School & Family Magazine Newstand Sherman ISD Dec/Jan 2017-18 | Page 10

ion
Middle School: Picking Your Destinat Maybe it’s a
you figure out where you want to go.
Once you’ve decided to take the trip,
transition
picking your destination is the time you
country or a continent. Wherever it is,
I need
taking it. Then you start researching: Will
from deciding to take your trip to actually
who has
or to the mountains? Do I know anyone
a passport? Do I want to go to the beach
been there before?
the next
years in a child’s educational career are
Much like that research, the transitional
where
ol,
scho
le
midd
sition to intermediate and
phase of learning. Sherman students’ tran
the
tify
iden
and
s, learn about social acceptance,
they begin to recognize their interest
that
ol
scho
le
to them. Often, it is during midd
college and career opportunities available
ent it will take to achieve their dreams.
students understand the level of commitm
use those
ing kids find their path and learn how to
“The middle school focus is really help
potential
t to help them to realize that they have the
foundational skills,” Smith said. “We wan
to do what they want.”
s solution
Naviance, a college and career readines
In sixth grade, students are introduced to
options
s and interests. Students explore career
that helps students discover their strength
ls. It
goa
r
thei
h
reac
and
ents to help them identify
and complete the Career Key assessm
aligned to students’ plans.
also enables individual learning plans
placement
lem Solvers, Academic UIL, advanced
With programs including Future Prob
aratory
prep
ge
and music programs, and colle
and dual credit courses, expanded art
shape
help
dabble in a multitude of programs to
programs, stu dents have the chance to
to a
sed
ide of the classroom, students are expo
the destinations they are interested in. Outs
ip, athletics,
ding chess club, choir, student leadersh
number of student organizations, inclu
and more.
guitar club, spirit organizations, fine arts,
it helps
identify what makes them unique and
“Middle School is a time when students
Technical
ol,” College Readiness and Career and
them with their transition to high scho
dence,
confi
self-
y,
. “It’s a time for self-discover
Education Coordinator Katie Morris said
each
ort
supp
to
education to their future. We want
and understanding the importance of
s as much as possible.”
student through these transitional year
ted to
t for students to know their options rela
During these pivotal years, it’s importan
ents
Stud
ol is a productive time for preparation.
college and career to ensure that high scho
high
to
lable in high school, and have access
begin exploring the areas of focus avai
n (CTE)
catio
Edu
l
nica
Tech
and
credit and Career
school preparatory classes, including dual
anced
Adv
the
in
part
s programs, students take
courses. In addition to college readines
s students to CTE.
Manufacturing program, which introduce
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