The Freshman Transition Network2024-03-29T16:02:41ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwellhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/65144042?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://freshmantransition.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=3epyqwl7ahf6d&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMake The Grade . Schooltag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2020-09-08:2630686:Topic:750922020-09-08T17:33:03.262ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p><a href="https://MakeTheGrade.School" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7866903454?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
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<p>Please check out this program on Thursday from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. I am one of the sponsors. Since the sponsors are paying for the program there is no charge to attend, but you do need to register. …<br></br><br></br></p>
<p><a href="https://MakeTheGrade.School" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7866903454?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Please check out this program on Thursday from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. I am one of the sponsors. Since the sponsors are paying for the program there is no charge to attend, but you do need to register. <br/><br/><a href="http://www.MakeTheGrade.School" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.MakeTheGrade.School</a></p> 1st Meeting Agendatag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2017-07-21:2630686:Topic:639242017-07-21T16:32:18.128ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>I am in the process of organizing our 1st Freshman Academy Team Meeting. Any key suggestions of setting the agenda? I don't want to miss anything of importance nor do I want to set up the meeting for a tangent!</p>
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<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>Kim</p>
<p>I am in the process of organizing our 1st Freshman Academy Team Meeting. Any key suggestions of setting the agenda? I don't want to miss anything of importance nor do I want to set up the meeting for a tangent!</p>
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<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>Kim</p> Research on Fr Transition/Interdisciplinary Teamingtag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2015-10-14:2630686:Topic:538282015-10-14T14:49:08.383ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>In order to help "sell" our freshman transition program, I am looking for data as to how effective it is. I haven't found much recent data. If anyone knows of any research out there that supports the efficacy of this teaming approach, I would appreciate knowing. Also, even data just from within individual districts that use this model would be most helpful! Thank you, everyone in this network is great and so eager to share, it's amazing.</p>
<p>In order to help "sell" our freshman transition program, I am looking for data as to how effective it is. I haven't found much recent data. If anyone knows of any research out there that supports the efficacy of this teaming approach, I would appreciate knowing. Also, even data just from within individual districts that use this model would be most helpful! Thank you, everyone in this network is great and so eager to share, it's amazing.</p> Mentors as part of Freshman Transitiontag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2015-08-25:2630686:Topic:531852015-08-25T22:52:13.962ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
Does anyone have experience or knowledge related to using upperclassmen as mentors for freshman students as part of their transition program? Ideally I would have liked to have our transition program in place first, but I inherited a situation where we have a group of mentors but not much else. This is also the first year for the mentors. While we work on a true transition program, we are looking for ways to effectively use this cadre of mentors. We have a schedule where two days a week we have…
Does anyone have experience or knowledge related to using upperclassmen as mentors for freshman students as part of their transition program? Ideally I would have liked to have our transition program in place first, but I inherited a situation where we have a group of mentors but not much else. This is also the first year for the mentors. While we work on a true transition program, we are looking for ways to effectively use this cadre of mentors. We have a schedule where two days a week we have a block schedule: on those days our students have BKT or "Black Knight Time" which we are still trying to define. Definite potential, students are in these as classes with teachers by grade level. Our plan is to try to push our mentors out into these BKT's to work with freshmen. BKT's are 35 min. Any help, suggestions, or resources are appreciated. Starting a transition programtag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2014-05-01:2630686:Topic:415502014-05-01T14:39:28.326ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>Our administrative leadership team is starting the planning process to have a transition program in place beginning in Fall, 2015. We would appreciate any feedback about successes/landmines than anyone is willing to share as we begin our journey.</p>
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<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Our administrative leadership team is starting the planning process to have a transition program in place beginning in Fall, 2015. We would appreciate any feedback about successes/landmines than anyone is willing to share as we begin our journey.</p>
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<p>Thanks</p> Alternate Name to "Move Up Day"tag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2014-04-17:2630686:Topic:414552014-04-17T12:07:57.952ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>We are planning a "move up" day for our 8th grade class, but there is a concern that the name "move up" day is both a little old fashioned and also a little childish. Students have "moved up" in 5th grade already and the transition from middle school to high school is different. Can anyone offer suggestions that might be more appropriate for a transition day in June where 8th graders visit the high school? "Transition Day" does not have the pep we were hoping…</p>
<p>We are planning a "move up" day for our 8th grade class, but there is a concern that the name "move up" day is both a little old fashioned and also a little childish. Students have "moved up" in 5th grade already and the transition from middle school to high school is different. Can anyone offer suggestions that might be more appropriate for a transition day in June where 8th graders visit the high school? "Transition Day" does not have the pep we were hoping for.</p>
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<p>Thanks!</p>
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<p>Beth</p> Elective Choices for Freshmentag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2014-02-12:2630686:Topic:407952014-02-12T13:46:26.238ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>After visiting a few schools that have freshman transition programs, I discovered that they offer about half the elective choices to their 9th graders than we do. The mindset is that too many choices are confusing and stressful to parents and students. Any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>After visiting a few schools that have freshman transition programs, I discovered that they offer about half the elective choices to their 9th graders than we do. The mindset is that too many choices are confusing and stressful to parents and students. Any thoughts on this?</p> Re-freshing Freshmentag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2014-02-07:2630686:Topic:409372014-02-07T13:37:13.669ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>Hi Folks - I have not posted for quite a while. Here at Urbandale High School we are currently in our 8th year of a 9th Grade House / SLC project. And, while our results are quite well in general, I feel as if we are hitting kind of a plateau and need some ideas for reinvigorating things. </p>
<p>Along with two others, I am the only member of our original team. Others have gotten smart, and moved out of education, while others have taken on new roles in the district. And, while the…</p>
<p>Hi Folks - I have not posted for quite a while. Here at Urbandale High School we are currently in our 8th year of a 9th Grade House / SLC project. And, while our results are quite well in general, I feel as if we are hitting kind of a plateau and need some ideas for reinvigorating things. </p>
<p>Along with two others, I am the only member of our original team. Others have gotten smart, and moved out of education, while others have taken on new roles in the district. And, while the newer members of the team are well qualified individuals and have the best interests of the students in heart and mind, I feel as if some of our "mojo" is gone. We have not had any quality new initiatives in quite some time. It feels as if we are in constant re-tread mode.</p>
<p>In an effort to boost things, we are currently using "The Ninth Grade Opportunity" as a book study during our common planning time. That has provided some good discussions, but it seems as if the conversation always turns to me saying "well, been there, done that".</p>
<p>I am looking for some ideas on how to reignite the fire that we took off with several years ago. I don't know if it is me (and if it is I am completely embarrassed) or just the necessity with which we started is no longer there. If anyone has some suggestions, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM!!</p>
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<p>Yours in education</p>
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<p>Gary Birdwell<br/>Urbandale High School</p>
<p><a href="http://www.urbandaleschools.com">www.urbandaleschools.com</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.j-hawks.com">www.j-hawks.com</a></p> Reading skills across content areas at the freshmen leveltag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2013-12-15:2630686:Topic:405252013-12-15T21:24:52.952ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
The resource teachers have voiced concerns that the in-coming freshmen are struggling to comprehend text across all of their subject areas. Are there certain reading strategies they seem to respond to the best when reading their History textbook, Science textbook, etc.?
The resource teachers have voiced concerns that the in-coming freshmen are struggling to comprehend text across all of their subject areas. Are there certain reading strategies they seem to respond to the best when reading their History textbook, Science textbook, etc.? Juvenile Justice Speciality Courts Impact on Student Achievement and Attendancetag:freshmantransition.ning.com,2013-11-13:2630686:Topic:397732013-11-13T23:47:10.531ZGary Birdwellhttp://freshmantransition.ning.com/profile/GaryBirdwell
<p>I am considering the following dissertation topic: Case study on Juvenile Justice Speciality Courts Impact on Freshman Achievement and Attendance. If anyone has information or research on this topic that you are willing to share, please email me at sandracantwell@joplinschools.org</p>
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<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>I am considering the following dissertation topic: Case study on Juvenile Justice Speciality Courts Impact on Freshman Achievement and Attendance. If anyone has information or research on this topic that you are willing to share, please email me at sandracantwell@joplinschools.org</p>
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<p>Thank you.</p>