TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Renee BellAdrienne HudakLauren Rockwell

WHY THIS TOPIC? Research shows that middle school

transitions: Lead to changes in social behavior, as students

feel anonymous Can lower self-esteem Can increase school-related stress, and

depressive symptoms We have developed a 3-session classroom

guidance program to address the following issues: Friendship & Bullying Self-Esteem & Self-Concept The academic and organizational demands of

middle school

GIRLS GROUPS: FRIENDSHIP AND SELF ESTEEM This three-tiered activity is designed to teach

Seeing equality behind appearances, Practice looking for the good in others, Practice encouraging others, And see how important this can be to our

thought bubbles

PART ONE: THE SNEETCHES The book tells the story of how

“star-bellied” Sneetches think they are better than “plain-bellied” Sneetches.

After story topics: How did the Sneetches treat each

other at the beginning of the story? The end?

What things do we treat like our star-bellies?

PART TWO: BALL ENCOURAGEMENT Student Stand in a Circle, some get stars on

post-it notes, others get plain post-its. The ball is tossed around the circle (students

with starts must pass to students without stars), and as the ball is passed, you say one thing that makes the next person special.

PART THREE: THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT Next, we will discuss how these things felt,

and write those good feelings and thoughts on the board, in thought bubbles.

We will discuss how kind words and actions help us feel good, and how that is important to do for everyone.

PART THREE CONTINUED Finally, the girls will

each have their picture taken in front of the board, and receive a copy to hang in their locker.

This will remind them to say kind things to themselves and others

SUPERHERO SUCCESS!

SELF-CONCEPT IN TRANSITION Students in transition between schools at this

age are often very critical of themselves Friendships are viewed as very important This transition can often be referred to as a

time of crisis Form own value system based on social and

physical environments

SELF-CONCEPT CONTINUED Poor self- esteem correlated with transition Simmons (1973) found biggest decline in

self-esteem was between 6th-7th grade Biggest time of stress during adolescents life;

can affect school, self-concept, friendships, etc.

Important to develop positive self-concept & understand strengths and weaknesses at this age!

QUOTE “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a

fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ― Albert Einstein

TODAY’S LEARNING TARGETS I can describe my strengths that will help me

be successful at school. I can describe my weaknesses and how I will

overcome them.

THE HULK Strength:

Super strength Alter ego: Super smart

Weakness: Gets angry and frustrated easily. When angry, he

transforms. He gets very strong, but can’t control his strength.

He loses his super smarts

IRON MAN Strength:

Very smart Loyal to those who help him

Weakness: Doesn’t think about other people’s feelings Doesn’t always try his hardest

THOR Strength:

Super strong Good leader

Weakness: Likes to start fights, thinks it will make him more

special or a better leader Doesn’t always think before he acts

MAGNETO Strength:

Can control metal objects Can create force fields

Weakness: Doesn’t let people get to know him Doesn’t like people who are different from him

MIDDLE SCHOOL…HERE WE COME! Academic, Organization and Planning

activities for the Middle School transition

MAKING THE TRANSITION Research indicates that organization and

planning demands can be some of the most challenging changes that middle school students face

Changes in scheduling, using lockers, taking electives, increased homework, new and more teachers were listed as some of the ecological changes associated with the transition to middle school

The good news is that support and interventions provided by the school can help students remain resilient during the transition

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND The counselor provides students with a map of the middle school and points out the 6th grade classrooms, as well as the cafeteria, library, office, etc.

THE SCHEDULE1st Period – 7:45 – 8:302nd Period – 8:35 – 9:203rd Period – 9:25 – 10:104th Period – 10:15 –

11:30Lunch - 11:35 – 12:405th Period – 12:45 – 1:306th Period – 1:35 – 2:207th Period – 2:25 – 3:10Dismissal – 3:10Busses pull out at 3:25

The counselor will introduce the middle school bell schedule and discuss the process of changing classes.

WHAT CLASSES WILL I BE TAKING?! The counselor will discuss

with students the required courses which they will all be taking, and then discuss their elective options. Later, the counselor will sit down with each student to select electives and level placements.

Typical 6th Grade Schedule Math (1 period) Language Arts (2

periods) Science (1 period) Social Studies (1

period) Arts Elective (Band,

Choir, or Art; 1 period) Health & Physical

Education (1 period)

KEEPING TRACK OF IT ALL… The counselor will give

students an overview of their assignment notebook along with tips for recording assignments accurately.

Record homework assignments, tests and study plans. Ex: Vocab test Tuesday!

Study flashcards for 1 hr. on Monday night

SETTING STUDENTS UP FOR SUCCESS The transition to middle school is particularly

challenging due to the fact that it overlaps with the onset of puberty

Interventions addressing self-esteem, peer relationships, academics, and organization can help mediate these problems

Adolescents who experience difficulty during the middle school transition often have academic, motivational, and emotional problems through out the rest of their school years. However, early intervention and prevention can stop problems before they escalate.

REFERENCESAkos, P. (2004). Advice and student agency in the transition to middle school. Research in Middle Level Education, 27(2).

Blyth, D. A., Simmons, R. G., & Carlton-Ford, S. (1983). The adjustment of early adolescents to school transitions. Journal of Early Adolescence, 3, 105-120. Ginott, G.M. (1968), A functional approach to group counseling. In G.M. Gazda (Ed.), Basic approaches to group psychotherapy and group counseling. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.  

Langberg, J.M. (2011). Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) Interventions. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

Mullens, E. R. J. (1997). Changes in young adolescents' self-perceptions across the transition from elementary to middle school. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses

Odegaard, S. (1992). Student, parent, and teacher perceptions of the transition from elementary to middle school. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses

REFERENCES CONTINUEDParker, A.K. (2009). Elementary organizational structures and young adolescent’s self-concept and classroom environment perceptions across the transition to middle school. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 23(3), 325 – 339.

Richardson, T. L. (2000). Emotional intelligence as a mediator of transition trauma in students progressing from elementary to middle school (Doctoral dissertation, Florida State University,2000). Dissertation Abstracts International, 61, 448A.

Rudolph, K. D., Lambert, S. F., Clark, A. G. & Kurlakowsky, K. D.(2001). Negotiating the transition to middle school: The roleof self-regulatory processes. Child Development, 72, 929-946.

Steiner, A. (2006). Helping her weather middle-school transitions. Daughters, 11 (2).