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Exploring the Middle School Philosophy
A layered approach to meeting
the developmental needs of
middle level learners
Deb White
KSP 607 - Fall 2008
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Coherent,SharedVision
Student's
DevelopmentalNeeds
Components of the Middle School Philosophy
All members of the school
community are committed
to a coherent, shared
vision.
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
Student'sDevelopmental
Needs
Components of the Middle School Philosophy
School Culture is how we
create a learningenvironment that
supports the academic
performance, personal
development, and social
growth of middle level
students.
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student's
DevelopmentalNeeds
Components of the Middle School Philosophy
School Practices are
what we do.
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student'sDevelopmental
Needs
Components of the Middle School Philosophy
The Students
Developmental Needs
are central!
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Student Development is Complex
Actors:
Student
Other Students
Teachers
(Advisors)
Families
Administrators
Other School Staff
and Specialists
Local Community
Global Community
Interactions
among thesecontribute to
the development
of each student as
a learner and
person.
Ecological Factors
Individual
Characteristics
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student'sDevelopmental
Needs
Components of the Middle School Philosophy
The Students
Developmental Needs
are central!
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Middle School Philosophy:
Developmental needs of the learner
Physical
Cognitive
Social and Emotional
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Physical Development
Rapid, intense, and sometimes painful growth spurts
Physical features develop at uneven rates
Hormonal changes; secondary sex characteristics
Awkward; balance and coordination are affected
Frequently hungry and thirsty
Often energetic
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Physical DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools
Regular physical activity (non-competitive)
Good nutrition and hydration are essential.
Opportunities to learn about physical changes,
including sex education
Environment in which respect for differences is
reinforced; no tolerance for harassment
Knowledgeable, understanding adults
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Cognitive Development
Increasing capacity for abstract and complex thought
Problem-solving and reasoning skills are developing
Growing ability to reflect upon ones thought
processes (metacognition) and actions
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Cognitive DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools
implements an interesting, integrative, challenging , and exploratory
curriculum that is relevant to students lives. provides numerous opportunities and support for students to:
Stretch themselves cognitively with unfamiliar ideas or tasks.
Transition from mastering concrete information to exploring
abstract concepts.
Practice new organizational, processing, and communication skills.
Reflect upon their thoughts and work; use reflections and feedback
to revise and improve products.
Middle school students will benefit
when their school or teacher:
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Social and Emotional Development
Emerging awareness of others
Heightened sense of fairness
Social consciousness
Need to explore personal identities Sudden, intense emotions
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Social and Emotional DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools
Encourage students to explore new identity
roles in healthy ways.
Facilitate increased self-knowledge and resilience
characteristics.
Help students learn how to evaluate behavioral options
and anticipate consequences before making decisions.
Reinforce and model respect, empathy, and compassiontoward others.
Teach students how to understand and effectively cope
with their emotions.
An effective middle school will:
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student's
DevelopmentalNeeds
Middle School Philosophy: School Practices
School Practices are
what we do.
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School Practices
Active learning Students are personally
involved and motivated to seek out challenges.
Multiple learning and teaching approaches
that engage all students in a variety of ways.
Assessment and evaluation are integrated with
planning and instruction
Guidance and support through an advisorysystem and community partnerships
Organizational structure Small, stable
learning communities and/or advisory groups
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School Practices
Not an la carte menu!
Must be used consciously.
Must be comprehensively integrated.
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student's
DevelopmentalNeeds
Middle School Philosophy: School Culture
School Culture refers
to prevalent values,
attitudes, and
expectations.
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School Culture
High expectations for students and educators effort, behavior, products,individual growth, and collective progress
Knowledgeable educators trained, enthusiastic, energetic, committed
A safe environment
Health, wellness, and safety
Courageous, collaborative leadership
Shared vision focused on
fostering the growthof students as
learners and people
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Coherent,SharedVision
SchoolCulture
SchoolPractices
Student's
DevelopmentalNeeds
The Unifying Element of the Middle School Philosophy
All members of the school
community are committed
to a coherent, shared
vision.
How do we define ourlearning community to
guide school culture and
practices in order to meet
the needs of middle grade
students?
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Whats yourrole?
Students: active participants in their own education
Advisor/teacher: adult advocate for individual students;
prepared and creative collaborator
Parents: active participants in the learning community; support
the schools vision at home
Administrators: collaborative planning time and resources for
teachers; time and support for advisory group activities
Staff and Resource Professionals: team with teachers/advisors
to apply their expertise
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Middle School Philosophy - Summary
Developmental Needs of the Studentand Recommendations:
Physical
Cognitive
Social and Emotional
School Practices
School Culture
Coherent, Shared Vision
Your role(s)
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