1. Incredible Final Project
 A lesson title and summary:
Parents of Children Transitioning to Middle School (8 sessions)
Within all eight sessions, the school counselor will aim to answer important
questions that parents have regarding their adolescents educational, social, and
emotional health. In order to achieve progress, it is essential that parents are
actively participating in each session in order to address their primary concerns
regarding their children. Because the goals of this project is to involve parents
more in their middle school child‟s education, it is beneficial to educators, parents,
and students alike.
 Standards: N/A
 A description of how to project is at least three of the following: active,
constructive, cooperative, intentional, and/or authentic.
Cooperative – These eight sessions including group activities. In group
activities, group member will share their opinion and learn another group members‟
idea.
Intentional – An 8 session parental education program is designed for parents of
children transitioning to middle school. Different family has different problems.
Followed class knowledge and their special needs, parents should intentional design
their plan focus on their family problems.
Authentic – At the end of the each session, parents will be required to create a
poster or concept map. For poster or concept map, parents will put their reflection

2. in their class journal and finish a question which is given by counselor. Also the
content of poster or concept map will be included some tips for themselves.
 A description of what learners will complete at the end of the lesson/project
(be creative here, it could be a poster, video, podcast, concept map),
including what elements you require students to include
At the end of the each session, parents will be required to create a poster or
concept map in http://popplet.com/ or http://popplet.com/. For poster or concept
map, parents will put their reflection in their class journal and finish a question
which is given by counselor. Also the content of poster or concept map will be
included some tips for themselves.
Question for Session1: I want learn …… from this project.
Question for Session 2: The changes in development of children and adolescents
physically, cognitively, and psychologically
Question for Session 3: what is expected of my child in schools, community, and
society?
Question for Session 4: what I can do for helping my child in education.
Question for Session 5: Tips for helping my child deal with bullying
Question for Session 6: Tips for effectively communication
Question for Session 7: Risks and rewards of using social media
Question for Session 8: Tips for communication with my child
 A list of materials and technologies used by the teacher and learners
Materials and technologies for counselor:
Appendix A

3. Ten Tips for Middle School Parents
1. Get to know the teachers. It‟s a good idea to meet each of your child‟s teachers. Ask about their
expectations. Find out how much time your child should spend on homework each night. Find out
whether there will be regularly scheduled tests and if so, when. Ask about the best way to get in touch
if you have questions. If the teachers use email, be sure to get their addresses.
2. Find a niche for yourself at your child’s school. Unlike in the lower grades, middle school
classrooms don‟t need extra adults on hand. But you can volunteer in other ways. Serve as an adviser
for an extracurricular activity such as the school paper, chess club, or science fair. Help out in the
computer lab. Being in the school is a great way to get a feel for what goes on there.
3. Do behind-the-scenes work. If you can‟t be in school during the day, ask teachers and other school
personnel to pass along some work that you can do on your own. Photocopy homework assignments;
collect recyclables for a science or art project; serve on a parent-school advisory council; join your
middle school PTO or PTA.
4. Volunteer to chaperone school dances and drive kids to school sports competitions. You‟ll meet
other parents, school staff, and your child‟s classmates.
5. Go to school meetings and events. Attending concerts, plays, assemblies, meetings, and other
activities is a good way to become familiar with your child‟s school community.

4. 6. Find out about homework assignments and school tests. If your school has a website where teachers
list homework assignments, get in the habit of checking it regularly. If not, contact your child‟s
teachers and ask them to alert you when there‟s an important project or test coming up.
7. Talk to your child about school. Ask specific questions to draw out your child. Ask “How do you
think you did on the math test?” “Did Mr. Phipps say anything funny today?” “What games did you
play in PE?” More about have a conversation at school.
8. Give your child a quiet place to study and do homework. Find an area in your home that is free of
distraction where your middle schooler can concentrate on homework. Be available to help if your
child has a question.
9. Check your child’s homework, but don’t do it for her. Offer to check math problems, proofread
written papers, and look over spelling words. If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help
her figure out the correct answer.
10. Post a family calendar in a central place. Write down important school dates, including parent
meetings, due dates for projects, and tests. Encourage your middle schooler to add to the calendar and
to check it daily.
SOURCE: http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/801-10-tips-
for-middle-school-parents
Appendix B
Tips for Helping Your Child Deal With Bullying

5. 1. Get as many people involved as possible. The more people who are aware of
the situation, the better.
2. Violence is never the answer.
3. Get as much information as possible. When, where, who.
4. Take it seriously. Bullying isn‟t always physical but it is always harmful.
5. Don‟t wait. It‟s more likely to get worse than it is to get better without action.
6. Be persistent. If no one listens, keep going.
Appendix C
Top Ten Common Parent Communication Mistakes
1. Listen to your kids and look at it from their point of view as well as your own
2. Making a “carbon copy” of yourself doesn‟t make you a good parent. You
need to allow your child to potentially live with different beliefs or views on
things. Give your child options and don‟t be so set on your own ways of life.
3. Don‟t assume you know exactly what they‟re going through. I know you
probably hate hearing this but times have changed. We as teenagers in this
generation go through different issues and as parents; you need to adapt
yourselves to understanding the new way of life for a teen.
4. Let us make our mistakes and learn from them. I know as a parent you need to
protect your kid from making mistakes but sometimes this means letting us go

6. and making these mistakes. It‟s the quickest way we learn. SO when in a
discussion with them don‟t just order them around and lecture them. It only
turns them away from the conversation.
5. Don‟t only be open to listen, be open to change. Basically don‟t go into a
conversation with your teen knowing that in the end you will get what you
want even if that means your teen “hating: you. Be able to negotiate. Meet
them half way and I truly believe you will be surprised with their response.
6. Apologize to your teens when you are wrong. We are all human and we all
make mistakes. It‟s ok. But it‟s only really a mistake when you don‟t own up
to it.
7. When talking about serious topics like drugs, sex, or alcohol, don‟t use what
they tell you against them. If they actually open up to you and admit to you
that they have sex with their boyfriend/girlfriend don‟t do something irrational
like try and keep them from seeing him or her. Ultimately it was their decision
and all you can do now is talk to them about it and prevent unplanned
pregnancies or STD‟s. Now this was just an example but it can be applied to
many other situations. If you hold what they tell you against them, odds are
they won‟t open up again.

7. 8. If a lot of your arguments arise from a reoccurring issue such as school,
cleaning their room, driving, etc. you need to address that and negotiate
accordingly. Take school for example, most likely you want to see all A‟s and
it‟s not that your teen doesn‟t want to see that either. They just, more than
likely want a good social life more. Allow them to balance the two and be
reasonable when addressing what you expect.
9. Don‟t raise your voice. We can hear you when you‟re just talking, whether or
not we listen is a different story. But I can tell you from my own experience if
I feel I‟ve been disrespected I snap and it‟s no longer a discussion. It‟s a “who
can out yell and insult the other one more.” So the moment you raise your
voice, the conversation is over.
10. Even when we seem the least lovable, we still need you. Don‟t give up on us.
If we think you‟ve given up, we are as far away from you as we can be
emotionally. You need to reconnect with them because as their parent you
deserve to be close to them. It just takes some work.
SOURCE: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/communication-parents.aspx
Appendix D
8 PARENT COMMUNICATION TIPS
Be available for your children

8.  Notice times when your kids are most likely to talk--for example, at bedtime,
before dinner, in the car--and be available.
 Start the conversation; it lets your kids know you care about what's happening
in their lives.
 Find time each week for a one-on-one activity with each child, and avoid
scheduling other activities during that time.
 Learn about your children's interests--for example, favorite music and
activities--and show interest in them.
 Initiate conversations by sharing what you have been thinking about rather
than beginning a conversation with a question.
Let your kids know you're listening
 When your children are talking about concerns, stop whatever you are doing
and listen.
 Express interest in what they are saying without being intrusive.
 Listen to their point of view, even if it's difficult to hear.
 Let them complete their point before you respond.
 Repeat what you heard them say to ensure that you understand them correctly.
Respond in a way your children will hear
 Soften strong reactions; kids will tune you out if you appear angry or
defensive.

9.  Express your opinion without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it's okay
to disagree.
 Resist arguing about who is right. Instead say, "I know you disagree with me,
but this is what I think."
 Focus on your child's feelings rather than your own during your conversation.
Remember:
 Ask your children what they may want or need from you in a conversation,
such as advice, simply listening, help in dealing with feelings, or help solving
a problem.
 Kids learn by imitating. Most often, they will follow your lead in how they
deal with anger, solve problems, and work through difficult feelings.
 Talk to your children--don't lecture, criticize, threaten, or say hurtful things.
 Kids learn from their own choices. As long as the consequences are not
dangerous, don't feel you have to step in.
 Realize your children may test you by telling you a small part of what is
bothering them. Listen carefully to what they say, encourage them to talk, and
they may share the rest of the story.
Parenting is hard work
 Listening and talking is the key to a healthy connection between you and your
children. But parenting is hard work and maintaining a good connection with

10. teens can be challenging, especially since parents are dealing with many other
pressures. If you are having problems over an extended period of time, you
might want to consider consulting with a mental health professional to find out
how they can help.
SOURCE: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/communication-parents.aspx
Computer and laptop
Movie: Bully
Projector for the short clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWHsiMYSxw
Technologies for learners:
http://popplet.com/
http://prezi.com/

11. After each session, parents will be required to finish a poster in http://popplet.com/ or
http://popplet.com/.
 Intended learning outcomes from the lesson (what will learners be able to do
after completing this lesson)
Session 1: Parent Awareness and Get to Know
Parents will leave the first session with the opportunity and knowledge of
what is to come in the next several sessions. They will have met many or all of the
other participants and have gained confidence and comfort with the other members.
Session 2: Education on Development of Children and Adolescents
Parents will leave the second session with a refresher on the changes that
will be or have all ready started taking place in their children physically, cognitively,
and psychologically.
Session 3: What is Expected of Kids
After the third session, parents should know what is expected of their
children and think about how they can help their child.
Session 4: What is Expected of Parents
Parents will walk away from this session having a better understanding of
what is expected of them as parents by schools, communities, and society. They will
know ways to get involved in their child‟s education.
Session 5: Bullying: Symptoms and Solutions

12. Parents will leave with both a somber revelation of the how destructive a
behavior bullying can be but also with optimism about being able to help their
children overcome it.
Session 6: Acceptance: Seeing Through Their Eyes
Parents will have the confidence to be able to engage in conversation with
their child about this confusing and challenging time in their lives. They will gain the
skills to effectively communicate that they accept who their child is and embrace that
which makes them different.
Session 7: Social Networking: What Parents Should Know
Parents will leave this session feeling more informed about the challenges
of raising children in a social networking age. They will feel more capable of having
conversations with their children about the risks and rewards of using social media.
Session 8: Encouraging Your Middle School Child, Communication, and Wrap-Up
Parents will walk away from this session having a better understanding of
useful communication techniques to use with their children. They will also feel a
sense of closure with the final session of the group.
 A timeline of actives
Layout of sessions:
An 8 session parental education program is designed for parents of
children transitioning to middle school.

13. Notices of the group will be sent home with children who are going to be
making the transition from elementary school to middle school. The group will be
open to twenty parents who will be selected on a first come first serve basis. Based
on the interest and response, the group will be repeated at the beginning of each new
school quarter or more as needed and able to be provided by group facilitators.
The group will meet in a classroom of the middle school where the
children will transition. Each session will be about 30 minutes. The group facilitators
for the first and last meeting will provide snacks and refreshments; members of the
group are asked to take turns providing refreshments for the remainder of the sessions.
Session 1: Parent Awareness and Get to Know
The purpose for this session is for the parents to get to know other
participants in the group. This session will also provide the layout and the format the
sessions will take.
General icebreaking activities are to be implemented in the first session. A
common non threatening technique is to engage participants in “Finding Someone
Who…” a sentence completer where they go around the room and find someone who
can initial the end of the sentence that describes or depicts a family. The group
facilitators can use any icebreaker that they feel fits the group dynamics best.
Discussion and processing will take the group to the end of the first session.
Session 2: Education on Development of Children and Adolescents
The purpose of the second session is to help parents understand/remember
the changes in development of children and adolescents physically, cognitively, and
psychologically.

14. General and specific information will be presented to parents in a seminar
format on the physical, cognitive and psychological changes their children will be
facing or have already gone through. Parents will be given handouts outlining the
general information. Group members will be asked to think of and share a time when
either they or their children had a significant change and identify the correlation
among three areas of change. Session will conclude with processing and debriefing
on the information presented.
Session 3: What is Expected of Kids
Middle school can be a confusing time, for parents as well as for their kids.
Children is becoming more independent yet still needs parents‟ support as much as
ever. Middle school students are on their way to becoming independent, developing
their own interests, and preparing for high school and beyond. Parents should know
about today's middle school kids, and what you can expect during these transitional
years. The purpose of session 3 is to help parents learn what is expected of their
children in schools, community, and society. After learn what is expected of their
children, they will know how to help their children.
The format of this session will be primarily information followed by role-
playing. If child is struggling with emotional difficulties or behavior problems, or if
he or she has gone through a difficult or traumatic situation, as a parent are likely to
be feeling worried or concerned about child, or powerless or helpless because what
parents are doing may not be working and parents don‟t know what to do to change
things. Role-playing gives parents an avenue in which to think about their children‟s
responses to difficult situations.

15. Role-playing is to have half of the participants act children, and other
participants are parents. The leader presents a situation to all of the participants and
asks parents who take on children role what they would do and what they would
want their parents do in the story. After sharing their opinion, according to children
reacting and thought, other half parents should talk about in the story what they
should do. Sample situation include:
 Academic pressure: They seem so young, but middle scholars are
already feeling the pressure that was in the past reserved for high
scholars. Even in middle school students hear about the competition to
get into a good college, score well on SATs and other pressures. Some
of this pressure comes from the school staff, other times it's well
meaning parents who place it directly on their kids' shoulders.
 Temptation: Middle school may be the first time your child decides to
experiment with smoking, drinking, drugs and other dangerous
behaviors.
Session 4: What is Expected of Parents
The purpose of session 4 is to help parents understand what is expected of
them as parents by schools, communities, and society. Many parents who are actively
involved in the education of their children at the elementary school level become less
involved when their children reach middle school. However, parent involvement in a
child's education during the middle school years (ages 10 to 14) is just as important a
factor in a child's success at school as it is in earlier grades (Kathleen, Howard, 1997).

16. This session will begin with parents in attendance finish those sentence that
what they think they should do as a present of middle school children:
 As a parent, I wish I can help my child at …
 As a parent, I think I should do …
When complete, group leaders will read each answer out loud without
revealing who wrote it. While each subject is read, parents will raise their hand if
they are able to relate to the situation. Next, group leaders will list and present the top
ten most common ideas and participates will discuss more details about what they
should do. After discuss, each parent in attendance will receive a copy of this hand-
out about how to get involved in your child‟s middle school learning experience
(Appendix A). Each idea will be discussed within the group.
Session 5: Bullying: Symptoms and Solutions
The purpose of session 5 is to educate parents on the warning signs and
symptoms of bullying as well as to empower them with solutions to protect their
children.
This session will begin with a few excerpts from the movie Bully. This
movie is a very „in your face‟ type of movie and will allow the parents to know that
bullying is very ugly and can happen to anyone. Each parent will then be asked to
raise their hand if they have ever bullied, been bullied or witnessed someone being
bullied. Each parent will then be given a piece of paper and write down how they
think victims of bullying feel. They will then be asked to raise their hands if they
want their children to feel these things every day at school. The second half of the
session will be used to empower the parent with the necessary tools to help if their

17. children do experience bullying. For this each parent will receive a handout
(Appendix B).
Session 6: Acceptance: Seeing Through Their Eyes
This session will focus on seeing that we are all unique and embracing that
which makes us different. We will show parents that just because their children are
different from other children and perhaps even different than their parents, it‟s
important for them to know they are accepted.
This session will begin with each parent listing ten things that make them
different than everyone else in the room. The goal is to be able to not have anything
duplicated by anyone else. Each person will then say one or two of the things on their
list that they think no one else will have. Each person must make one answer about
one of their parents and one answer about their grandparents.
Session 7: Social Networking: What Parents Should Know
The purpose of session seven is for parents to understand the good, the bad,
and the ugly of social media and social networking websites.
The format of this session will be primarily information followed by an open question
and answer session. We will open by watching a short clip on the dangers of social
media. The hope is that this video will allow parents to start brainstorming different
questions that they may not know about their children and social media. After the
short video, parents will receive a piece of paper in which they anonymously write
down a question or concern relating to social networking and media. After
completion, group leaders will randomly select questions to discuss. This will trigger
an open question and answer forum regarding social media and their pre-teens.

18. Short clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWHsiMYSxw
Session 8: Encouraging Your Middle School Child, Communication, and Wrap-Up
The goal of the final session of our parent education group is to help parents
learn how to encourage and communicate with their adolescent as well as wrap-up the
group. Parents will be able to implement various strategies in communicating with
their child after participating in this session.
This session will begin with parents in attendance writing down a topic that
they do not feel comfortable bringing up with his or her child. When complete, group
leaders will read each subject out loud without revealing who wrote it. While each
subject is read, parents will raise their hand if they are able to relate to the situation.
This will help parents to feel like they are not alone in the challenging task of
parenting. Next, group leaders will go through the top ten biggest mistakes parents
make in communicating with their teens written from a teen perspective. Each parent
in attendance will receive a copy of this hand-out (Appendix C). Each mistake will be
discussed within the group as well as suggestions for alternatives that may work in a
more effective manner. After a group discussion, each parent will receive a hand-out
of effective communication strategies to use with their children (Appendix D).
 An assessment plan
At the end of the each session, parents will be required to create a poster or
concept map in http://popplet.com/ or http://popplet.com/. For poster or concept map,
parents will put their reflection in their class journal and finish a question which is
given by counselor. Also the content of poster or concept map will be some tips for
themselves.

19. Question for Session1: I want learn …… from this project.
Question for Session 2: The changes in development of children and adolescents
physically, cognitively, and psychologically
Question for Session 3: what is expected of my child in schools, community, and
society?
Question for Session 4: what I can do for helping my child in education.
Question for Session 5: Tips for helping my child deal with bullying
Question for Session 6: Tips for effectively communication
Question for Session 7: Risks and rewards of using social media
Question for Session 8: Tips for communication with my child
At the beginning of each session, group members will share and present
their poster or concept map.