Abstract: This chapter discusses the seven points that middle schools need to consider in their design in order to create the best learning environment for the students. Listed below are the points the book suggests:
• Teach a curriculum grounded in standards that is relevant to the students
• Use instructional methods designed to create life-long learners
• Staff middle schools with teachers who are experts at middle school
• Organize relationships for learning, create smaller communities within the school
• Govern democratically, involve the teachers who know the students best
• Provide a safe and healthy school environment
• Involve parents and communities in student learning
These steps are not listed in any particular order; rather they all combine to make a web of interlocking pieces that will create the strongest possible environment for young adolescents to learn in.
Synthesis:
The most common thought about these ideas of change in middle schools was that teachers in middle schools should be experts at middle school. A certification that is catered to middle level seems like a good idea. If there are separate philosophies and approaches to teaching high school and middle school why is one broad certification good enough? If we really want to reach the middle level student to the best of our adult capabilities we should be creating teachers who are specialized for the age group. Another theme in our responses was the need to involve the parents and communities in the education of the children. Somewhere along the lines school became a day care. Parents drop their kids off in the morning and pick them up at night but are really removed from what is happening during the day. Instead of having a divide between teachers and parents, middle level educators need to develop a relationship with the community to make sure there is a common goal being worked towards. Through good and bad times both teachers and parents need to have the best interest of the child in mind when they react to situations and make important decisions. We also thought it was important for the teachers and schools to get to know the students as individuals. If we can cater to the student’s needs in their education they will only benefit. All of the responses had one common theme; there is no need to change for the sake of change everything should be done with the best interest of the student in mind.
Adding on to our discussion on bullying from earlier, the link from Education World had a section on bullying with lessons and strategies to inform students about bullying and how to reduce bullying in school. =D
ReplyDeleteI really liked the article on Parent/Teacher relationships. I think that's one thing that can really inhibit a student's learning, if teachers and parents are telling s/he something different. Or when parents have one idea about a certain student and teachers have another. So I think it's very important for teachers and parents to both be on the same page, on the children themselves, and what the children are learning. So thanks for the article, it gives a lot of good ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe last link is great! I frequently wonder about how I will communicate with parents in my own classroom and this website is a great resource.
ReplyDeleteThe NCATE site would have been really helpful for me in high school when I was deciding to become a teacher. Awesome tag!
ReplyDeleteI liked the link on the NCATE. I think it is important to know what schools offer what, what states have certain requirements, and what you need to do as a teacher to be the best teacher you can be.
ReplyDeleteIn the "Turning Points" link there is a link to view Evidence of Success. I like being able to read how this actually work for specific school that have tried it.
ReplyDeleteGreat site on teacher/ parent relationships. Since our communications with parents are so important. This site seems to really back up with what we were reading about and I am glad I have another site to go to find more advice on what I can do to improve those relationships and help my students learn as best they can!
ReplyDeleteThe Turning Points page is rich with links and contents, thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the education world link which discussed how important it is to keep the communication lines open between the school and home. Many students would benefit from having this resource available.
ReplyDeleteThe NCATE site is really interesting to me because I have friends and family who have entered or will be entering the teaching career from all over the country. Knowing about more accreditation's always helps.
ReplyDeleteThe Turning Points website is cool because it goes beyond just what we read in the book and gives a more in depth discussion of the Turning Points.
Parent/teacher/student relations are essential for building a community in and out of the classroom for optimal learning--
ReplyDeleteFrom the Maine Teacher of the Year that visited UMF, some additional Middle School resources.
http://meparentsaspartners.pbworks.com/w/page/31786014/Middle-Level-Resources
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI really liked the second link that you gave us that shows where you can get certified for middle school. I also like the last link that has to do with having parents involved.
Darcie.
The whole bit on making teachers experts at middle school was a really interesting idea that I wasn't exposed to before your blog entry! It's definitely something to look out for in application for jobs.
ReplyDeleteHEY! i like the last link about involving parents and the community
ReplyDeleteI liked how you added the first link so that we can keep up with the new studies that Turning Points keeps coming up with. I also think that the last link is going to be really helpful when we have to start talking with and teaming up with parents.
ReplyDelete