Academics, Behaviors, and Social Skills in Middle School

ASD Class

In middle school teachers start to stress student independence and self responsibility.

Changes in Focus in Middle SchoolASD Class

Shift from Skill Acquisition to Skill Utilitzation

Handouts: Common Core Standards Course Syllabi Parent Rights

In middle school teachers start to stress student independence and self responsibility.

Middle School FocusCommon Core Standards Usage

• Basic Incoming Skills• ELA

– In Elementary School– In Middle School

• Math– In Elementary School– In Middle School

• Content Area Subjects – Science and Social Studies• Social Skills• Vocational Studies• Middle School Differences• Middle School is Preparation for High School

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills

In order for incoming 6th graders with IEPs to be successful in middle school, below is a list of necessary skills students need to learn while they are in elementary school. Skill levels are dependent on IEP assessments and needs.

– Reading– Writing– Oral Language– Math– Social Interactions– Procedural Responsibilities– Study Skills– Organizational Skills– School Rules

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills - Reading

• Be able to find main ideas, supporting details,

examples and text when another is reading• Independent reading - with appropriate level

novels; have a book to read when done with work or waiting for instructions

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills - Writing

• Penmanship that can be read• Be able to write complete sentences and paragraphs with

writing conventions• Spelling that is understandable• Taking notes during instruction (independently) from lecture,

from the board or projector (far point skills), from a book/paper

• (near point skills), your students should have this experience. It’s really important for us to know which kids

• cannot take notes and will need copies of notes or a scribe• Keep a journal including page numbers, table of contents,

assigned work – per teacher requirements

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Writing (cont.)

• Binder paper issues: start on the side where there are 3 holes on the left side of the paper first, respect paper margins, start on the first or second line.

• Number paper for tests per the teacher’s directions about titles, number, paper set up

• How to "fill in the bubbles" on a Scantron• Put name (first and last), date and class period on right-

hand top corner of paper; Staple papers on the top left corner

• DO NOT write in or damage books or materials that belong to the school

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Oral Language

• Presenting a 3 minute oral report as based on a poster, model, or PPT

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Math

• Mastery of +, -, x, and / skills

• Read and understand maps and schedules (bus, train, etc.); use a school map to find a classroom

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Social Interactions

• Working in a small group to create something

• Raise hands for questions or ideas, wait for turn to speak, be an active/courteous listener

• Use restroom during breaks or know how to ask appropriately if need to go during class

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Procedural Responsibilities and Study Skills

Procedural Responsibilities• Complete assigned work - open book, turn to the correct

page, read the first question, make best effort, talk to the teacher and explain the problem

• Walk into classroom, sit down, take out agenda, and write down homework

Study Skills• Test prep – i.e., review notes/handouts, read the book, self-

questioning techniques, study buddies/study groups

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – Organizational Skills

• Keeping a daily agenda - log assignments, homework, and project deadlines daily in agenda for every subject every day.

• Students must come to school EVERY DAY with needed supplies (pencils, erasers, agenda, sharpener, paper, homework

• folder, etc. These are not provided), keep up a binder with 6 colored-clear- plastic 2 pouch dividers and organize papers

• in tabs inside a binder, when finished with daily homework, put in binder neatly; turn in on time; make corrections

• Keep area around desk safe, backpacks under desks, paths between desks clear

• Be able to follow directions (oral and written) for assignments• Be able to use a combination lock for PE lockers

Middle School FocusBasic Incoming Skills – School Rules

• Respect yourself, others and our school per the Positive Behavior Improvement and Support (PBIS)

• Follow school rules and dress codes• Electronics stay at home; cell phones must be turned off (not

on vibrate), Texting not allowed

Reading Focus in Elementary School

1. PHONEMIC AWARENESS—The knowledge and manipulation of sounds in spoken words.

2. PHONICS—The relationship between written and spoken letters and sounds.

3. READING FLUENCY, INCLUDING ORAL READING SKILLS—The ability to read with accuracy, and with appropriate rate, expression, and phrasing.

4. VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT—The knowledge of words, their definitions, and context.

5. READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES—The understanding of meaning in text.

ELA Focus in Middle School

• Fluency, word identification – oral reading practice, literature circles• Self-monitoring comprehension, integrated strategy use (word

identification and comprehension strategies) – guided/interactive reading

• Word identification, vocabulary, grammar, mechanics, and spelling – word study, grammar, mechanics

• Fluency, vocabulary, self-monitoring comprehension, integrated strategy use (word identification and comprehension strategies) – reading interesting, self-selected books independently

• Writing fluency – response to literature, persuasive, narrative• Self-monitoring, comprehension, integrated strategy use – learning

and using strategies for comprehension

ELA Focus in Middle SchoolCause and Effect Context CluesCompare and Contrast

Inferences

Description/Elaboration

Multiple Meanings

Proposition/Support

Figurative Language

Sequencing Conotation/Denotation

Summary

Middle School ELA Practices• Oral and shared reading • Guided reading in flexible groups• Word study in guided reading groups• Comprehension strategy instruction• Literature Circles• Self-selected extended reading and writing• Assigned writing topics• Grammar and mechanics• Instruction using Common Core standards with

supplementary materials as needed

Elementary School Math Practices• Conceptualization – understanding why

the concept is done• Problem Solving – understanding what

needs to be done• Mechanics – understanding how to

solve the problem• Instruction using Common Core

standards with supplementary materials as needed

Middle School Math Practices• Conceptualization – comprehension of concepts,

operations and relations• Procedural Fluency – skill in flexibility, accurately,

efficiently, and appropriately using procedures• Strategic Competency – ability to formulate, represent

and solve problems• Adaptive Reasoning – capacity for logical thought,

reflection, explanation, and justification• Productive Disposition – view of math as useful,

sensible and worthwhile coupled with belief in diligence and personal efficacy

Middle School Content AreasScience

• Science – follow the grade level standards for each grade, accommodating/modifying as needed– 6th grade – Earth Science– 7th grade – Life Science– 8th grade – Physical Science

Grade level materials are used with accommodations/modifications as needed.

• Instruction using Common Core standards with supplementary materials as needed

Middle School Content AreasSocial Studies

• Social Studies - follow the grade level standards for each grade, accommodating/modifying as needed– 6th grade – Ancient History– 7th grade – Medieval History– 8th grade – American History

Grade level materials are used with accommodations/modifications as needed.

• Instruction using Common Core standards with supplementary materials as needed

Middle School Social SkillsIn middle school teachers start to stress student

independence and self responsibility. • Friendship• Bullying• Intimacy• Puberty• Appropriate social behaviors• Autism self-awareness and self-advocacy

– Shift set training/Cognitive Flexibility – learning how to change from one activity/focus to another easily (transitioning).

Middle School Vocational Studies• Career/vocational assessment

– career/vocational assessments– career/secondary education planning

• Career/secondary education planning (School-Based Preparatory Experiences. This can include: – career/vocational assessments– career/secondary education planning– curriculum integration of work readiness

skills/contextual learning• Career Preparation & Work Based Learning Experience.

This includes career awareness & exploration activities.• Collaboration/Youth Development & Leadership. This can

include:– self advocacy/disability awareness– destination/transportation training– independent living/functional skills

Middle School Differences• More students at the school and in mainstream classes. The

classes tend to be larger than those in elementary schools. • Changing classes and more teachers. In middle school, your child

may have up to six different teachers and will have to change classes with each subject.

• New curriculum. As in elementary school, middle school curriculum is guided by state standards.

• New school schedule. This new schedule also includes different break and lunch times than your child may have had in elementary school. There is no play equipment in middle school for breaks or lunch time.

• More after-school activities and programs. Middle schools tend to offer more social and academic learning options and/or activities for children after the regular school hours.

• Parent Involvement begins to decrease as students are encouraged to move toward independence

Middle School is Preparation for High School

• High School is much bigger!• Bigger classes• Increased workload, more homework• Big fish (8th grade) to little fish (9th grade)• Schedules are different• Parent involvement continues to decrease during high school.• Suddenly the goal is very clear: this is the real deal!• Now, they could have six or seven teachers each day -- all with

their own methods, standards, workloads, moods and idiosyncrasies.

• Sports!• Peer pressure rears its ugly head. Succumbing to peer pressure

can quickly derail an academic career, and it's a major factor in many dropout cases