NEW SCHOOL YEAR ORIENTATION
GRADE 6 LESSON 1
Time Required: 30-45 minutes
Content Standards:
AA.S.8
Students will make decisions, set goals, and take
necessary action to achieve goals.
.
Indicators (Students Will…):
AA.A.6.2.12
Students will understand grade level expectations.
AA.PSD.6.8.0.6 Students will develop understanding of grade
level expectations.
GOAL: Students will become familiar with the rules, personnel, and
expectations of their school.
Activity Statements:
o Students will participate in a grade-level assembly to discuss some of the school traditions,
expectations, and routines. Students will participate in first advisory session to process and
clarify information relevant to the new school year.
o Students will participate in a group icebreaker.
o Students will review the guidelines for discussion and become familiar with the advisory
goals.
o Students will have an opportunity to use advisory to obtain information about questions that
they have at the onset of the school year.
Materials:
1. Each middle school will need to gather information that is unique to it. Suggestions might include
the bell schedule, map of the building, school rules, supply lists, names of staff, list of clubs and
activities, etc.
2. Individual Student Schedules and advisory brochure from the website.
3. Student Handbooks (one per student)
4. Emergency Cards, Free/Reduced Lunch Form, and other materials to be completed by students
and/or parents.
5. Handout 1 -- Guidelines for Advisory Discussion
6. Teacher Resource 1 – Sample Schedule for First Week of School
7. Teacher Resource 2 – Sample Advisory Lessons for Day 1
1
NEW SCHOOL YEAR ORIENTATION
GRADE 6 LESSON 1
8. Teacher Resource 3 – Checklist for Returned Materials
Procedures:
1. Begin the day with a school assembly to review school traditions, rules, and expectations.
Identify changes that occurred since the new school years including new programs, activities,
and schedules.
2. Hold an advisory meeting to hand out materials to students and discuss (using discussion
questions below). See Handouts for sample schedules and ideas.
3. Give students advisory brochure and ask them to discuss in groups how they may benefit from
advisory.
4. Review advisory guidelines from Handout #1 Guidelines for Advisory Discussion
5. Play hula-hoop body pass. (instructions below):
Standing in a large circle, holding hands, one person starts a hula-hoop going around. Every
student must pass his or her entire body through the hula-hoop without breaking hands. One
person will time how long it takes to get the hoop around. Challenge the class to beat their time.
Take a minute to discuss how they had to help each other to get the hoop around.
6. Ask students to share what they believe the LINKS Student Advisory Program will involve.
7. Write down some of their comments on the board.
 Review the two goals for advisory: To share information with students and assist them in
developing life skills in school and to provide time for teachers to establish a positive
relationship with students.
8. Review the procedures for the middle school advisory.
9. Key issues to cover during this session may include:
 Ice Breakers
 Student Handbook/Planner
 Student Schedules and Change Process
 School Rules
10. Suggest that students make at least two copies of their schedule so that if they lose one, they
will have an extra copy.
11. Give students the important school phone numbers (e.g. the main office, counseling office,
attendance office, etc.)
12. Identify key people and places including their school counselor, school nurse, and principals.
13. Talk to students about clubs or sports.
14. Have a 7th grade mentor available to answers key questions.
15. Following advisory, hold a grade-level assembly (if you did not do one already) to address school
rules and regulations, school and community resource personnel, and important character traits
of successful students.
16. Use this session as a community-building exercise so that students become reacquainted with
the school and with seeking answers to their questions. Also prepare them to offer assistance to
each other.
NEW SCHOOL YEAR ORIENTATION
GRADE 6 LESSON 1
Discussion Questions:
1. Review your schedule to make sure it appears as it should. Do you have all of the classes that
you will need for this quarter? Do you see any errors?
2. Open your handbook and review some of the important items together. (Review items.) Do
you notice any changes from last year?
3. In a few moments, you will be going to an assembly to receive information about our school.
While you are waiting, what questions do you have for me?
Additional Resources:
Active Listening http://www.studygs.net/listening.htm
Team Building http://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html
Respect
http://eqi.org/respect.htm
Activities for the opening of school: http://lesson-plansmaterials.suite101.com/article.cfm/first_day_of_school_introduction_activities
Extension Activity: Do walking tour of building with new students identifying key people and places.
Developed by Lori Helmick, Counselor, St. Marys High School 2009