Starting School Right October 1, 2019 The St. Patricks Writing and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Starting School Right

October 1, 2019 The St. Patrick’s Writing and Learning Center

Overview

• Why are we here?
• Executive Function 101
• Study Skills at St. Patrick’s
• Self-Advocacy
• Q & A/Gallery Walk

Middle School Matters

“Middle school is the time where students should begin to ‘take the reins’ on communicating with adults about their questions and concerns, advocating for their rights and their needs, and letting their peers and the adults around them know what they need in order to be successful, happy, and safe.”

• Jessica Lahey, teacher and author of The Gift of Failure

What are Executive Functions?

[insert image from EF Guidebook]

* From The Executive Function Guidebook: Strategies to Help All Students Achieve Success by Roberta Strosnider and Valerie Sharpe

Student Support 6-8 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Study Skills/ Support with Executive Function

• Seminar
• Tutorial
• Homework Emails
• 1-1 Support/Extension

Work

• Rotational Study Skills

Lessons

• Tutorial
• Homework Emails
• 1-1 Support/Extension

Work

• Rotational Study Skills

Lessons

• Tutorial
• Homework Emails
• 1-1 Support/Extension

Work

Writing

• Learning Specialist

Support in Classes

• Tutorial
• Learning Specialist

Support in Class

• Writing Partners
• Tutorial
• Opportunity for 1-1 sign

ups

• Learning Specialist

Support in Class

• Writing Partners
• Tutorial
• Opportunity for 1-1 sign

ups

MacArthur Program Support At a Glance

Organization Time Management/ Planning Prioritization Reflection Writing

• Study Space

(School/Home)

• Color Coding

System

• Using Planners
• Using PSL
• Using Google

Drive

• Binder and

Locker Organization

• Note-Taking
• Research Skills
• Nightly and

Weekend Planning

• Managing

Distractions

• Nightly and

Weekend Planning

• Seeking Help and

Self-Advocacy

• Personalized

rubrics and goal setting

• Seeking Help and

Self-Advocacy

• Conference

Preparation

• Goal Setting
• Organization
• Crafting a strong

thesis

• Using evidence to

support a thesis/argument/ claim

• Crafting a strong

finish

• Research Skills
• Editing
• Grammar

The St. Patrick’s Binder System

Major Components Include:

• Color-coded tabs
• Specific order of tabs
• Specific guidelines for using divider folders
• Regular time throughout the trimester to
• rganize

The St. Patrick’s Binder System

Homework 101

Learning to use a planner effectively builds a strong foundation for planning and prioritizing. Planners are always the first line of defense; however, learning to effectively use a planner takes time. As a result, your child’s homework is posted on PowerSchool Learning (PSL) We strongly encourage parents to sit with their children and go through their PowerSchool Learning accounts together Advisors will keep you informed regarding homework completion.

Self Advocacy

Getting in the habit of advocating for themselves early will serve students well as they move into high school and college. Help your child build self-advocacy skills:

• Don’t be afraid to let your children monitor their own work and grades
• Encourage your child to take advantage of tutorial periods, Writing and

Learning Center appointments, and after-school study halls

• Encourage your child to email teachers and copy you

Final Thoughts/Q & A/Gallery Walk

How to connect with Ms. Reilly

• reillyj@stpatsdc.org

Walk around and take a look at:

• Planners
• Binders
• Grab a flyer with some strategies

We will be here to answer questions! Thanks for coming!

The 2019-2020 Writing & Learning Center Coffee Series

October 29, 2019 - Relaxation and Self-Regulation with Dr. Mary Alvord January 15, 2020 - Your Child and Nutrition with Pinney Davenport February 13, 2020 - Middle School Matters: 10 Skills Kids need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond with Phyllis Fagell April 2, 2020 - Your Middle School Reader -St. Patrick’s Teachers