Week 2 Post

    I really enjoyed the readings for this week. First off, I learned a lot about the role teachers play in developing young middle school minds. I learned that it is important to recognize the "good" and the "bad" when it comes to performance and behavior in students. That teachers need to give as much positive feedback and support as possible and that teachers should recognize when a student does something "right," not just when they have done something "wrong." At the end of the article "Middle School: Are They Ready to Move Up?" by Caralee Adams, I really gained a greater insight into the minds of middle school students by the comments some of them gave. I think comments like those found at the end of the article, help teachers to reflect on their classroom management style and curriculum plans. Students should feel like they can be open and honest with their teachers.

    One thing I definitely found that I could incorporate into my own classroom is that I can collaborate with my team of teachers to be consistent with classroom rules and expectations. I can even have students collaborate on them and help take ownership of them within the classroom. This should cut down on the negative behavior and make the classroom environment feel more welcoming. I would also incorporate some type of reward system to help students stay on task, behave in a positive manner, and accomplish the goals set for daily instruction. The idea of "Behavior Baseball" was a good idea to me. This is also a good way to make the school day more fun and interesting when students are rewarded as a class with fun activities. 

    I think it is important to incorporate social and emotional standards in everyday curriculum. I am glad that more and more schools are incorporating these standards in the lessons. I think that it makes the students more self-aware of themselves, aware of those around them, and help them grow into responsible adults some day. I think these standards help students to have less stress, anxiety, and develop positive strategies for relieving those behaviors. Students gain more confidence in classroom and life situations. Students even learn to be more self-sufficient as they get older. It is an easy thing for teachers to model these social and emotional standards for their students. I think it is important for teachers to model these, as students look to adults for guidance. In Middle School, students do look at peers for social cues and ideas, but I think a good adult role model will help a struggling student combat some of the negative influences surrounding them during this crucial time in development. 

    I think the best advice given in the article and the AMLE text is that teachers need to stay current with teaching strategies and the latest research. To continue with their own education is critical and to be able to connect with the students on their own level with not only help with their academic life, but with their own physical and emotional development as well. 

Week 1 Post

    Growing up, I did not attend Middle School. I attended a small, private school that housed grades Pre-K through 8th grade and held two grades per classroom. There was not a separate wing for grades 5-8. We had higher privileges afforded to us because of our age: we could participate in school sports; like basketball and volleyball. We could join cheerleading in 7th and 8th grade. We often were chosen to hold better speaking roles for the annual play or musical. 

    

    I had friends that attended the local public schools. One public school was K-8 and the other two schools were K-5 and 6-8. Depending on where you lived in town, determined what local school system you attended. The Catholic grade school was K-8 and the 6-8 grades were in a separate wing of the school. My friends that attended either of these schools felt that they had a better experience than myself and my fellow classmates. They had other opportunities for socializing than I had. They had Middle School dances, Spelling Bee's, Social Clubs, and extra-curricular events. It did not bother me or my other classmates that we did not have those things at our school. We had plenty of after school activities that we could do outside of school and within the community. We did not feel that we were lacking in anything.

    

    In fact, sometimes we felt that we had a better experience than some of the other kids in the community. Our class sizes were small; often 21-22 students in both grades combined. That allowed the teachers to connect with the students on a more personal level. Our teachers moved from class-to-class for certain subjects; like Mathematics, Science, and English. We were able to get to know those teachers on a more personal level, as well, because we had them for several years depending upon the subject matter taught. 

    

    Our parents were heavily involved in the school for PTA, sports referee, game nights, and more. This allowed the students to get to know the parents and the parents to get to know the students. It created a strong community bond within the small school of only 100 students between grades Pre-K through 8. 

    

    The readings certainly gave me a greater perspective on the history of Middle Schools and Junior High Schools. I was unaware of their formation and could certainly have a greater appreciation for the teachers who chose to teach at that particular grade level. My daughter is entering 7th grade in the fall and her educational experience is certainly different from my own. That is ok. I understand the need for such a school for grades 6-8. Those students have such different needs than those of the younger class levels. They need smaller class sizes and varied subjects to help them achieve the goals specific to their age-level, abilities, and needs. They also are emotionally different than those of the younger classes. They need teachers who are able to meet them not just academically, but emotionally as well. They need more support to navigate the changes they are experiencing at this particular time in their lives. 

    

    I'm grateful that a program exists today to adequately train teachers to properly teach students in grades 6-8. To me, it does not matter if you call it Middle School or Junior High. The needs emotionally and academically are very important at this level. Students need to be prepared for the future. This is the point in time where they grow and gain the skills necessary for high school and beyond. They need teachers who are willing to help them better prepare themselves for the future. I plan on being one of those teachers. It is my goal to be a Middle School Social Studies Teacher. I still remember my teachers during this time in my life. They left a positive impression on my life and I would like to do the same thing for other students. I think this course will set me up with great strategies, learning lessons, and skills to help reach those Middle School students. I'm looking forward to learning more!