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6th Grade  Lesson 45 minutes

Middle School Mastery: Tips & Tricks Guide

Tracy A
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7
WHST.6-8.7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.5
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to enable 6th-grade students to utilize their personal experiences and academic skills to create a meaningful guidebook that supports incoming students' transition to middle school. By engaging in research, collaboration, and creative expression, students will produce a resource that fosters confidence and belonging among 5th graders. This project emphasizes real-world communication and leadership, allowing students to connect with their community while deepening their understanding of adolescence and peer support.

Learning goals

Students will develop critical reading skills by identifying central ideas and analyzing the development and organization of informational texts. They will enhance their writing by adding strong reasoning and effectively presenting ideas through multimedia components. Through collaborative discussions, students will engage in self-directed learning, using feedback to refine their work and build self-knowledge. They will foster an academic mindset by exploring identity and belonging, while applying critical thinking to address real-world questions about the middle school transition.
Standards
  • [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.
  • [California] 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.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.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create a variety of products, including student-authored articles, infographics, and multimedia presentations. These will culminate in the "Welcome to Hidden Valley Middle School" guidebook, which includes illustrated maps, schedules, and student profiles. Additionally, students will produce a companion podcast or video series featuring "2-Minute Middle School Tips" and may participate in creating interactive displays for orientation events. Each product will be designed to engage and inform incoming students, drawing on research, personal experiences, and peer feedback.

Launch

Begin the project with an engaging video montage showcasing "first day" scenes from popular movies like "Inside Out," "Wonder," and "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life." After viewing, facilitate a class discussion about the emotions these scenes evoke, such as nervousness, excitement, and insecurity. Transition the conversation to brainstorming how students can transform these feelings into confidence and belonging for incoming students by creating their guidebook. This activity sets the emotional tone and purpose for the project, motivating students to draw from their own experiences to support future middle schoolers.

Exhibition

As a culmination of the project, 6th graders will embark on a walking field trip to their feeder elementary schools, where they will present their "Welcome to Hidden Valley Middle School" guidebooks and related creative products to 5th-grade students. During this exhibition, students will host interactive sessions in classrooms, sharing highlights from their guidebooks and engaging in peer-to-peer conversations. The event will feature student-led presentations, Q&A sessions, and digital displays, allowing 6th graders to demonstrate their learning and leadership skills. Additionally, printed or digital guidebooks will be distributed, and feedback forms will be available for 5th graders to express what they found most helpful.