jackson, mckinnon, and wilson (2006) the transition from elementary school to middle school kelly...

Jackson, McKinnon, and Wilson (2006)

The Transition from The Transition from Elementary School toElementary School to

Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolKelly JacksonKelly Jackson

Natoscha McKinnonNatoscha McKinnonRebecca WilsonRebecca Wilson

Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityOctober 18, 2006October 18, 2006


WELCOME!WELCOME!

• Please make a nametag for yourself.Please make a nametag for yourself.• Please take an orange dot and rate Please take an orange dot and rate

your level of anxiety (high, medium, your level of anxiety (high, medium, low or somewhere in between) about low or somewhere in between) about the middle school transition.the middle school transition.

• Child care is provided in Room 400.Child care is provided in Room 400.• Spanish-speaking presentation Spanish-speaking presentation

tomorrow night at 7 pm.tomorrow night at 7 pm.


Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda• Anxiety Level Pre-AssessmentAnxiety Level Pre-Assessment• IntroductionIntroduction• Goals/ObjectivesGoals/Objectives• Icebreaker/EnergizerIcebreaker/Energizer• Content:Content:

– Procedural, Academic & Social/Emotional ConcernsProcedural, Academic & Social/Emotional Concerns– What Parents Can DoWhat Parents Can Do– School’s RoleSchool’s Role– Transitional ActivitiesTransitional Activities

• Role PlaysRole Plays• EvaluationEvaluation• Anxiety Level Post-AssessmentAnxiety Level Post-Assessment


Goals/ObjectivesGoals/Objectives

• Reduce your level of anxiety about Reduce your level of anxiety about the middle school transitionthe middle school transition

• Give you information, tools and Give you information, tools and resources to make the transition resources to make the transition successfulsuccessful

• Inform you about transition activitiesInform you about transition activities


Icebreaker/EnergizerIcebreaker/Energizer

• Independently read and rate the Independently read and rate the questionsquestions

• Please split into four groups of 2-3Please split into four groups of 2-3• Discuss and list any additional Discuss and list any additional

anxieties or concerns about your anxieties or concerns about your child’s transition to middle schoolchild’s transition to middle school

• Share anxieties and concerns with Share anxieties and concerns with groupgroup


The Transition to Middle The Transition to Middle SchoolSchool

• It is normal for your child to be It is normal for your child to be nervous about starting middle school.nervous about starting middle school.

• It is also perfectly normal for you to It is also perfectly normal for you to be nervous about your child’s be nervous about your child’s transition to middle school.transition to middle school.

• ““The transition to middle school may The transition to middle school may be one of the toughest transitions be one of the toughest transitions during childhood, for both parents and during childhood, for both parents and kids” (Brown, 2004).kids” (Brown, 2004).


Procedural ConcernsProcedural Concerns• Getting lost or finding classesGetting lost or finding classes• Finding and opening the lockerFinding and opening the locker• Finding the bathroomFinding the bathroom• Not knowing the school rulesNot knowing the school rules• Carrying around all those booksCarrying around all those books• Going from class to class without being lateGoing from class to class without being late• Bringing the right materials to the right classBringing the right materials to the right class

at the right timeat the right time• Traveling longer distances to schoolTraveling longer distances to school• Eating in a larger cafeteriaEating in a larger cafeteria

(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)


Procedural Concerns:Procedural Concerns:What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

• Buy a combination lock before school and Buy a combination lock before school and have your child spend time trying to open have your child spend time trying to open the lock.the lock.

• Go to the school two or three days before Go to the school two or three days before school starts and get a copy of your child’s school starts and get a copy of your child’s schedule. Take a few minutes to walk from schedule. Take a few minutes to walk from room to room with your child.room to room with your child.

• Don’t buy backpacks that can store 50 lbs. Don’t buy backpacks that can store 50 lbs. of materials. Smaller backpacks allow for of materials. Smaller backpacks allow for better organization.better organization.(The elementary to middle school (The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.)n.d.)


Academic ConcernsAcademic Concerns

• Getting good gradesGetting good grades• Competition for gradesCompetition for grades• Having more than one teacherHaving more than one teacher• More homeworkMore homework• More long-term projectsMore long-term projects• Work that is more challenging and requires more Work that is more challenging and requires more

efforteffort• Expectations of teachers in different subject areasExpectations of teachers in different subject areas• Basic tasks such as studying, taking notes, and Basic tasks such as studying, taking notes, and

taking teststaking tests(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)


Academic Concerns:Academic Concerns:What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

• Be the example … Show the importance of educationBe the example … Show the importance of education• Ask your child about their dayAsk your child about their day• Set aside a quiet space and time for your child to Set aside a quiet space and time for your child to

study/complete homeworkstudy/complete homework• Balance school work and play timeBalance school work and play time• Encourage readingEncourage reading• Assist your child with their homework and/or check Assist your child with their homework and/or check

their homework dailytheir homework daily• Set high but reachable expectations for your childSet high but reachable expectations for your child• ENCOURAGEMENT!ENCOURAGEMENT!

(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, (Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006)2006)


Social/Emotional Social/Emotional ConcernsConcerns

• Bullies and/or being teasedBullies and/or being teased• Making new friends/Finding and connecting with a Making new friends/Finding and connecting with a

peer grouppeer group• Feeling stupid compared to other kidsFeeling stupid compared to other kids• Success in sportsSuccess in sports• PopularityPopularity• Being embarrassed by parents in front of other kidsBeing embarrassed by parents in front of other kids• Puberty (pimples, body changes)Puberty (pimples, body changes)• Changing before and after P.E. in front of other kidsChanging before and after P.E. in front of other kids• Having girlfriends and boyfriendsHaving girlfriends and boyfriends• Having someone to sit with at lunchHaving someone to sit with at lunch• Pressure to smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugsPressure to smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs

(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)(Brown, 2004; Elias, 2001)


Social/Emotional Concerns:Social/Emotional Concerns:What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

• Increase your knowledge of adolescent Increase your knowledge of adolescent developmentdevelopment

• Be upbeat about what lies aheadBe upbeat about what lies ahead• Recognize their fearsRecognize their fears• Offer supportOffer support• Hold your child accountableHold your child accountable• Give your child the opportunity to make decisionsGive your child the opportunity to make decisions

on his/her ownon his/her own• Pick your battlesPick your battles• Give them tools they need to succeedGive them tools they need to succeed• Allow them the freedom to make mistakesAllow them the freedom to make mistakes

(The elementary to middle school transition: Five (The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.; Dean, n.d.)helpful hints for parents, n.d.; Dean, n.d.)


What Parent’s Can Do at What Parent’s Can Do at SCHOOLSCHOOL

• Maintain a good working Maintain a good working relationship with your relationship with your child’s teacherschild’s teachers

• Visit the schoolVisit the school• Know and understand Know and understand

school rulesschool rules• Attend meetings (PTA, Attend meetings (PTA,

conferences, etc.) and conferences, etc.) and child’s activitieschild’s activities

• Make sure your child Make sure your child attends school dailyattends school daily

• Volunteer in any way Volunteer in any way you canyou can

• Make a contract with Make a contract with your child and/or teacheryour child and/or teacher

• If you have raised If you have raised adolescents, be willing to adolescents, be willing to share advice and share advice and information with other information with other parentsparents

(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, (Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006; The elementary to 2006; The elementary to middle school transition: middle school transition: Five helpful hints for Five helpful hints for parents, n.d.)parents, n.d.)


What Happens ifWhat Happens ifParents Get InvolvedParents Get Involved

Decades of research show that when parents are Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have …involved students have …

• Higher grades, test scores, and graduation ratesHigher grades, test scores, and graduation rates• Better school attendanceBetter school attendance• Increased motivationIncreased motivation• Better self-esteemBetter self-esteem• Lower rates of suspensionLower rates of suspension• Decreased use of drugs and alcoholDecreased use of drugs and alcohol• Fewer instances of violent behaviorFewer instances of violent behavior• Greater enrollment rates in post-secondary educationGreater enrollment rates in post-secondary education

(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006)(Ford-Coabley, Crenshaw, DelAunter & Isaacs, 2006)


School’s RoleSchool’s Role

• Adolescents making the middle school Adolescents making the middle school transition need a combination of skill training transition need a combination of skill training and social-emotional learning (Elias, 2001)and social-emotional learning (Elias, 2001)

• The school provides experiences that meet The school provides experiences that meet essential needs in these four areas:essential needs in these four areas:– Contributions (Service learning)Contributions (Service learning)– Belonging (Peer groups, positive relationships, safe)Belonging (Peer groups, positive relationships, safe)– Talents (Academic and non-academic)Talents (Academic and non-academic)– Life Skills (Learning about feelings, goal-setting, Life Skills (Learning about feelings, goal-setting,

group work, problem solving and resilience) group work, problem solving and resilience) (Elias, (Elias, 2001)2001)


School’s Transition School’s Transition ProgramProgram

• Helps students form a realistic Helps students form a realistic expectation of what middle school expectation of what middle school will be likewill be like

• Provides a positive and successful Provides a positive and successful first impressionfirst impression

• Insures a successful introduction to Insures a successful introduction to the middle school experiencethe middle school experience

(Lorain, n.d.)(Lorain, n.d.)


Transition ActivitiesTransition Activities• Curriculum articulationCurriculum articulation• Guidance counselors visit Guidance counselors visit

elementary schoolselementary schools• Letters sent home Letters sent home

welcoming students and welcoming students and families, and inviting to families, and inviting to school activitiesschool activities

• Parent Teacher Association Parent Teacher Association (PTA) members call each (PTA) members call each new family welcoming new family welcoming them to schoolthem to school

• Mentor/buddy programMentor/buddy program• Programs new to entering Programs new to entering

students will be highlighted students will be highlighted during student visitationsduring student visitations

• Student orientationStudent orientation• Open house before the Open house before the

first day of schoolfirst day of school• Back-to-school nightBack-to-school night• School handbookSchool handbook• Monthly newsletters sent Monthly newsletters sent

home to parentshome to parents• Individual and group Individual and group

counselingcounseling• Classroom guidance Classroom guidance

lessonslessons• Parent workshops and Parent workshops and

groupsgroups(Schumacher, 1998)(Schumacher, 1998)


Role PlayRole Play

• Please break into 3 groups of 3-4 people.Please break into 3 groups of 3-4 people.• Each group will receive a role play Each group will receive a role play

scenario.scenario.• Please discuss and role play within your Please discuss and role play within your

group how you would address your group how you would address your child’s middle school anxiety/concern.child’s middle school anxiety/concern.

• Share your reactions with the whole Share your reactions with the whole group.group.

• Have Fun!Have Fun!


Positive Aspects of Positive Aspects of TransitionTransition

• Choosing classesChoosing classes• Making new friendsMaking new friends• Participating in sportsParticipating in sports• Having lockersHaving lockers• More personal and social freedomMore personal and social freedom• Changing classesChanging classes• ElectivesElectives• Greater academic choicesGreater academic choices

(Akos & Galassi, 2004)(Akos & Galassi, 2004)


ReferencesReferencesAkos, P., & Galassi, J. P. (2004, April). Middle school and high school transitions as viewed Akos, P., & Galassi, J. P. (2004, April). Middle school and high school transitions as viewed

by students, parents, and teachers. by students, parents, and teachers. ASCA: Professional School Counseling, 7ASCA: Professional School Counseling, 7(4), 212-(4), 212-221.221.

Brown, N. (2004). Brown, N. (2004). Middle school transitionMiddle school transition. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the Palo Alto . Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Web site: Medical Foundation Web site: http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/middleschoo.htmlhttp://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/middleschoo.html..

Dean, L. (n.d.). Dean, L. (n.d.). Easing your child’s transition to middle school or junior highEasing your child’s transition to middle school or junior high. Retrieved . Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the Partnership for Learning Web site: October 3, 2006, from the Partnership for Learning Web site: http://www.partnershipforlearning.orghttp://www.partnershipforlearning.org..

Elias, M. J. (Winter, 2001). Elias, M. J. (Winter, 2001). Middle school transition: It’s harder than you think: Making Middle school transition: It’s harder than you think: Making the transition to middle school successfulthe transition to middle school successful. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National . Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Association of Elementary School Principals Web site: Association of Elementary School Principals Web site: http://www.naesp.org/ContentLoad.do?contentId=519&action=printhttp://www.naesp.org/ContentLoad.do?contentId=519&action=print

Ford-Coabley, M., Crenshaw, P., DelAunter, B., & Isaacs, S. (2006). Ford-Coabley, M., Crenshaw, P., DelAunter, B., & Isaacs, S. (2006). How to get involved in How to get involved in your child’s learning …your child’s learning … Powerpoint presentation. Powerpoint presentation.

Lorain, P. (n.d.). Lorain, P. (n.d.). Transition to middle school: Are swirlies for real?Transition to middle school: Are swirlies for real? Retrieved October 3, Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Education Association Web site: 2006, from the National Education Association Web site: http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/msk030408.html?mode=printhttp://www.nea.org/teachexperience/msk030408.html?mode=print

Schumacher, D. (1998, June). Schumacher, D. (1998, June). The transition to middle schoolThe transition to middle school. Champaign, IL: ERIC . Champaign, IL: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. (ERIC Document Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED422119)Reproduction Service No. ED422119)

The elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parentsThe elementary to middle school transition: Five helpful hints for parents. Retrieved . Retrieved October 3, 2006, from the National Middle School Association Web site: October 3, 2006, from the National Middle School Association Web site: http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/WebExclusive/Helpful Hints/tabid/649/Default.aspxhttp://www.nmsa.org/Publications/WebExclusive/Helpful Hints/tabid/649/Default.aspx


Wrap-UpWrap-Up

• Questions?Questions?• Please complete the evaluation.Please complete the evaluation.• Please use a blue dot to indicate your Please use a blue dot to indicate your

level of anxiety after this workshop.level of anxiety after this workshop.• Please drop your evaluation in the box.Please drop your evaluation in the box.• Please pick up an informational packet Please pick up an informational packet

and brochures.and brochures.• Thank you for attending our workshop!Thank you for attending our workshop!

jackson, mckinnon, and wilson (2006) the transition from elementary school to middle school kelly...

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