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6th Grade  Project 7 weeks

"Welcome to Middle School Magic!"

Tracy A
WHST.6-8.5
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.5
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Purpose

Students will collaboratively create a comprehensive guidebook to assist incoming students in their transition to middle school. Through this project, they will engage in research, peer surveys, and literary analysis to gather insights and advice. This hands-on experience emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and empathy, as students reflect on their own experiences and craft a resource that addresses the needs and concerns of younger peers.

Learning goals

Students will develop and refine their writing skills through planning, revising, and editing content for the guidebook, ensuring it effectively addresses the needs of the audience. They will engage in research projects, utilizing multiple sources to explore questions about middle school transitions and adolescent psychology. By analyzing how texts present information, students will learn to organize their guidebook content in a clear, logical manner. The project will also foster collaboration and communication as students work together to create a meaningful resource for incoming students.
Standards
  • [California] WHST.6-8.5 - With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 - Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.5 - Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).

Products

Students will collaboratively create a comprehensive guidebook titled "Welcome to Hidden Valley Middle School," which will include sections on navigating school life, managing academic expectations, and fostering social connections. Throughout the project, students will produce drafts, peer-reviewed surveys, and reflective essays that contribute to the final guidebook. The guidebook will be presented at an orientation event, where students will also engage in interactive workshops with incoming students to discuss their findings and share personal insights.

Launch

Begin the project with an interactive panel discussion featuring current middle school students sharing their personal transition experiences. Facilitate a Q&A session where 6th graders can ask questions and express their concerns. Follow this with a reflective journaling activity where students document their initial thoughts and feelings about transitioning to middle school, setting the stage for their research and guidebook creation.

Exhibition

At the conclusion of the project, students will host an orientation event for incoming students and their families, where they will present their "Welcome to Hidden Valley Middle School" guidebook. Each group will have a booth showcasing their research process, including surveys and literary analysis, and will engage attendees with interactive presentations. Students will also facilitate small group discussions, allowing incoming students to ask questions and share their thoughts, fostering a supportive and welcoming environment.