MIDDLE SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Learning Goals

In Visit 6, students will:

Understand that middle school and high school are the first steps to attending college
Understand what classes are needed in middle school and high school to gain acceptance into a four-year college
Understand that college is an option for everyone in life
Explore the relationship between education, goals and successful futures

Introduction and Icebreakers

Begin this visit with a story about your experience in high school. Tell the students about your first day of high school, share with them the feelings you had during that transition. Ask the students what they are most looking forward to in high school and least looking forward to in high school.

Exercise #1: Get Ready for High School

Exercise Objectives: Students will better understand how to navigate their way through high school. Students will be able to identify the things they can do in middle school to prepare for high school.

Preparation: Read the exercise. Think of personal stories from your high school experience that emphasize the importance of the three keys to making the most out of high school.

Presentation Suggestions: Read the content of the exercise as a class and lead a discussion about the most personally significant components of the information. Emphasize the vast number of opportunities to get involved socially and how that can aid in learning more about yourself and your career interests. Allow for questions as your read through and discuss the material. Give students two minutes to discuss in small groups about what they are most excited about and what they are most nervous about regarding high school. Then give them two more minutes to work independently and write down the answer the questions in the exercise.

Exercise #2: My Academic Action Plan

Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to identify the required classes to take in high school in order to attend a four-year college. Students will understand the importance of keeping the door open to all academic opportunities by taking the necessary classes even if college is not part of their current plan.

Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the A-G class requirements in the exercise. (A to G refers to the eight areas of focus that students need to study in high school in order to gain acceptance into most four year colleges.)

Presentation Suggestions:

Lead a discussion about college preparation. Explain that although it seems like a long way away, college prep starts in middle school. Many students and their parents do not realize they can be off track for college as early as the ninth grade if they do not plan well.
Ask the students what they think is the most important thing they can do right now to plan for college. Make a list on the board and discuss their answers.
Place emphasis on the “Gatekeeper” class that students must be prepared to take in ninth grade to get into a four-year school. The gatekeeper class is Algebra 1 (which they can take in 8th grade in some middle schools).

Make it personal: Talk to the students about your first experiences with college preparation. Tell them who taught you, who helped you, who encouraged you, and who discouraged you. Let them know about the mistakes you made along the way as well as your successes.

Exercise #3: College Internet Scavenger Hunt

Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to use the internet to learn more about the importance of college.

Preparation: Make copies of the exercise so the students can do the homework without taking the books home.

Presentation Suggestions: Tell the students that during your next visit, you are going to spend time talking about college and that you want them to come prepared.

Ensure that all students have access to the internet. Hand out the exercise and ask them if they have further questions.

Visit Summary

Recap your visit by asking the students a few questions that reflect their understanding of the visit goals. For example: "What did you learn today about high school?", or "Why is education important?" End the visit by thanking students for their time and letting them know when you will see them again.