We Can Do Better!

1. We Can Do Better! @ Southwest Middle School

2. In your small group, generate a list of things that have gone well for you this school year. • One person from your group will be the note taker and one person will share with the whole group. What’s been going well?

3. Now, it’s your turn to discuss with your group members concerns that you or other people have struggled with. Struggles

4. We live and we learn. • What makes us struggle only makes us better. This only happens if we pay attention to what changes need to be in place to make the rest of your school year run smoothly. • Our hope is that you make those changes now and recognize that change is a positive behavior regarding your academic life at Southwest Middle School. • Help us help you! Here’s how… New quarter means changes!

5. Turn things in on time • No more IDK!!!! Find a way to answer the questions and be a self-advocate. • Don’t hand in incomplete work. If you do, it’s considered late/incomplete. • Whatever happened to reading ANY and ALL directions? Please make sure you’re doing this. I DO NOT like reminding people about something I’ve already written in the directions. It doesn’t speak too highly of your attention to details. Am I right on this one? Yes, Mrs. Mayberry you’re right on! You mean students don’t read all of the directions? • Perseverance • Don’t give up! • Reread, reread, reread • Ask your group members/partner • Ask a teacher, paraprofessional, parent/guardianfor help • Quality of your work: • Capital letters • Periods • This means complete sentences • Fresh, clean paper • Good handwriting-if your teacher can’t read it you will go right backto you and you will be expected to hand it in the next day with better handwriting. You need to look it over and make sure you’ve used descent handwriting • If you do it right the first time you don’t have to redo it! Right? Work Completion

6. If you’re gone it’s your responsibility to get the work completed and turned in within a timely manner. • You have to find out what you missed. But how? • Read the board where your teacher writes the information (in some classes) • Go to the teacher’s website and check it! • Talk to a trusted peer about what you missed and write it in your planner. • It is essential that you’re checking Skyward to monitor your work and grades. • Finally, ask and check with the teacher about missing work. • The teacher is NOT the first person you go to when you miss class. Use all resources before you visit with your teacher. • It would be really cool if you went up to a teacher and said, “I see we have a handout for the lab we did yesterday when I was gone. Could I get a copy of it? Or, can I get it off of your website?” • Wouldn’t you sound REALLY mature and that you care about your work? ABSOLUTLEY!!!! Be a Self-Advocate

7. You should be aware of what the class is doing and not running your own agenda. It’s that self-monitoring thing! • Know and follow the directions the first time given. • The constant talking when you’re not supposed to, is TOTALLY unacceptable…TOTALLY! All teachers need this to stop. • Teacher’s usually transition into the directions and will let you know that it’s important and you should be listening to the directions. • Do you know the classroom routines yet? If not, it’s time you familiarize yourself with those expectations. • Blurting out answers when your teacher is expecting a more routine way of answering questions is unacceptable. • There should be an edit button or some kind of filter when you address the entire class. • Your answers should enhance the class discussion and not be distracting to others. Following the teacher’s agenda

8. Please get everything out of your string bag. That’s right, your string bag…nothing else. • Tomorrow you will not bring anything to class but a string bag. • This will ALWAYS be the expectation here at Southwest Middle School…it’s in the student handbook. Let’s do a self-check

9. Check for the following things in your string bag: • Your planner • The book you need for class • What’s in my pencil bag? • 4 sharp pencils • Red pen or pencil • Blue or black pen • Scissors • Colored Pencils • Calculator • Highlighter • Checklist: How will you get them if you don’t have them? What’s in my string bag?

10. Positive comments to your peers • Be constructive when you need to be without hurting someone’s feelings • Work well with ALL of your peers and productively • Stay on task • Sidebar conversations need to stay at a minimum • Problem solve when there is a disagreement • DO NOT complain about who you’re working with before you even begin working with them… that is a HUGE emotional withdraw • Give compliments to your peers for doing such a great job in class working on the activity…Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching • Do you know how to make it a pleasure to work with you? Let’s discuss what this might look like, sound like, and feel like Creating a positive environment

11. What might be a challenge as we roll into the new quarter in your 6th grade year? • What supports might students need? • What do you need out of other students? • Share now or forever hold your peace! Last thoughts