Students investigate how their current identities are shaped by roots, experiences, interests, and relationships, then use that understanding to plan their transition into high school. Through collaborative discussion, partner interviews, visual artmaking, reflective writing, and goal setting, they create a portfolio showcase that includes an identity map, a high school roadmap, and a short reflection on steady traits, likely changes, and needed supports. The work builds communication, collaboration, self-direction, and academic mindset as students make thoughtful choices about who they are now and how they want to grow. The week culminates in the “Next Chapter” Family Celebration Day Showcase, where students present their vision boards or mixed-media displays and explain their plans for the years ahead.

Students will analyze how family roots, experiences, interests, relationships, and support systems shape their current identity and influence their transition into high school. They will create and revise a visual portfolio that includes an identity map, a high school roadmap, and a written reflection, using peer and teacher feedback to strengthen clarity, purpose, and audience awareness. Students will collaborate in discussions, partner interviews, and art-making to communicate with empathy, build on others’ ideas, and contribute to a shared showcase that reflects positive group identity. They will set personal growth goals, identify habits and supports for success, and present their “Next Chapter” portfolio to an authentic audience with clear speaking, thoughtful reflection, and artistic intention.

Students will create a vision board that includes an identity map and a high school roadmap. Separately, a short written reflection explains their roots, steady traits, changing interests, goals, and support systems. Throughout the week, they will build these into a physical vision board or mixed-media display using student-drawn symbols, partner interview quotes, captions, icons, and a simple timeline. By the end, each student will complete a one-page visual portfolio or tri-fold showcase piece that combines all components into a clear “Next Chapter” presentation for families and peers. Students will also prepare a brief exhibition narrative and a short oral talk explaining how their current identity connects to their plan for growth in high school.

Open with a “Future Footprints” experience: students trace a path from middle school to high school on chart paper and add milestones, questions, hopes, and worries using symbols, words, and color. Move into a “Next Chapter Launch Circle,” where students use partner interview cards to talk about family roots, steady traits, changing interests, and support systems, then share one insight with the class to practice collaborative discussion and listening. Close with a fast “My Story, My Map Jam” gallery walk in which students build a quick visual identity map with sticky notes and icons, setting up the identity map, roadmap, and reflection they will develop for the portfolio showcase and Family Celebration Day.

Host a “Next Chapter” Family Celebration Day Showcase where students display tri-fold boards or posters featuring their physical vision board, one-page visual portfolio, or mixed-media roadmap. Each student gives a 1–2 minute portfolio talk explaining which parts of their identity feel steady, which may change in high school, and what goals, habits, and supports are part of their growth plan. Invite families, peers, counselors, and 9th-grade teachers to circulate, ask questions, and leave written encouragement or advice connected to students’ plans. Include a reflection station where students add one final note about how presenting their work helped them clarify their next chapter.