October 2, 2014Teri Dowty~ School

Counselor

Welcome to Middle School!!!

Today’s Agenda

• Opening Activity• What to Expect Developmentally• Developmental Goals• 6th Grade Expectations

• Schedule• Organization• Homework

• Communication• Getting Involved• Words of Advice• Meet Your Counselor

What to expect….physically:• Huge appetite for food, physical activity, and talking!

• Growth spurt of early adolescence for some girls

• Constant motion; restless• Possibly more illnesses• Need for more sleep• Good fine motor capability

What to expect….cognitively:

• Increased ability to think abstractly

• May show emerging ability/skill in particular area

• Can and will see both sides of an argument

• High interest in current events, social justice, pop culture, and materialism

What to expect….socially:• Moody, sensitive

• Testing the limits• Impulsive, talks before thinking• Argumentative; likes to debate• Struggles with decision making• Self-absorbed• Appreciates humor• Extremes of emotions• Peer importance/acceptance

increases

DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS FOR 6th

GRADERS1.Self-advocacy2.Independence3.Problem solving

• Students – learning life skills

• Parents – walking the fine line of helping versus fostering dependence

CORE CLASSESMath

Language Arts Social StudiesScienceComputer/Study Skills, • Nonfiction Writing, Arts &

LiteracyUnified Arts –FCS, Art, Tech Ed

Music– Band– Chorus– Orchestra

– Music Matrix

P.E.Health Study HallMath or Reading Intervention

ENCORE CLASSES

6th GRADE SCHEDULE• 8:05 - 8:10 HOMEROOM• 8:10 - 9:05 CORE• 9:05 - 9:50 ENCORE• 9:50 - 10:50 CORE• 10:50 - 11:50 CORE• 11:50 - 12:35 ENCORE• 12:35 - 1:05 LUNCH• 1:05 - 2:10 CORE• 2:10 – 2:40 FLEX

The Organizational Nightmare!

• Getting out the door in the Morning• Locker• Bringing Materials Home• Binders• Bedroom • Personal Belongings• Developmentally: peer acceptance on their

mind, testing limits, wanting independence, impulsivity

Helpful Ideas• Checklist or visual reminders• Pack up the night before• Decide on clothes at night• Keep needed materials in one place or bag• Set a routine• Compromise• Discuss expectations• Respect differences• Routine clean out of binders/ in doubt put in envelope,• School open late into the evening• Encourage locker clean out• Ask if organization is working for them• Have supplies handy

Homework!!!• Planner Use, 4

subjects daily, parent signature daily

• Expect an hour to an hour and a half of HW daily, Back-ups to planbook: study buddies; website.

• How & when to get help ~ Flex, after school.

What does self advocacy look like in regards to homework?

Your child doesn’t understand how to do the homework…

Parent ask..“What can you do to get the help you need?”

Available Options:

1. Student can call a friend

2. Student can email their teacher

3. Student can look on team page

4. Student can ask teacher next day before school or during flex

Communication• School Website / team

page• Parent Portal • Planner Signatures• Email• Phone Calls• Parent/Team Conference

• Please encourage daily attendance to school.

• If absent for less than 3 days student will

• need to get assignments by:– Checking website– Calling their study buddy

~ See teachers next day before school, during flex, or make plans to stay after

• If absent for 3 days or more, please call the Guidance Secretary for a homework request in the morning.

Attendance

Grading• Progress Reports are sent home at the

mid-point of each trimester(Oct. 9th). The purpose of progress reports are to alert parents/guardians and students of academic difficulties and successes.

• Parent Portal provides ongoing feedback• Report cards are sent home at the end of

each trimester. Report cards are based on a numerical grading system.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Why are they important for 6th graders?

*Social aspects*Getting to know themselves

*Feeling connected to school

The Power of Parents!!!*Your children need you more than

ever!*They also still need patience, love,

guidance, and LOTS of attention.*Listen to them…a good rule of

thumb: listen three times as much as you talk!

*Stay calm…don’t sweat the small stuff.*Keep your sense of humor!

Advice from our 6th grade teachers and

counselors…• Guide, don’t do the homework• Your child should be enjoying school,

even though we have high expectations• Don’t get wrapped up in your child’s

drama• Keep your lines of communication open• Listen more, talk less, lecture the least• Put school responsibility as a top priority• Encourage independence but still

monitor• Encourage new friendships; get to know

their friends

Thank you for

being an

Involved TE

Parent!!

School Counselors’ Assignments

• If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your child’s counselor.

• Patricia Lakomy EVERGREEN• Maggie Levrault LIME• Alison Jennings SAGE