The Middle School Years

What do you know about middle schoolers? Review your charts, posters, notes, handouts… Identify the changes that youth undergo in the following areas: Physical Changes Intellectual Changes Moral/Ethical Development Emotional/Psychological Development Social Development THEN…How might those changes impact a student in school?

Opener Given what you know about the changes middle schoolers go through…answer the question on the back of your handout... How can schools, communities, and parents support middle school students?

Why is Middle school so important? In 6th grade, if a child… Attends less than 80% of the time Receives an unsatisfactory grade in behavior (or has behavior issues) Fails a math OR English class THEN… 75% chance they will drop out of High School

Middle School Moment Watch the short documentary, “Middle School Moment.” Identify at least 3 problems that middle school students face. Think about and be prepared to discuss how community members can better support students in the Middle School Years.

Article annotation & Response Read the article “Why Middle School Doesn’t Have to Suck.” In a 1-page reflection, respond to the article.  Some questions to help guide you might include… Summarize the article.  What is it about? What are the beliefs about education/teaching/schooling in the article? Do you agree with the author's beliefs? Do you have any connections to the issue/trend in the article? If so, what is it? How might the issue/trend presented impact the future of education?

How might Middle School be different? Generate a list with your table group/partner of the ways in which Middle School might be different (and help students succeed). Change the start time of middle schools to later Include discussions around puberty, sexuality, bullying, and relationships as part of the curriculum Create systems that monitor and intervene when students experience attendance problems Hire better-educated teachers – increase salaries for middle school teachers Teach non-academic skills (non-cognitive skills) to students – focus on character building Get rid of middle school all together – K-8 model

Middle School Reform What should be done differently in middle school? Research one of the issues or solutions presented today. Write a 1-2 page letter encouraging the school board to make a change. Identify why changing middle school is important Propose a change to middle school Give specifics about what this could/would/should look like Use evidence (statistics, facts, anecdotes) to support your opinion and recommendation.

Middle school observations/experience