Welcome 8 th Grade Parents and Students

1. Welcome 8thGrade Parents and Students • Dr. Paul McMahon, Freshman Center Director • Maxine Walker, 9th Grade Administrator • Greg Mosher, 9th Grade Counselor • Brandy Lee, 9th Grade Counselor

2. Key Qualities of McEachern Freshman Center • Concern and approach for students at the individual level – goal is for ALL students enrolled in 9th grade to graduate to 10th grade • Use of consistent and highly effective teaching strategies • Collaboration regarding curriculum, teaching and learning

3. “Get to Small” Approach • No anonymity • Personalization of the 9th Grade Center’s approach to individual student • Key: develop relationships that sustain students through challenges

4. “Extraordinary Commitment”to 9th Grade A school culture that creates enduring emotions for students, teachers and parents - confident - motivated - connected - committed - proud

5. Study Skills: How To Make The Grade

6. Organize binders and notebooks Look up your grades on iParent Develop effective study skills Use your agenda daily Participate in class Sign up for tutoring Arrange teacher help sessions Turn in ALL assignments Make up quizzes and/or tests 10 Helpful Steps to Your Student’s Success …and COMMUNICATE & ADVOCATE

7. Developing a Study Regimen Time Management Skills Organizational Skills Differentiating between Homework and Studying Meeting Deadlines What Should Your Student Be Focusing On Now?

8. Re-Framing

9. COMMUNICATION The skillful expression, transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas • Speaking effectively • Writing concisely • Listening attentively • Expressing ideas • Perceiving nonverbal messages • Reporting information • Negotiating

10. Research and Planning The search for specific knowledge and figure out future needs and solutions for meeting those needs • Forecasting, predicting • Identifying problems • Gathering information • Solving problems • Setting goals • Analyzing

11. Human Relations The use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflicts, relating to and helping people. • Developing rapport • Listening • Cooperating • Sharing credit • Being sensitive • Providing support to others

12. Organization, Management, & Leadership • Handling details • Decision making with others • Coordinating tasks • Managing conflict • Teaching • Initiating new ideas

13. Work Survival The day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction • Being Punctual • Managing time • Meeting goals • Accepting responsibility • Enlisting help

14. Long-Term Goal Developing and Maintain Successful Life Skills

15. Articulation Activities Tentative Dates • January 17, 2008 – Graduation Requirements 7:00 – 8:00 PM • February 11 – 15, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Tapp Middle School Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out • February 20 – 22, 2008 – Classroom Guidance at Cooper Middle School Course Descriptions and Registration Forms handed out • February 28, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Tapp Middle School 6:30 – 8:00 pm • March 3, 2008 – Curriculum Fair at Cooper Middle School 6:30 – 8:00 pm • March 10, 2008 – Counselor at Tapp 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions • March 11, 2008 - Counselor at Cooper 9:00 am until 11:00 am to answer registration questions • March 15, 2008 – Registration forms due back to McEachern

16. McEachern Web page • www.cobbk12.org/~mceachern For information about 8th grade transition activities click on “8th Grade Connections”