Learning Harmony : Young Adolescent Development And Classroom Practices Third Edition Essay

School is a place where individuals grow, develop, and explore their future interests. This necessitates that the classroom is an environment where students feel supported, respected, and competent. I

Students in the classroom come from a variety of backgrounds. Their lives are shaped by their families, their communities, but also their peers in school whom they will spend hours a day with throughout their educational career. The ability to form relationships with others, to create lasting friendships that grow and evolve with time, is detrimental to all children and their development. Lacking the ability to do so, whether it is directly because of their conditions or because of how other students perceive them, can dramatically harm them emotionally and mentally.

“…apart from the prime and given responsibility of teaching selected content and skills, middle school teachers must be about the business of helping students believe in themselves, form their character, discover their interests, nurture their potential, gain a sound perspective on their physical development and related health issues, and develop those universally and critically important humanitarian and social skills—all while daring them to be their best selves, to breath deeply, and to live well at the moment.”

Harmony or balance is importance for ones sense of wellbeing. Without the balance of harmony, diseases

1. In Linda Christensen’s story, she describes how it was a very difficult task for her to “build a sense of community” in her fourth grade classroom. She states that students were not being cooperative in most of the activities she had planned out for them. She had knowledge that some students already had issues with one another, making it even more difficult for her, as the educator, to accommodate these lessons. (Burant, 2010, pg. 69).

Being in the education field can be quite remarkable, especially in Elementary education, as we are aiding in establishing the foundation for our student’s future. However, although working with young children is rewarding it comes with a great deal of responsibility. Knowing that all humankind are created in God’s image ensures that we will be respectful when interacting with not only their parents, but with our students as well, regardless of their economic, racial or religious backgrounds. We must lead by example and show our children how to love one another respectfully

Middle school learners are perhaps the most diverse group of students in education today. The differences that exist in every classroom, including gender, socio-economic class, linguistic and cultural background, learning style, and intellectual capacity, is increased by individual differences in developmental level. While all middle school students will progress through different developmental levels and display the characteristics inherent in each, they will reach and conquer these developmental milestones at difference times. Because of this difference in developmental maturity, students may also be at their most vulnerable, as they progress through stages they don’t understand and can’t control.

Sheldon Berman is the superintendent of the Hudson Public School system and has focused on a study to better the environment the students learn in. “This school has been working on two goals for ten years: bringing consistency student-centered instruction and high standards to our academic curriculum; and creating an environment that nurtures student’s social, emotional and civic development.” (Berman, S. 2003)

“A middle school is a school organization containing grades six to eight that, first provides developmentally appropriate and responsive curricular, instructional, organizational, guidance, and overall educational experiences; and second, places major emphasis on 10-15 year olds’ developmental and instructional needs” (Teaching in the Middle School, 6). The researcher has a great point for the fact that a middle school should be focus on the needs of diverse young adolescents. All young adolescents are in a special time in their lives that require extra guidance during this crazy change. Middle school students test out the boundaries and want to learn about new activities and interests during this stage. It takes a special person who wants to teach these diverse students who need the extra support from their teachers to show them what’s out there for them and to introduce them to new things.

One of the most important things that we need to remember as middle level teachers, is that every young adolescent is different, and because of those differences, we need to make sure that our lessons and activities reflect this aspect of young adolescents. The middle school age student is extremely complex. On one hand, they don’t fit into the elementary age of little kids, yet aren’t quite as mature as high school aged students. At this age, it is imperative to create lessons that are unique and captivating. Often the biggest problem about teaching middle school aged children is that they need motivation to do their work. In high school, students are worried about not doing well enough to get into college, while in elementary school their

More importantly, creating positive student-teacher relationships can prevent discipline issues from arising. By establishing a persistent tone of mutual respect, students will participate in class activities with confidence that they and their opinions are valued. Students also should be taught how to appreciate the unique contributions each student brings to the class, as well as how to effectively resolve issues that may arise. I believe that demonstrating genuine respect to students and showing interest in their concerns will allow the effective use of instructional time, positive relationships to prevail, and minimal discipline problems to avail.

For all students to achieve self-actualization (Chance, 2009), I must provide them with a safe, positive and nurturing environment that is conducive for learning and that makes them feel they belong and are accepted as individuals. As a school leader, it is also essential that I encourage a school culture that celebrates diversity and tolerance by showing respect and trust among one another as a result of positive relationships and open

Childhood and adolescence are times of crucial growth in developing their sense of self and learning about the world. If the average American teenager spends about 7 hours in a classroom environment per day, then teachers are in a prime position to impact their students. As a teacher, I can ensure that my students receive the encouragement, compassion, and respect that is so important in becoming an able and confident member of society. Not every student receives academic support at home. Therefore, my classroom should also offer resources, classroom assistance, and a positive learning environment. I should invest time and effort into my students. I can help them realize their own potential and

The Middle School years reflect on the child falling into patterns of certain behaviors and habits. This is the age where students will begin to form their study habits and focus on their social groups and connections, which in some cases can take president over their schooling. However, when a child applies themselves great growth can occur. According to School and Children: The Middle School Years, “children are thought to be functioning developmentally at what Piaget termed the concrete and formal operational stages. During this phase, basic literacy as well as computational and conceptual skills are acquired.” (Epps & Smith, 1984) Students during this phase of growth and development can work on harder skills and make greater connections between their education and their world.

As a teacher, I am responsible for the development of students academically as well as socially. I prepare them to be productive citizens while in high school and after graduation. If they are planning to attend any postsecondary training, it is my duty to make sure they are adequately prepared. As an advisor of the Council of Student Leaders, it is my purpose to put my students on the path to being great leaders. In order to achieve this, I provide them with activities that promote the healthy development of their social skills, making healthy connections and relationships with others, breaking down barriers, eliminating stereotypes, empowering their fellow students, and inclusion for everyone in our school.