Going to middle school tip sheet

Going to Middle SchoolIn any given class, the student may find no familiar faces. The student changes classes every periodand also has certain classes for only a semester. There will be a greater demand for independence inwork habits. The homework will be more complex and involve more hours of work. There will also bemore complex social demands.There are also opportunities that were not available in elementary school. Planning for the transitionfrom grade school to middle school will begin several months before the actual transition occurs.Following is a process others have used in developing a successful transition plan.Step I: Preparation during the last year in elementary school It’s a good idea for the elementary school team to visit the middle school to: o Meet teachers and administrators in the school o Learn about important differences between elementary and middle school o Collect some textbooks or course outlines to help determine placement level o Obtain information for the parents about the new school, including its faculty, opportunities, challenges, policy, rules and traditions o Develop a list of important skills that the student might need in the new schoolStep II: Planning the curriculum, goals and schedule for the fall transition to middle school The elementary school team can: o Gather information, prior to the individual educational program (IEP) meeting about the student’s strengths, challenges, interests and need for technology, support and accommodations/modifications o Discuss a schedule with the parents and middle school team regarding the student’s need for balance in his schedule (breaks and opportunity for resource support o Develop a list of helpful strategies, a portfolio or a video that shows the student’s personality and strengthsStep III: Preparing the parents The elementary school team can: o Discuss with parents how they can assist their child over the summer to be ready o Share materials to familiarize parents and student with new school (map & handbook) o Discuss how the parents can communicate with the new teachers to ensure easy transition. Provide info about school activities and faculty expectations regarding homework o Discuss parent support and booster groups so parents become involved in activities o Discuss an ongoing means of communication with the middle school contact personStep IV: Preparing the student The parents or school team can: o Write a social story or series or stories to help the student prepare for the change

o Allow the student to have as many visits to the new school as needed o Practice a walking route to classes and opening and closing their locker o Identify important areas such as: bus stop, homeroom, bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, etc. o Review the yearbook to familiarlize with faculty and school activities during the year o Take the student to parent-teacher orientation o Practice scripts so the child knows where to get help and requesting for a quiet place to calm down (practice routes) o Prepare the student that each teacher has different rules and proceduresStep V: Preparing the staff The middle school or autism support team can: o Inform the teaching staff as soon as possible they will be receiving a child with ASD o Plan how teachers will be prepared, informed and supported o Provide staff with info packets with names of videos, books and Web sites about ASD o Identify an older student who can serve as a mentor to the student with ASD during the new school term…have the children meet and spend time getting acquainted o Assist staff and aides so they are ready for adaptations/modifications for the first week o Advise staff they will need to closely monitor comprehension of materials, since many ASD students memorize information without processing or understanding it o Discuss expectations with the parents regarding the amount of homework and their role in meeting due dates and completing assignments*This list is geared toward the needs of students who will be active in general education classrooms.Many of the same steps are appropriate for the student who will be in more restrictive programs.Individual steps should be added to the list to meet the needs of specific students and the schoolsystem. Many of the same strategies will be used when entering high school.*Materials provided by ASA Autism Society of America

Going to middle school tip sheet

by The Hope Institute on Dec 15, 2010

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Going to middle school tip sheet — Document Transcript