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Who I am
Need help?
Moving Up: My Middle School Survival Guide
what we are going to learn
Get inspired
helpful resources
calendar
how are we going to learn
what youwill need
Project guidlines
Title: Moving Up: My Middle School Survival Guide
Learners:
Grade: 5th Grade Subject: ELA (Writing + Speaking & Listening) Description: Students are transitioning from elementary to middle school. They are capable of reflecting on personal experiences, collaborating with peers, and using technology to communicate ideas. This project supports both academic and social-emotional development.
Summary:
This project-based learning activity allows 5th grade students to reflect on their growth throughout elementary school while preparing for the transition to middle school. Students will create a digital survival guide using technology to share advice, expectations, and personal experiences. The project promotes reflection, collaboration, and real-world application of skills.
Materials:
Technology:
- Padlet (idea sharing)
- Videos (for inspiration)
Materials:
Standards:
ISTE Standards ISTE 1.6: Creative Communicator Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively using digital tools. ISTE 1.7: Global Collaborator (optional but strong) Students use digital tools to work collaboratively and share ideas.
Mississippi State Standards W.5.2: Write informative texts to examine a topic SL.5.4: Report on a topic using appropriate facts and details SL.5.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
Project-Based Learning Elements + Technology Integration
~Student Inquiry: Students explore questions such as “What is middle school like?” and “What advice is important?” through videos, discussion, and research. ~Collaboration & Teamwork: Students work in small groups to share ideas, provide feedback, and support one another during project creation. (using padlet) ~Teacher Coaching & Feedback: The teacher models expectations, provides guidance, and gives ongoing feedback during each stage of the project. ~Student Reflection: Students reflect on how they have grown from kindergarten to 5th grade and how they feel about middle school. ~Public Presentation: Students present their digital survival guides to the class (or younger students) and share their knowledge and advice.
~Anchor: Students watch a short video about middle school (“Get Inspired”) and discuss what they are excited or nervous about. This introduces the project and builds interest. ~Task: Students will create a digital “Middle School Survival Guide” to share advice, expectations, and personal growth with future students. (Technology: Canva or Google Slides) ~Directions: Students follow step-by-step instructions through an interactive Genially hub that includes brainstorming, planning, creating, and presenting. (Technology: clickable Genially interface) ~Student Choice: Students choose their topics (friends, classes, challenges), design, and how they present their ideas. (Technology: choice of Canva or Google Slides tools)
Rubric:
Content & Ideas – 25% Project includes clear, accurate, and thoughtful ideas about personal growth and middle school expectations. Organization – 20% Information is well organized, easy to follow, and includes all required sections. Use of Technology – 20% Student effectively uses Canva or Google Slides to create a complete and visually clear project. Presentation Skills – 15% Student speaks clearly, stays on topic, and presents ideas with confidence. Creativity – 10% Project shows effort, originality, and personal expression. Collaboration – 5% Student works well with peers and contributes to group work. Reflection – 5% Student thoughtfully reflects on personal growth and future goals.
gett inspired!
Watch this video to learn what middle school is really like and hear advice from other students. (insert video link here)
As you watch, think about:
- What are you excited about?
- What are you nervous about?
- What advice would help you feel more prepared?
After the video, choose ONE way to respond:
- Write 2–3 sentences about your thoughts
- Share your ideas with a partner
- Add your thoughts to a class discussion or Padlet
- Complete a quick class poll (excited vs. nervous)
Need help?
If you need help during this project, you can: 🙋♀️ Ask your teacher for support or clarification 👥 Ask your group members for ideas or help 📌 Use the Helpful Resources section for guidance 💬 Check Padlet or class discussions for shared ideas 👉 Remember: It’s okay to ask for help—we are learning together!
- 🎥 Teacher-Selected Videos
Learn what middle school is like and what to expect
Explore schedules, rules, and activities
Share ideas and learn from your classmates
Help organize your ideas before creating your project
Post ideas, questions, and tips
resources of interest
Calendar
project guidelines
Your digital survival guide must include:
- Slides/Sections (5–7 total):
- Show how you have grown from kindergarten to 5th grade
- About Me Now (your interests, strengths, and personality)
- Middle School Expectations (what middle school will be like)
- Tips for Success (advice for future students)
- Challenges & Solutions (problems students may face and how to handle them)
- (Optional) Extra Slide- add anything else you think is important
Design Expectations:
- Include pictures or visuals
- Use complete sentences
- Make your slides neat and easy to read
Presentation Expectations: Speak clearly and loudly Stay on topic Be prepared to explain your ideas
Technology Expectations:
- Use Canva, Google Slides, or PowerPoint
- Include at least 1 visual per slide
Show who you are and how you have grown! Think about: What were you like in kindergarten? What are you like now? What have you learned? What are you proud of? You can: Add pictures or drawings Write about yourself Record your voice
who I am
How we are going to learn
We will learn by working through a project step by step:
- Explore: Think about how you have grown from kindergarten to now
- Ask Questions: What will middle school be like? What do students need to know?
- Research: Learn about middle school expectations through videos and discussions
- Create: Design your digital survival guide using Canva or Google Slides
- Collaborate: Work with classmates to share ideas and give feedback
- Practice: Prepare and improve your presentation
- Present: Share your project with the class
what we will need
- A device (computer)
- Canva or Google Slides
- Paper and pencil
- Planning sheet/graphic organizer
- Your ideas and creativity
what we will learn
We will learn how to:
- Think about how we have changed and grown
- Learn what middle school will be like
- Help others by giving advice
- Work together as a team
- Create and share our ideas using technology
Moving Up: My Middle School Survival Guide
Katie
Created on March 29, 2026
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Transcript
Click these elements to navigate your project:
Who I am
Need help?
Moving Up: My Middle School Survival Guide
what we are going to learn
Get inspired
helpful resources
calendar
how are we going to learn
what youwill need
Project guidlines
Title: Moving Up: My Middle School Survival Guide
Learners:
Grade: 5th Grade Subject: ELA (Writing + Speaking & Listening) Description: Students are transitioning from elementary to middle school. They are capable of reflecting on personal experiences, collaborating with peers, and using technology to communicate ideas. This project supports both academic and social-emotional development.
Summary:
This project-based learning activity allows 5th grade students to reflect on their growth throughout elementary school while preparing for the transition to middle school. Students will create a digital survival guide using technology to share advice, expectations, and personal experiences. The project promotes reflection, collaboration, and real-world application of skills.
Materials:
Technology:
Materials:
Standards:
ISTE Standards ISTE 1.6: Creative Communicator Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively using digital tools. ISTE 1.7: Global Collaborator (optional but strong) Students use digital tools to work collaboratively and share ideas.
Mississippi State Standards W.5.2: Write informative texts to examine a topic SL.5.4: Report on a topic using appropriate facts and details SL.5.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
Project-Based Learning Elements + Technology Integration
~Student Inquiry: Students explore questions such as “What is middle school like?” and “What advice is important?” through videos, discussion, and research. ~Collaboration & Teamwork: Students work in small groups to share ideas, provide feedback, and support one another during project creation. (using padlet) ~Teacher Coaching & Feedback: The teacher models expectations, provides guidance, and gives ongoing feedback during each stage of the project. ~Student Reflection: Students reflect on how they have grown from kindergarten to 5th grade and how they feel about middle school. ~Public Presentation: Students present their digital survival guides to the class (or younger students) and share their knowledge and advice.
~Anchor: Students watch a short video about middle school (“Get Inspired”) and discuss what they are excited or nervous about. This introduces the project and builds interest. ~Task: Students will create a digital “Middle School Survival Guide” to share advice, expectations, and personal growth with future students. (Technology: Canva or Google Slides) ~Directions: Students follow step-by-step instructions through an interactive Genially hub that includes brainstorming, planning, creating, and presenting. (Technology: clickable Genially interface) ~Student Choice: Students choose their topics (friends, classes, challenges), design, and how they present their ideas. (Technology: choice of Canva or Google Slides tools)
Rubric:
Content & Ideas – 25% Project includes clear, accurate, and thoughtful ideas about personal growth and middle school expectations. Organization – 20% Information is well organized, easy to follow, and includes all required sections. Use of Technology – 20% Student effectively uses Canva or Google Slides to create a complete and visually clear project. Presentation Skills – 15% Student speaks clearly, stays on topic, and presents ideas with confidence. Creativity – 10% Project shows effort, originality, and personal expression. Collaboration – 5% Student works well with peers and contributes to group work. Reflection – 5% Student thoughtfully reflects on personal growth and future goals.
gett inspired!
Watch this video to learn what middle school is really like and hear advice from other students. (insert video link here)
As you watch, think about:
After the video, choose ONE way to respond:
Need help?
If you need help during this project, you can: 🙋♀️ Ask your teacher for support or clarification 👥 Ask your group members for ideas or help 📌 Use the Helpful Resources section for guidance 💬 Check Padlet or class discussions for shared ideas 👉 Remember: It’s okay to ask for help—we are learning together!
- 🎥 Teacher-Selected Videos
Learn what middle school is like and what to expect- 🌐 School Website
Explore schedules, rules, and activities- 💬 Class Discussions
Share ideas and learn from your classmates- 📝 Planning Organizer
Help organize your ideas before creating your project- 📌 Padlet or Shared Board
Post ideas, questions, and tipsresources of interest
Calendar
project guidelines
Your digital survival guide must include:
Design Expectations:
Presentation Expectations: Speak clearly and loudly Stay on topic Be prepared to explain your ideas
Technology Expectations:
Show who you are and how you have grown! Think about: What were you like in kindergarten? What are you like now? What have you learned? What are you proud of? You can: Add pictures or drawings Write about yourself Record your voice
who I am
How we are going to learn
We will learn by working through a project step by step:
what we will need
what we will learn
We will learn how to: