
adults.Thistestdoesnotprovideamedicaldiagnosisofanysortandisforinforma onalpurposesonly.
Readeachstatement.Ifitexpressessomecharacteris cofyoursandsoundstrueforthemostpart,jot
downa"T."Ifitdoesn't,markan"F."Ifthestatementissome mestrue,some mesfalse,leaveitblank.
1._____I'dratherdrawamapthangivesomeoneverbaldirec ons.
2._____Icanplay(orusedtoplay)amusicalinstrument.
3._____Icanassociatemusicwithmymoods.
4._____Icanaddormul plyinmyhead.
5._____Iliketoworkwithcalculatorsandcomputers.
6._____Ipickupnewdancestepsfast.
7._____It'seasyformetosaywhatIthinkinanargumentordebate.
8._____Ienjoyagoodlecture,speechorsermon.
9._____Ialwaysknownorthfromsouthnoma erwhereIam.
10._____Lifeseemsemptywithoutmusic.
11._____Ialwaysunderstandthedirec onsthatcomewithnewgadgetsorappliances.
12._____Iliketoworkpuzzlesandplaygames.
13._____Learningtorideabike(orskates)waseasy.
14._____IamirritatedwhenIhearanargumentorstatementthatsoundsillogical.
15._____Mysenseofbalanceandcoordina onisgood.
16._____Io enseepa ernsandrela onshipsbetweennumbersfasterandeasierthanothers.
17._____Ienjoybuildingmodels(orsculp ng).
18._____I'mgoodatfindingthefinepointsofwordmeanings.
19._____Icanlookatanobjectonewayandseeitsidewaysorbackwardsjustaseasily.
20._____Io enconnectapieceofmusicwithsomeeventinmylife.
21._____Iliketoworkwithnumbersandfigures.
22._____Justlookingatshapesofbuildingsandstructuresispleasurabletome.
23._____Iliketohum,whistleandsingintheshowerorwhenI'malone.
24._____I'mgoodatathle cs.
25._____I'dliketostudythestructureandlogicoflanguages.
26._____I'musuallyawareoftheexpressiononmyface.
27._____I'msensi vetotheexpressionsonotherpeople'sfaces.
28._____Istay"intouch"withmymoods.Ihavenotroubleiden fyingthem.
29._____Iamsensi vetothemoodsofothers.
30._____Ihaveagoodsenseofwhatothersthinkofme.
ExcerptedfromArmstrong,T.Mul ple Intelligences In The Classroom.Alexandria,VA:Associa onforSupervisionand

CurriculumDevelopment(1994).

78
LEARNING STYLES EXAMPLE
MULTIPLEINTELLIGENCESCORINGSHEET
Placeacheckmarkbyeachitemyoumarkedas"true."Addyourtotals.Atotaloffourinanyof
thecategoriesAthroughEindicatesstrongability.IncategoriesFandGascoreofoneormore
meansyouhaveabili esaswell.
A B C D E F G
Linguis c Logical Musical Spa al Bodily Intra Inter
Mathema cal Kinesthe c personal personal

7___ 4___ 2___ 1___ 6___ 26___ 27___
8___ 5___ 3___ 9___ 13___ 28___ 29___
14___ 12___ 10___ 11___ 15___ 30___
18___ 16___ 20___ 19___ 17___
25___ 21___ 23___ 22___ 24___

Totals: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
ExcerptedfromArmstrong,T.Mul ple Intelligences In The Classroom.Alexandria,VA:Associa onforSupervisionand

CurriculumDevelopment(1994).

79
LEARNING STYLES SAMPLE
TheSevenMul pleIntelligencesinChildren
Childrenwho
Think Love Need
arestrongly:
Inwords Reading,wri ng, Books,tapes,wri ngtools
Linguis c tellingstories,playing paperdiaries,dialogues,
wordgames,etc. discussion,debatestories
By Experimen ng, Thingstoexploreandthink

reasoning ques oning,figuring about,sciencematerials,
Logical
outpuzzles,manipula ves,tripstothe
Mathema cal
calcula ng,etc. planetariumandscience
museum
Inimages Designing,drawing,vis- Art,LEGOs,video,movies,

and
ualizing,doodling,etc. slides,imagina ongames,
Spa al
pictures mazes,puzzles,illustrated
books,tripstoartmuseums
ThroughDancing,running, Roleplay,drama,movement,
Bodily soma c jumping,building, thingstobuild,sportsand
Kinesthe c sensa ons touching,gesturing, physicalgames,tac le

etc. experiences,hands-onlearning
Viarhythms Singing,whistling, Sing-along me,tripsto
and
humming,tappingfeet concerts,musicplayingat
Musical
melodies andhands,listening, homeandschool,musical
etc.. instruments
ByLeading,organizing, Friends,groupgames,social
bouncing rela ng,manipula ng, gatherings,communityevents,
Interpersonal ideaso media ng,partying, clubs,mentors/appren ceships
other etc.
people
DeeplySe nggoals,Secretplaces, mealone,

Intrapersonal inside medita ng,dreaming, self-pacedprojects,choices
themselves beingquiet,etc.
ExcerptedfromArmstrong,T.Mul ple Intelligences In The Classroom.Alexandria,VA:Associa onfor

SupervisionandCurriculumDevelopment(1994).
80
Middle School Expo
SCAVENGER HUNT

Thisscavengerhuntisdesignedtohelprising6thgraderslearntheirwayaroundtheschoolas
wellastointroducethemtosomeoftheac vi estheschoolhastooer.Uponcomple ng
yourregistra onandcollec ngyourwelcomepacket,pleasesearchtheschoolandexpo
tablestofindtheitemslistedbelow.(Hint:Yourwelcomepacketincludesaschoolmap!)
Oncealltheitemsarecollected,returntothecheck-indeskwithyouritemstoclaimaprize.
Youmayworkingroups!
1. PrincipalsOce:ThePrincipalsBusinessCardwithhissignature
2. NursesSta on:Band-Aid
3. SoccerTeam:Tryoutdatesand mesflyer
4. SpanishClub:FlagfromaSpanishspeakingcountry
5. ResourceOcersOce:Sherisbadges cker
6. MediaCenter:Bookmark
7. CounselorsOce:Peerpressurebooklet
8. CheerleadingSquad:PomPom
9. ArtClub:Paintbrush
10.Cafeteria:Lunchmenu
11.Gym:Healthyheart psheet
12.StudentCouncil:Mee ngandeventsflyer
13.VolleyballTeam:Currentteammemberssignature
14.Choir/Band/MusicRoom:Sheetmusic
15.6thGradeLockers:Key
16.BasketballTeam:Pieceofabasketballnet
17.HelpingHandClub:Volunteeropportunityflyer
18.FootballTeam:Smallplas cfootball

81
Lighting the Flame
BRIDGE CARD

82
Lighting the Flame
BRIDGE CARD

83
Middle School Transition Camp
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
Ge ngStarted
WhenplanningaMiddleSchoolTransi onCamp,startbyconsideringthefollowing:
PlanningTeam:Whoneedstobeinvolvedintheplanningprocess?Considerthisasan
opportunitytocollaboratewithelementaryschoolsandtoinvolveneworexis ng
partners.Attheschoollevel,havethemiddleschooltransi onteamplanthecamp
andbesuretoincludepar cipantssuchastheprincipal,otherschoolleaders,school
counselors,socialworkers,parentinvolvementcoordinators,TitleIadministrators,
5thgradeteachers,middleschoolteachers,andparents.Inviteoneofyourbusinessor
communitypartnerstoserveaswell.
Funding:Whatfundingisavailable?ConsiderTitleIfunds,specialgrants,and
communitydona ons,includingvolunteersandinkindservices.Also,considerifyou
willoerbustransporta onorvariouspickuppointstoincludeallchildrenaswellas
otheropera oncosts.

Criteriaforpar cipa on:Whichstudentswillbeserved?Dependingonfundingand
thepurposeofmiddleschooltransi oncamp,thenumberofstudentsservedcould
vary.Somecampsonlyoermiddleschooltransi oncampstoselectgroupsof
studentswhileothersoertheopportunitytoallincoming6thgraders.
PlanningandImplementa onChecklist
A ertheini alplanningstepshavebeenconsidered,usethischecklisttohelpworkoutthe
details.
MiddleSchoolTransi onCampPlanningTeam:Whowillserveontheplanningteam?
Considerincludingaparentandothercommunitygroupsaswellasschoolsta.

PurposeandCurriculum:Whatisthepurposeofyourmiddleschooltransi oncamp?
Whatcurriculumwillyouuse?Haveyoudevelopedanagenda?Whatresultswouldyou
liketosee?
CriterionandNumberofStudentsToBeServed:Howmanystudentswillbeserved?What
isthecriterionforpar cipa on?
Marke ngandPromo on:Howwillyouadver se?Whatpartnerswillassistyou?In

addi ontoschoolpersonnel,apartmentcomplexes,publichealthfacili es,libraries,home
visita onprograms,andothercommunityagenciesandgroupscanhelpyourecruit.
84
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
Cost:Typicallymiddleschooltransi oncampsarefreetofamilies.However,willyouneed
tochargeasmallfee?
Registra on:Whatisthedeadline?Whatinforma onwillparentsneedtoregistertheir

student(s)?Howwillyouregisterstudents?
Datesandschedule:Whenwillthemiddleschooltransi oncampbeheld?Howmany
hours?Middleschooltransi oncampstypicallyrangefrom1to5dayswith5to3
hoursaday.
Forms:Whatinforma onandformsarerequiredbyyourschool?
FlyersandOtherPrintedInforma onforFamilies:Considerabrochureandprovidinga
scheduleofac vi es.
Budget:Whatareallthecostsassociatedwithholdingamiddleschooltransi oncamp?
Personnel:Howwillthemiddleschooltransi oncampbestaed?Willyou
encourageparentsandotherstovolunteer?Willyouneedjanitoror
otherpersonnel?
U li es
ProgramSupplies
Food:Willyouoerlunch?Snacks?
FamilyAc vi esandWorkshops
Transporta on
Evalua onandFeedback
Transporta on:Willtransporta onbeoered?Willstudentshaveanopportunitytoride

theschoolbustoandfromhome?Manyschoolsystemshavetheschoolbusespick-up
anddropochildrentoandfromtheschool.
ParentInvolvement:Howwillyouengagefamilies?Willtheybeinvolvedintheschool
ac vi es?Willtherebeadultsessionswithchildcare?Interpreta on?Refreshments?
Childcareforinfantsandtoddlersifneeded?
Evalua on:Howwillyoumeasuresuccess?Howwillyougetfeedbackfromthemiddle
schooltransi onsta,families,andstudents?Howwillyousharethepictures,thestories,
aswellasthedataandlessonslearned?
85
SAMPLE AGENDA
DayOne
8:309:00 Registra on
9:009:45 MiddleSchoolWelcome,Overview,andStudentPanel
9:4510:30 StudentTeamBuildingAc vi esinSmallGroups
10:3010:35 TraveltoAssignedWorkshop
10:3511:15 AssignedWorkshop
11:1511:20 TraveltoAssignedSchoolTourGroup
11:2012:00 SchoolTourandLockerDiscussion/Prac ce
12:00 Dismissal
DayTwo
9:009:45 WelcomeandOrienta ontoExtracurricularAc vi es,Clubs,
andStudentOrganiza ons(Interac veSession)
9:4511:05 MiniClassSessions(studentspar cipateinmockschedule
visi ngfiveclassesthataretenminuteseachwithaset
amountof metotransi ontoeachclass)
11:0511:10 TraveltoAssignedWorkshop
12:00 Dismissal
DayThree
9:0010:00 Welcome,StudentTeamBuildingExercise,andStudentQ&A
10:00-10:05 TraveltoAssignedWorkshops
10:5511:00 TraveltoLunch
11:0012:00 Celebra onLunchorSchoolPicnic(Students,Parents,and
FamilyInvited)
12:00 Dismissal
86
SAMPLE AGENDA

Workshops
Students will be assigned to groups and rotate among all three workshops.
Therefore, every student will a end all three workshops over the three camp
days.
Workshop1:BullyingPreven on,PeerPressure,andSelf-EsteemBuilding
(Cafeteria)
Workshop2:Homework,Organiza on,andStudySkills(MusicRoom)
Workshop3:Media,Video,andTechnologyUsage(MediaCenter)
SampleParent/FamilyAgenda
DayOne
9:0010:30 MiddleSchoolTransi onParentOverviewandSchoolTour*

DayTwo

DayThree
11:0012:00 Celebra onLunchorSchoolPicnic(Student,Parents,and
FamilyInvited)
*MiddleSchoolTransi onParentOverviewandSchoolTouristheSameMee ng
EachDay
87
Welcome Letter
SAMPLE

August1,2012
HelloAchieveMiddleSchoolFamilies:
Iamveryexcitedtowelcomeyouandyourstudent(s)totheAchieveMiddleSchoolfamily.Ihopethateachof
youhadagreatsummerandthatyouarereadyforthe2012-2013schoolyear.TheAchievefacultyandsta
havebeenpreparingtheschoolforyourarrivalandcannotwaittomeetyou.Asyournewprincipal,Ilook
forwardtoanexci ngnewyearasyourfamilymakesthetransi onfromelementarytomiddleschool.
Wehaveplanneda6thGraderBacktoSchoolBashonTuesday,August15,2012from4:30pmun l6:30pm.
Theeventwillgivestudentsanopportunitytomeetfacultyandsta,tourtheschool,locatetheirlocker,andget
alistofschoolsuppliestheywillneedonthefirstday.Inaddi on,wewillhaveacoregroupofcurrentmiddle
schoolstudentsthatwillserveasambassadorsduringthis me.Theywillhelpescortincomingstudentsand
answerques ons.
ParentswillhaveanopportunitytovisittheparentresourceroomandmeettheParentInvolvement
Coordinator.Iurgeyoutopayavisittotheparentresourceroomsothatyoucanlearnaboutopportuni esto
volunteer,upcomingparentworkshops,resources,andpartnershipswiththelocalcommunity.The parent
resource room is located in room 124 down the first hall on the right immediately a er you pass the front oce.
WewillhaveanareadesignatedasResourceRoundtableswhereyouwillbeabletogetinforma onsuchas:
PTAmembershipandmee nginforma on,instruc onsonhowtousetheparentportal,extracurricular
ac vi es,a erschoolenrichmentac vi es,astadirectory,principalocehours,andupcomingschoolevents.
ThefirstdayofschoolisMonday,August21,2012.Schoolstartsat8:45amandendsat3:50pm.Pleasemake
sureyouhavearrangementsa erschoolforyourchildwhetheritisana erschoolprogram,academicclub,or
sportsprac ce.Theschoolandlocalcommunityoermanydierentextracurricularandenrichmentac vi esto
meettheneedsandinterestsofallstudents.Pleaserefertothea achedlistofopportuni estolearnmore
aboutwhatisoeredandhowtosignup.
WewillbeholdinganOpenHouseonTuesday,August29,2012from6:00pmun l8:00pm.Atthis me,Iwill

holdaQues onandAnswersessionandthenyouwillbeabletomeetwithyourchildsteachers.Youwillalso
receiveinforma onaboutgradelevelcurriculum,aswellaslearnaboutthetoolsandresourcesthatweare
currentlyusingintheclassroom.
Weappreciatetheroleallofourfamiliesplayinthelifeofourschoolcommunityandencourageyouandyour
studenttotakeadvantageoftheopportuni esweoertogetconnected.Yourinvolvement,noma erhow
muchorhowli le meyouhave,willbenefitallofAchieveMiddleSchoolstudents.
Iamlookingforwardtopersonallymee ngyousoonandknowitwillbeagreatschoolyear.
OnbehalfoftheAchieveMiddleSchoolteam,
ArthurHandle
Principal
88
Student Ambassadors
SAMPLE PERMISSION FORM

DearStudent:
Rememberwhenyouwerearising6thgrader?Wasntitnicetohaveatrustedstudentyoucouldrelyuponor
askques onstoonaregularbasis?
Eachnewschoolyearourmiddleschoolwelcomesincoming6thgraderswithourStudentAmbassador
Program.Thisprogramenlistsrising7thand8thgradestudentstoserveasambassadorstonew6thgrade
studentsduringthefirstfewweeksofschool.Ambassadorsserveasguidesduringschoolhourstohelpnew
studentsnavigatethemiddleschoollandscapeandtoprovidethemwithatrustedsourceforinforma onif
theyhaveques onsthroughouttheday.Youwillnotmissanyclass me.Iamcontac ngyouaboutthisasI
wouldliketoaskyoutoserveasastudentambassadornextschoolyear.Iknowthatyouarearesponsible
studentthatIcancountonandwillbesomeonethatthenewstudentswilltrustandlookuptoasarolemodel.
Asastudentambassador,youwillbeassignedtovariousareasoftheschoolbeforeanda erschool,aswellas
duringclasschanges,lunchandotherfreeperiods.Yourschedulewillrotatewithotherstudentambassadors.
Inaddi on,youwillalsobeaskedtopar cipateinothermiddleschooltransi onac vi esthatwilltakeplace
throughouttheschoolyear.Inordertoserveasastudentambassadoryoumusta endamandatorytraining
onAugust16,2012,from3:305:30PM.Ifyouhaveaconflictwiththisdatejustletmeknow.Atthat
mee ngyouwilllearnaboutfurtherexpecta ons,opportuni es,andreceiveyourambassadorschedule.
Ifyouarewillingandabletoserveasstudentambassadorforthe20122013schoolyear,pleasecompletethe
a achedslipandreturnittomeMs.SmithinthefrontocebyMay1,2012.Iwillcontactyouthissummer
toremindyou.
Thanks,
Ms.JaneDoe
SchoolCounselor

Yes,mychildisableandwillingtoserveasaMiddleSchoolStudentAmbassadorforthe20122013school
yearandwilla endthestudentambassadortrainingonMonday,August16,2012from3:30pm5:30pminthe
schoolsmediacenter.
___________________________ _____________________ ___________________________________
Students Name Phone Number Email Address
___________________________ _____________________ ___________________________________

Parents Signature Phone Number Email Address
Mailing Address this summer:
Street Address City State Zip Code
RETURN TO THE FRONT OFFICE BY MAY 1, 2012.
89
Goal Setting
INSTRUCTIONS

SMARTGoalSe ng

Followingarecomponentsofaneec vegoalonethatdescribesperformancestandardsthatwill
telluswhatgoodbehaviorlookslike.TheSMARTacronymcanhelpusrememberthesecomponents.
Specific Thegoalshouldiden fyaspecificac onoreventthatwilltakeplace.
Measurable Thegoalanditsbenefitscanbemeasuredtoshowsuccess.
Achievable Thegoalshouldbea ainablewithavailableresources.
Realis c Thegoalshouldrequireyoutostretchorgrowsome,buts llallowfor

thelikelihoodofsuccess.
Timely Thegoalshouldstatethe meperiodinwhichitwillbeaccomplished.
Herearesome psthatcanhelpyouseteec vegoals:
1.Developseveralgoals.Startwithjusttwoorthreegoalsandthenasyoubegintoaccomplishthem,
considergrowingyourlistfurthertofiveorsevengoals.Thiswillgiveyouseveralthingstoworkon
overaperiodof me.
2.Stategoalsasdeclara onsofintent,notitemsonawishlist."Iwanttoorganizemypapersforeach
class"lackspower."IwillorganizemypapersforEnglish,math,andscienceclassisinten onal
andpowerful.
3.A achadatetoeachgoal.Statewhatyouintendtoaccomplishandbywhen.Agoodlistshould
includesomeshort-termandlong-termgoals.Youmaywantafewgoalsfortheyear,andsomefor
eachsemester.
4.Bespecific."Toplayaninstrument"istoogeneral;"totalktothebanddirectorthismonthand
selectaninstrumentIwanttolearntoplay"isbe er.Some mesamoregeneralgoalcanbecome
thelong-termaim,andyoucaniden fysomemorespecificgoalstotakeyouthere.
5.Shareyourgoalswithsomeonewhocaresifyoureachthem.Sharingyourinten onswithyour
parents,yourbestfriend,oryourteacherwillhelpensuresuccess.
6.Writedownyourgoalsandputthemwhereyouwillseethem.Themoreo enyoureadyourlist,
themorelikelyyouwillbeabletogettheresultsyouwant.
7.Reviewandreviseyourlist.Experimentwithdierentwaysofsta ngyourgoals.Goalse ng
improveswithprac ce,soplayaroundwithit.
Adapted from Maine Career Advantage (2002).

Career Prepara on Curriculum, Lesson Plan 7: Goal Se ng at h p://www.ccd.me.edu/careerprep
90
Goal Setting
TEMPLATE

Name:______________________________________________Date:____________________
Thefollowinggoalsarefocusedonthenext_____months:

SchoolGoals: Ac onSteps:
Personal/HomeGoals: Ac onSteps:
CollegeandCareerGoals: Ac onSteps:

91
Goal Setting
SMART GOALS WORKSHEET

Goalstatement:
WhatdoIneedtodotoreachthisgoal?
WhereamInow?
Obstacles: Solu ons:

92
Silent Interview
WORKSHEET EXAMPLE

Instruc ons:Lookatyourpartnerandanswerthefollowingques onsasyoubelieveyourpartnerwouldifheor
shecouldtalk.THERESHOULDBENOTALKING!Recordyourpresumedresponsesunder:
a)Yourresponse
A eryouandyourpartnerhavebothcompletedthesilentinterview,youwillshareyourwri enresponses
withyourpartnerandaskfortheaccurateresponsetoeachques on.Recordyourpartnersaccurate
responseunder:
b)Accurateresponse

1. Whatisthispersonsethnicorna onalgroup?

a)

b)

3. Whatdoesthispersondoontheweekendsduringhisorherspare me?

a)

b)
4. WhatwouldbetheIDEALgi forthisperson?

a)

b)
4. Whatelementaryschooldidthispersona end?

a)

b)
5. Whatisthispersonsfavoritesubjectinschool?Whataretheybestat?

a)

b)
6. Describethispersonscurrentneighborhood:rural,suburban,centercity;busyorquiet;singlehomeor
apartment,etc.
a)

b)
93
ForMoreInforma ononMiddleSchoolTransi onPleaseVisit:

www.a erschoolga.org

www.gadoe.org

www.gafcp.org

www.cisga.org

www.georgiapta.org

www.smartstartga.organdwww.uwma.org
94

Final Middle School Transition Toolkit

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Final Middle School Transition Toolkit

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

A

partnership publication by:

MiddleSchoolMa ers:SchoolTransi onTeamandPlan 6

MiddleSchoolMa ers:4thGradeTransi onAc vi esandNotes 11

MiddleSchoolMa ers:5thGradeTransi onAc vi esandNotes 20

MiddleSchoolMa ers:6thGradeTransi onAc vi esandNotes 41

SchoolTransi onInforma onSheet 60

Transi onshouldnotbeviewedfromonlytheperspec veofstudentsandfamilies,butrather

Helpstudentsformarealis cexpecta onofwhatmiddleschoolwillbelike;

Eec veandcomprehensivemiddleschooltransi onprogramshelp(Weldy,1991):

Inaddi on,researchcompletedaspartoftheProgramonEduca onPolicyandGovernance

Oncetheschooltransi onteamisformed,typicalresponsibili esconsistof:

Buildingrela onshipsamongkeypartnerstoiden fyneeds,goals,andresources;

Transi onAc vi es-Whatac vi eswillbeimplemented?

Personnel-Whowillberesponsibleforimplemen ngtheac vitesandtheircomponents?

Evalua on-Howwilltheeec venessoftheac vi esbemeasured?

Keeping the Momentum of Middle School Transition Moving

Thistransi ontoolkitisdesignedtohelpschoolsta,families,andcommuni esfocuson

The Transition Players and Their Roles

musttakeanac veroleintheirownmiddleschooltransi ondevelopment.

Atransi onplanshouldincludeac vi esdeliveredby

orbusinessandindustrypartners.Theac vi esshould WhileschoolsorLEAsmaywant

1.Social/Emo onal complianceregula onsares llin

Title-Provides the name of the ac vity

Asyouturnthepageandbeginviewingthetransi onac vi esforeachgradelevel,please

Partofthetransi ontomiddleschoolisensuringastudentsstrongfounda oninacademic,

Communica ngwithyourchildduringfamilymee ngs

Inaddi on,studentswillwriteale ertoinviteaprofessionalfromtheselectedclustertovisit

Title:UnderstandingtheRela onshipofAcademicsandPersonalQuali estothe

WorkHabits:Skillsapersonuseswhencomple ngworkandge ngitdoneon me.

Informthegroupofthedaysques onforcontempla onandresponse.Ques onscouldbe

TalkingS ckExamples:www.southwestwoodcra s.com/talking%20s cks.htm

Begineachdayinyoura erschoolprogramwithcircle me.Pickatopicfortheweekwith

Ano ceshouldgotoallfamiliesno fyingthemofthevisitsandfamiliesshouldbe

Inaddi ontothestudentques ons,topicsforthevisitsshouldbepredeterminedand

Middleschoolstudentspar cipa ngshouldhelpcreatetheagendabasedonthingstheywish

Thisprocesswillfocusonposi veaspectsandnotresultinnega ve-formedcri ques.Honest

Partofthetransi ontomiddleschoolisensuringastrongfounda onofacademic,social,and

GeorgiaDepartmentofEduca onBullyingPreven on:www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-

Materials:Folderswithresearchar clesondierentmiddleschooltransi onissues,video

Askdebriefingques onssuchas:Whatdidyoulearnbypar cipa nginthisac vity?Did

Familiesof5thgradersshouldhavetheop ontosignuptoreceivecommunica onsfromthe

Theparentorganiza onatthemiddleschoolshouldpartnerwiththeparentorganiza onsat

Parentorganiza onsshouldalsousethis metodiscussexpecta onsforfamilyengagement

WorkshopsmayevenbethemedbasedsuchasAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader? and

AcademicsExpecta ons,Organiza on,Curriculum,StudySkills

Parentroundtablesshouldbeheldthree mesperyearatvarious mes.Theschoolshould

Eec veRoundtableFacilita onTechniques:

Holdtheparentroundtablesatvarious mesthroughouttheyearandinvariousloca ons

MiddleSchoolTransi onCampPlanningandImplementa onChecklist:Seepages83-84inthe

Enlistparentorganiza onsaswellascommunityandbusinessorganiza onstoprovidevolunteersto

Thele ershouldincludeinforma onsuchas:

4thGradeTransi ontoMiddleSchoolVideo:h p://www.youtube.com/watch?

Havecommunityorganiza onsassistwithfacilita ngworkshopsforparentstohelp

Title:U lizingaCareerInforma onSystem(CIS)

Allan,J.,&McKean,J.(1984).Transi ontojuniorhighschool:Strategiesforchange.The School

ComprehensiveSchoolReformQualityCenter.(2005,January).Works in progress: A report on

GeorgiaA erschoolIns tuteMasterTrainersfortheGeorgiaA erschoolIns tute:Cultural

Jekielek,S.&Brown,B.(2005).The Transi on to Adulthood: Characteris cs of Young Adults Ag-

Kra -Sayre,M.E.,&Pianta,R.C.(2000).Enhancing the transi on to Kindergarten: Linking

Kra -Sayre,M.E.,&Pianta,R.C.(2003).Successful Kindergarten transi on: Your guide to

MentoringResourceCenter(2005).Making the Grade: A Guide to Incorpora ng Academic

Mullins,E.&Irvin,J.L.(2000).Transi onintoMiddleSchool.Middle School Journal,31(3),57-60.

_________________ _ _________________________