1. Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School What happens to Reading Ann Trompeter, Erin Wallace, and Julie Wileman

2. Our goal today... is to open up lines of communication, creating a collaborative culture between elementary and middle school librarians, to support student learning while easing the transition to a new school environment and creating a cohesive teaching and learning progression.

4. Reading becomes more about work State testing removes the aspect of literature as creative Pressure placed on testing has resulted in a marked decline in the joy of reading

5. Middle School success is critical to academic achievement “Sixth graders who failed math or reading, had a less than an 80% attendance rate or had unsatisfactory behavior had only a 10%-20% chance of graduating on time.” ₁ Unsuccessful students in middle school are incapable of succeeding in college prep courses in high school. Middle school students should be encouraged to read 25 books or more a year ₁ Balfranz, R. (2009) Putting Middle Grades Students on the Graduations Path. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University

6. Barriers To Reading The Middle School Transition

7. Middle School Schedule and Climate Changes Flexible Schedule/may not have “library day” Students have to “speak up” to visit library Teachers may not send students – don’t want missing class/not a priority Size of school and library – overwhelming or intimidating

8. More Schedule and Climate Changes Lack of free time to read within school day Increased schoolwork pressures/more rigorous coursework Don’t like the teacher/decreased relationships with teachers Lack of choice (real or perceived) Forget about the library – not visited/talked about regularly by classroom teachers

9. Social Changes Library visits may be solitary, have to choose to separate from group Increased pressure/desire to fit in with others Increased social life/freedoms outside of school Extracurricular activities Expanding social roles Prefer interaction with peers

10. Technology Changes Greater access to technology outside of school – Parents giving more freedom with technology – More personal devices – Increased time spent social networking

11. Physical Changes Increased restlessness/fatigue due to hormonal changes Sitting still/focusing an increased challenge

12. Citations VanSlyke-Briggs, K. "What Went Wrong: Middle School Students and Alliteracy." North Carolina Middle School Association Journal. Fall 2011. Retrieved from http://www.ncmsa.net/journal/PDF/Dec11/VanSlyke.pdfhttp://www.ncmsa.net/journal/PDF/Dec11/VanSlyke.pdf "Middle School: the Fork in the Road to College." 2010 Breakthrough Collaborative Research Brief. January 2010. Retrieved from http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/sites/default/files/bt-research- brief-ms-fork-in-the-road.pdf http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/sites/default/files/bt-research- brief-ms-fork-in-the-road.pdf Niesen, V., & Wise, S. "Transition From Elementary to Middle School: Strategies for Educators." Helping Children at Home and School II: Handouts for Families and Educators. National Association of School Psychologists. 2004. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/communications/spawareness/transition_elem2mid.pdf

13. Our goal today... is to open up lines of communication, creating a collaborative culture between elementary and middle school librarians, to support student learning while easing the transition to a new school environment and creating a cohesive teaching and learning progression.