Much of our work with 8th grade students is around the idea of them developing skills to help them become more independent learners:
Students will be expected to complete homework (even if they haven’t done so in prior years) on a nightly basis. The reality is that homework is a fact of life at HHS and it is essential that students establish good habits in 8th grade in preparation.
The goal for all 8th grade students is to become more independent as the year progresses. The level of independence will be different for each student, but the goal is growth in this area for all students.
8th grade students and their parents are expected to monitor the student portal in order to stay on top of academic assignments. If your student needs assistance accessing his/her portal, please contact me and I’ll help. Questions specific to a classroom teacher/course should be directed to the classroom teacher with a “cc” to me so that I can stay in the “loop.”
8th grade student schedules are very tight--- guidance and computer classes are required of all 8th graders. Though 8th graders get “first pick” of electives, the reality is that here isn’t much room in the 8th grade schedule for many electives.
8th Graders will participate in the development of their IEPs and attend meetings whenever possible. It is time that they fully participate in their educational programs.
Over the years, four major characteristics have emerged for me as important markers of a student's future success in high school and beyond:
Executive Function
Self-Understanding
Self-Advocacy
Engagement & Motivation
In an effort to help students first think about these areas, and then work to attain the habits and skills they need to develop these characteristics, I created a rubric called "Characteristics of Successful Students." It is important that students are able to understand what we mean when we say "you need to improve your executive function skills" and having information explicitly laid out in a rubric, allows students to put their minds around it.
Students in my Learning Center will rate themselves on the rubric during the fall, at mid-year, and in the spring. We will have on-going conversations about their self-ratings and I will share my ratings of them on the rubric as well. In the spring, the rubric is a helpful vehicle for discussion during transition meetings with the HHS Special Education staff and parents.