Advisory Groups

When students reach their early adolescent years, it is especially important that they have frequent connection with adults who know them well.

As students prepare portfolios (grade 6 & 7), academic exhibitions (grades 7 & 8), high school applications (grade 8), and other projects, adult advisors check in with them frequently to help students work through difficult and exciting challenges. 

Advisory Groups have a purpose:  

From the most recent report of the National Middle School Association:
Characteristics of successful middle schools:
[The following is #2 in the list of five key components.]

Advisory programs consist of a small group of students assigned to a teacher, administrator, or other staff member for a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss topics of concern to students. The purpose of this program is the development of close, trusting relationships between students and adults and to increase engagement with learning and feelings of positive self-esteem and belonging. Social and academic support activities include "discussing problems with individual students, giving career information and guidance, developing student self-confidence and leadership, and discussing academic issues, personal or family problems, social relationships, peer groups, health issues, moral or ethical issues and multicultural issues/intergroup relations" (Mac Iver, 1990, p. 459). Teacher advisories also help create more positive school climates, develop students' self-concepts, and prevent dropouts (George & Shewey, 1994; Mac Iver, 1990)

The Primary Purpose:  Knowing Students Well

The Advisor’s primary purpose is to know the students in his or her group and to be known by them.  This means we talk some, but we listen as well and ask incisive questions.   When students feel seen and known by teachers – when they feel that we are really listen - they feel that they belong here.  Also, when we really listen, we know how to best support students.   

The Secondary Purpose:  Goal Setting and Support

Students need support in order to set goals, but they need it in concrete ways. Advisors support students in two arenas.

• Reading a book a week.
  Students in grades 6-8 are expected to read a book every week.   These books must be completed by Thursday, along with a reader’s notebook entry.   On Friday morning, each advisee should be able to give a two-minute book talk on their book to their advisor and advisory group.  This talk is graded.

• Academic exhibitions and 6th grade portfolio.
  In October, 7th and 8th graders begin preparing for their November arts exhibition.  At that time, students need extra support to help break down the assignment into manageable parts so that they can complete the project on time, without waiting till the last minute.   Advisors help with this process.  Advisory group members can also hear student ideas and make suggestions. 
  
  More about Academic Exhibitions.
  Schedule and Descriptions of Academic Exhibitions