1. Michelle Koenig Forest Park Middle School Franklin, WI Koenigm@franklin.k12.wi.us STRITCH in Subject

2. DAY 1 Middle School vs. Junior High Middle School Philosophy Characteristics of the Middle Level Learner

3. Activity: Name Tent Create a name tent so that your name is in the middle of the name tent and in teach corner write or draw something that represents your past, present, future, and something not many people know about you.

4. Introductions Name List 3 topics you would like to learn more about in regard to adolescents. Why are you enrolled in this class? What is your future teaching goal?

5. Class Schedule 9:00 – 11:30 LUNCH 12:30 – 3:00 3 Credit: 7/13 – 7/15 & 7/20 – 7/22 4:Credit: 7/13 – 7/15 & 7/20 – 7/22 7/16 & 7/23 WORK TIME!

6. Paperless… http://teachingms.wikispaces.com/

7. SYLLABUS!

8. ASSIGNMENTS 1. Handbook for teaching Middle Level Learners Title Page 2 – 3 page introduction for the handbook that makes a case for using specific instructional methodology and curriculum for the middle level learner. Graphic Organizer that outlines the characteristics of middle level learners Collection of Instructional, Assessment, Management, and/ or Curricular Strategies…

9. The Collection of Strategies Could be handouts, notes, resources from the internet or class members, books, magazines…. Include the document and a note about how you will use this strategy in the future. A minimum of 15 strategies should be included in your handbook. DUE: 7/21

10. 2. Middle Level Unit Create a unit appropriate for the middle level learner (in a content area or integrate content areas) Follow RIO format Unit should cover 5 – 10 class periods Student resources should be “classroom ready” DUE 7/21

11. Rubrics Submit a self-completed rubric for the unit and the handbook

12. Text Talk(s) Textbook is provided Read required text and be prepared to discuss material with class

13. 4 Credit Option

14. EdM550: Teaching Middle School What are your thoughts on teaching middle school students? What was middle school like for you as a child?

15. Adolescents What do young adolescents need? –Make a list of these needs in a small group.

16. Needs of Young Adolescents Diversity Self-exploration & self definition Positive social interactions with peers & adults Physical activity Competence & achievement Structure & clear limits HANDOUT: Page 30 & 31 The Middle School Guide

17. Successful middle school teachers strive to reach these goals to meet the needs of their students: Understand and accept behavior of early adolescents as NORMAL RESPECT early adolescents as adults, but remember they are CHILDREN ENGAGE and CHALLENGE TEACH adolescents to be tolerant & accepting of differences Help to prepare them to be PRODUCTIVE adults Is anyone surprised that there is nothing related to academics on this list? What does this tell us?

18. Differences between Middle School & JR High MIDDLE SCHOOL Student centered Fosters Collaboration & empowerment of teachers & students Focuses on creative exploration & experimentation Flexible time & scheduling JR HIGH SCHOOL Subject centered Fosters competition & empowerment of administration Focuses on mastery of concepts & skills separately Fixed schedule- usually 50 – 55 minute classes

19. Middle School VS. JR High Varies length of time students are in courses Multi-material approach Common Planning for Teachers & Teaming- share students Teamed-teachers are organized near each other Classes are blocked in semesters Depends on textbook-oriented instruction Teachers work in departments with no common planning Classrooms are assigned according to subjects taught

20. MS VS. JR High Emphasizes both affective & cognitive development Offers advisor/advisee programs Provides high- interest “mini- courses” Emphasizes only cognitive development Offers study hall Provides structured after-school activities

21. Even MORE differences Uses varied delivery systems with high level of interaction among students and teachers Organizes athletics around intramural concept Uses lecture style a majority of the time with the teacher doing most of the talking Organizes athletics around the interscholastic concept

22. The Reality… Most middle schools are not based solely on one philosophy. Hybrid schools make decisions based on money, space, staff, community, parents… Beware, some hybrid schools only have “Middle School” in their name, not philosophy

23. Middle Schools Today There are three times as many middle schools than JR High schools today Middle schools do a better job of meeting the needs of students According to Turning Points, 2000: –Study found that middle school practices were not often aligned with the developmental needs of students.

24. The following recommendations were made from the study Create small learning communities Teach a core curriculum of common knowledge Ensure the success for ALL students Empower teachers and administrators Staff schools with experts Improve academic performance by fostering heath and fitness Get families involved in education of their child Connect community with the schools How doe these recommendations relate to the needs of middle school students?

25. “To change the world, teach a young-adolescent” After reading about the importance of middle level education answer the following: Schools should create a culture that should include…. Schools should provide young adolescents with… NMSA: This We Believe HANDOUT #1: Page 1 – 6 from This We Believe HANDOUT #2: Page 7 from This We Believe

26. Middle School Philosophy Student centered Needs based Academic success for ALL students Instructional strategies should be adapted to meet the needs of ALL learners Teachers should have respect and empathy for puberty & treat students as adults

27. Student Focused Instruction Activity based instruction Empowers students (Example: class meetings) Meets the needs of students Two core-beliefs: –Beliefs about learners (Teacher belief that all students have the ability to learn and the desire to ensure learning by all) –Belief about power (Allowing students to have to exercise their power in the classroom and to teach them to use their power responsibility)

28. Traditional Practices = Failure Sorting and ranking learners Ability grouping Retention One-shot grading Star system & at-risk practices Punitive discipline Pull-out programs/traditional spec ed

29. Traditional VS Student - Focused TRADITIONAL Belief –Some can learn –Teaching is telling –Failure is punished Roles –Teacher as worker –Student as product STUDENT-FOCUSED Belief –ALL can learn –Teaching is monitoring –Failure is learning Roles –Student as worker –Teacher as leader

30. Traditional VS Student-Focused PRACTICES –Learning as listening –Paper pencil tests –ABCDF grades –On-chance learning –Ability grouping –Pull-out programs –Retention –Punitive discipline PRACTICES –Learning as doing –Performance assessments –Descriptive feedback –Mastery learning –Mixed ability grouping –Class within a class –Intensive remediation –Behavioral support

31. Implementing… Student focused instruction What are the key ingredients?

32. Activity: 3-Minute Interview You will have 3 minutes to interview someone from class. You will share information about your partner with the class at the end of the interview. Think of interesting questions to ask!

33. The Adolescent Brain: WARNING- Under Construction! FYI –The brain, not hormones, is the reason for the inexplicable behavior of adolescents –Short term memory increases 30% during adolescence –Activities that adolescents engage in influence the activities that they will spend time doing as adults –Adolescents are ruled more by emotion than by logic

34. Teens are navigating a cerebral hurricane without a compass… Parents, teachers, & other adults have much less influence on adolescents The adolescent brain is not done growing yet- –Teachers can help by monitoring books, assign projects with choice, and help design curriculum that every student can see useful

35. The Bumpy Adolescent Road… “Kids that are more physically active get better grades and are less depressed-” Phy Ed Teacher “The hardest thing about my age is dealing with everything changing so quickly” 7 th Grade Student “I wish teachers knew a little more about how we think. It would help them make assignments and help them understand us.” 8 th Grade Student

36. TEXT TALK Book 1: Becoming a Middle Level Teacher: read chapter 3 Emotional and Social Development Book 2: The Exemplary Middle School: read chapter 1 The Middle School Student Book 3: Coming of Age read chapter 1 Intellectual Development Book 4: Secretes of the Teenage Brain read chapter 1 Teen Brain: Under Construction

37. Text-Talk Be prepared to share a summary of your chapter with the class. What implications might the material covered in your chapter have on instruction?

38. Ticket out the Door!