Welcome to High School!A Developmental Profile of 9th Grade students Chelsey Brown and

Seth Blakeslee

Areas of DevelopmentEmotional Social

Moral Behavioral

PhysicalIntellectual

• Fear/Uncertainty• Moodiness• Loneliness

Emotional Development

• Focus on acceptance• Seeking independence• Self-absorbed

Social Development

• Finding themselves• Searching for identity• Experimentation

Moral Development

• Distancing selves from parents (rebelling)• Spending time on socially-focused behaviors(appearance, sports,working out, etc.)

Behavioral Development

• Developing capacity for abstract thought• Increased awareness ofcause and effect• Capable of setting goals, but not necessarily realistic ones

Intellectual Development

• Most are nearing end ofgrowth (esp. girls)• Acceptance or rejectionof physical appearance

Physical Development

Instructional Techniques3 things to remember about 9th-grade students: transition, transition, transition!

•Focus on study skills (note-taking, time management, reading comprehension)•Give your class some structure – this will ease the transition (consistent routines and expectations)•Plenty of facilitated social interaction in class (group work, partner interaction)

StrategiesDo:Push your studentsGuide themSet high expectationsProvide specific instructionsRecognize need to fit inUnderstand their transitionRecognize and appreciate individualityRecognize need for independenceDevelop mentoring relationshipsMake an appeal to student interestsDon’t:

Baby your studentsExpect them to act like seniorsBelittle themOverwhelm them with pending doom (fear of failure is already too great)

Areas of Concern•Transitional year: new environment, new pressures, new distractions•Course failures, expulsion/suspension rates, dropout rates higher in 9th gradethan in any other High School grade levels

Areas of Interest for Teachers•Find ways to incorporate self-reflection or opinions in classroom

- Journal writing)•Develop lines of communication with Middle School teachers

- Enhances community•Work collaboratively with other teachers (families/teams)

- Increases consistency- Creates more supportive environment