The Middle School Transition

Survey of middle school social studies teachers about instruction, resources, pacing, and related issues. The information will be used by the Social Studies Curriculum Development Team to determine where we need additional research, professional development, vertical alignment and/or resources.
Name (optional): 


A red asterisk (*) indicates required questions.

  1. Please select your school. This will help us encourage participation throughout the division and used with results from an elementary survey to assist in developing plans of action by corridor.*
    Chickahominy
    Liberty
    Oak Knoll
    Stonewall Jackson


  1. How much do you use the textbook as your MAIN teaching tool?*
    almost daily
    sometimes
    use it as a resource, but rarely as a main teaching tool
    Never consider it my main teaching tool


  1. When you don't use the textbook, which of the following best describes your reason for not doing so?*
    The reading level is too difficult for my students.
    It does not correlate very well with the SOLs.
    It is poorly written, confusing, or contains too much extra material.
    Using teacher created materials or notes is a better use of instructional time.


  1. Which of the following reading/writing strategies do you regularly (i.e. multiple times throughout each unit of study) use with students? [check all that apply]*
    Teacher made materials (questions, charts, etc.)
    Lotus or Venn diagrams
    Graphic organizers from teacher resource materials.
    Reader response coding system (asking students to list 3 things that surprised them, 3 things they already knew, etc.)
    Text structure systems (QAR-right there, think and search, on my own, author and me)


  1. Do you model reading/writing strategies during your lessons?*
    Yes-I frequently use text to accomplish this (either textbook or other sources)
    Sometimes-but I can't afford the amount of time this takes
    Sometimes-but I don't have sufficient or appropriate text available
    Rarely-because students can't handle both facts and text (they pull out the wrong information, or limited reading skills get in the way)
    Rarely-because I am not comfortable teaching these skills


  1. How often do you have students write structured assignments of 3 paragraphs or more?*
    Most units include a writing component (including essay questions on tests)
    Some units include a writing component
    I rarely do this
    I never give structured writing assignments


  1. How often do you have students find answers to new questions (questions that are NOT review material you presented in class) using text sources?*
    Often
    Sometimes
    Rarely
    Never


  1. Do you spend class time teaching the students how to navigate through a textbook using the index, table of contents, glossary, chapter and subtopic headings to answer questions or locate information?*
    Yes, I model this throughout the school year
    Yes, but usually just the first few weeks of school
    Rarely
    No


  1. Which of the following would you describe as the greatest challenge in structuring your social studies instruction?*
    The volume of factual information the students are expected to retain.
    Planning lessons that promote understanding of the material as a whole.
    Not enough time to teach the curriculum.
    Lack of student literacy skills when they come in to you.
    Other (please specify on next question)


  1. If you answered "Other" on the previous question, please respond below.


  1. How much class/homework time do you devote to memorization strategies for SOL facts (mnemonics, flasch cards, just the facts quizzes, warm ups, etc?)*
    Less than 10%
    10 - 25%
    25 - 50%
    More than 50%


  1. Which of the following best describes your beliefs about the amount of material middle school students learn from reading?*
    They can learn new material by reading as long as appropriate reading strategies are provided.
    Reading assignments are more effective as a supplement to instruction (background, reinforcement, or additional information) than as a means of delivering instruction.
    Middle school students rarely learn from reading, even if reading strategies are provided.
    Using reading as a primary teaching tool is not effective.


  1. Which of the these best describes the types of assessments you use?*
    All multiple choice and/or other traditional item types (matching, T/F, completion)
    Mostly traditional item types and some open-ended/short answer items
    Mostly traditional item types and some projects
    All open-ended/short answer items
    Other (please specify on next question)


  1. If you answered "Other" on the previous question, please respond below.


  1. Please let us know if there is other information you think would assist us in helping students succeed in middle school.





Nora Wheeler
Lead Teacher Specialist
Ashland, VA