Transition: Elementary to Middle, Middle to High School Combined Summer Institute July 23, 2015
Elementary to Middle Transitioning from elementary school to middle school
Comprehensive Transition Programs Demonstrate inviting, supportive, and safe environments; Build a sense of community by supporting meaningful relationships and learning Ensure a successful introduction to the middle school experience
A comprehensive middle school transition program includes supports to: Help students form a realistic expectation of what middle school will be like; Provide a positive and successful first impression; Respond to the needs and concerns of students and their parents; Support school-initiated family and community partnerships;
What are Student Concerns? Getting to class on time Finding their locker Keeping up with materials and classwork Finding lunchrooms and bathrooms Getting on the right bus to go home Getting through crowded hallways Remembering which class to go to next
Student concerns More teachers No recess, less free time New harder grading standards Harder long-range assignments; more on your own assignments More peer pressure
Parent Concerns Grading more difficult More homework Less teacher hands on support Parents are less familiar with teachers and administration Child must become more independent and organized with so many classes
How Elementary Teachers can Help Emphasize the positive aspects of middle school (opportunity for more challenge, for more intellectual and social growth Prepare students for academic challenges and the autonomy they will have in completing assignments (getting work done without reminders)
How Teachers Can Help Encourage participation in: extra-curricular activities; clubs sports drama school yearbook student government Encourage parent involvement in school
How Counselors Can Help Assist in smooth transitions with teaching stress management, peer mediation, conflict management skills individually or small groups
Activities for Successful Transition Panel of 6 th graders come to meet with 5 th graders at their school to answer questions Create mentor program pairing one 6 th grader with one 5th grader- lasts 2 years. Mentors get orientation on how to mentor. Have a meet and greet at the elementary school families can sign up their kids. Pen-Pal program. 5 th to 6 th write 4 times per year 5 th graders attend school with a 6 th grader for a day
Activities for Successful Transition Create a resource packet including information to help parents understand how to help their child with organization, study skills, problem solving, goal setting, and career awareness Families and students fill out a survey of what they would like to learn about middle school Transition night: Tour the school, discover new expectations, learn about required materials, socialize with other families and meet school staff
Activities for Successful Transition Have a Middle School Expo one day event provide information to families about extracurricular activities for students, volunteer opportunities for parents, resources available at the school, school grading system, Family panel elementary families ask questions of a 6 th grade family panel Send the middle school newsletter to 5th grade families so they can begin to learn about activities at middle school
Transition from middle school to high school
Student Concerns Fitting in socially Class credits and graduation requirements What classes are required of freshman, what electives? What happens if I fail a class, can I make it up Can I take ASL as a World Language
Student Concerns What s the bell schedule Can I leave campus for lunch Will teachers know I am deaf: hard of hearing: will they understand how to use the FM equipment? Will I have the same interpreter for every class or will they change? Will I understand the interpreter?
8 th Grade Teachers Support Include students in IEP meetings Provide direct instruction about working with an interpreter, FM system Observe mainstream students in general education setting and provide direct instruction to improve social skills and self advocacy skills Teach ASL (if using SEE) as a transition skill, invite deaf adults into the classroom to talk about their careers and high school experiences
Teach Social Skills Introductions Social conversations Turn taking Eye contact Recognizing/responding to social cues Knowing rules of conversation (smiling, not interrupting, being polite, greetings)
Teach Social Skills Be sensitive to other s feelings Control aggression and other inappropriate behaviors Personal space Appropriate refusal Give compliments Present yourself in positive way Be friendly
Self Advocacy: Role Play Bullying situations Explaining hearing loss and technology devices Who to contact when: no interpreter shows up interpreter doesn t use a sign that is familiar or sign system that is familiar teacher not providing accommodations Student needs more help with classwork/tests
Teach Communication Repair Strategies Repeat slowly Emphasize key words Use alternative words Indicate lack of comprehension Ask speaker to re-state or clarify Tell speaker what you think you heard Ask to move to quieter space Ask for visual (write it on paper)
Discuss with student What is a GPA, how is it figured out? Why do you want a good GPA? How does high school affect life path? What are credits, how many credits for each class, what classes are required, what classes should be taken as freshman? What are electives, provide examples of electives available
Teach 10 Tips for Success in High School 1. Make a "To Do" List Every Day. Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments. 2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely. Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school
10 Tips for HS Success 3. It's Okay to Say "No." If your boss asks you to work on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next morning, realize that it's okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind. 4. Find the Right Time. You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night.
10 Tips for HS Success 5. Review Your Notes Every Day. You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study. You'll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz. 6. Get a Good Night's Sleep. Running on empty makes the days seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult. 7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others. If phone calls/texts are a distraction, tell your friends that you can t take calls after 8:00.
10 Tips for HS Success 8. Become a Taskmaster. Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly. 9. Don't Waste Time Agonizing. Don t waste an entire evening worrying about something that you're supposed to do. It s not worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it.
10 Tips for HS Success 10. Keep Things in Perspective. Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable.
Activities for Successful Transition Have freshman write advice papers to new 8 th graders Lighting the Flame: Schools hold a meeting between the parent, student, teacher, and high school grade counselor to begin work on college and career awareness as they move toward the high school. Panel deaf high school/college students from community ask about high school, college, jobs, driving, dating, bullying, communication
Activities for Success Transition Student Made I-Movie describing themselves and their interests, communication needs (especially positive for deaf-plus students) Rite of passage ceremony before transition. Think about a behavior that hasn t served you well and a new skill they could practice to replace it to become more responsible for yourself.
Activities What activities do you provide?
Provide School Resource Book Teachers can help with academic issues, give study tips, provide extra tutoring if needed. TOD and Counselors can help with academic issues, choosing courses each year, college and career planning, social issues, emotional issues, family problems, and alcohol and other drug problems. Administrators can help with lockers, cafeteria issues, theft reports, bullying issues, sexual harassment issues, and conflicts with other students, etc. School Resource Officer can help you with theft reports, bullying issues, family violence issues, sexual harassment issues, legal issues, etc.
School Resource Book Tutoring services are provided at many high schools. Check with teachers and counselors for information. Media Center specialists can help find resources for research, computer access, etc. Computer Labs are available for student use at most high schools Career Development Coordinator can help you with career assessments, finding a part time job, worker s permit, job shadowing, scheduling appointments with military recruiters, internships, and apprenticeships
References National Middle School Association www.nmsa.org Middle School Transition Toolkit Georgia Schools Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center; Gallaudet University