Lock in

							Moving Up: Transition Toolkit
Title: Lock-in

When: Summer prior to transition                                                       Things to Consider:
Audience: Students entering the middle grades

Process:                                                                                 Students could cast
                                                                                         votes to select a
Bringing students together in a social setting prior to the start of the school          team name (from
year is one way to smooth their transition into the middle grades. Holding               suggestions approved
a “lock-in” during the summer provides students with an opportunity to                   by the principal) for
make new friends and establish a sense of community before the school                    each team, or the
year begins.                                                                             class as a whole. This
                                                                                         will help to create a
          The students can stay until midnight or spend all night at the                unique identity for
          school during the lock-in. Possible activities include:
                                                                                         this group of
                                                                                         students. Votes could
                    icebreaker/team building activities                                 be placed by
                    a disc jockey to lead group dances                                  donating pennies to a
                                                                                         cause or charity. The
                    karoke singing contest                                              name with the
                    foosball, ping pong, air hockey, WII games, guitar hero             greatest number of
                    paper airplane competition
                                                                                         pennies will decide
                                                                                         the name.
                     scrapbooking
                    relay races in which teams are comprised of students
                     from each feeder elementary school
                    volleyball
                    clinics conducted by upper classmen, including:

                               high school cheerleaders
                               pom-pom girls
                                                                                       Links:
                               club leaders
                               members of athletic teams                              Lock-in permission slip

                                                                                       Sample lock-in slide show
          Community organizations donate food and gift certificates, t-
             shirts, and school supplies                                               School Connectedness
          Make a video of the event that can be shared with next year’s               and Meaningful Student
             incoming class during an orientation to middle school                     Participation

                                                                                       Lesson planning
                                                                                       Icebreakers
Moving Up: Transition Toolkit –Transition to middle grades

Developed in collaboration between Kentucky Department of Education and
Center for Middle School Academic Achievement, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond
Moving Up: Transition Toolkit
     




Moving Up: Transition Toolkit –Transition to middle grades

Developed in collaboration between Kentucky Department of Education and
Center for Middle School Academic Achievement, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond