Quiz: Middle School

After reading about middle school students in the article "Trying to Find Solutions in Chaotic Middle Schools, I realized that the ideas and methods we have discussed in 307 can be very helpful. One of the main ideas that I think can help middle school students learn is social technologies like IM or blogging. Because students are using computers at home and the middle school years are very social, these methods would help engage students.

From my experiencince student teaching in both seventh and eighth grade classes, I agree with the way the middle school students are represented in the article. I think that when many of us think of teaching English we think of teaching high school and neglect the seventh and eight graders. I agree with Ms. Lowrie that middle school is "the roughest, toughest, hardest thing to teach"(1). When I was teaching middle school I saw a great difference between the seventh and the eighth graders. The seventh graders were chatty and enthusiastic, which wasn't a bad thing, but I constantly had to keep them on task. If I had them discuss books through IM or on a blog or discussion board I think they may have been more engaged.

However, eighth graders are a lot more difficult. In eighth grade being intelligent isn't "cool," and I agree with the part of the article that says "students made smaller gains in math and stagnated in reading" in Middle School (2). I feel that eighth graders really need to be encouraged to keep learning. Like the article says, the students are now more interested in the prom or going into high school; they lose the innocence and enthusiasm they had as elementary students or even seventh graders.

When I did student teaching, I went from the high school to the middle school and I found it very difficult to get used to. I think that the middle school age group is extremely important to help develop. These students need to be guided to arrive at achievement and success. I remember many parents calling the teachers that I student taught with and pleaded with them about their son or daughter changing or hanging out with the wrong crowd. These students are going to severe hormonal changes that could have devastating effects on their future if teachers do not help them.

From this first hand experience, I learned that you have to do whatever it takes to keep your students interested in the material you are teaching. Incorporating any form of technology that helps students communicate and discuss will make the learning authentic to them. But I think the most important aspect of teaching middle school is being sympathetic and understand. These kids will always remember the way you made them feel about themselves.