Exploring the Middle School Philosophy

A layered approach to meeting the developmental needs of middle level learners

Deb WhiteKSP 607 - Fall 2008

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

All members of the school community are committed to a coherent, shared vision.

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

School Culture is how we create a learning environment that supports the academic performance, personal development, and social growth of middle level students.

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

School Practices arewhat we do.

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

The Student’s Developmental Needs are central!

Student Development is Complex

Actors:• Student • Other Students• Teachers

(Advisors)• Families• Administrators• Other School Staff

and Specialists• Local Community• Global Community

Interactions among these contribute to

the development of each student as

a learner and person.

Ecological Factors

Individual Characteristics

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

The Student’s Developmental Needs are central!

Middle School Philosophy: Developmental needs of the learner

Physical

Cognitive

Social and Emotional

Physical Development

• Rapid, intense, and sometimes painful growth spurts

• Physical features develop at uneven rates

• Hormonal changes; secondary sex characteristics

• Awkward; balance and coordination are affected

• Frequently hungry and thirsty

• Often energetic

Physical DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

• Regular physical activity (non-competitive)• Good nutrition and hydration are essential.• Opportunities to learn about physical changes, including sex education• Environment in which respect for differences is reinforced; no tolerance for harassment• Knowledgeable, understanding adults

Cognitive Development

• Increasing capacity for abstract and complex thought

• Problem-solving and reasoning skills are developing

• Growing ability to reflect upon one’s thought

processes (metacognition) and actions

Cognitive DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

• implements an interesting, integrative, challenging , and exploratory curriculum that is relevant to students’ lives.• provides numerous opportunities and support for students to:

Stretch themselves cognitively with unfamiliar ideas or tasks. Transition from mastering concrete information to exploring

abstract concepts. Practice new organizational, processing, and communication skills. Reflect upon their thoughts and work; use reflections and feedback

to revise and improve products.

Middle school students will benefit when their school or teacher:

Social and Emotional Development

• Emerging awareness of others• Heightened sense of fairness • Social consciousness• Need to explore personal identities• Sudden, intense emotions

Social and Emotional DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

• Encourage students to explore new identity roles in healthy ways.• Facilitate increased self-knowledge and resilience characteristics.• Help students learn how to evaluate behavioral options and anticipate consequences before making decisions.• Reinforce and model respect, empathy, and compassion toward others.• Teach students how to understand and effectively cope with their emotions.

An effective middle school will:

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Middle School Philosophy: School Practices

School Practices arewhat we do.

School Practices

• Active learning – Students are personally involved and motivated to seek out challenges.• Multiple learning and teaching approaches that engage all students in a variety of ways.• Assessment and evaluation are integrated with planning and instruction • Guidance and support through an advisory system and community partnerships• Organizational structure – Small, stable learning communities and/or advisory groups

School Practices

Not an à la carte menu!

• Must be used consciously. • Must be comprehensively integrated.

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

Middle School Philosophy: School Culture

School Culture refers to prevalent values, attitudes, and expectations.

School Culture• High expectations for students and educators – effort, behavior, products, individual growth, and collective progress• Knowledgeable educators – trained, enthusiastic, energetic, committed • A safe environment• Health, wellness, and safety• Courageous, collaborative leadership

• Shared vision focused on fostering the growth of students as learners and people

Coherent, Shared Vision

Student's Developmental Needs

The Unifying Element of the Middle School Philosophy

All members of the school community are committed to a coherent, shared vision.

How do we define our learning community to guide school culture and practices in order to meet the needs of middle grade students?

What’s your role?

• Students: active participants in their own education

• Advisor/teacher: adult advocate for individual students; prepared and creative collaborator

• Parents: active participants in the learning community; support the school’s vision at home

• Administrators: collaborative planning time and resources for teachers; time and support for advisory group activities

• Staff and Resource Professionals: team with teachers/advisors to apply their expertise

Middle School Philosophy - Summary• Developmental Needs of the Student and Recommendations:• Physical• Cognitive• Social and Emotional

• School Practices• School Culture• Coherent, Shared Vision• Your role(s)