High School Expectations Discussion

Purpose

This discussion helps students articulate their expectations—academic, social, and organizational—for high school. By sharing thoughts and hearing peers’ perspectives, students build awareness, reduce anxiety, and start developing strategies for success.

Discussion Guidelines

• Respect and listen when others speak.
• Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
• Build on classmates’ ideas: “I agree, and…,” “I’d like to add….”
• Stay on topic and be concise.

Warm-Up (3 minutes)

1. Project or draw a simple three-column chart labeled Academic, Social, Organizational.
2. Ask students to call out one word or short phrase that comes to mind for each column (e.g., “homework,” “new friends,” “planner”).
3. Record responses quickly; this primes the full discussion.

1. Academic Expectations (7 minutes)

Prompt: “High school classes often feel more challenging than middle school. What academic habits or skills do you think you’ll need to succeed?”

• Follow-up Questions:
  • “How is taking notes in high school different from middle school?”
  • “What study routines might you try to keep up with more homework?”
  • “How will you know if you need extra help in a class?”

Potential Teacher Moves:

• If ideas stall, ask: “Think of a time you learned something new quickly—what helped you?”
• Encourage concrete examples: “Show us how you might organize your binder for one class.”

2. Social Expectations (7 minutes)

Prompt: “High school offers more clubs, sports, and social opportunities. What social skills or habits will help you make the most of these?”

• Follow-up Questions:
  • “How can you reach out to someone new in your grade?”
  • “What might you do if you feel left out of a group?”
  • “How do you balance joining activities with keeping up grades?”

Potential Teacher Moves:

• Model an opening line: “Hi, I’m [Name]—what’s your favorite class so far?”
• Ask quieter students: “What club would you join if you knew no one there?”

3. Organizational Expectations (7 minutes)

Prompt: “Managing multiple teachers and deadlines can feel overwhelming. Which time-management or organization strategies sound most useful to you?”

• Follow-up Questions:
  • “How do you plan to track daily assignments across all classes?”
  • “What steps could you take if you fall behind on a big project?”
  • “Which apps or physical tools (planner, binder tabs) would you like to try?”

Potential Teacher Moves:

• Share a quick demo of a digital calendar or planner layout.
• Invite a student to show how they’d record three upcoming assignments.

Reflection & Connection (5 minutes)

1. Think-Pair-Share:
   • Think: Which of today’s expectations do you feel most ready for? Most nervous about?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Pair: Share your answer with a neighbor.
   • Share: Volunteers report back one “ready” and one “nervous” item.
2. Teacher Debrief:
   • Highlight common themes (e.g., many students anxious about workload).
   • Reinforce resources: teachers, peer study groups, planners.

Wrap-Up (1 minute)

• Remind students that these skills develop over time—starting now gives them an edge.
• Connect to next activity: Goal-Setting with High School Goals Worksheet and Time-Management Strategy Activity Cards.

Time-Management Strategy Activity Cards

Use these eight cards to help students choose and discuss a strategy that will support their academic and social goals as they transition to high school. Distribute one full set per pair. Students should read each card, discuss which strategy resonates most, and select one to explain how it will help them achieve their goals.

Instructions for Students (Pair Work):

1. Spread out the cards so you can see all eight strategies.
2. Read each strategy together and discuss:
   • What does this strategy look like in practice?
   • Have you ever tried something similar? How did it work?
3. Choose the strategy you think will help you most with your goals.
4. Be prepared to explain your choice to the class: what it is, why you picked it, and how you’ll use it.

Cards

1. Use a Daily Planner
   Keep a paper or digital planner to record every assignment, test date, and activity. Review and update it each morning so nothing slips through the cracks.
2. Time-Blocking
   Divide your afternoon or evening into dedicated blocks (e.g., 4:00–4:30 PM: math homework; 4:30–5:00 PM: break; 5:00–5:30 PM: reading). Assign specific tasks to each block.
3. Pomodoro Technique
   Work for 25 minutes on a single task, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat four times, then take a longer (15–30 minute) break.
4. Weekly Review Session
   Set aside 15 minutes each Friday afternoon to look over the coming week’s assignments and activities. Update your planner and identify any busy days that need extra planning.
5. Prioritize with an ABC List
   Label tasks as A (must do today), B (should finish this week), or C (nice to do if time allows). Start with A-tasks first.
6. Break Tasks into Steps
   For larger projects, list smaller, sequential steps (research, outline, draft, revise). Schedule each step separately to avoid last-minute rushes.
7. Set Timed Alarms/Reminders
   Use your phone or computer to set reminders for start and end times of work sessions, upcoming tests, and deadlines at least 24 hours in advance.
8. Limit Distractions
   Identify your biggest distraction (phone, social media, noise) and remove it during work time. Try apps that block sites or put your device on “Do Not Disturb.”

Once each pair has selected a card, complete the back of the card by writing:

• Why this strategy will work for us:
  
  
  
• How we’ll implement it starting today:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Be ready to share your chosen strategy and plan in the next whole-class discussion!

High School Goals Worksheet

Use this worksheet to set clear, motivating goals for your transition to high school, choose a time-management strategy, and plan for potential challenges.

Part 1: Setting Your SMART Goals

1. Academic SMART Goal
   Write one academic goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
   My Academic SMART Goal:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Social SMART Goal
   Write one social goal using the SMART framework.
   My Social SMART Goal:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Choosing a Time-Management Strategy

1. Selected Strategy
   Which strategy card did you choose?
   Strategy Name: __________________________________________
2. Why This Strategy Will Work
   Explain why this strategy will help you achieve your goals.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Implementation Plan
   Describe how you will start using this strategy today.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Anticipating Challenges

1. Potential Challenges
   What obstacles might you face as you work toward your goals?

• Challenge 1:
  
  
  
• Challenge 2:
  
  
  

1. Your Solutions
   For each challenge, write one action you will take to overcome it.

• Solution to Challenge 1:
  
  
  
• Solution to Challenge 2:
  
  
  

Part 4: Exit Ticket

1. Skill Focus
   Write one key skill (academic, social, or organizational) you will work on improving over the summer before high school starts.
   Skill to Focus On:
   
   
   

Good luck as you prepare for high school! Remember to review your goals and strategies regularly to stay on track.