Wendy+Zinner+-+Who+is+my+Student

The Middle School Student!!!

A typical middle school student is just beginning to deal with a lot of changes in their developmental progress towards becoming an adult. They will experience changes physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally. As teachers we need to recognize these struggles and allow for this in our classroom.


 * < Changes in the development of the Middle School Student ||
 * < __Physical__ ||< __Social__ ||< __Emotional__ ||< __Mental__ ||
 * < * sciatic nerve discomfort when sitting too long.
 * stretching of muscles causing aches, or "growing pains."
 * The stomach becomes longer and increases in activity, thus requiring more food. Provides fuel for increased bone and muscle growth and additional activity often seen in young adolescents.
 * Uneven physical growth
 * Rapid brain growth
 * Restlessness and periods of fatigue
 * Metabolic and hormonal fluctuation
 * Periods of high energy and lathargy ||< * Struggel with developing own identitiy
 * Feel awkward or strange about bodies.
 * High expectations of themselves
 * poor self-esteem
 * friends are most important part of life
 * interests and clothing style influenced by peer group.
 * recognize parents are not perfect show less affection towards them rude and moody
 * parent involvement interferes with their independance, but at times return to childish or immature behavior (particularly if overwhelmed or stressed)
 * interests focused on the present may feel overwhelmed
 * thoughts of future are limited
 * inteleectual interests expand
 * Sexual development occurs
 * Desire for independence
 * Sensitivity to peerpressure
 * Reclusive behavior
 * Changing interests,needs and priorities
 * Needs to focus on role models
 * AcceptanceDealing with bullying issues ||< * More concern about body image, looks, and clothes.
 * Focus on self, going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.
 * Moodiness
 * More interest in and influence by peer group.
 * Less affection shown toward parents. May sometimes seem rude or short-tempered.
 * [|Anxiety] from more challenging school work.
 * Eating problems sometimes start at this age. For information on healthy eating and exercise for children and teenagers, visit @http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/
 * Fluctuating emotions
 * High level of anxiety
 * Extreme sensitivity
 * Ambivalence
 * Behavior
 * Fluctuationg moods
 * Extremeself-consciousness ||< * More ability for complex thought.
 * Better able to express feelings through talking.
 * A stronger sense of right and wrong.
 * Many teens sometimes feel sad or depressed. Depression can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems. For more information on adolescent mental health, visit @http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depchildmenu.cfm.
 * shyness, blushing
 * exploring issues regarding sexuality and sexual orientation
 * concerns about physical and sexual attractiveness to others
 * frequently change relationships with friends or significant others
 * worry about being normal
 * development of morality and code of ethics
 * great testing of rules and limits
 * capacity for abstract thinking
 * extrememly rebellious while being extremly idealistic
 * experimentation with sex, drugs as teenagers decide what they believe
 * Short attentionspan
 * Needs relevance in learning
 * Responds to choice
 * Varied ability levels
 * Varied interests
 * Inquisitive
 * Concrete thinking
 * Orientation to the present
 * Underdeveloped sense of time and space ||

A more extensive list of characteristics demonstrated by the middle school student. []

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As can be derived from the above table it is clear that, we, as teachers, are dealing with a multitude of developmental, psychological, social, and beharoioral obstacles within our classrooms. So how then do we create an environment that allows for teaching and success in our classroom? Following, is a list of websites that will help in supporting the middle school student in the classroom.

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As a parent, what can I do to help my middle school child be successsful with their academics? [] [] []

Brain Resouces and strategies/activities appropriate to the middle school student

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 * teach students how to study
 * have consistent expectations, rules, and routines
 * graphic organizers
 * assignment sheets/agenda
 * color code information
 * keep students hydrated
 * project-based units/thematic units
 * simulations
 * play music
 * reflective writing
 * visual and real world problems
 * cooperative learning/peer collaboration
 * encourage to raise issues and concerns
 * provide opportunities to process and reinforce information to connect new ideas with previous knowledge
 * varied types of lessons

What a teacher needs to create a good middle school environment []

At risk students [] [] [] [] []