Week Two
Hello, everyone! Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!
This week's reading in AMLE focused on essential characteristics of middle school curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The reading wove several ideas for developmentally responsive attributes that should be explored in depth when considering developing curriculum, instruction, and assessment. I noticed connections from the text among all three areas. First, it is important for teachers and students to work together to explore content and develop skills. Instruction should include a variety of strategies that can cross content areas to maximize real learning, not just learning facts. Secondly, I saw that student involvement in designing curriculum, instruction, and assessment can be very beneficial to the students. It can help the teacher prepare lessons that include various student interests to engage them in the lessons and learning process. Lastly, assessment should focus on the improvement of each student in developing skills and comprehension of content. I think this one is very important because middle school students tend to compare themselves to one another. They are awkward, in a transitional life period, and tend to compare their accomplishments and failures to those of their peers. If assessment focused more on individual improvement, rather than comparison to mastery of other students, a positive learning environment is achieved.
The article this week "Middle School: Are They Ready To Move Up" focused on the issues relating to the transition of elementary school ideas and expectations to the very different ideas and expectations of middle school. This article focused on strategies that are being utilized by middle schools around America to help ease the transition from elementary to middle school. The part I liked most about this article was at the end where quotes from the students stating what they wish teachers knew about them. I think this was very powerful and telling. Middle school students are learning about the world, and experiencing shifts in consciousness. They are a group that are often ignored and treated as little children. The fact of the matter is that they are beginning their transition into young adulthood. Their opinions, ideas, and needs must be listened and attended to, rather than ignored or brushed off.
An idea that resonated with me during the readings this week was the tendency of middle school students to amplify negative feedback. This group needs more positive feedback, support, and encouragement than any other age group. If we,as teachers, can provide middle school students with what they desperately need, we have a chance to help them develop skills that will make them contributing members of society as adolescents and later as adults.
I remember when I was in middle school, it always irritated me that no adult- teachers and family members- took my ideas or opinions seriously. I was always told I "was too young to really understand". At a time when I was learning to use my voice and find my place in this world, it was often invalidated by adults in my life. I refuse to do that to my 13 year old son. He is allowed to speak freely about whatever topic we wants to discuss. Because his ideas and opinions create a vivid picture of what guidance he needs from me right now. Not tomorrow or ten years from now, but TODAY. RIGHT NOW.
This is what I hope to change in my classroom. I want my students to use their voice, and give them a place where they are heard. I want to take their ideas and opinions into account, and use those ideas to help them develop intellectually and emotionally. I want them to understand that what they say matters, and help them develop appropriate skills to nurture those voices and ideas. I want to be a vehicle that helps them cross all the barriers of adolescence in the smoothest ways possible. Words matter, especially to this vulnerable age group. It is our responsibility to validate that.
Have a great weekend!
This week's reading in AMLE focused on essential characteristics of middle school curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The reading wove several ideas for developmentally responsive attributes that should be explored in depth when considering developing curriculum, instruction, and assessment. I noticed connections from the text among all three areas. First, it is important for teachers and students to work together to explore content and develop skills. Instruction should include a variety of strategies that can cross content areas to maximize real learning, not just learning facts. Secondly, I saw that student involvement in designing curriculum, instruction, and assessment can be very beneficial to the students. It can help the teacher prepare lessons that include various student interests to engage them in the lessons and learning process. Lastly, assessment should focus on the improvement of each student in developing skills and comprehension of content. I think this one is very important because middle school students tend to compare themselves to one another. They are awkward, in a transitional life period, and tend to compare their accomplishments and failures to those of their peers. If assessment focused more on individual improvement, rather than comparison to mastery of other students, a positive learning environment is achieved.
The article this week "Middle School: Are They Ready To Move Up" focused on the issues relating to the transition of elementary school ideas and expectations to the very different ideas and expectations of middle school. This article focused on strategies that are being utilized by middle schools around America to help ease the transition from elementary to middle school. The part I liked most about this article was at the end where quotes from the students stating what they wish teachers knew about them. I think this was very powerful and telling. Middle school students are learning about the world, and experiencing shifts in consciousness. They are a group that are often ignored and treated as little children. The fact of the matter is that they are beginning their transition into young adulthood. Their opinions, ideas, and needs must be listened and attended to, rather than ignored or brushed off.
An idea that resonated with me during the readings this week was the tendency of middle school students to amplify negative feedback. This group needs more positive feedback, support, and encouragement than any other age group. If we,as teachers, can provide middle school students with what they desperately need, we have a chance to help them develop skills that will make them contributing members of society as adolescents and later as adults.
I remember when I was in middle school, it always irritated me that no adult- teachers and family members- took my ideas or opinions seriously. I was always told I "was too young to really understand". At a time when I was learning to use my voice and find my place in this world, it was often invalidated by adults in my life. I refuse to do that to my 13 year old son. He is allowed to speak freely about whatever topic we wants to discuss. Because his ideas and opinions create a vivid picture of what guidance he needs from me right now. Not tomorrow or ten years from now, but TODAY. RIGHT NOW.
This is what I hope to change in my classroom. I want my students to use their voice, and give them a place where they are heard. I want to take their ideas and opinions into account, and use those ideas to help them develop intellectually and emotionally. I want them to understand that what they say matters, and help them develop appropriate skills to nurture those voices and ideas. I want to be a vehicle that helps them cross all the barriers of adolescence in the smoothest ways possible. Words matter, especially to this vulnerable age group. It is our responsibility to validate that.
Have a great weekend!
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteGreat personal connection to the material. I would also agree that when I was in middle school, there were only a few teachers that took student ideas and opinions seriously. Middle school is the beginning of self discovery and hindering a child's voice at this age is the wrong thing to do. Middle schoolers should be able to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This is the only way a person really becomes to terms with who they are. I know middle schools are not completely there yet, but my hope is that the progression continues. Only then will students be able to be at their best.
Hi Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blog and the part where you mentioned that middle schoolers need positive feedback and support. I wrote about that as well in my blog. It's an impressionable and vulnerable time for students in middle school and teachers need to be there supporting them every step of the way. It's a time where they question themselves and the world around them too.
I believe that classrooms need to built on a foundation of respect and support. I see this happen in many of the classrooms at my school and it's a beautiful thing. The amount of learning and engaging that takes place in a classroom is so great to see. It almost happens effortlessly and seamlessly when support and respect and prevalent.
Great post!
~Kirsten
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteVery well written! I do like the autonomy we are now taught to give middle school students. I also remember that feeling of being that age and still being treated like a child. As a substitute, I do my best to address and talk to my students the way I would speak to an adult. It tends to go better in the class when the kids feel valued, rather than condescended.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYour feedback comment stood out the most here. After teaching middle school for 16 years, this component has changed drastically over time. Nowadays, the feedback we provide our students must be constructive and positive at the same time. These kids are so vulnerable at this age that anything negative could be detrimental for some. This is why this age group is sometimes so difficult to teach, but we need good teachers who understand what they're going through. I'm hoping the readings in this class are providing good information for you all to use in the future.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand the fact that most teachers and parents didn't want to hear your opinion. They thought that young and dumb went together. I agree that we should encourage and provide positive feedback to our student. What kind of safe space would you have in your classroom? I think open communication with the parents and students are the key to a healthy relationship. I think we should set some time aside for this communication every month.