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: cgiordano@wyckoffschools.orgSue Dobson: sdobson@wyckoffschools.org