[MOSAIC] (no subject)

[Bill Roberts]

>
>
> Hi Bill,
> Can you tell us what middle school is supposed to be about?
> Jan
>

In short, it's about the kids.

It is supposed to give the kids a buffer between elementary and high school 
which allows for the fact that kids go through so many changes (physically, 
mentally, and emotionally) during this delicate time.  Teams are supposed to 
be one of the main components of a middle school with a team of teachers 
teaching a group of students in order to build a sense of membership and 
belonging.  With the same group of students, teachers can stay aware of what 
is going on in a child's life and let one another know.  Research shows that 
mentally, students don't make as many gains as they do in elementary. 
Instead, they are developing physically.  The brain doesn't kick back in 
until about 8th or 9th grade.  Middle school is supposed to help them 
through these changes.  High school teachers, on the other hand,  tend to 
give more of the "student as empty vessel" teaching and less nurturing...

Another component of middle school is supposed to be a Counseling class 
which helps the kids with character development, self esteem, and working 
with others.  It allows them a safe environment to adjust to the changes 
they are experiencing.  It's supposed to build a sense of community and 
teaming.

A junior high model bascially does away with all this and just has kids 
changing classes with teachers who don't work together for the benefit of 
the students...in short, a high school model for young people who are 
desperately in need of guidance and understanding...and who won't get it.

Bill