Lesson Plan
Fresh Start, Future Ready
Students will identify at least two challenges of high school transition and articulate one strategy for academic success, social connection, and personal well-being.
Navigating high school can be tough; this lesson provides practical tools for students to proactively address challenges and thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, strategy sharing, and reflective activities.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
* Read through the Warm-Up: High School Hopes & Hurdles, Quiz: 9th Grade Transition Pre-Survey, Discussion Guide: Navigating 9th Grade, Activity: High School Success Scenarios, Quiz: 9th Grade Transition Post-Survey, and Cool-Down: My 9th Grade Game Plan.
* Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for display.
Step 1
Warm-Up: High School Hopes & Hurdles
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the Warm-Up: High School Hopes & Hurdles prompt on the board/projector.
* Instruct students to take a moment to individually jot down one hope and one concern they have about starting 9th grade.
* Facilitate a brief group share-out, emphasizing that all feelings are valid. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 1)
Step 2
Pre-Survey: Checking In
3 minutes
- Distribute the Quiz: 9th Grade Transition Pre-Survey.
* Instruct students to complete the short survey individually to share their current feelings about high school.
* Collect the surveys once completed.
Step 3
Introduction & Agenda
2 minutes
- Introduce the lesson, 'Fresh Start, Future Ready,' and its purpose: to equip students with strategies for a successful transition.
* Briefly outline the agenda for the session. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 2)
Step 4
Understanding the High School Landscape
8 minutes
- Lead a discussion using the prompts from the Discussion Guide: Navigating 9th Grade about common challenges and exciting opportunities in high school. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 3)
* Encourage students to share their perspectives and experiences.
* Introduce the three key areas for success: Academic, Social, and Personal Well-being. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 4)
* For each area, present a few example strategies and ask students to brainstorm additional ones. Write down their ideas on the board or in a shared document.
Step 5
Activity: High School Success Scenarios
8 minutes
- Introduce the Activity: High School Success Scenarios.
* Divide students into pairs and instruct them to read and discuss each scenario, identifying the best strategy type and a specific action.
* After a few minutes, bring the class back together and facilitate a brief share-out of their ideas for each scenario. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 5)
Step 6
Post-Survey: Reflecting on Learning
3 minutes
- Distribute the Quiz: 9th Grade Transition Post-Survey.
* Instruct students to complete the survey to reflect on what they learned and how they feel more prepared.
* Collect the surveys once completed.
Step 7
Cool-Down: My 9th Grade Game Plan
1 minute
- Distribute the Cool-Down: My 9th Grade Game Plan worksheet.
* Instruct students to quickly reflect on the discussion and strategies, then complete the worksheet, focusing on one personal commitment for the upcoming year.
* Collect the cool-downs as an exit ticket. (Refer to Slide Deck: Fresh Start, Future Ready - Slide 6)
Slide Deck
Fresh Start, Future Ready: Your 9th Grade Launchpad
Welcome to High School!
Display this slide. Explain that this lesson is about preparing for 9th grade. Introduce the Warm-Up: High School Hopes & Hurdles and guide students to reflect on their hopes and concerns. Emphasize that all feelings are valid. Afterwards, distribute the Pre-Survey to gauge their initial feelings.
Today's Journey
- Assess your readiness (Pre-Survey)
- Explore challenges & opportunities
- Discover strategies for success
- Practice problem-solving with scenarios
- Reflect on your growth (Post-Survey)
- Create your 9th-grade game plan
Briefly go over the agenda for the lesson. This helps students understand the flow and purpose of the session, including the pre and post surveys.
Navigating 9th Grade: Hopes, Fears, & New Horizons
What are you excited about?
What makes you a little nervous?
What do you think will be different?
Use the Discussion Guide: Navigating 9th Grade to facilitate this section. Encourage open sharing of thoughts and experiences about the transition.
Your Success Toolkit: Academic, Social, Personal
Academic Success
- Stay organized
- Ask for help
- Manage your time
### Social Connection
- Join clubs
- Be open to new friendships
- Communicate respectfully
### Personal Well-being
- Get enough sleep
- Eat healthy
- Find stress-relief activities
Introduce the three pillars of high school success. Provide a few examples for each, then ask students to brainstorm more. Write their ideas on the board.
Putting Strategies to the Test: Success Scenarios
Work in pairs to tackle real-life 9th-grade challenges!
- Read each scenario.
- Identify the best strategy type (Academic, Social, or Personal Well-being).
- Brainstorm one specific action.
Introduce the High School Success Scenarios activity. Have students work in pairs to discuss the scenarios and identify strategies. Facilitate a brief class share-out. Afterwards, distribute the Post-Survey.
Your Fresh Start Game Plan
What's one thing you'll commit to for a great start to 9th grade?
Distribute the Cool-Down: My 9th Grade Game Plan worksheet. Explain it's an exit ticket for them to personalize their plan. Collect them at the end.
Quiz
9th Grade Transition Pre-Survey
Warm Up
Warm-Up: High School Hopes & Hurdles
Take a moment to reflect on starting 9th grade.
1. What is one thing you are hoping for in high school?
2. What is one thing you are a little nervous about?
Discussion
Discussion Guide: Navigating 9th Grade
Let's talk about the exciting and sometimes challenging journey into 9th grade.
### Opening Questions:
* What are some things you are really looking forward to in high school?
* What are some things that make you a little nervous or uncertain about this transition?
* How do you think high school will be different from middle school?
### Academic Success:
* What does it mean to be a successful student in high school?
* What study habits or organizational tools do you think will be most important?
* Who can you go to for academic help if you need it?
### Social Connection:
* How can you make new friends or maintain existing friendships in a bigger school?
* What extracurricular activities or clubs are you interested in joining?
* How can you be a positive influence in your new school community?
### Personal Well-being:
* What are some ways you can take care of your mental and physical health in high school?
* How will you balance schoolwork, social life, and personal time?
* Who are your trusted adults or resources you can reach out to if you're feeling overwhelmed?
Activity
Activity: High School Success Scenarios
Work with a partner to discuss the following scenarios. For each scenario, decide which type of strategy (Academic, Social, or Personal Well-being) would be most helpful, and brainstorm one specific action you could take.
### Scenario 1: The Overloaded Schedule
You've joined a new club, have more homework than middle school, and feel like you're constantly rushing. You're starting to get less sleep.
* Strategy Type:
* Specific Action:
### Scenario 2: Feeling Like an Outsider
You don't know many people in your classes, and it feels like everyone else already has their friend groups. You want to make new friends but aren't sure how to start.
* Strategy Type:
* Specific Action:
### Scenario 3: Tough Test, Low Grade
You studied for a big test, but the material was harder than you expected, and you didn't do as well as you hoped. You're worried about your grades.
* Strategy Type:
* Specific Action:
Quiz
9th Grade Transition Post-Survey
Cool Down
Cool-Down: My 9th Grade Game Plan
Now that we've discussed strategies for a successful 9th grade, it's time to make your own personal game plan!
1. My Top Academic Strategy: What is one specific thing you will do to succeed academically?
2. My Top Social Strategy: What is one specific thing you will do to connect with others and build positive relationships?
3. My Top Personal Well-being Strategy: What is one specific thing you will do to take care of yourself this year?
4. One Person I Can Talk To: Who is one trusted adult or peer you can go to if you need support?