Middle School Advisory Program

1. Middle School Advisory Program Advisory Committee: Andrea Ferguson, Amy Krall, Becky Stone, Amy Stamper, Jeanne Bolser, Jenny Altensee, Kitten Guere Baker Middle School

2. Icebreaker: Name Circle • Students gather in a circle. • The ball must pass to everyone in the circle. • State the name of who you will toss the ball to and then toss it to that person. • No student should catch the ball twice. If someone gets the ball twice, you must start over. • Time begins with the first throw. Time stops when the last student receives the ball. This is the time to beat.

3. What is Advisory? • Advisory offers emotional support for students during adolescence. • It supplies built-in peer groups for all students, including new students. • It gives students an adult who knows them well and who can offer advocacy and support in difficult social and academic situations. This is especially true for students who have few close adult relationships outside school or are at risk of dropping out. • Connection to school community

4. Activity – Middle School Experiences  • Travel back to your middle school years… • What vivid memories stand out in your mind? • Something that helped shape how you are today… • Accomplishment • Embarrassment • Funny Story

5. Advisor/ advisee programs are a chance for the middle school teacher to make a difference, and to the middle school child – it is the difference.

6. Module 3 Video – What the Literature says about Advisory

7. Advisory Goals Students will: • grow and develop academically, emotionally, morally, and socially. • develop a personal relationship with an adult figure and become a member of a small peer group. • increase their sense of belonging and connectedness to the Baker Middle School. • discuss their own self-development as they strive to meet their personal goals. • learn how to become active and responsible members of the Baker Middle School community.

8. Activity – Teachers from your past. • Fond teacher memories… • “Not so fond” teacher memories…

9. Every Kid Needs a Champion - Rita Pierson http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html

10. Strong Advisors: • Know and care about their advisees • Closely supervise their advisees’ progress • Academic • Behavior (referral copies) • Problem solvers and advice givers

11. Advisory Topics

12. Activity - How much advising are you already doing? • Survey • Rate each statement and calculate your final score • Discuss with your houses • Did the amount of advising you already do surprise you? Why or why not? • In today’s world, why is it important to provide emotional support? • Is it possible to teach attitudes?

13. Tips for running an Advisory: • Common classroom rules should apply • A commitment to the program • Involve the students themselves in discussions and decisions for the program • Each Advisory group will develop independently, and groups should not be compared with others. • Developing trust and connectedness cannot be forced—it takes time!

14. Icebreaker: Blanket Game • Separate into two groups and have two people hold a large, thick blanket separating the two groups so that neither group can see the other. • When the blanket drops, the first person to correctly call out the name of the other group’s designated person wins the round.

15. BMS 2013-2014 Advisory Curriculum • Establish meaningful relationships between students and advisors. • Character Education • No Excuses University – Promote a College Going Culture

16. Advisory Activity Bank – 67 topics!

17. Curriculum: Meaningful Relationships • Ice breakers/Team building Activities • Purpose of Advisory Powerpoint (website) • Academic and Emotional Mentoring • Assist with organization and work habits • Continued discussions addressing personal needs • 150 ways to show kids you care! • http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/YouthBureau/showkidsyoucare.pdf

18. Curriculum: Character Education

19. At your character!

20. At your character!

21. Curriculum: Character Education • Monthly Themes • Spirit Day - First Tuesday of each month • Encourage students to wear color • Lesson provided by Advisory Committee • Lessons may be continued over several days • Monthly focus of advisory projects/activities • Character Trait Poster • Character Trait Challenges (Schoolwide or Advisory initiated) • Be a hero by being Trustworthy! • Be a hero by showing Respect!

22. Monthly Character Ed Themes August/September: What is Character? October: Trustworthiness November: Respect December: Fairness January: Responsibility February: Tolerance March: Caring April: Achievement May: Citizenship

23. Goal Setting Activity Goal Setting Activity • 2nd week of September • After 1st Character Ed Spirit Day • Display Goals

24. Curriculum: Character Education • We need your help! • The advisory committee will be meeting monthly to plan for upcoming monthly themes. • Each house is represented. • Committee members will ask for suggested activities from their houses to assist with planning.

25. Curriculum: NEU • Refresher • BMS Video http://vimeo.com/channels/257207/33790445 • Show video to Advisory on 2nd Wednesday (8/28) • New Staff • Wednesday Activities • http://collegetools.berkeley.edu/resources.php?cat_id=57 • NEU Activity Bank • Student Questionnaire

26. NEU Activity Bank: 48 Activities!

27. Ways to Incorporate College-Going Culture into Beginning of the Year Activities • Bingo/Signature Activity How to add college-going flavor: Have a few of those boxes related to college-going knowledge or experience. Examples: • Has a brother or sister who attends WSU • Is planning to leave Fairborn when s/he goes to college • Has visited a college campus outside of Dayton • Can name two technical schools • Peer Interviews How to add college-going flavor: Have one of those questions be college-related such as, “What are you planning to do after high school?”

28. Baker Advisory Library Find monthly calendars and resources here! http://bakeradvisory.wikispaces.com/HOME

29. House Discussion Time • Ideas for Advisory • House activities • Brainstorm and share!

30. The First Three Days • Similar to last year – a few new things! • Use extended advisory time to start building trust, developing meaningful relationships with your advisees. • 1st Day - 1 hour extended advisory • 2nd Day - 30 minute extended advisory • 3rd Day - Normal schedule (10 minute advisory)

31. Day 1: Wednesday, August 21 “My (as teacher) Expectations” (1 hour delay schedule – Advisory for 1 hour) • Wear house colors – students will be encouraged to do so at Open House. • Lesson plans: • Announcements • How to read schedule • Locker assignments/practice • Lunchtime Procedures • Tour of Building • Backpack Policy • Dress Code • Get-to-Know-You’s • Return to Advisory at End of Day • Handouts, snacks?, Whew! We made it! If we have enough time… Have houses discuss and share out how they may structure this.

32. Universal Behavior Expectations

33. Day 2: Thursday, August 22 “School Expectations” (Extended AM Advisory schedule – Advisory for 30 minutes) • Encourage students to show their school pride by wearing Skyhawk gear on Friday. • Discussion topics: • Cell phone policy • Fees and field trips • Universal Expectations (PBS Matrix) – assign each subject to talk about a particular area in school. • Icebreakers/Team Building • Expectations and Discipline – Denny will meet with each house for one class period throughout the day ( Periods 1, 2, 3, 4 in Auditorium and Periods 8 and 9 in the East Gym). DLL and MH can bring students during any period.

34. Day 3: Friday, August 23 “How teacher/school expectations work together” (Normal Schedule – 10 min. Advisory) School Pride – Wear your Skyhawk gear! • What is advisory? Purpose and Focus • (Student Powerpoint) • Advisory Letter

35. We want your input!