middle school transition and student engagement … the keys to success jim miles

Middle School Transition and Student Engagement

… The Keys to Success

Jim Miles

It’s All About Math!

Welcome to the Middle School Mathematics Initiative!

Institute Theme:

Transitioning to Middle School

Learner Engagement


Sponsored by:

Florida Department of Education

Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center at ETS (FLICC)

In Partnership with:

The International Center for Leadership in Education

ESCORT

Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics

PAEC


Objectives:

•Become aware of innovative and practical strategies to use with students who are transitioning from elementary school to middle school

•Understand that active engagement during a lesson is a critical component to learner success


Agenda at a Glance:

Day 1

•Registration, Continental Breakfast

•Welcome, Introductions

• Jump Start and Icebreaker Activity

•Middle School Transitioning

•Lunch

•Middle School Transitioning (cont.)

•Sharing Session

•Personalization and Classroom Environment


Agenda at a Glance:

Day 2

•Breakfast / Jump Start Activity

•Samples of Effective Transitioning Programs

•Parent / Learner Tips

•Learner Engagement

•Lunch

•Learning Criteria

•Action Planning / sharing

•Online Directory of Resources

•Highlights and Next Steps

•Celebration

AGENDA

Icebreaker “Making the Connection” Middle School Transition Personalization – Classroom Environment Parent/Learner Tips Learner Engagement Learning Criteria – Action Plan Middle School Math Initiative Resources Middle School Math Initiative in Review Celebration and Next Steps

TransitionsIn all transitions we look for

Safety Information Connection

SafetyIn all transitions we want to feel Physically Safe Emotionally Safe Secure Confident of Succeeding

InformationIn all transitions we want to

Gain an Understanding Know expectations

ConnectionsIn all transitions we want

To fit in Someone who can help

Many schools succeed at 1 or 2

components

few succeed with all 3 components

Think about your last transition … what were your

concerns?

SafetySchool Focus:Sealing school campus

off from the community

SafetyStudent Issues: Bullying Rumors Harassment Isolation

SafetyWhat is the safety policy on your school campus?

What are the safety issues of your incoming middle school students / parents?

SafetyDescribe how safety is achieved at your school?

Does your safety policy address student concerns?

SafetyWhen students feel unsafe at school they need Somewhere to go Someone to talk with Resources on campus to cope

SafetyWhich poses the greatest threat at your school? Negative forces within the school, or Outside violence

InformationSuccessful transitions explain

What Where How When

InformationHow do your students learn the

What Where How When

at your school?

InformationSchools provide information

In large assemblies Newsletters, bulletin boards,

Web sites These methods talk at students/

parents rather than with them

InformationAssemblies, bulletin boards, newsletters, Web sites are:

Most effective for administrators Least effective for students and

parents

InformationStudents and parents need

Accurate information Timely information

Information needs to reach and be understood by each student and parent

InformationCan we have a conversation with each student and parentto disseminate accurate and timely information? How?

We learn...10%

20%

30%

50%

60%

80%

95%

of what we read

of what we hear

of what we see

of what we see & hear

of what we discuss with others

of what we personally experience

of what we TEACH to someone else


To belong (to fit in) Someone for support /help What other connections do

we need in transitions?


To fit in Someone to turn to

ConnectionsThink about your first teaching assignment … what connections did you need?

ConnectionsThink about the first day of school this year …

what connections did you make with new students at your school?

Elementary Principal Says 5th Graders Social 5th Grade Celebration 6th grade Ambassadors Opening Day for 6th Graders Only Middle School is Unique

Appropriate for Them Not Preparation for High School

Middle School Students Say

More WorkThe A-B-C’sThe Big Lock-UpLibrary HeavenClass / Day SchedulesBye Bye Recess

Extra-Curriculars

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Self-knowledge• Who am I?

Career exploration • Where am I going?

Career Plan• How do I get there?

INTEGRATED LEARNING

• What am I learning?

• Why am I learning it?

• How can I use it?

UNIVERSAL FOUNDATION SKILLS

(SCANS)• What do I need to know?

• What skills are

important for me”

knowledge application

skills

Questions students

should be able to answer

Successful Curriculum Reform

Why

Do we need

to change

schools?

What

Needs to

be done?

How

Do we do it?

AGENDA

Personalization – Classroom Environment Learner Engagement Parent/Learner Tips Learning Criteria – Action Plan Middle School Math Initiative Resources Middle School Math Initiative in Review Celebration and Next Steps

ICLE Philosophy

RigorRelevanceRelationshipsAll Students

ICLE Philosophy

RelationshipsRelevanceRigorAll Students

Student Engagement

Students are engaged and motivated to learn if lessons include:

Creation of a meaningful productOpportunities for leadershipRelationships, established

through collaborative opportunities

Exploration of content and skills

Creation of a Meaningful Product

Personal meaning for learners Focus is student-centered learningTask is interdisciplinary - multiple

disciplinesStudents control their learning

Creating a Learning Environment for 21st Century Skills

Students working in teams to

experience and explore

relevant, real-world problems,

questions, issues, and challenges;

then creating presentations

and products to share

what they have learned

Traditional Learning was

Teacher-directedDirect InstructionKnowledgeContentBasic SkillsTheoryCurriculumIndividualClassroomSummative AssessedLearning for School

Today’s Students are Digital Natives

Conventional Speed Twitch Speed

Step-by-Step Random Access

Linear Processing Parallel Processing

Text First Graphics First

Work-Oriented Play-Oriented

Stand-alone Connected

Digital Learners are Engaged by

Multitasking Multimedia learning Online social networking Online information searching Games, simulations and

creative expressions

Teacher-directedDirect InstructionKnowledgeContentBasic SkillsTheoryCurriculumIndividualClassroomSummative AssessedLearning for School

Student-directedCollaborative ConstructionSkillsProcessHigher-order ThinkingPracticeLife SkillsGroupCommunityFormative EvaluationLearning for Life

A Project Learning Classroom is

A Better Balance

To learn collaboration – work in teams

To learn critical thinking –

take on complex problems

To learn oral communications –

Present

To learn written communications –

Write

Project Learning is Skill-Based

To learn technology – Use technology

To develop citizenship – Take on civic and global issues

To learn about careers – do internships

To learn content – Research and do all of the above

Project Learning is Skill-Based

Students Develop Needed Skills in

Information Searching & Researching Critical Analysis Summarizing and Synthesizing Inquiry, Questioning and Exploratory

Investigations Design and Problem-solving

Opportunities for Leadership

Engaging cooperative learning projects Leadership skills Problem-solving / decision-making skills Appropriate social behaviors Responsible for own learning Help their peers

Collaborative Relationships

Make learning is enjoyable and rewarding Increase rapportEncourage and facilitate high achievementStimulate cognitive growthHelp children develop social competenceHelp students become competent adults

Exploration of Content and Skills

Students are eager to engage with their peers to provide a solution if presented with an unfamiliar, meaningful problemCreates excitement, energy, and curiosityUses adaptive and inventive behaviorEncourages freedom to play, try out new

scenarios, and apply their knowledge of the real world

When content and skills related to students’ personal lives / future aspirations are taught

Meaningful products can be created Relationships can be formed Leadership can be developed

If we hope to rejuvenate students reluctant to learn, we must make our curriculum and instruction relevant and engaging.

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC

Rigor/Relevance FrameworkRigor/Relevance Framework

Teacher gives students a real-world question to

answer or problem to solve

High

HighLow

Low

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC


Students seek information to

answer question or solve problem

High

HighLow

Low

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC


High

HighLow

Low

Students test the relevancy of the information as it

relates to the question or problem

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC


High

HighLow

Low

Students reflect on the potential use of

the new information as a solution

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC


Students apply the information learned to

answer the question or to solve the problem

High

HighLow

Low

RIGOR

RELEVANCE

AA BB

DDCC


Acquisition of knowledge / skills

Motivation

Creativity – Innovation-

Problem Solving

High

HighLow

Low

Rigor -

Critical Thinking

Relevancy -

Validation

The Aspirations Profile:The Aspirations Profile:Understanding our students betterUnderstanding our students better

STUDENT ASPIRATIONS

SELF WORTH

RELATIONSHIPS

ACTIVE

ENGAGEMENT

RELEVANCE

PURPOSE

RIGOR

• Belonging

• Heroes

• Sense of Accomplishment

• Fun & Excitement

• Curiosity & Creativity

• Spirit of Adventure

• Leadership & Responsibility

• Confidence to Take Action

ImaginationImagination

HibernationHibernation PerspirationPerspiration

DeterminationDetermination

DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

ASPIRATIO

NS

ASPIRATIO

NS

Copyright 2008 Quaglia Institute

HibernationHibernation

DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

CHARACTERISTICS•Do not think about

the future•Have no clear

goals•Put forth little

effort in daily life

CHARACTERISTICS•Do not think about

the future•Have no clear

goals•Put forth little

effort in daily lifeREPORT•Feeling isolated from others•Having little self-esteem•Lack a positive role model•Feeling stuck

REPORT•Feeling isolated from others•Having little self-esteem•Lack a positive role model•Feeling stuck

LABELS•Lazy •Trouble Makers•Drifters•Loners

LABELS•Lazy •Trouble Makers•Drifters•Loners

MOST IN NEED OF…•Being accepted for who they are•Role models; individual support•Being recognized for what they are already good at

MOST IN NEED OF…•Being accepted for who they are•Role models; individual support•Being recognized for what they are already good at


PerspirationPerspiration

DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

REPORT•Working

exceptionally hard •Always putting forth

best effort •Lacking direction or

purpose

REPORT•Working

exceptionally hard •Always putting forth

best effort •Lacking direction or

purpose

LABELS• Hard-working• Diligent• Directionless

LABELS• Hard-working• Diligent• Directionless

MOST IN NEED OF…•Someone to look up to•Help with goal setting•Seeing the connection between

current hard work and future success

MOST IN NEED OF…•Someone to look up to•Help with goal setting•Seeing the connection between

current hard work and future success

CHARACTERISTICS• Show up on time• Always at school• Put forth the effort to get ahead• Lack dreams for the future

CHARACTERISTICS• Show up on time• Always at school• Put forth the effort to get ahead• Lack dreams for the future



DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

CHARACTERISTICS•Have clear goals for future•Show little effort to reach goals•Tend towards “magical”

thinking…”it will just happen”

CHARACTERISTICS•Have clear goals for future•Show little effort to reach goals•Tend towards “magical”

thinking…”it will just happen”

REPORT•Knowing their future plans•Having positive ideas and attitudes

about the future•Unclear about steps needed to

reach future

REPORT•Knowing their future plans•Having positive ideas and attitudes

about the future•Unclear about steps needed to

reach futureLABELS• Dreamers• Unrealistic• Impractical • Idle and Privileged

LABELS• Dreamers• Unrealistic• Impractical • Idle and Privileged

MOST IN NEED OF…•Finding fun in every day school life•Challenges to their curiosity and creativity•Encouragement to take healthy risks

MOST IN NEED OF…•Finding fun in every day school life•Challenges to their curiosity and creativity•Encouragement to take healthy risks



DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

CHARACTERISTICS•Have a vision for the

future• Inspired in the

present to reach goals

•Accept responsibility for choices and actions

CHARACTERISTICS•Have a vision for the

future• Inspired in the

present to reach goals

•Accept responsibility for choices and actions

REPORT•Clear understanding

of who they want to be

•Feeling a sense of purpose in life

•Knowing what resources they have and lack

REPORT•Clear understanding

of who they want to be

•Feeling a sense of purpose in life

•Knowing what resources they have and lack

LABELS•Go-getters•Confident•On Track•High Flyers

LABELS•Go-getters•Confident•On Track•High Flyers

MOST IN NEED OF…•Ongoing validation•Maintaining balance•Opportunities to be of service

to others

MOST IN NEED OF…•Ongoing validation•Maintaining balance•Opportunities to be of service

to others



HibernationHibernation PerspirationPerspiration


DOERS

high

highlow

DREAMERS

ASPIRATIO

NS

ASPIRATIO

NS

The Aspirations

Profile


Dynamic and flexible

Unique to the school

Creates a single school culture

Addresses specific concepts to be establish in your school/classroom

Teachers create and implement the suspended curriculum

Suspended Curriculum

*

Atlantic High School’s suspended curriculum defines the start of the

AERIE and RAPTOR* experience

Ninth grade academy AERIE Atlantic Pupils Rising Into Excellence

Tenth grade academy

RAPTOR Raising Atlantic Pupils To Rigor, Relevance, Relationships, Reflection

It starts with a brainstorming session to identify the need and create a curriculum

Rick Stiggins, http://www.assessmentinst.com/staff_rick.php

Richard Dufour, http://www.teacherleaders.org/misc/dufour_PLCs.pdf

Jeff Howard, http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/features/howard07012004.html

Too Good For Drugs (Palm Beach County Safe Schools) http://www.modelprograms.samhsa.gov/pdfs/Details/TooGood.pdf

Resources used by Atlantic High School included:

Suspended Curriculum

Atlantic Community High School Delray Beach Florida

Suspended Curriculum Topics

Credits / GPA Attendance Respect / Responsibility Conflict Mediation Classroom Procedures Acceptable Behavior and Consequences Character Education Dress Code / Personal Hygiene Social skills Social consciousness

Suspended Curriculum Topics

Goal Setting Learning Styles Test Taking Skills Studying for success Learning Strategies Counseling Community awareness Choices career program Where to go for help

Personal Skill Development

Student Engagement

Stretch Learning

Core Learning

Learning Criteria to Support 21st Century Learners™

Revised April 2008

Core Learning

Core Academic LearningWhat is the core learning that you will stand behind for

each and every student in your class?

Data IndicatorCurrent

PerformanceDesired

PerformanceData Needed

Stretch LearningHow do students in your class demonstrate rigorous and

relevant learning beyond minimum requirements? How is each student challenged to achieve and demonstrate mastery?


PerformanceDesired


Student EngagementHow do you know your students are motivated, committed to learning, have a sense of belonging and accomplishment, and

have supportive relationships? What strategies do you use on a regular basis to engage students with the learning?


PerformanceDesired


Personal Skill DevelopmentHow can you show that your students have the leadership, social, and personal skills and the positive behaviors and attitudes to add value to our democratic society? What

personal skills are taught and/or reinforced in your classroom?


PerformanceDesired


middle school transition and student engagement … the keys to success jim miles

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