Middle School Curriculum Presentation Nov' 19, 2003

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Middle School Curriculum PresentationNov. 19,
2003

• We will discuss
• 1. Characteristics of young adolescents.
• Culture of successful middle schools.
• Programming in successful middle schools.
• Trends in grade configurations.

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Sources

• National Middle School Association
• www.nmsa.org
• This We Believe Successful Schools for Young
  Adolescents

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Characteristics of Young Adolescents

• Physical
• rapid, irregular growth
• awkward, uncoordinated
• varying maturity rates
• restless, increased energy
• Cognitive-intellectual
• wide range of individual intellectual development
• increase in abstract thinking
• prefer active over passive learning
• prefer interaction with peers during learning
  activities

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Characteristics of Young Adolescents

• Moral
• considers the rights and feelings of others
• can assess moral matters in shades of grade
• generally idealistic
• quick to see flaws in others, but slow to
  acknowledge their own faults
• Psychological
• preoccupied with self
• increasingly independent
• self-esteem may fluctuate
• believe personal issues are unique to themselves
• self-conscious and sensitive to personal
  criticism

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Characteristics of Young Adolescents

• Social-emotional
• strong need for approval
• concerned about peer acceptance
• often overreacts to ridicule, embarrassment, or
  rejection
• likes fads, especially those shunned by adults
• strong need to belong to a group
• needs moderate amounts of time alone
• experiences mood swings often with peaks of
  intensity and unpredictability
• may exhibit immature behavior

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Culture of Successful Middle Schools

• Educators who value working with this age group
  and are prepared to do so.
• Courageous, collaborative leadership.
• A shared vision that guides decisions.
• An inviting, supportive, and safe environment.

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Culture of Successful Middle Schools

• High expectations for every member of the
  learning community.
• Students and teachers engaged in active learning.
• An adult advocate for every student.
• School-initiated family and community
  partnerships.

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Successful Middle SchoolProgramming

• Curriculum that is relevant, challenging,
  integrative, and exploratory.
• Multiple learning and teaching approaches that
  respond to their diversity.
• Assessment and evaluation programs that promote
  quality learning.
• Organizational structures that support meaningful
  relationships and learning.
• School-wide efforts and policies that foster
  health, wellness, and safety.
• Multifaceted guidance and support services.

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Trends in Grade Configurations

• Researchers found that practices most responsive
  to the needs of young adolescents were found in
  schools with configurations of 6-8 grades.
• Practices that address social, personal, and
  academic development are
• Strong advisory programs
• Activity periods
• Cooperative learning
• Interdisciplinary teaming
• Exploratory classes
• Common planning time
• 8-period days
• Flexible schedules
• The implementation of good practices and strong
  programs, not grade configuration, determines
  effectiveness of schools for young adolescents.

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Trends in Grade Configuration
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• For middle schools to be successful, their
  students must be successful for students to be
  successful, the schools organization, pedagogy,
  and programs must be based upon the developmental
  readiness, needs, and interests of young
  adolescents. This concept is at the heart of
  middle level education.
• Source This We Believe, 2003

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Middle School Curriculum PresentationNov. 19,
2003

• We reviewed
• 1. Characteristics of young adolescents.
• Culture of successful middle schools.
• Programming in successful middle schools.
• Trends in grade configurations.