Eisenhower Middle School6th to 7th Grade Transition

Spring 2021

Grace White, Acting Principal

Chris Giordano, Assistant Principal

Erica Ward, School Counselor/ Social Worker

Agenda● What is a 7th Grader?● Academics● Parent’s Role● Questions

How do we describe a 7th grader?

Where they are:The average 7th grader is transitioning from childish to more mature behavior.

• Exercise greater self-control• Develop growing sense of intuition and insight into self and others• Become increasingly self-reliant and self-centered• Curious about the world, but not ready for long-term planning• Strong desire to be like peers

Where they are going:At this stage, your child is learning to be more independent. You can help by encouraging them as they:

• Cope with changes• Transition to adolescence• Manage peer relationships• Improve interpersonal skills• Develop personal interests• Gain a greater sense of responsibility for their behavior and decisions

(American School Counselors Association).

MilestonesPhysical:

• Growth spurts- need more rest as energy is being used for growing• Slightly less coordinated as body is changing rapidly• Develop greater fine motor skills• Incongruity between body and brain growth- more mature physically than

cognitively or emotionallyCognitive:

• Problem-solving skills and flexible thinking develop• Understand concepts like power and influence• Question things, think less superficially• Think about how current actions affect the future (personally and globally)• Develop a worldview and basic set of values

Social- Emotional:• Limit seeking advice from adults- turn to peers• Sensitive to peer pressure and other people’s opinions/ reactions• Develop pride in accomplishments and awareness of challenge• Test out new styles and personalities to see where they fit in

Academic Expectations• Workload Increases• Independent Practice• Additional Responsibilities• Time Management

7th Grade CurriculumCore Specials

“Exploratories” “Cycles”

Run everyday Run every other day on an A or B day schedule

Run everyday

Full 180 days Trimesters (⅓ of year) 36 consecutive days

Math, Science, LAL, Social Studies

Financial Literacy, Performance Literacy, Wellness, TBD, TBD

[See later slide for examples]

Core Subjects● Math

○ Math 7

○ Math 7 Advanced

○ Algebra

•Language Arts Literacy○ Readers/Writers Workshop

•Social Studies ○ World Cultures and Geography

•Science○ Physical Science

•World Language: ○ Spanish, French, Italian

Criteria for Math Placement

● Algebra Prognosis Test● Report Card Grades● Teacher Recommendation● Trimester Assessments

Cycles•Health •Home Economics•Art•Digital Prototyping & Design•Multimedia Production•Robotics and Design

7th Grade Choice: Families will identify a preference of 1 exploratory and choose 2 cycles.

Musical Choice○ Vocal or Instrumental○ or Musical Engineering 7

Required Courses•Phys. Ed., Health, Coding,

Engineering, Wellness

Exploratories● Financial Literacy● Fan Fiction● TBD (Science)● Wellness● TBD (Social Studies)

7th Grade Specials

Typical 7th Grade Schedule• 7:55 Entry Bell• 8:00 - 8:08 Homeroom• 8:10 - 9:00 Math• 9:02 - 9:42 Cycles/ Music/ PE/ World Language• 9:44 - 10:34 Language Arts• 10:36 - 11:11 TIEE• 11:13 - 12:03 Science• 12:05 - 12:45 Exploratories/ PE/ World Language• 12:47 - 1:17 Lunch• 1:19 - 1:59 Cycles/ PE/ Music• 2:01 - 2:51 Social Studies

How do we help your child?

How do we help your child?

Encouragement• Praise positive behavior and responsible decision making• Independence• Resiliency and handling adversity• Importance of Learning vs. Grades

Communication• Keep lines of communication open• Listen and network with others

Boundaries• Monitor online behavior and technology use (Social media,

text messaging etc.)• Listen to your instincts

How do you help your child?

How do we help your child?● Advisory● Team Leader Structure● TIEE● Guidance Curriculum and Lessons● Health Curriculum● Wellness Committee● Wellness Courses● Wellness Space● Redo and Retake Policy● Homework Club

WELLNESS CENTERFour purposeful areas come together to teach students specific skills:

● Stress and Anxiety Awareness● Purposeful Stress Remediators● Managing a Stressful

Environment

ART THERAPYBIOFEEDBACK

PHYSIOLOGY READING & LISTENING

WELLNESS CENTER

THANK YOU WEF AND

PTO!

Vaping● Vaping is at EMS as with other Middle Schools in the

area● Children are getting access to these devices and cartridges

through friends, older siblings, and strangers on social media.

● Vaporizers are much more inexpensive now and accessible which makes them more affordable for middle school kids.

Vaping● You can help by not giving your children access to large

sums of money i.e. for special occasions. Hold that for them.

● Continue to monitor their cell phones. Vaping is mostly a social activity for Middle School children.

● Sweet smells in the air are typically an indicator of a vape pen.

● Proactively discuss this topic with your child. The dangers of nicotine products, and what you expect from them if they face peer pressure.

● Vaping, positive decision-making, and peer pressure are covered in our health curriculum. Similar topics also fall within our Advisory and Guidance curricula.

Bias● Tomorrow morning we will address the student

population and let them know about a bias incident that occurred within our school. We, as a school, believe that actions like this have no place within our community.

Upcoming Events● Course offerings and descriptions are sent to parents: 5/21● Parent portal opens for course preference selection: 5/21● Parent portal closes for selections: 5/28● 6th Grade Summer Transition Event: 9/2● Bus Passes Issues by BOE: August ● EMS Summer Mailing of Info: August● Student Schedules in Genesis Parent Portal: August● Official Schedules: September

Thank You for Coming!

Grace White, Acting PrincipalChris Giordano, Assistant PrincipalErica Ward, School Counselor/ Social Worker