Environmental, Social, and Emotional Changes

To illustrate some of the changes between 6 th and 7 th grade, we asked our students to take a brief survey!  Students were surveyed in AE  Almost every AE was represented – although not all students from each AE participated  Data is intended to show a rough picture of our current students’ experiences.  Data is represented:  6 th Grade (current 6 th grade students)  7 th Grade (current 7 th grade students)

7 th Grade Universal Expectations  The curriculum stretches students and most who never had to work hard run into a roadblock  There is an increased amount of homework that is completed using technology  Peers collaborate to problem solve in class

6 TH GRADE7 TH GRADE  10% said No  53% said Sometimes  37% said Yes  5% said No  31% said Sometimes  64% said Yes

 Students continue to change as individuals, and this can also cause shifts in friends /friend groups. Where do I really belong?  Different Language / Social Conformity  Social Media plays a bigger and bigger part of students’ awareness in 7 th grade.

6 TH GRADE7 TH GRADE  Instagram –53%  Kik –14%  SnapChat - 21%  None –35%  Instagram – 65%  Kik – 16%  SnapChat – 43%  None – 24%

6 TH GRADE7 TH GRADE  2% said No  12% said Sometimes  86% said Yes  2% said No  8% said Sometimes  90% said Yes

“Our goal is to engage in an open dialogue about the benefits and dangers of social media by presenting tips, options and hints to helping parents survive the social media world and their teens.” Apps to be aware of Savvy technology tips for parents of teens and pre- teens Topics and issues parents should “beware”

 Students film things without thinking about the consequences. Things that kids have always done are now being video recorded and passed around (and are thus public).  When a friend “borrows” your phone, things can get texted or taped or whatever. And then the person left with the responsibility is the owner of the phone!  Be interested in what has been deleted from the phones!  Help your child understand that other parents look at posts and texts, and judge the author accordingly. Our kids need to be careful about what they put out there. It can’t be taken back!

 At home, children may become more moody and introverted…probably not mirroring this behavior at school  Answering questions with moans and grunts  Lose their heads and hoodies  Girls show more interest in older boys  Boys are engaged in horseplay and practical jokes Adapted from Yardsticks by Chip Wood, 2007

6 TH GRADE7 TH GRADE  2% said No  29% said Sometimes  69% said Yes  7% said No  28% said Sometimes  66% said Yes Listening to them and giving them what they request are different

6 TH GRADE  24% said No  76% said Yes

“Nowhere on the developmental continuum is there greater physical and emotional separation between human beings of the same age than between girls and boys at thirteen” Excerpted from Yardsticks by Chip Wood, 2007 Sleep and food go a long way at this developmental stage

Assistant Principal Stacey Clark: Counselor Susan Billmire: