Today was the last of our Field Trip to Middle School for the incoming 5th grade class.
Transitioning the 4th graders actually started a few weeks ago, when my Principal, one current 5th grader, and myself went to talk at a 4th grade assembly. While we were there, my Principal and I introduced ourselves and our roles, then I introduced our 5th grader. She and I fielded many questions about what it is like in the 5th grade. We visited with the 4th graders for about an hour before returning to the middle school. Now, although it is about a month later, we just finished hosting part 2 of our transition plan–Tour of the MS building.
Last week, I sent each 4th grader a Boarding Pass to Middle School. I actually typed each student’s name onto the pass. I thought the passes would be a nice “souvenir” of their transition and remind them of when they would actually be visiting with us. Different classes came on different days, so that info was on each Boarding Pass as well.
As the 4th graders arrived at the MS. I had two students greet them. They held Welcome signs like you would see at the airport, as people got off the planes and were waiting for their rides to pick them up. The 4th graders were then chauffeured to a classroom. Once seated, we handed them a Field Trip packet and asked them to fill out the first half. . .how they are feeling right now, a picture of what they look like, and one question they wanted to ask about the Middle School. As soon as they were done, we showed them an iMovie the 5th Graders and I made about 5th grade. (I would love to post it, but won’t because of confidentiality). After the movie, we handed out the
passports, broke the students up for tours and away they went!
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| Inside front of passport |
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| Stamping area of passport |
I picked, with the help of the 5th grade teachers, 19 fifth graders to help give tours after school for the 3 days the 4th graders came for visits. Last week, I held a Tour Guide Training During lunch.I did find the idea for the boarding pass and field trip form online through Pinterest.
The last 3 days were a huge hit. We did tweak a few things along the way (made smaller tour groups and pre-stamped all the passports) but I think both the current 5th graders and next year’s 5th graders got a lot out of the sessions.
You can find this (along with a lot more transition materials on my TpT store. Just click HERE.
