Journet-Week2

This week the text (This We Believe) introduced us to the four Essential Attributes that must be present when educating, guiding and supporting young adolescents.

The Four Essential Attributes are:

1. Developmentally Responsive:  using the distinctive nature of young adolescents as the foundation upon which all decisions about school organization, policies, curriculum, instruction, and assessment are made.
2. Challenging: ensuring that every student learns and every member of the learning community is held to high expectations.
3. Empowering: providing all students with the knowledge and skills they need to take responsibility for their lives, to address life's  challenges, to function successfully at all levels of society, and to be creators of knowledge.
4. Equitable: advocating for and ensuring every student's right to learn and providing appropriately challenging and relevant learning opportunities for every student.

As I read through these 4 essential attributes and the following 16 characteristics of what must be incorporated when teaching young adolescents, I found myself nodding my head in agreement many times.  This book should be in the hands of anyone teaching, working with or parenting young adolescents.  It will provide great insight at the expected milestones that this age group is currently going through.  The text this week included part of 16 characteristic which where described in 3 parts.  Part one talked about Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. 

Additionally we read the scholastic article titled Middle School: Are They Ready to Move Up?.

As I read the article I thought about the 4 Essential Attributes and 16 characteristics.  In this article they talk about how the middle school years are not easy for anyone involved.  The author, Carolee Adams states that it is a rough time to be a student in this age group and it is a tough group to teach.  She says that most educators of middle-school are not fully trained or prepared.  According to Adams teachers need more preparation in 

• development and needs of middle schoolers
• know middle school philosophy
• organization
• curriculum planning
• assessment
• Should have field experience

With this age group their is a decline in motivation and academic achievement.  Educators may be able to help with the lack of motivation and academic achievement.  For example, as teachers we can plan lessons that will engage them like choosing a text that will grab their interest where they can connect to the characters of the story.  We can take students interests and backgrounds into consideration when planning activities and curriculum(1st Attribute-Developmentally Responsive).

The lessons whether they are math, science or social studies must be relevant to the students (4th Attribute-Equitable).

Adams quotes Maurice Elias who states that middle school students are volatile but thAT this part of their development.  I have witnessed this with students and with my personal kids.  Since students amplify negative feedback it is important that as educators or parents we talk to them in a way that they don't feel attacked.  I have seen in the classroom when teachers are addressing an issue with the whole class.  The issue might involve 2 students but you will hear from many students that feel attacked by the teacher.  They usually respond upset as if the teacher is isolating them.  They get upset to tears.  The students end up amplifying the negative feedback and become defensive.  In my house when I give my 3 teens a speech about behavior or expectations my son (15) and daughter (13) becomes defensive and feel attacked.  Tears are involved and then they argue back and forth with each other.  My oldest daughter (17) usually offers insight that they might understand (peer validation) or may chose to not get involved with the bickering and walks away.  As educators or parents of young adolescents we want to let them know that we understand them and what they are going through but we will keep our expectations high (3rd Atrribute-Challenging).  We show unconditional love and acceptance and that even when they fail we will not give up on them(2nd Attribute Empowering).  We teach them about life and facing tough times.

The article goes on to give educators advice for teaching middle school students.  Teachers should stay positive, prepare for shift expectations, promote self reliance in students, provide group structure and formalize consistent procedures.  Adams says that teachers must stay current on the latest research and theories.  I would add that they must also stay current with the fads, music, movies, sports, books and trends that young adolescents are into because this will connect you with your middle school students.  The will be less inquisitive about you as an adult if they connect with you and trust you.