Chapter 1
Chapter one began with clarifying the different types of schools that are present in our society. For starters, an elementary school often includes grades K-8 although some elementary schools stop at grades 5 or 6 (as my elementary school did). An Intermediate school consists of grades 4-6 where middle schools hold children grades 6-8. The chapter goes on to further define different purposes of schools. There are magnet or theme schools which tend to focus on a specific area of curriculum such as visual or performing arts, science, mathematics, technology or even international studies. In addition to magnet and theme schools there are charter schools. Charter schools are excused from the general standards and programs of a traditional schools in hope for more flexibility and higher achievement. Families specifically choose for their children to attend Charter schools where as traditional schools students attend the school based on boundaries that are set. There are also full-service schools as well as international Baccalaureate middle schools.
Chapter one discusses the difficulties with teaching at the middle school level because the students are going through a tough developmental period in their lives and there is a range of personalities, influences and different living home situations. Similar to the saying No shoe fits all, no students learning process will be the same. It is important to understand where your students come from and understand them that way one can teach them in the most beneficial way possible. When becoming a teacher it is important to be very aware of the school policies as well as the districts mission statement so one can understand the goals of their school. Many schools now have co-teaching or team teaching where teachers collaborate and reflect together in order to plan beneficial lessons for the students.
Each school is different when it comes to the school calendar. Some schools are year round schools while others start in August and end in May. There are also schools that use freeze time where teachers are expected to be in their classrooms a specified day of the week for an hour for those students who need additional help or to answer questions for parents. Some schools use a technique called looping where a group of students is with the same teacher for the entire time they are at that school. This technique is used to help build a strong bond between students and teachers as well as the parents and the community.
Middle school teachers have a very difficult job already when it comes to dealing with different learning styles and paces of their students. Middle school teachers must not only make sure they are committed to their schools statement of philosophy or mission but also know the curriculum and how best of teach it. Middle school teachers must be willing to listen to students ideas and be enthusiastic, motivated and well organized and build good relationships with the community and parents.
Over the years teaching has advanced and certification process have consistently developed in order to ensure that those who are being placed in teaching positions will be successful. Schools have started to emphasize raising students test scores and have become more focused on individual instruction. Some issues that still persist in the education system are things such as the gaps between high-income students/schools and low-income students/schools, bullying and other behaviors that negatively affect the learning environment of students and the scarcity of male and minority teachers. Some guidelines one should follow to try and combat these negativities are to continue to hold high expectations of students, provide a structural learning environment, use small-group and cooperative learning strategies and communicate with students in a clear and respectful manner.
Because students are going through many changes they may act out in several different ways. In order to be able to help this students in the best way possible, it is important that teachers understand where these issues or stemming from. For instance, because adolescents are egocentric, curious and like active learning, teachers should focus on encouraging things such as self expression, take on differential teaching approaches and work to create group discussions. If teachers can better understand their students and the changes they are going through, they will be able to react in the appropriate manner and adjust their environment and curricula to fit the students needs so each student can blossom.
