The Middle School ChildOne teacher’s perspective

The teenage brain…

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.reg.teenbrain/

Video

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/interviews/giedd.htmlArticle

Me… Bachelors of Elementary Education from Calvin College,

minors in math and science Masters of Science Education from Aquinas College Completed 3 year training as a Partner for Sustainable

Education with the VanAndel Education Institute (1st generation)

Mother of two amazing daughters, Matilyn, 6 and Ellery, 3

15th year for Crestwood Middle School at Kentwood Public Schools

Last year, Regional Finalist for MTOY and PAEMST nominee.

The Nature of the Beast*… They are social by nature They are unorganized (the binder, the locker…) Drama becomes a big part of their lives (home and

school) Friends are more important than you and what you are

teaching They need to have procedures taught to them and that

requires consistency They are sensitive They read adults very well (all kids do)! They are NOT elementary or high school kids. They are

their own group of students that you need to adapt to.*There are exceptions to every generalization

What you can do… Have a sense of humor! Build a relationship with each student. It

makes a difference. Call home, the parents DO care! Use your colleagues, they are an invaluable

resource. Go to extra-curricular events for support. Don’t think you know everything; you

don’t. It is okay! Classroom management is the single

most important skill and takes the longest to master, but HAVE A PLAN.

Classroom Management Teach the procedures in your class Make them the SAME as other teachers in same grade Examples:

Good Things! Monday and Friday only 3 bathroom passes per marking period 10/10 minute pass rule Sharpen pencils before class Raise your hands Bell ringer/Bell work all week on one color paper to

be handed in on Friday Exit card on the way out (or something required) Keep make-up work available for absent students Have a “Go to” pile in room (brain teasers, story to

read, learning logs, quiet ball, Simon says) if your lesson is too short

6th grade Babies with a lot of energy Always have things to share Need to be nurtured Can only handle one or two things in one hour per

day Simplify, simplify, simplify! (Example of the lighting

of the match) They are good teachers themselves They will be willing to be goofy and sing or dance or

say chants, CLASS CLAP (bring in your guitar, etc.) Vary what is done in an hour or take a break as

needed (quiet bathroom break, Simon Says, Quiet ball, Circle counting by 3s or 4s - multiples)

7th grade The middle child Loss of fear from 6th grade Begin pushing for more independence The teenage brain begins Impulsive Social Girl/Boy thing really takes off Extra-curricular activities more

available

8th grade Seniors of the middle school Mello, seem apathetic Social Many students really get it together in 8th

grade Definite difference in maturity between

male and female Better sense of self than the other grades Good sense of humor Demand respect, want to be treated equally

Science in Middle School Inquiry, very powerful Hands-on Content Area Reading Directly teach vocabulary as it shows up Model scientific process Discourse Have fun! No child is labeled special education or

English Language Learner in science. They all come to you.

Inquiry-based science Takes a lot of planning Takes a lot longer Must include prior knowledge of students Must allow for some choice, student questions Answer questions with questions Must structure the inquiry for best success

(journals, lab groups, etc.) Find unique ways to collect data and share it

(cameras, video, websites) Examples: Question on traits, question on

snow and sun, question on plants with parts, carbon cycle

Grading

Use the school district policy Varies district to district, and school

to school Homework needs to be able to be

done INDEPENDENTLY! Create a set of grades that the

students depend on (patterns) Keep these grades consistent and

constant (within reason)

Materials Try to use your textbook (if you have one) as a secondary

resource in your classroom Beg, borrow and steal from other places and teacher (in

building, on-line community, etc.) Be on good terms with the office staff, custodial staff, and

KITCHEN! Keep anything that works. You may be using it a different

way in a different grade 5 years down the road (on-line files work well.)

Be creative! Often times, labs will call for chemicals that can be purchased locally but by a different name or a different substance. (20% hydrogen peroxide at hair product place, yeast instead of Manganese dioxide – today only, glue to make slime, Drano for sodium hydroxide, stearic acid)

TO THE D quadrant (HIGHER LEVEL THINKING SKILLS)

7th Grade

Websites www.windowstotheuniverse.org (earth and

space) www.teachersdomain.org www.delicious.com www.scilinks.org www.youtube.com www.discoveryeducation.com

(videos/pictures/lessons) www.need.org (energy) www.kisd.org