EDCI: 597Middle Grades Philosophy, Organization and ClimateOnline Summer 2010Book Review AssignmentJordie Myers

Meet Me in the MiddleBy: Rick Wormeli

Copyright: 2001Stenhouse Publishers, Portland, Maine

ISBN: 1-57110-328-7

Book Features: Part 1 Creating a Culture of Learning 1

1 Stoking the F ires Within 12 Motivating Young Adolescents 73 Brain Research Applied to Middle School 194 Active Learning 405 Games in the Classroom 49

Part 2 Higher Student Achievement Through InnovativeAnd Accomplished Practice 596 Accountability for High Standards 597 Differentiated Instruction- F itting the

Lesson to the Learner 688 Effective Assessment 899 Planning for Block Scheduling 10210 Writing in the Content Areas 116

Part 3 Extending our Professional Practices 13511 Teaming 13512 Teacher Advisories- A Proposal for Change 14413 Outdoor Adventures 15014 Mentoring New Teachers 16415 Parents as Partners in Twenty-First-

Century Learning 17116 National Board Certification 17717 The Truth About Middle School Students 187

Appendixes 193References 227Index 233

Meet Me in the Middle Useful advice for new, mid-career, and later-

career teachers Each chapter provides successful strategies

for addressing key middle-level teaching challenges

Gives examples of real world experiences from his own teaching

Why I liked this book Well-written Useful Provided real experiences Provided useful strategies Gave ideas for improving Touched several topics

Who would benefit from reading this book and why? I feel this book would highly benefit

beginning, mid-career, and later-career teachers. The book provides strategies for addressing challenges any middle-level teacher is bound to face. Some of those include differentiating instruction, motivating early adolescents, and involving parents. I feel these are very important in helping anyone become a better teacher.

What would you change about this book if you could? Honestly, there is nothing I can think of

changing. This book was an easy read and I greatly enjoyed reading it. But if I had to change one thing, in the appendix I would put the page numbers on each activity/strategy to allow readers to easily reference for more information.

What were some things you learned having read this book? If students have a clear picture of the

outcome and how they can achieve it, they will be more inclined to try.

Games are intrinsically motivating Successful reading has more to do with a

student’s background and experiences than with his ability to decode or define words.

Good assessment involves multiple disciplines

Different ways to reach out and touch parents Index card inquiries- ask parents to fill out an

index card and answer this question: What do I need to know about your child to teach him/her better?

Everybody Should Know The Truth About Middle School Students The human brain grows at tremendous rates

during early adolescence The emotional connections children make

during middle years will directly influence how they handle trust, power, conflict, fairness, and relationships in adulthood.

Doing the right thing matters to them. They want to be taken seriously so badly that

they often go overboard to make sure they are perceived responsible.

These are children, and children occasionally veer off track. It’s called growing up.

As Middle-Level Educators: Our classes are full of human beings in the

making, and we play important roles as their coaches, mentors, and referees.

Learn to be patient with their quirky growth patterns.

Look past those frustrating years and not hold their development against them.