Eisenhower Middle School7th to 8th Grade
Transition Meeting2020
Chris Giordano, Assistant PrincipalSue Dobson, School Counselor/ Social Worker
Agenda
Physical/Emotional Changes
Cognitive Changes
The Eighth Grade Experience
Curriculum
High school
Physical and Emotional Changes
• Changes in physical appearance• Developing identity• Stronger pull towards peer group for
acceptance • Testing of rules and boundaries-Push for
Independence
Typical Cognitive Changes
• Increased capacity for abstract thought and reasoning
• Increased capacity for better decision-making
• Capacity to assume greater responsibility for school work
The 8th Grade Experience
We can work together to develop the following key skills as student continue their path as adolescents.
• Study/Organizational skills
• Self-advocacy/Independence
• Responsibility/Accountability
• Community awareness
• Self-esteem and confidence
8th Grade Curriculum
Typical 8th Grade Schedule• 7:55 Entry Bell• 8:00 - 8:08 Homeroom• 8:10 - 8:50 Cycle• 8:52 - 9:42 Language Arts• 9:44 - 10:34 Math• 10:36 - 11:11 TIEE• 11:13 - 11:53 Exploratory/Music/PE• 11:55 - 12:25 Lunch• 12:27 - 1:17 Social Studies• 1:19 - 2:09 Science• 2:11 - 2:51 World Language
Core Subjects● Math
○ Math 8 (Pre-Algebra)
○ Algebra
○ Geometry
•Language Arts Literacy○ Readers/Writers Workshop
•Social Studies ○ American History & Civics
•Science○ Meteorology, chemistry, genetics, human biology & health.
•World Language: Spanish, French, Italian
Math Course Sequence:8th Grade to High School
8TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL
Math Science From Math 8 (Pre-Alg.)
Algebra 1 CP or CPE Biology CP or CPE
From Algebra Algebra 1 CPE Geometry (H or CPE)
Biology CPE Chemistry (H or CPE)
From Geometry Geometry (H or CPE) Algebra 2 (H or CPE)
Chemistry (H or CPE) Physics
CP: College Prep CPE: College Prep Enhanced H: Honors
Cycles•Health
•Home Economics
•Discover Wellness
•TV production (ETV)
•STEM Challenge
•Art
○ Drawing
○ Ceramics and Pottery
○ Media Exploration
•Yearbook
Specials•Music or Exploratory
Required Courses•Phys. Ed., Health, ETV and STEM Challenge
Exploratories● Financial Literacy● Graphic Novels● STEM
8th Grade Electives
Reading vs. World Language
•What happens in 8th grade?
•Everyday World Language
•Reading students choose between the two.
•What does it mean for high school?
•Students who have not taken a World Language go into a Level 1 WL course in HS
High School Processes•Information sent out from HS at start of year
•All High School open houses begin in October
•Guidance Counselor info sessions (Nov/Dec)
•Evening guidance meeting with parents
•8th grade teacher recommendations in Dec/Jan
•Check High School websites for Registration dates:
○ Indian Hills/Ramapo
○ University Programs
○ Bergen Academies○ Parochial Schools
How can you help your child?•Encourage responsible behavior
•Continue to monitor work
•Keep communication lines open
•Listen to your instincts
•Praise positive behavior
•Monitor online behavior and mobile technology use: Instagram, Snapchat, Text Messaging
Vaping● Vaping is at EMS as with other Middle Schools in the
area● Children are getting access to these devices and cartridges
through friends, older siblings, and strangers on social media.
● Vaporizers are much more inexpensive now and accessible which makes them more affordable for middle school kids.
Vaping● You can help by not giving your children access to large
sums of money i.e. for special occasions. Hold that for them.
● Continue to monitor their cell phones. Vaping is mostly a social activity for Middle School children.
● Sweet smells in the air are typically an indicator of a vape pen.
● Proactively discuss this topic with your child. The dangers of nicotine products, and what you expect from them if they face peer pressure.
● Vaping, positive decision-making, and peer pressure are covered in our health curriculum. Similar topics also fall within our Advisory and Guidance curricula.
How do we help your child?● Advisory● Team Leader Structure● TIEE● Guidance Curriculum and Lessons● Health Curriculum● Wellness Committee● Wellness Space*● Redo and Retake Policy● Homework Club
WELLNESS CENTERFour purposeful areas come together to teach students specific skills:● Stress and Anxiety Awareness● Purposeful Stress Remediators● Managing a Stressful
Environment
ART THERAPYBIOFEEDBACK
PHYSIOLOGY READING & LISTENING
WELLNESS CENTER
THANK YOU WEF AND
PTO!
Thank You for Coming!
Chris Giordano: [email protected] Dobson: [email protected]