Ten Things We Should Know About Education for Young Adolescent Learners

Team Challenge Characteristics of successful schools for young adolescents according to the research.

1. How many studies have been done over the past 25 years to determine the characteristics of successful schools for young adolescents: A B C. Less than 500

A. 3700

2. Name 1 universally supported recommendation for the effective organization of schools for young adolescents.

A. Interdisciplinary Teams B. Flexible, Longer Blocks of Class time C. Wider hallways A. Interdisciplinary Teams B. Flexible, Longer Blocks of Class time C. Wider hallways Choose One

A. Interdisciplinary Teams

3. According to research (US& Canada), which one of the following is THE BEST predictor of college readiness ?

A. High school GPA B. Advanced Placement courses taken C. 8th grade achievement D. Socio-Economic Status

B. 8 th Grade Achievement

4. What does research show about middle level schools that consistently implement programs that address the social and emotional needs of young adolescents?

A. Student self esteem increases but there’s no academic improvement B. Academic performance increases C. Reduction in bullying and improvement is student academic performance. D. There’s no impact on either self esteem or academic performance.

C. C. Reduction in bullying and improvement is student academic performance.

5. What are two immediate effects of hormonal changes during young adolescence?

A. Student behavior becomes more predictable. B. Students are unable to sit still for whole class instruction. C. Peer relationships become secondary to relationships with adults. D. There is a greater need for bathing and deodorant.

B. Students are unable to sit still for whole class instruction. D. There is a greater need for bathing and deodorant.

6. Stress causes the body to produce cortisol. How does cortisol affect the young adolescent with new learning?

A. interferes with the brain’s ability to organize and retrieve new information. B. reduces overreaction. C. supports reflection and transfer for learning. D. has nothing to do with learning.

A. Interferes with the brain’s ability to organize and retrieve new information

7. Research links healthy adolescent diets and their ability to learn! What percentage of young adolescents eat a good diet?

A. 59% B. 23% C. 15% D. 6%

8. Which of the following are most common responses to young adolescents’ unmet need for proper nutrition?:

A. Drowsiness B. Physical Pain C. Inattention D. All of the above

9. Between the ages of middle school students grow and gain...

A in. and gain lbs. B in. and gain lbs. C in. and gain 5-15 lbs.

A in. and gain lbs.

10. Most young adolescents respond to their own developmental changes with:

A. excitement and anticipation B. calm acceptance C. confusion and self doubt D. anger and self-doubt

C. confusion and self doubt

BONUS: What parts of the body grow fastest in young adolescents?

A. feet, nose, hands B. head, toes, arms C. teeth, eyes, legs

A. feet, nose, hands

Works Consulted Feinstein, Sheryl. Secrets of the Teenage Brain. San Diego: The Brain Store, “Frontline”. Thirteen WNET New York /1/04.1/0 Jensen, Eric. Brain-Based Learning. San Diego: The Brainstore Die Knowles, Trudy and Dave Brown. What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, This We Believe: Successful School for Young Adolescents. Columbus, OH: NMSA, 2010 Van Hoose, John, Strahan, David & Mark L’Esperance. Promoting Harmony: Young Adolescent Development and School Practices. Columbus, OH: NMSA, 2001.