1. The Transition from Elementary School to Middle School
Kelly Jackson
Natoscha McKinnon
Rebecca Wilson
Johns Hopkins University
October 18, 2006
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

2. WELCOME! Please make a nametag for yourself.
Please take an orange dot and rate your level of anxiety (high, medium, low or somewhere in between) about the middle school transition.
Child care is provided in Room 400.
Spanish-speaking presentation tomorrow night at 7 pm.
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

3. Today’s Agenda Anxiety Level Pre-Assessment Introduction
Goals/Objectives
Icebreaker/Energizer
Content:
Procedural, Academic & Social/Emotional Concerns
What Parents Can Do
School’s Role
Transitional Activities
Role Plays
Evaluation
Anxiety Level Post-Assessment
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

4. Goals/Objectives
Reduce your level of anxiety about the middle school transition
Give you information, tools and resources to make the transition successful
Inform you about transition activities
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

5. Icebreaker/Energizer
Independently read and rate the questions
Please split into four groups of 2-3
Discuss and list any additional anxieties or concerns about your child’s transition to middle school
Share anxieties and concerns with group
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

6. The Transition to Middle School
It is normal for your child to be nervous about starting middle school.
It is also perfectly normal for you to be nervous about your child’s transition to middle school.
“The transition to middle school may be one of the toughest transitions during childhood, for both parents and kids” (Brown, 2004).
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

7. Procedural Concerns Getting lost or finding classes
Finding and opening the locker
Finding the bathroom
Not knowing the school rules
Carrying around all those books
Going from class to class without being late
Bringing the right materials to the right class
at the right time
Traveling longer distances to school
Eating in a larger cafeteria
(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

8. Procedural Concerns: What You Can Do
Buy a combination lock before school and have your child spend time trying to open the lock.
Go to the school two or three days before school starts and get a copy of your child’s schedule. Take a few minutes to walk from room to room with your child.
Don’t buy backpacks that can store 50 lbs. of materials. Smaller backpacks allow for better organization.
(The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

9. Academic Concerns Getting good grades Competition for grades
Having more than one teacher
More homework
More long-term projects
Work that is more challenging and requires more effort
Expectations of teachers in different subject areas
Basic tasks such as studying, taking notes, and taking tests
(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

10. Academic Concerns: What You Can Do
Be the example … Show the importance of education
Ask your child about their day
Set aside a quiet space and time for your child to study/complete homework
Balance school work and play time
Encourage reading
Assist your child with their homework and/or check their homework daily
Set high but reachable expectations for your child
ENCOURAGEMENT!
(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

11. Social/Emotional Concerns
Bullies and/or being teased
Making new friends/Finding and connecting with a peer group
Feeling stupid compared to other kids
Success in sports
Popularity
Being embarrassed by parents in front of other kids
Puberty (pimples, body changes)
Changing before and after P.E. in front of other kids
Having girlfriends and boyfriends
Having someone to sit with at lunch
Pressure to smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs
(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

12. Social/Emotional Concerns: What You Can Do
Increase your knowledge of adolescent development
Be upbeat about what lies ahead
Recognize their fears
Offer support
Hold your child accountable
Give your child the opportunity to make decisions
on his/her own
Pick your battles
Give them tools they need to succeed
Allow them the freedom to make mistakes
(The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.; Dean, n.d.)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

13. What Parent’s Can Do at SCHOOL
Maintain a good working relationship with your child’s teachers
Visit the school
Know and understand school rules
Attend meetings (PTA, conferences, etc.) and child’s activities
Make sure your child attends school daily
Volunteer in any way you can
Make a contract with your child and/or teacher
If you have raised adolescents, be willing to share advice and information with other parents
(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006; The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

14. What Happens if Parents Get Involved
Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have …
Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
Better school attendance
Increased motivation
Better self-esteem
Lower rates of suspension
Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
Fewer instances of violent behavior
Greater enrollment rates in post-secondary education
(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

15. School’s Role
Adolescents making the middle school transition need a combination of skill training and social-emotional learning (Elias, 2001)
The school provides experiences that meet essential needs in these four areas:
Contributions (Service learning)
Belonging (Peer groups, positive relationships, safe)
Talents (Academic and non-academic)
Life Skills (Learning about feelings, goal-setting, group work, problem solving and resilience) (Elias, 2001)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

16. School’s Transition Program
Helps students form a realistic expectation of what middle school will be like
Provides a positive and successful first impression
Insures a successful introduction to the middle school experience
(Lorain, n.d.)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

17. Transition Activities
Curriculum articulation
Guidance counselors visit elementary schools
Letters sent home welcoming students and families, and inviting to school activities
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) members call each new family welcoming them to school
Mentor/buddy program
Programs new to entering students will be highlighted during student visitations
Student orientation
Open house before the first day of school
Back-to-school night
School handbook
Monthly newsletters sent home to parents
Individual and group counseling
Classroom guidance lessons
Parent workshops and groups
(Schumacher, 1998)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

18. Role Play Please break into 3 groups of 3-4 people.
Each group will receive a role play scenario.
Please discuss and role play within your group how you would address your child’s middle school anxiety/concern.
Share your reactions with the whole group.
Have Fun!
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

19. Positive Aspects of Transition
Choosing classes
Making new friends
Participating in sports
Having lockers
More personal and social freedom
Changing classes
Electives
Greater academic choices
(Akos & Galassi, 2004)
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

20. References
Akos, P., & Galassi, J. P. (2004, April). Middle school and high school transitions as viewed by students, parents, and teachers. ASCA: Professional School Counseling, 7(4),
Brown, N. (2004). Middle school transition. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Web site:
Dean, L. (n.d.). Easing your child’s transition to middle school or junior high. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the Partnership for Learning Web site:
Elias, M. J. (Winter, 2001). Middle school transition: It’s harder than you think: Making the transition to middle school successful. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Association of Elementary School Principals Web site:
Ford-Coabley, M., Crenshaw, P., DelAunter, B., & Isaacs, S. (2006). How to get involved in your child’s learning … Powerpoint presentation.
Lorain, P. (n.d.). Transition to middle school: Are swirlies for real? Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Education Association Web site:
Schumacher, D. (1998, June). The transition to middle school. Champaign, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED422119)
The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Middle School Association Web site: Hints/tabid/649/Default.aspx
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

21. Wrap-Up Questions? Please complete the evaluation.
Please use a blue dot to indicate your level of anxiety after this workshop.
Please drop your evaluation in the box.
Please pick up an informational packet and brochures.
Thank you for attending our workshop!
Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)