Day 4Advisory

Questions, comments, concerns…

2 Truths and a Lie

Board of Directors

Advisory

Exemplary middle schools offer programs that are developmentally responsive which means “sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence. Such schools create a personalized learning environment manifested in small learning communities characterized by stable close, and mutually respectful relationships that allow students to have a voice to develop citizenship, and to engage in alliances with families.”

Fundamental Purpose

Promote involvement between teacher and student

Every student needs to have at least one caring relationship with an adult

Allows teachers to make a significant difference-frequently

Social and emotional development

STAR: Students and Teachers Achieving Results

The Forest Park Advisory Program willprovide students the opportunity to develop socially, emotionally, and academically by building relationships in a safe, supportive school community and by ensuring that each student develop a meaningful connection with an adult advocate.

Schedule

Where do we get the time for advisory?

When should advisory be placed in the day?

Should advisory be everyday?Should advisory groups be rotated

amongst teachers on a quarterly or semesterly basis?

Who should get an advisory group?

Controversy…some question if

Teachers are trained to implement programs with an emphasis on counseling

Values and character education should be taught by teachers or by families

Non-academic time should be traded for more academic time

Advisory will foster…

Personal attention, individual focus on a daily basis

A sense of belonging in a small group settingPositive student/teacher relationshipsPositive peer relationshipsRecognition of individual student needs and

strengthsA sense of community through collaboration

and teamwork

Advisory is a personal relationship, NOT a

curriculum! Advisory programs that have failed have

focused their time and attention to the advisory as curriculum model.

Roles of the Advisor

CommunicatorRole ModelFacilitatorAdvocateCommunity Builder

Communicator

Engage students in significant dialogueActively listen to students Make themselves available to studentsConnect with parents and other staff

Role Model

Participate actively in the group Demonstrate respect and caring for students Share personal strengths and interestsShare leadership with students

Facilitator

Advance positive communication with the advisory group

Foster trust among studentsDirect students in team building and

discovery activities

Advocate

Cultivate students’ strengthsSupport students’ personal goalsKnow students’ academic and behavioral

statusKnow about students’ lives outside of the

classroom

Community Builders

Foster a sense of belonging to the advisory group

Develop community within house and schoolReach out to the greater communityEncourage extracurricular participation

Monthly Themes

September: Community (positive attitude, cooperation, friendship)

October: Month of the Young Adolescent (self-discipline)

November: Relationships (showing respect for self and others)

December: Compassion (service)January: Personal Goals (goal setting

and perseverance)

Monthly Themes

February: Respect & Responsibility (self-respect, tolerance, respect for others, integrity, trust)

March: March Madness (Teamwork)April: Citizenship (Environment & Service)May: Decision-Making (wellness, patience)June: Celebrations (a time to express joy

and satisfaction)

Weekly Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Greet students at the doorCheck plannersCollect any necessary paperworkOrganize materialsLocker clean-outSTAR group challengeEnergizers/ Tribe activitiesRead & discuss short stories (Chicken

Soup)Discuss upcoming week’s activities, tests/

quizzes, projects, fieldtrips etc...Theme activity

Tuesday & Thursday

Greet students at the doorDiscuss any significant events for the dayCheck plannersAIR TimeCollect any paperwork

Activities to do in Advisory

Small/ large group discussion

GamesCompetitions

(academic & nonacademic)

Silent readingQuestionnaires

Discuss issues that need immediate attention- bullying, cheating, community

Holiday celebrationsDecorate the

classroomGoal settingMonthly theme

activity

Advisory is a great time for

Character educationDiscussing behavioral

issues Discussing academic

grades and goalsCelebrating birthdaysTalking with studentsCo-STAR

Having lunch/breakfast together

Immediately finding out if a student needs to see a guidance counselor

Creating a group identity

As an Advisor

Invitation on their locker 1st day of schoolCall home 1st week of school and maintain a

positive relationship with parentsDecorate their locker on their b-daySend home a b-day postcard Go out of way to make students feel specialSend a note through school mailAdvocate at meetings for studentsTREATS!

As an Advisor

Know how students are doing in schoolAsk about tests & quizzes Ask about life outside of school-go to games

or extracurricular activities Discuss current “tough issues”Distribute report cards Help students set academic or behavior

goalsListen to studentsHAVE FUN!

Ticket out the door!