Baseline Connection Survey FormPeer Navigators Program • Week 1 Baseline Connection Survey Pre-Program Inventory Welcome to middle school! This confidential survey helps you and your 8th-grade mentor understand your starting point. Answer honestly—there are no right or wrong answers! Mentee Name: Mentor Name: Date & Period: Rating Scale: 1 Not at all true 2 A little true 3 Mostly true 4 Completely true Section 1: Belonging & Transition Circle one number per row 1. I feel welcome and comfortable in this school building. 1234 2. I know how to get to all my classes without getting lost or stressed. 1234 3. I feel like an important part of our middle school community. 1234 Section 2: Study Skills & Organization Circle one number per row 4. I have an organized system for tracking homework, tests, and deadlines. 1234 5. I can manage my after-school time well without cramming at night. 1234 6. I know effective study strategies beyond just rereading my notes. 1234 Section 3: Friendship & Social Life Circle one number per row 7. I find it easy to start conversations and make friends in new classes. 1234 8. I feel comfortable finding people to sit with during lunch or free time. 1234 Section 4: Well-Being & Seeking Help Circle one number per row 9. When school gets stressful, I have healthy ways to calm down. 1234 10. I can identify at least two trusted adults at school I can turn to for help. 1234 One thing I am most excited or curious about in middle school: One question or goal I hope my 8th-grade mentor can help me with: Kept confidential by program coordinators and mentors. Peer Navigators • Form MS-01
Compass Kickoff GuideWeek 1 • 25 Minutes Session Focus: Belonging & Transition Compass Kickoff Guide Pair Partners: 8th Grade • 6th Grade 1 Icebreaker (5 min) 2 Mythbusters (12 min) 3 Navigator Pact (8 min) Part 1: Two Truths & A Middle School Hope (5 Mins) Mentor Prompt Mentor leads: Share two quick fun facts about yourself and one thing you hoped for when you were in 6th grade. Then invite your mentee to share theirs! Mentor's 6th Grade Memory: Mentee's Favorite Hobby or Sport: Part 2: Middle School Mythbusters (12 Mins) Discuss together and check the real takeaway Lots of 6th graders hear wild rumors before arriving. Read each statement aloud. Mentor shares the realistic 8th-grade truth! Myth #1: Lockers “If your lock jams between classes, you get instant detention.” 8th Grade Truth: Hallway monitors and nearby teachers help quickly. Just tell your teacher right away! Myth #2: Homework Load “You will have four hours of homework every single night.” 8th Grade Truth: Most days take 30–45 mins if you manage class time and use a daily planner. Myth #3: Lunch Seating “Every lunch table is already claimed on day one forever.” 8th Grade Truth: Groups shift constantly. A simple “Is this seat open?” works wonders. Myth #4: Asking Teachers “Middle school teachers get annoyed if you ask questions.” 8th Grade Truth: Teachers respect students who ask before or after class; it shows real effort. Part 3: The Navigator Pact (8 Mins) Read these three mutual commitments together and initial each line: 1. Confidentiality & Respect: What we discuss stays between us (unless safety is at risk). [ Mentee Initials: ___ ] [ Mentor Initials: ___ ] 2. No Bad Questions: Any worry about middle school is completely fair to bring up. [ Mentee Initials: ___ ] [ Mentor Initials: ___ ] 3. Show Up & Encourage: We commit 25 quality minutes each week to learn and grow. [ Mentee Initials: ___ ] [ Mentor Initials: ___ ] Mentee Signature: Mentor Signature: Next Week: Locker & Life Hacks (Backpack Audit & Passing Period Map!) Peer Navigators • Week 1 Guide
Locker and Life Hacks GuideWeek 2 • 25 Minutes Session Focus: Organization & Routines Locker & Life Hacks Guide Mentee: ________ Mentor: ________ Check-in (4 min): Rose & Thorn Share one highlight (“Rose”) and one hassle (“Thorn”) from your week so far. Hack 1: The 3-Minute Backpack Audit (10 Mins) Triage System Heavy, messy backpacks cause forgotten homework and lost materials. Mentor guides mentee through classifying their backpack contents into three bins: 1. Daily Essentials Must stay in bag every single day: • Charged device & cord • Daily agenda / planner • Pencil pouch with 2 pens 2. Locker Stash Drop off in locker during homeroom: • Heavy hardbound textbooks • Gym sneakers & PE uniform • Bulky winter jacket 3. Recycle & Trash Purge on Friday afternoon: • Crumpled scrap scratchpad • Empty snack wrappers • Graded papers already recorded Hack 2: The Passing Period Speedrun Map (8 Mins) Never be late again You only have 3–4 minutes between bells. Don't visit your locker after every single period! Calculate smart batching with your mentor: Mentor's Golden Route Rule: “Only visit your locker twice a day: once before 1st period to grab morning binders, and right before lunch to swap for afternoon classes.” Hallway Hack: Hug the right side of stairs and avoid stopping in main intersection doorways. My Locker Strategy: Morning Visit: Periods 1, 2, 3 Midday Visit: Lunch & Periods 4, 5 Pack-Out Visit: Dismissal bell Tricky hallway between: ___________________ My Week 2 Organization Pledge (3 Mins) Mentee selects one habit to practice every day this week: Write homework down in planner before leaving each class. Clean out backpack and organize loose sheets every Friday. Charge school device and pack it next to sneakers before bed. Mentee initials: _______ Mentor check-in date: _______ Next Week: Friendship Radar (Lunchroom Confidence & Empathy Moves!) Peer Navigators • Week 2 Guide
Friendship Radar ActivityWeek 3 • 25 Minutes Session Focus: Peer Connections & Empathy Friendship Radar Activity Mentee: ________ Mentor: ________ Check-in (4 min): Organization Check & Social Battery How did your Week 2 organization goal go? On a scale of 1–5, what is your social energy today? Move 1: The Lunchroom & Hallway Icebreakers (8 Mins) Low-Pressure Openers Approaching new people can feel awkward. Practice these three mentor-tested openers together out loud: The Observation “That sticker on your water bottle is awesome—where is it from?” Best for: Before class / lockers The Table Ask “Hey, is anyone sitting here? Mind if I join you guys for lunch?” Best for: Cafeteria & library The Mutual Work “Did you get number 4 on the science sheet? Want to compare steps?” Best for: Study hall / class partner Move 2: Real Middle School Social Scenarios (10 Mins) Pick one to role-play Read these common social situations. Mentor shares how 8th graders handle them with mature confidence: A. Left Out: A group of friends plans to sit together at a game or lunch, but they forget to invite you. Mentor Tip: Don’t assume they hate you—middle schoolers get distracted easily. Reach out once casually (“Hey, going to the game? Let me know if you have room!”). If they constantly exclude you, branch out to other friends. B. Rumor / Tease: Someone makes a sarcastic joke about your shoes or clothes in the hallway. Mentor Tip: The classic calm response: shrug, say “I like them,” and keep walking. Bullies want big dramatic reactions. When you give them zero drama, they lose interest. My Week 3 Connection Mission (3 Mins) Clubs and sports are the #1 way to make friends across grades. Mentor helps mentee identify opportunities: One school club or activity to explore: e.g., Robotics, Drama, Art, Track, Chess, Choir One friendly connection goal this week: e.g., “Sit with someone new in homeroom on Thursday” Next Week: Study Powerhouse (Test Prep & Distraction Destroyers!) Peer Navigators • Week 3 Guide
Study Powerhouse PlannerWeek 4 • 25 Minutes Session Focus: Study Skills & Time Tactics Study Powerhouse Planner Mentee: ________ Mentor: ________ Check-in (4 min): Academic Pulse Which class currently feels easiest? Which one feels most challenging right now? Tactic 1: The 25/5 Focus Sprint (8 Mins) Beat Procrastination Sitting down for three straight hours is exhausting and ineffective. 8th graders use the sprint method: 25m Work Sprint Timer on, phone in another room or “Do Not Disturb,” one single assignment. 5m Brain Recharge Stand up, drink cold water, stretch, do quick jumping jacks. No social media scrolling! ×2 Repeat & Finish Two sprints (50 total mins of work) finish nearly all 6th-grade daily workloads. Tactic 2: Active Study Hacks That Actually Work (8 Mins) Stop just staring at notes! 1 The “Blurt & Check” Method: Read a page of notes, close the book, and write down everything you remember on a blank sheet for 2 minutes. Open the book to see what you missed! 2 Teach a Stuffed Animal / Parent: Explain the concept out loud in plain words. If you stumble or can't explain why something happens, that's exactly what to ask the teacher tomorrow. 3 Two-Way Flashcards: Practice cards both ways: Term → Definition, and then Definition → Term. Sort into “Got It” and “Review Again” piles. My Daily Power Hour Blueprint (5 Mins) Fill out your personal study plan with guidance from your mentor: My Dedicated Study Spot: Desk, kitchen table, library My Start Time Every Day: e.g., 4:15 PM after snack Where My Phone Goes: Kitchen counter, backpack Next Week: Calm & Confident (Stress Busters & Self-Advocacy Scripts!) Peer Navigators • Week 4 Guide
Calm and Confident ToolkitWeek 5 • 25 Minutes Session Focus: Well-Being & Self-Advocacy Calm & Confident Toolkit Mentee: ________ Mentor: ________ Check-in (4 min): Stress Thermometer Circle your stress level today: 1 (Chill) 2 3 4 5 (Overwhelmed) Tool 1: 60-Second Physical Resets (8 Mins) Try together right now Middle school can feel fast-paced. When your heart races or brain freezes before a test or speech, practice these silent resets: The Box Breath (4x4) Inhale 4 sec Hold 4 sec Exhale 4 sec Pause 4 sec Nobody in class can even tell you are doing it. The 5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Grounding Look around the room quietly and find: 5 things you see • 4 things you feel 3 sounds you hear • 2 scents in air 1 thing you are proud of yourself for Tool 2: Self-Advocacy Scripts for Teachers (8 Mins) Rehearse with your mentor Teachers love helping students who speak up politely. Use these exact scripts: Situation A: Feeling Confused in Class “Hi Mr./Ms. [Teacher], could I check in with you for two minutes after the bell? I got stuck on the directions for step 3 and want to make sure I do the homework correctly.” Situation B: Missed Work or Absence “Good morning! I was absent yesterday. I checked the portal and noticed the worksheet—could you confirm if there is anything else I need to make up?” My Trusted Campus Web (5 Mins) Every middle schooler needs a support crew. Identify specific people you can go to: My Go-To Teacher: Period & room number School Counselor or Nurse: Office location My 8th Grade Mentor: Hallway or lunch wave Next Week: Summit Celebration (Growth Reflection, Post-Survey & Certificate!) Peer Navigators • Week 5 Guide
Summit Celebration JournalWeek 6 • Final Session Session Focus: Reflection & Celebration Summit Celebration Journal Program Milestone Part 1: Look How Far You’ve Come (7 Mins) Week 1 (Starting Out): “What was your biggest worry or question on day one?” Week 6 (Today): “What is something you now handle with confidence?” Part 2: Mutual Shout-Outs & Parting Wisdom (8 Mins) Mentor’s Message to Mentee: Write 2–3 strengths you observed in your mentee over the last 6 weeks: Signed by Mentor: ________________ Mentee’s Note to Mentor: What is the most helpful tip or encouraging moment your mentor gave you? Signed by Mentee: ________________ Official Recognition PEER NAVIGATOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION This certificate proudly recognizes the dedicated partnership, leadership, and transition success demonstrated throughout the six-week middle school mentoring journey. 6th Grade Mentee Seal Program Verified 8th Grade Mentor Up Next: Complete the Growth & Impact Post-Survey Form Peer Navigators • Week 6 Celebration
Growth and Impact Survey FormPeer Navigators Program • Week 6 Growth & Impact Survey Post-Program Inventory Congratulations on finishing six weeks with your mentor! This survey measures how your confidence has grown. Answer honestly to help us improve the program for future students. Mentee Name: Mentor Name: Date & Period: Rating Scale: 1 Not at all true 2 A little true 3 Mostly true 4 Completely true Section 1: Belonging & Transition Growth Circle one number per row 1. I feel welcome, connected, and comfortable in our school building. 1234 2. I feel like an accepted, valued part of the middle school community. 1234 Section 2: Study Skills & Habit Growth Circle one number per row 3. I reliably use my agenda/planner and keep my backpack organized. 1234 4. I use focused study sprints and active recall strategies for tests. 1234 Section 3: Friendship & Social Confidence Circle one number per row 5. I feel confident starting conversations and sitting with peers at lunch. 1234 6. I have joined or plan to join a school club, sport, or activity. 1234 Section 4: Well-Being & Seeking Help Circle one number per row 7. When stressed, I use healthy calming resets (box breathing, grounding). 1234 8. I feel comfortable approaching my teachers or counselor when I need help. 1234 What was the most helpful advice or skill your 8th-grade mentor shared? What is one piece of advice you would give next year’s incoming 6th graders? Overall Mentoring Experience: (Circle 1–5 stars) Peer Navigators • Form MS-02
