1. Middle School What’s it all About?

2. Middle School Is… Academics Academics Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinary Peers Peers Exploratory Exploratory Active Active Hands-on Hands-on Socialization Socialization Fun Fun

3. “Middle school students are neither elementary nor secondary students.” (Lounsbury 1996)

4. Middle school students will… Make the transition from elementary to secondary school Have multiple teachers Move from class to class Have more responsibility

5. Some transition concerns adolescents have about middle school are: Finding their way around a new school Finding their way around a new school Understanding new rules Understanding new rules Dealing with lockers and remembering their combination Dealing with lockers and remembering their combination Getting lost Getting lost

6. More concerns… Taking showers and changing in front of others in PE Getting to class on time Work will be too hard Taking tests Peer pressure Being picked on

7. Characteristics of middle school students: Rely on parents and other significant adults for advice Rely on parents and other significant adults for advice Most adolescents need to establish a relationship with adults other than their parents Most adolescents need to establish a relationship with adults other than their parents Inquisitive about adults and observe them closely as role models Inquisitive about adults and observe them closely as role models

8. More characteristics… Concerned about peer pressure Concerned about peer pressure Sensitive and self- conscious about personal criticism Sensitive and self- conscious about personal criticism Desire to believe she/he can be successful Desire to believe she/he can be successful

9. Think they’re the only ones with personal problems, feelings, and experiences Prefer eating junk food but require good nutrition to perform well

10. How can parents help their child make the transition to middle school?

11. Get Involved.

12. 1. Volunteer

13. Classroom activities Classroom activities Chaperone field trips Chaperone field trips School library School library Fund raisers Fund raisers Become a PTO or PTA member Become a PTO or PTA member

14. 2. Communicate Attend parent/teacher conferences Attend parent/teacher conferences Correspond with your child’s teachers via note, phone, or email Correspond with your child’s teachers via note, phone, or email Return written correspondences which require a signature Return written correspondences which require a signature

15. 3. Homework assistance Establish a quiet study space and time at home Provide reference books— dictionary,thesaurus, and encyclopedias Check your child’s work and offer help when necessary Frequently check Centerpoint for your child’s current grade and missing/late work

16. As adolescents begin their journey through middle school and the changes it brings, they need even more parental involvement than ever before.

17. An adolescent’s success in middle school depends on a partnership between: Adolescent Teachers Parents Family Community

18. Reference List Koppang, A. (2004). A Transition program based on identified student and parent concerns. Middle School Journal, Volume 36, 1-7. Retrieved February 3, 2006 from NMSA. Lounsbury, J. (Ed.), Schurr, S., Thomason, J., & Thompson, M. (1995). Teaching at the middle level: A professional’s handbook. Lexington, MA; D.C. Heath & company. National Middle School Association. (1996). This we believe: Successful schools for young adolescents. Westerville: NMSA. Stevenson, C. (2002). Teaching ten to fourteen year olds (3 rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

19. Wayne Blake EDUC 6510 February 14, 2006