Goodbye Old, Hello New Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School

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Goodbye Old,
Hello New!Transitioning from Elementary to
Middle School
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Resources

• Valuing Diversity in Your Classroom
• http//jc-schools.net/teacher/valuing-diversity.pd
  f
• Customer Service Key to Creating Family-Friendly
  Schools
• http//jc-schools.net/teacher/family-friendly-scho
  ols.pdf
• Middle School Information Brochure
• http//jc-schools.net/teacher/middle-school-brochu
  re.doc

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Goodbye Old,
Hello New!

• Adjusting to Change
• Developing Skills for Transitions

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• The goal of this training is to provide
  information to teachers that will assist them in
  enhancing parental involvement during the
  transition from elementary school to middle
  school.

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Transition Levels

• Pre-School Kindergarten
• Elementary- Middle School
• Middle School High School
• High School Post Secondary

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• Why is it important for schools to help
  parents stay involved during this transition?

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• Student achievement increases with increased
  duration and intensity of parental involvement
• Students with involved parents have
• Higher test scores and grades
• Better attendance
• More positive attitudes and behavior
• Higher graduation rates

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• Parents academic level, socioeconomic level, and
  ethnic or racial origin are not determining
  factors for academic success
• Successful students have parents that
• Have a positive attitude about education
• Believe their children can do well academically
• Convey that belief to their children

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Mandates for Parent Involvement

• No Child Left Behind
• IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education
  Act)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
  1973(revised)
• Title I

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Middle School Transitions

• What do we do to help students and their
  parents transition to middle school?

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Transition from Elementary to Middle School
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What Challenges Will Students Face?

• Socially
• -- Reestablishing positive identity
• Relationships with old and new friends

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What Challenges Will Students Face?

• Socially
• Cliques
• Sense of belonging
• Peer pressure

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What Challenges Will Students Face?

• Academically
• Excitement and worries
• Unfamiliar building/lockers/class schedules
• Academic demands/rigorous workload
• Multiple teachers/styles/expectations
• Making choices

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What Challenges Will Students Face?

• Emotionally
• -- Relinquishing/new friendships
• -- Sense of identity
• -- Managing time
• -- Seeking purpose and role
• -- Key values support

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What Challenges Will Students Face?

• Physically
• -- Apprehensive about abilities
• -- Feel inferior/different
• -- Want to fit in
• -- Physical changes

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Components for Successful Transitions

• Collaboration between elementary and middle
  school teachers
• Transition programs

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Components for Successful Transitions

• Welcoming environment
• Establish open communication
• Provide school information and dates
• Provide curriculum information

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How Can Schools Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Develop a partnership with parents
• Provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere
• Establish two-way communication
• Respect cultural differences

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How Can Schools Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Socially
• Interactive learning groups
• Equip with strategies and skills
• Self-esteem/Buddy support
• -- Talents beyond academics

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How Can Schools Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Academically
• Orientation program
• Instruction, coaching, and support
• Climate conducive for parent involvement
• Student choices
• Individual needs

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How Can Schools Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Emotionally
• -- Proactive, preventive instruction
• Identity search guidance/opportunities
• -- Promoting self-discipline/self-esteem
• -- Provide counseling

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How Can Schools Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Physically
• Address health issues
• Nutritionally balanced school meals
• Physical education program
• Healthy environment
• Parents and community involvement
• -- Provide for individual differences

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How can schools help parents transition to middle
school?

• What are some of the causes of stress for new
  students that you see in your school?
• What are some of the causes of stress for parents
  of students?
• What can the school do to address these issues?
• What can the school do to involve parents in
  identifying and addressing these issues?

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How Can Parents Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Academically
• Assist in organization skills
• Independence with decision making
• Help in setting goals
• Learning resources
• Parents as partners

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How Can Parents Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Socially
• Accepting and being accepted
• Mutual respect
• New and old friends
• Cooperation and communication

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How Can Parents Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Socially
• Agree to disagree
• Learning attitude
• Motivate and inspire/Role Model

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How Can Parents HelpStudents Transition to
Middle School?

• Emotionally
• Talk and listen
• Promote self-discipline
• Learn from mistakes
• Celebrate hard work

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How Can Parents HelpStudents Transition to
Middle School?

• Emotionally
• Be consistent and predictable
• Resolve conflict
• Give independence
• Stay involved
• Be a great motivator

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How Can Parents Help Students Transition to
Middle School?

• Physically
• Encourage physical activity
• Limit computer,television,video games
• Reassure physical changes normal
• Communicate with school

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How Can Parents Help Themselves?

• Take good care of themselves
• Keep up their health
• Find ways to handle stress
• Keep a positive attitude
• Build a support network
• Keep a sense of humor

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• Remember the good old days when the messes
  they made were disposable?

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