Fifth Grade Advisement
Transition to Middle School
COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
www.cobbk12.org
Revised: Fall, 2006
Information contained in this handbook is subject to change.
Welcome to Middle School!
Making the move from elementary to middle school can be exciting and challenging for
students and parents. While everyone makes many transitions during their lifetime, the
transition from elementary to middle school can bring about many questions and
concerns. Some parents and students consider the transition to middle school a major
stepping-stone on the road to becoming an adult (NAESP, 2002). The middle school
years are filled with challenges and change – budding bodies, raging hormones, altered
attitudes and questions about life that might never have popped up before. Add all this
to the rising tide of conflict, peer pressure, and bullying that take place in middle
schools, and even the most balanced student can become overwhelmed. Moving to
middle school can provoke a myriad of concerns, emotions, and behaviors for young
adolescents and their parents. Not only do students experience stress during this
transition, but parents are often concerned about the welfare of their children during this
stage of development. The most important thing is to be a part of your child’s life. This
may be the last time you can read and spend quality time with your student before it is
not “cool” to do so. You and your child may have many questions, fears, and even
misconceptions about middles school. To address these feelings and to prepare your
family for middle school, we have created this advisement handbook.
This handbook will address the following:










Characteristics of Middle School Children
Characteristics of the Middle School
What Parents Need to Know
Expectations in Middle School
Social Issues in Middle School
Parental Involvement in Middle School
School Personnel in Middle School
Concerns of Middle School Students
Tips for Middle School Parents
Links for a Successful Middle School Experience
-
Page 1
Characteristics of Middle School Children
Parents often become concerned about changes in their child during the middle school
years. Early adolescence begins around age ten. This is the time when a child reaches
a peak—a peak of intellectual, physical, psychological, and social growth. The
concerns and needs of early adolescence are very distinct, yet each child is an
individual with unique characteristics. Below are the characteristics of the typical middle
school student.
Intellectual









Functions at wide range of cognitive development
Movies from concrete to abstract thought
Demonstrates curiosity
Prefers active learning
Prefers working with peers during learning activities
Enjoys meaningful learning – developing skills that relate to real life
Exhibits independent, critical thought
Places personal-social concerns first; academic goals are secondary
Experiences metacognition – understands what they know and do not know
Physical




Increases in height, weight, heart size, lung capacity, and muscular strength
Matures at varying rates – girls earlier than boys, typically
Lacks coordination due to uneven muscle/bone development
Functions at high levels of energy that may be followed by long periods of
idleness
 Focuses on appearance
Psychological/Emotional
 Exhibits a wide range of emotions as a function of chemical and hormonal
imbalances
 Exhibits moodiness, restlessness, self-consciousness, and introspection
 Feels optimistic, hopeful
 Searches for adult identity
 Takes risks and loves danger and adventure; feels immortal
 Cries easily and frequently
 Needs time to grow up emotionally as well as physically – the body will outgrow
the mind
 Exhibits sensitivity to criticism, yet highly self-critical
 Overreacts to any form of rejection and often feels inadequate
 Hides true feelings behind sarcasm
Social









Page 2
Looks to peers for standards and models of behavior
Rebels toward parents, yet still influenced by family values
Responds to fads and displays loyalty to peer group
Wants to be independent from families
Needs love and affirmation from significant adults
Challenges authority figures; acts out in unusual ways
Develops an awareness of social problems and the welfare of others
Worries about what their friends think about them
Exhibits a new interest in friends of the opposite sex
 Wants increased rights and responsibilities but frequently will not be able to
handle them
Characteristics of the Middle School
Middle School Vocabulary
Below are terms that are generally associated with middle school.
Academic Classes – Middle school students take language arts, mathematics,
reading, science, and social studies classes.
Advanced Learning Program - This program includes service for identified gifted
students and other high-achieving students who have demonstrated equally high
performance in academics. Students currently enrolled in a Cobb County elementary
gifted/talented class are placed in an advanced science, social studies, and/or English
language arts class based on demonstrated performance in the content area. Advanced
classes replace the general level class and meet the equivalent of one period per day.
Students may be served in more than one content area. Student performance is
reviewed quarterly; students must meet continuation criteria to remain in the class.
Agenda – Middle School students are given an agenda for time management and
organizational skills. Homework and class work should be written in the agenda daily.
It is important that you ask to see what it written in the agenda every night. This is a
good tool for communication with teachers if you require your child to update it daily.
Your cooperation is what makes the agenda an important tool for middle school
success. Hint: If the teacher writes no homework or puts a no homework stamp in your
student’s agenda, it means your student did not do or turn in homework that day. It
does not mean there was no homework assigned.
Band/Orchestra – An instrumental music class offered through the Connections
program for interested students at all grade levels. All sixth grade students have the
opportunity to attend a band and an orchestra orientation during the first two weeks of
school and have the opportunity to make a decision regarding these programs. It is
Page 3
important to note that band or orchestra must be started in the sixth grade. If your child
has any interest at all then they should try to take the class. A student can decide later
that they don’t want to participate anymore; however, it is nearly impossible to start later
on in the school year or the seventh grade.
Connections Classes – Connections classes vary at different schools, but they do
include art, business education, general music, family and consumer science,
technology education, instrumental music, speech/drama, and health. All middle school
students are required to have a 9-week health class. Band, orchestra, and chorus
students take one or two connections classes each year.
Band, orchestra and chorus
are chosen electives that need parent permission. All other connections classes are not
electives and are not chosen by the student.
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Students enrolling from other
countries can be served through the ESOL or IEL (Intensive English Language)
programs depending on the length of their residence in the U.S. or the level of their
English language proficiency. All middle school international students must first be
tested through the International Welcome Center to determine appropriate placement.
Some ESOL or IEL students may be bused to other schools to receive services.
Grading Scale – The grading scale in middle school is based on point averages.
A = 100% - 90%
B = 89% - 80%
C = 79% - 74%
D = 73% - 70%
F = 69% and below.
Homework – Unlike elementary school, homework counts for a grade in middle school.
This is one of the hardest things for middle school students, especially sixth graders to
comprehend.
One hour per night should be set aside for homework.
consistent time and place each night will harbor the most success.
Setting a
Homework is
practice for knowledge. Reviewing notes, reading a chapter in the text, book reports,
projects, and other types of written work are examples of homework a middle school
student might expect.
Page 4
Homework grades are included in the student’s academic
average, and may count as much as 15% of the total academic average. Hint: If your
child says they have no homework then read a book together, review material or
practice math problems during the set time. Sixth and seventh grade may be the last
time that your student will appreciate or allow time to read with you. Take advantage of
this time while it is still available
Intramurals – Sports activities, which are offered before and/or after school by the
Physical Education department. Middle schools do not sponsor or participate in any
competitive activities such as cheerleading, football, baseball, etc. These activities are
sponsored through the community and junior programs through the high schools.
Questions about sports can usually be answered by the Physical Education Teachers at
your student’s middle school.
Make up Work – If your child is absent from school then it is his/her responsibility to
ask the teacher for make-up work. If your child is going to be out for an extended period
of time then call the school and ask for work to be collected. Teachers need 24 hour
notice to get work to the front office for pick-up.
Report Cards – Progress reports are issued each 4½ weeks and report cards are
issued every nine weeks. The nine-week report card determines honor roll, promotion
and retention. Concerns about grades should be directed to your child’s teacher,
administrator or counselor.
Schedule – Each individual student is given a schedule of classes. Schools may utilize
a traditional school day or may use block scheduling. Depending on the individual
school, students may have up to seven academic classes each day. Each student
schedule is unique depending upon the needs of the individual.
Special Education Services – Students with an individualized education plan (IEP)
can be served through the special education program at the local school. In middle
school, special education students may participate in team taught, small group or selfcontained classes depending on the goals and objectives of the IEP. Itinerant services
such as speech/language, visual/auditory or occupational/physical therapies are
available to those students who qualify.
Page 5
Teacher Correspondence – Elementary school teachers have the same 20 to 30
students in class all day. It is much easier for them to realize when a child is struggling
and to pick up the phone and call parents. Middle school teachers have five classes
with all different students. This means that parents need to be more responsible in
keeping up with their child’s progress. The agenda, e-mail and I-Parent are ways to
keep track of your child. Get to know the teachers and your middle school counselor by
acquiring all of their e-mail addresses. Hint: It is much easier to send an e-mail or
agenda correspondence than to play “phone tag” with the telephone.
Team/Pod – Each student in a middle school is assigned to a team. There are usually
three teams at each grade level. The team consists of a group of students and teachers
who work together throughout the year.
teachers.
Typically, teams consist of three to five
The team concept allows students to have a close student-teacher
relationship while still having the opportunity to work with a variety of teachers. The
team concept also allows teachers to work together to help each student develop to the
best of his/her ability. The make-up of each pod includes students of all ability levels. A
middle school team/pod teacher teaches 90-150 students each day.
What Parents May Need to Know . . .

Middle schools welcome parent volunteers!

Communication is the key to success in middle school. Communication with your
student and his/her teachers and counselor will help your child achieve personal,
social, and academic success in middle school.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: The state of Georgia Department of Human
Resources requires that all sixth grade students show proof of meeting current
immunization requirements on Form 3231.
Effective July 1, 2007, students
entering sixth grade must have had two MMR vaccines or two doses of Measles
Vaccine, two doses of Mumps vaccine and one dose of Rubella vaccine or year
for serology and two doses of Varicella (chicken pox vaccine) or have a year for
history of the disease, diagnosis, or serology. Documentation for the Hepatitis B
immunization is also required.
Most students require a new immunization
certificate before entering middle school.
Page 6
All students must also have a
completed Ear, Eye and Dental Examination recorded on DHR Form 3300.
These forms can be obtained from your physician or from the local health
department.

Middle schools have one official parent-teacher conference week each year
during the Fall Semester.

If your student is absent from school, he/she is responsible for making up all
missed assignments.

Middle school students have one or more lockers. Students may be assigned a
hall locker and/or a physical education locker. Locks are provided at the school
and additional locks are not permitted.

Middle schools dress codes are different from those of most elementary schools.
All students are expected to dress in a manner that demonstrates respect of the
learning environment. See the county web site and/or the student handbook for
more detailed information.

Parents may establish a lunch account for their student. Middle school teachers
supervise their students during lunch.

Many schools provide a supply list for students and these can often be found on
the school web site.

All Cobb County schools adhere to a strict policy prohibiting harassment and/or
bullying.

Students are also expected to follow an established behavior management plan.

Middle schools offer a variety of clubs and activities for students. Encourage
your student to get involved!

Middle schools typically separate students by grade level. Sixth grade students
rarely interact with seventh or eighth grade students.

Organization and time management are vital components to your student’s
adjustment to middle school.
“When it comes to the education of our children – failure is not an option.”
President George W. Bush
Page 7
Revised Feb. 2006
Expectations in Middle School
Middle school students interact with more peers and adults than ever before. Students
often leave an elementary school that they are both comfortable and familiar with and
enter a middle school where the expectations for performance and responsibility will
increase dramatically. While these students are struggling with the transition from being
child-like to adult-like, they are also expected to adjust to a new academic setting.
Organization
 Each middle school student is provided an agenda book to keep track of when
assignments are due, when tests are scheduled, meetings, practices, and project
due dates. Check your student’s agenda book each day.
 Encourage your student to keep their book bag and locker neat and orderly. A
messy book bag or locker can slow a student down and cause them to be late for
class or to lose important papers.
 Help your student develop a system for organizing his/her notebook(s). They
may choose to use a different notebook for each class or to use one three-ring
binder with dividers. Regardless of their choice, help them choose a system and
stick with it.
 Teach your student to master big projects by breaking them down into smaller
ones. Help your student set realistic goals for completing the project early.
 Be involved!
Don’t hold your student’s hand but know what projects and
assignments are due. E-mail correspondence is the best way to communicate
with teachers.
Study Routines
 Make time for homework. Be sure that your student has a special time each day
to complete homework. Help your student balance his or her homework with
other activities.
Page 8
 Make a place for homework. Students need a quiet, well-lit place to work. Be
sure your student has the supplies necessary before they begin working and that
there are no obvious distractions.
 Encourage your student to prepare for school the night before.
Organizing
notebooks, selecting clothing, and packing book bags the night before will help
your middle school student start the day more relaxed.
 Use I-Parent to check grades on a regular basis and as a tool to set goals.
Use Reminders

Encourage your student to use reminders.
There is no way that they can
remember everything they need to know in middle school. Reminders can help
when they forget their locker combination, bus number, homework assignments,
or emergency numbers.

Reminders can also be helpful for students when there is a change in your usual
routine. Use notes to help your student remember where they are to go after
school, what special items they may need for school, or if there is something they
need to remember to bring home from school.
 If you will not be home when your student arrives in the afternoon, you may want
to use reminders to help him or her stay on task while you are away.
Social Issues in Middle School
Middle school students experience a lot of ups and downs with their friends. They often
leave home with one “best friend” and return home the same afternoon with a different
“best friend.” Help your child understand that people are unique and have differences of
opinion. Friends may even become angry at each other, but that does not have to
mean that the friendship is over. Remind your child that one problem does not have to
end a relationship. Teach your child the value of compromise and when it is appropriate
to end a friendship. Middle school students have to learn that being “best friends” isn’t
always smooth sailing.
Page 9
Middle school students are faced with positive and negative peer pressure. Help your
child maintain a positive self-concept and to use their influence to inspire others to do
the right thing. Reinforce with your student that our differences are what make us
unique. While most middle school students want to be different, they are more likely to
conform to the values of the group if they are not self-confident. Know the group of
friends your student has acquired. Role-play situations with your child and help him/her
determine solutions that are in line with your family values. Give your child permission
to use you as an excuse when faced with situations involving negative peer pressure.
Knowing that you are always there for them will create a safety net for your student.
Parental Involvement in Middle School
Parental involvement in middle school is important to the success of your student and
the school. Many parents mistakenly believe that this is the time for them to withdraw
from the educational process and let their student become completely independent.
While developing independence is crucial for the young adolescent, there is a difference
in dominating your student and providing prudent guidance and supervision. In fact,
research shows that students whose parents stay involved in their education are more
successful in school:
grades and test results are higher, students’ attitudes and
behaviors are more positive, academic programs are more successful, and the schools
are more effective.
How can you get involved?
 Get to know the teachers and the staff at the middle school.
 Read all information about school policies and curriculum carefully.
 Get involved in the parent-teacher association at the school.
 Volunteer at the school – there are many ways that you can assist the school
without having direct contact with your student.
 Participate in committees or parent groups at the school.
 Go to school whenever you are invited. Whether it is parent-teacher conference
week, a band concert, a school play, or a parent meeting, attend every event
possible at the school.
Page 10
School Personnel in Middle School
Administration
The administration of a middle school usually consists of a principal, one or more
assistant principals, and/or one or more administrative assistants. The administration
has many responsibilities including the operation of the school. These school officials
work to ensure the success and safety of the learning community. They are valuable
assets to the school and community!
Counselors
The Middle School Guidance and Counseling Program is designed to teach and model
skills and competencies to adolescents experiencing rapid physical, social, and
emotional changes. The program is developmental and proactive as it builds on the
program established in the elementary school. The Cobb County School District school
counseling curriculum focuses on the academic, career, and personal/social
development of students. Middle school counselors are available to work with students,
parents, and teachers through guidance services, counseling services, consultation
services, and referrals.
Media Specialist
The media specialists in the middle schools provide a variety of services for the
students, parents, and teachers. They offer assistance with the selection of media
center materials and work with classes and individual students to develop research
skills and utilize technology.
Concerns of Middle School Students
 Finding lockers, classes, and bathrooms
 Getting to class on time
 Having someone to sit with at lunch
 Being able to open the lockers
Page 11
 Keeping up with the work
 Responding to peer pressure
 Coping with more teachers
 Getting on the right bus
 Being with friends
 Accepting more responsibility
 Adjusting to physical differences in peers
 Adjusting to appearance and peer status
 Keeping up with belongings
 Getting through crowded halls
 Coping with a larger school
 Adjusting to social status
 Adjusting to new grading standards
 Knowing and following the rules
 Learning about safety issues such as bullies, gangs,
 Adjusting to little free time during the school day
 Making new friends
Tips for Middle School Parents
Students are likely to adopt the attitudes and beliefs their parents hold about school and
education. Show interest in your student’s work. Let them know that school is important
and that you have high expectations for them. Be willing to help them with their work,
but do not do it for them. There is no substitute for spending time with children. They
need not just “quality” time occasionally, but lots of time…time to work, time to play,
time to laugh, and time to bond with you. Create family rituals to celebrate academic
success and always encourage progress. Enjoy the middle school years!

Be consistent. Set firm, clear rules and stick to them!

Do not believe that, “everybody else gets to. . . .”

Talk with your child. Avoid talking “to” them.

Give your student an appropriate amount of freedom and responsibility.

Spend time as a family unit.
Page 12

Be sure criticism is constructive and not destructive.

Follow through. Don’t make idle threats.

Never be afraid to say “NO!” Remain authoritative but give thorough, genuine
explanations when you say “no.”

Distinguish between, “I don’t like you,” and “I don’t like your behavior.”

Be sure you apply rewards and consequences in a firm, fair, and appropriate
manner.

Listen closely when your child talks to you. Typically, they know when you are
preoccupied with something else.

Work to build a relationship of mutual respect and trust.

Help your child find activities in which he or she excels.

Help your child learn to accept and like who they are.

Set realistic goals and expectations with your child.

Know what is going on at school. Parents who volunteer at school feel more
connected to their student because they know what is going on at school.

Check your student’s homework, book bag, and notebook DAILY.

Monitor your student’s time and activities on the computer.

Know who your student’s friends are, where their time is spent, and what they
spend their money on.

Encourage your child to try new things and to learn new skills.

Tell them that it is OK to fail and resist overreacting when they do fail.

Teach them that learning takes effort, time and practice.

Get help when you need it. Be patient! Success doesn’t happen overnight.

Children model behavior; don’t disrespect adults or your children will do the same

Support the staff at your child’s school. They want your child to learn and
succeed. The teacher doesn’t enjoy disciplining students. They just want to
teach. Having discipline in class is a vital tool for your child’s education.

Don’t teach violence.

Give your child an encouraging, loving, supportive environment to grow and
learn. These criteria are consistently the recipe for success.
for a S
Page 13
uccessful Middle School Experience
Links for a Successful Middle School Experience
This list does not represent all available resources. The information is subject to change.
Education

www.cobb.k12.org- Cobb County School District - Here you will find current
information regarding county policies, curriculum, and links to individual schools.
Click on the PICASSO link for the CCSD curriculum standards for content areas.

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us - Georgia Department of Education This site offers
more than 7,000 pages of educational materials.

http://www.education-world.com/students/study/index.shtml
-Education
World - Study Skills and Homework Help

http://www.middleweb.com/Homework.html - homework sites

http://www.how-to-study.com - Designed to help students do better in school

www.schooldiscovery.com - Another extremely useful resource is Kathy
Schrock's Guide for Educators, which has a "homework helper" section with links
to all sorts of educational resources
Internet Safety

www.safekids.com/contract.htm - Family contract for online safety.
Guidelines for parents and their children.

www.safeteens.com/safeteens.htm -
Teen safety on the information
highway. Learn about the dangers so that the positive aspects of the
internet can be enjoyed.
Career Planning

www.gacollege411.com - Information that assists students and their families to
select a college, apply for admission, and plan to finance higher education.

www.collegeboard.org - Information to aid in the transition from high school to
college.
Page 14

www.careercruising.com - This website is used by many middle school students
as part of the career guidance curriculum.

www.jobprofiles.com - Learn about a wide variety of careers from the people
who are working in those jobs.

www.bls.gov/oco - Search by keyword, index, or occupational cluster.

www.math.unl.edu/~nmsi/tQ2/3index1.html - Designed to help students think
about futures in math, science, and technology.

www.ulinks.com/main.html - Virtual tours of universities.

www.vocabulary.com - Vocabulary is extremely important in SAT exams, and
you can brush up on your skills on this site.

www.number2.com - More definitions and SAT test-taking advice.

www.gomath.com - Free math help using simple animation to bring problems
and solutions to life.
General Educational Resources

http://www.pta.org/commonsense -
Strategies for raising alcohol and drug-
free children provided by National PTA.

www.nagc.org/parentinfo/index.html - Includes characteristics of various areas
of giftedness.

www.parentingteens.com - A newsletter with valuable ideas for parents.

www.talkingwithkids.org - An overview of the health concerns facing many
young people

www.ed.gov - United States Department of Education
Page 15