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Plan
Week 1
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Activities
Project Kick-Off Discussion - Watch a video montage of first day scenes from popular films. Discuss the emotions these scenes evoke and transition into how students can transform those feelings into confidence through their project. (20 min)
Brainstorming Session - Students brainstorm ideas for the project title and essential questions that will guide their work throughout the project. (25 min)
Understanding Adolescence - Guest session with a school counselor or psychologist to discuss adolescent development, stress management, and belonging. Students take notes and engage in a Q&A session. (25 min)
Reflective Journaling - Students write reflections on how their understanding of adolescence has changed or deepened from the guest session. (20 min)
Research Introduction - Introduce students to different types of informational texts related to adolescent psychology and the transition to middle school. Students select texts for further exploration. (15 min)
Text Analysis Workshop - Students begin reading and summarizing key takeaways from the selected texts using an Adolescent Psychology Notes Organizer. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Reflective Journal Entry: Students write an initial reflective piece on their own middle school transition experience.
2. Research Notes Organizer: Completed summaries of key takeaways from adolescent psychology readings.
3. Brainstorming List: A list of potential topics and ideas for the guidebook.
4. Team Assignment: Groups formed and initial roles established within project teams.
Preparation 1. Acquire video clips or films for the montage (Inside Out, Wonder, etc.).
2. Prepare discussion prompts and questions for the post-video conversation.
3. Gather multimedia resources on adolescent psychology and transitions.
4. Create brainstorming templates and materials for students to document ideas.
5. Develop team-building activities and group organization strategies.
Week 2
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Activities
Survey Design Workshop - Students collaborate in small groups to design survey questions for 5th graders about their concerns and questions about middle school. (25 min)
Peer Review & Refinement - Groups exchange surveys with peers for feedback and make necessary revisions for clarity and effectiveness. (20 min)
Survey Implementation Preparations - Discuss logistics for conducting surveys with 5th graders and assign roles. Students practice introducing themselves and explaining the purpose of the survey. (25 min)
Collaborative Discussion - Students share their anticipated challenges and strategies for successful survey collection. (20 min)
Research Data Collection - Students conduct surveys with 5th graders, either through role-play simulations or actual implementation if possible, to gather data on middle school concerns. (30 min)
Reflective Sharing Circle - Students reflect on their experiences collecting data, discussing what they learned about their peers' perspectives and their own communication skills. (15 min)
Deliverables
1. A completed narrative workshop handout with personal anecdotes identified for use in articles.
2. Summaries of interviews with peer mentors, highlighting key insights and advice for inclusion in the guidebook.
3. Draft outlines of each group's guidebook articles, including topics, key points, and potential anecdotes.
4. A completed Adolescent Psychology Notes Organizer summarizing key research findings.
5. Feedback forms from the peer review session, detailing constructive critiques and suggestions for improvement.
Preparation 1. Arrange a guest speaker session or video conference with a local journalist or writer to discuss narrative writing techniques.
2. Coordinate with 7th and 8th-grade students to schedule interview times with the 6th graders.
3. Gather and prepare informational texts and resources on adolescent psychology for students to use during their research.
4. Set up a digital platform (such as Google Docs) for students to share their article outlines and receive peer feedback.
5. Prepare a notes organizer template for students to use while conducting research on adolescent psychology.
Week 3
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Activities
Article Writing Workshop - Students draft their guidebook articles focusing on incorporating strong reasoning and personal insights related to middle school experiences. (25 min)
Peer Feedback Session - Students exchange drafts and provide structured feedback on clarity, tone, and accuracy using a peer review protocol. (20 min)
Revising and Editing Articles - Students apply peer feedback to revise and strengthen their articles, focusing on organization and development of ideas. (30 min)
Reflection and Goal Setting - Students reflect on their writing progress and set specific goals for the next revision phase. (15 min)
Designing Visual Elements - Introduction to design software or tools; students begin creating visual components like school maps or infographics for the guidebook. (25 min)
Collaborative Design Critique - Students share their visual designs with peers for feedback and suggestions to enhance clarity and engagement. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed notes organizer summarizing research on adolescent psychology.
2. Survey data analysis identifying common themes and concerns of middle school students.
3. Drafts of guidebook sections with clear organization and development of ideas.
Preparation 1. Gather research materials on adolescent psychology suitable for 6th graders.
2. Prepare a notes organizer for students to summarize key takeaways.
3. Design and print peer survey templates for data collection.
4. Provide examples of well-organized informational texts to guide student writing.
Week 4
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Activities
Guidebook Article Finalization - Students finalize their guidebook articles with a focus on integrating peer feedback and ensuring strong reasoning and clear organization. (25 min)
Interactive Peer Review - Conduct a peer review session where students present their revised articles and receive final feedback on presentation and content. (20 min)
Visual Design Refinement - Students refine their visual designs, incorporating peer feedback to ensure clarity and engagement. (25 min)
Multimedia Component Planning - Students plan multimedia components such as videos or podcasts to complement their guidebook topics, focusing on presentation and research-backed advice. (20 min)
Multimedia Production Workshop - Begin production of multimedia components, with students scripting and recording their segments or designing visual elements. (30 min)
Reflective Journaling - Students reflect on their progress, challenges faced, and strategies to address them in future work to ensure effective project completion. (15 min)
Deliverables
1. Complete a survey of peers and collate data on middle school experiences.
2. Create and design an infographic on a chosen topic relevant to the guidebook using Canva.
3. Write a draft article for the guidebook based on research findings and personal experiences.
4. Submit an Adolescent Psychology Notes Organizer summarizing key concepts from informational texts.
5. Participate in peer review sessions to provide and receive feedback on draft articles and infographics.
Preparation 1. Arrange a session with a school counselor or psychologist to discuss adolescent psychology, stress management, and belonging.
2. Prepare a list of survey questions for students to ask their peers about middle school experiences.
3. Gather materials for creating infographic templates, including access to digital design tools like Canva.
4. Set up a peer and self-assessment rubric in Google Forms for tracking participation and collaboration.
5. Collect relevant literary texts about the transition to middle school for reading and analysis activities.
Week 5
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Activities
Guidebook Article Finalization - Students finalize their guidebook articles, incorporating peer and teacher feedback, focusing on clarity and coherence. (25 min)
Design Integration Workshop - Students integrate their visual elements and finalize the layout for their sections of the guidebook, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic. (20 min)
Peer Review and Feedback Exchange - Students swap completed articles and visuals with peers for a final round of feedback, focusing on the overall impact and engagement of the content. (25 min)
Reflection and Revision - Using feedback received, students make final revisions to their work, ensuring alignment with the project's goals and audience needs. (20 min)
Digital Guidebook Assembly - Students collaborate in groups to assemble the individual components into the digital guidebook using a platform like Google Sites or Canva. (30 min)
Introductory Presentation Development - Groups create short presentations to introduce their guidebook sections to the 5th graders, highlighting key insights and advice. (15 min)
Deliverables
1. Revised and polished guidebook articles and multimedia components that reflect peer feedback improvements.
2. Finalized visual elements that align with and enhance the written content, ready for inclusion in the guidebook.
3. Completed reflection journal entries that capture students' learning journeys and insights about adolescence.
4. Practice presentations that demonstrate readiness for the upcoming exhibition event at the feeder schools.
Preparation 1. Arrange peer review guidelines and rubrics to ensure constructive feedback.
2. Prepare revision tools and resources, such as graphic organizers or digital editing software, for students to refine their work.
3. Set up presentation practice stations with necessary technology (e.g., laptops, projectors) for multimedia sharing.
4. Provide access to design software or art supplies for students finalizing infographics or video components.
5. Develop reflection prompts guiding students to connect their project experiences with personal growth.
Week 6
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Activities
Final Product Review and Revision - Conduct a session where students review the digital guidebook, ensuring all components are cohesive and aligned with project goals. Make necessary revisions based on peer and teacher feedback. (25 min)
Presentation Practice - Students rehearse their introductory presentations for the 5th graders, focusing on clarity, engagement, and effective communication of key insights. (20 min)
Interactive Presentation Refinement - Students continue to refine their presentations, incorporating feedback to enhance delivery and engagement with the audience. (25 min)
Reflective Sharing Circle - Facilitate a group discussion where students share reflections on their learning journey, focusing on personal growth and understanding of adolescence and belonging. (20 min)
Final Multimedia Component Review - Students review and finalize multimedia components, ensuring they are ready for integration into the guidebook. Focus on clarity and engagement. (30 min)
Exhibition Preparations - Organize logistics and roles for the upcoming exhibition at feeder elementary schools, ensuring students are prepared to present and engage with their audience effectively. (15 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed guidebook sections ready for final compilation.
2. Peer feedback forms documenting insights and suggestions for improvement.
3. Revised guidebook drafts reflecting peer feedback and revisions.
4. Finalized layout and design of the guidebook, incorporating all elements.
5. Rehearsed presentation scripts and materials for the exhibition.
6. Draft of the reflective writing piece articulating learning outcomes.
Preparation 1. Gather materials such as computers/tablets, design software (e.g., Canva, Google Sites), and access to printers for draft reviews.
2. Prepare peer review checklists and guidelines to facilitate effective feedback sessions.
3. Ensure access to digital resources for layout and design work, such as templates and design examples.
4. Set up rehearsal space and equipment for presentation practice, including projectors or screens.
5. Distribute reflection prompts and provide examples of reflective writing to guide students in their drafts.
Week 7
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Activities
Final Presentation Rehearsal - Students conduct full run-throughs of their presentations, ensuring smooth transitions and clear delivery of content. Focus on timing and group coordination. (20 min)
Peer Feedback and Refinement - Students exchange feedback on presentations, providing suggestions for improvement in delivery and engagement. Implement final adjustments based on peer feedback. (25 min)
Presentation Day at Feeder Schools - Students visit feeder elementary schools to present their guidebooks and engage 5th graders through interactive sessions and Q&A. Emphasize connection and empathy in delivery. (45 min)
Reflective Debriefing - Facilitate a group reflection session where students share insights from their exhibition experiences, discussing challenges and successes. Focus on personal growth in communication and leadership. (20 min)
Final Reflection Writing - Students write individual reflective pieces on their learning journey throughout the project, highlighting changes in their understanding of adolescence and belonging. (25 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed 'Welcome to Hidden Valley Middle School' guidebook, including all articles, visuals, and multimedia components.
2. Final presentation script and materials for exhibition.
3. Feedback forms collected from 5th-grade students.
4. Reflective piece from each student about their learning and project experience.
5. Peer and self-assessment reflections based on participation and contributions throughout the project.
Preparation 1. Organize transportation and logistics for the walking field trip to feeder schools.
2. Ensure all multimedia equipment (projectors, laptops, etc.) is prepared and functioning for presentations.
3. Print copies of the guidebook or ensure digital readiness if using eBooks or QR codes.
4. Prepare feedback forms for 5th graders to fill out during or after the exhibition.
5. Coordinate with feeder schools to confirm schedules and presentation spaces.