Welcome to Middle School
How does a community form to address issues for the common good?
Photo Credit: George Read Middle School by Best Buddies Delaware is licensed under CC by 2.0
This set of lessons guides middle-schoolers to welcome next year's new students to their school. They act as ambassadors in two ways: by writing personal letters and through a video created to welcome the new students into the middle school. At the end of the unit they reflect on the power of volunteerism on the economy and spirit of a community.
In this lesson, students analyze and define the concept of community. The middle-school students identify their responsibilities for the common good in their role as citizens in the school community. They list ways they can help the younger students enter their school community successfully.
Students review the five parts of a friendly letter and then write a letter welcoming incoming students. The purpose of the letter is to help the fifth grader transition into middle school. The new students will come prepared with helpful suggestions, inside information, and a buddy in an older grade. The letters tell about the students own first experiences in middle school and their favorite parts about their school.
The purpose of this lesson is for the students to produce a video presentation. The video demonstrates the characteristics of the middle school with the purpose of informing students of what to expect when they come to middle school. It will be presented to the fifth graders who are moving to the middle school in the coming year.
In this lesson the students reflect on the power of volunteerism and gain some perspective on the immense impact volunteers make on our economy and society. They will determine what they contribute to their school community.