Fifty Great Things About Middle Schoolers

     My principal sent this home in the last newsletter.  I though it was kinda cute.  He got it from site called Education World too many years ago. Anyway Education World turned out to be a site with lots of good information.  http://www.educationworld.com/  Check it out


I invite every one to add their ideas on why Middle Schoolers are great.




 FIFTY GREAT THINGS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOLERS!

1. They are eager to learn.

2. They are willing to be directed. 

3. They are diverse and interesting. 

4. They leave after three years!

5. They're just plain fun to be around. 

6. They have lots of energy. 

7. Most of them love school. 

8. They are like clay -- still impressionable. 

9. They can be influenced...positively. 

10. Ninety-two of them are great singers (says the director of the 93-member middle school chorus). 
11. They keep me young. 
12. They want to fit in, but they also want to do well in school. 
13. They have great personalities. 
14. Every day is different. 
15. They are potty-trained -- hopefully! 
16. They are a study in contrasts. 
17. They love new ideas. 
18. They have good manners...generally.
19. They will contribute to my social security fund! 
20. They respond well to adults.
21. They are enthusiastic -- times two! 
22. They are caring (usually *not* just about themselves!). 
23. They are fun to teach -- and to learn from. 
24. They're electric!
25. They are easy to please. 
26. They grow out of it! 
27. They're becoming so aware of everything around them.
28. They make me laugh all the time. 
29. They are cool!
30. They come up with the most interesting ideas. 
31. They like to try new things. 
32. They aren't shy about sharing their thoughts. 
33. They are so in-your-face honest! 
34. They are independent, but they still like their teachers. 
35. They love to use my mirror! 
36. Hugs are still popular (as long as the other students don't see them giving you one!). 
37. They still have hopes and dreams, and they love to share them. 
38. They are fashion critics, sure to tell you if you're dressed to meet "the standard"! 
39. Everything is funny to them. 
40. They're unpredictable. 
41. They have great conversation skills. 
42. They enjoy my corny stories and jokes.
43. They're unorganized, but manageable. 
44. There's no need for aerobics because teachers get plenty of exercise trying to keep up with them!
45. They are helpful. 
46. They can be molded in spite of the "supposed" I-hate-all-grown-ups attitude. 
47. The light in their eyes still shines.
48. You never know what will come out of their mouths next. 
49. There's never a dull moment! 
50. And the fiftieth thing teachers think is great about teaching middle schoolers..............June, July & August

Article by Gary Hopkins Education World® Editor-in-Chief Copyright © 1998 Education World

One Place for Special Needs: Are you a honey parent or vinegar parent?

I found this article which poses a very interesting question.  Believe me, over the course of my career, I've met my share of both "honey" and "vinegar" parents.  However, I feel the author is a little off on her suggestions.  While it is great to get little additions to the classroom or have parents volunteer,  those suggestions are at the bottom of my criteria list for a "honey" parent.  In my opinion, "honey" parents are those that truly care about their child's education and do everything they can to help make their child successful.  These are parents that work with their child and provided them all opportunities possible.  These are parents who try their best to accept their child's limitations and disabilities.  These are parents who have educated themselves the best they can around their child's disability.  These are parents who have realistic expectations for their child's success.  These are parents who try to at least see a little humor in their situation.  These are parents who speak up when necessary (it is a shame so many school systems make them fight and feel they have to be aggressive.  I never have problems supporting parent's realistic demands).  These are parents who say "Thank You" once in awhile and these are parents who genuinely like their children.

Just something for parents to think about.  Please post any other criteria suggestions for a "honey" parent.


 One Place for Special Needs: Are you a honey parent or vinegar parent?

Have you ever heard of the Marshmallow test?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0oPuAO3M8c&feature=player_embedded#!

This is very interesting and I think even middle school and high school parents can learn from this.

Remember parents it's ok to say NO!  We should all say it more often.

Teresa:)

Misinterpreting Social Context

When kids are taught about “context” most classroom teachers are usually referring to the context of a story.  Middle schoolers, especially the ones who have Non Verbal Learning Disabilities, Aspergers or even just lack of social experience may often not understand the “context” of social situations.   Not understanding the context of a situation may cause misinterpretations.  This is where difficulties may arise.  Students may not understand when they are being teases or even bullied.  They may also not be able to interpret teasing and bullying from playing around.

With the new models in education suggesting less pull out (something I support when appropriate) these are the kids that are falling through the cracks.  These students are usually bright enough to pass standardized tests, they are usually doing well enough in the classroom to get by.  However, classroom teachers do not often recognize how many social cues these kids miss.  It’s important to look at manner of performance and observations in both structured and unstructured situations.  Administrators tend to say just put them in class where they can practice their social skills.  Unless you really understand children who have difficulty within the pragmatic realm you may believe they can do this on their own.  But the reality is if it was that easy and automatic we would have no kids with social skill problems because they have been in class all these years practicing their social skills.  The reality is that these kids need some therapy or if people are more comfortable with the word “coaching”.  Just like reading and math, awareness, learning and carryover of pragmatic skills is not going to happen without instruction.   

Over the years I have tried to get my kids to learn about social context, how to analyze it and how to read it.  You have to keep in mind this is probably going to be a weakness for these kids throughout their lives.  However, it’s important to give them the best tools possible.  Sometimes I will do this as a lesson and sometimes just interject as situations come up.

To figure out social context I work with the students to become more aware in the following areas:

1. Relationship......Look at the relationship of the person or persons involved.  Is it a family member, a close friend, a stranger, a teacher or other respected adult.  We go ever several examples of how we might approach or react to different people.
2. Tone.....What is the tone of the interaction.  What tone of voice are they using.  Is it a happy tone, mad tone, sad tone.     We also go over several examples of this.  Most children can tell what tone their parents are using so I often role play their parents.
3. Sarcasm..........Are the people using sarcasm?  How do you tell?  Is someone joking around or are they serious.  This takes a lot of practice.  Even during role playing sometimes the kids aren’t sure if I am being serious or not.  To see the confused look on their faces tell it all.
4. Facials Expressions....It’s important to know how to read those.  You actually have to be aware and know what to look for.  This come easy for most of us but for people who have difficulty with this or have difficulty making eye contact it’s hard.  You miss a lot of nonverbal cues thus contributing to misinterpretations.
5. Gestures...same as facial expressions you have to look for them and interpret them correctly to help understand intent.
6. Mood....What is the mood of the situation.  Did something just happen to make the person angry?  In that case you will approach the situation differently.  This again could invite a variety of emotions and all have to be figured out.  

Even people who don’t have a specific diagnosis that impacts the pragmatic realm may misunderstand or misinterpret situations within social situations.  These steps are just a glance and what it takes to understand social situations.  Children who experience pragmatic difficulty in social situations have to be walked through almost every situation for meaning and intent until they can start to do it on their own.  

Explain, explain and explain some more.  If you have a child who frequently misinterprets social interactions talk to them about it all the time.  Let teachers and other adults they come in contact with know about the struggles your child has.   Talk about how to handle situations and how to react to situations.  You are your child’s best teacher and advocate. 

An Interesting Article on the Fate of Education

A friend sent me this article. It's a perspective that many are missing because of the push for testing and as result most states are "teaching to the test". Let me know what you think. It's not really on middle school but an interesting comment on education in general.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ravitch14-2010mar14,0,2024751.story

Restitution for Bullying

A friend sent me this article and I wanted to share it with you. A court in Michigan has finally said a school system did not do enough to either prevent bullying or to keep a student safe (which ever way you like to like to look at it).

I would still like to see a bigger parent role in this. Perhaps parents should be fined in civil court if their child continues to bully, especially when it is the same child for years and years and most definitely when it becomes physical. What ever the situation parents need to be brought into the situation earlier and much more often.

As a teacher in the public schools I know a lot of bullying takes place out of our sight but since there was a problem why weren't teachers on alert especially in middle school?

http://www.freep.com/article/20100306/NEWS06/3060306/1001/news

Please check out my other bullying article from September/October 08

Teaching Etiquette in Schools

A friend recently sent me this link. It goes along with some thoughts I've been having around expectations and behavior both in schools and at school functions. At my son's high school they always send out a list of dos and don'ts before each formal event. At the very least it saves a lot of questions for the parents. Some of the items on this list include general expecations for behavior, how to introduce your date (yes they have a receiving line), appropriate dress tux vs suit vs sport coat/long dress vs short dress and if flowers are appropriate. Guidelines like this should also be instituted for middle school events. Couldn't hurt anyway.

One thing that is often missing with the boys is the hat off inside and handshake when meeting new people. How many of you teach or expect your boys to do this?

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/arizona-teacher-adds-etiquette-to-lessons/19355240?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl1link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Farizona-teacher-adds-etiquette-to-lessons%2F19355240

Let me know what you think about the article. All of this ties in with appropriate use of language and how to read and respond in new situations. Not to mention it makes the kids look good.