What is one exciting opportunity middle school students often have that elementary students don't?
Answers may vary
Scenario: You walk into your first middle school class and don't know anyone sitting near you.
Introduce yourself, Sit down confidently, Ask someone a question about class, Remember many other students are feeling nervous too!
True or False: You have to be best friends with everyone in your classes.
False
True or False: Everyone feels completely comfortable on the first day of middle school.
False!
Scenario: You get lost trying to find your next class.
Ask a teacher or staff member for help, Check your schedule, Stay calm and take a deep breath, Remember that lots of students need help learning the building
What should you do if you feel left out during lunch or recess?
Try to join a group, invite someone to sit with you, talk to a trusted adult, or use coping skills and try again another day.
Name one positive thing about being in classes with different classmates?
Making new friends, different perspectives, learning shared interests, etc.
Scenario: Your best friend is in a different homeroom and starts spending time with new people.
Continue your friendship in a different way, Make new connections, Avoid jumping to conclusions or assuming, Share your feelings
What does a healthy friendship look like in middle school?
A friendship with kindness, respect, trust, support, boundaries, and where both people feel included and safe to be themselves.
Name something you learned on the WMS tour today?
Answers may vary.
Scenario: You feel overwhelmed by homework during the first month of middle school.
Take a deep breath and remind yourself that it's okay to need help, Use a planner or checklist to organize what needs to be done, Ask a teacher to clarify directions if you're confused, Talk to Mrs. Ogden, Remember that adjusting to a new workload takes time and practice!
True or False: If a friendship changes in middle school, it means something went wrong.
False. Friendships often change as people grow, meet new people, and have different interests.
Why might trying something new in middle school help you grow?
Builds confidence, skills, independence, resilience.
Scenario: You really want to try out for a sport, club, or activity, but you're worried you won't make the team are not good enough.
Give it a try anyway, Remember that everyone starts as a beginner, Ask a friend to join with you, Remind yourself "I may not be able to do it YET!"
Scenario: A friend tells you something personal and asks you not to tell anyone. Later, other students start asking you about it. What is a healthy way to handle this?
Keep your friend’s trust and don’t share what was told in confidence, Let others know it’s not your place to talk about it, Talk to a trusted adult if you’re worried about your friend, Remember that healthy friendships include trust, but also knowing when adult help is needed