This We Believe

pp. 43- 63
In this section, there is research given that supports the topics in the book. Middle school teachers should be aware of the research and techniques that are presented in this book. In order for a safe and supportive learning environment to exist, it is both the teachers and the students’ job to ensure this. One way that teachers can help to create this is through their curriculum, their instruction and their assessment. By building a curriculum that reaches out to the students had meets their needs and by building and maintaining relationships with student teachers will be able to do just that. Educators need to be aware that middle school students are changing and developing in physical ways, intellectual ways, moral and emotional ways, psychological ways, and in social ways.

This We Believe

pp. 33-42
In middle school, it is important for young adolescents to have a healthy social life. This aspect should not stop just outside of the classroom. In a middle school, it is important to have a balance of community and culture along with the curriculum. Integrating this will help students succeed. It is important for students also to build trust in their relationships, with adults and other students. It is important for students success and social developments to be watched to help students grow and learn.

Meet Me in the Middle: Chapter 9

Chapter 9: In this chapter, the importance and beneficial use of block scheduling is discussed. Block scheduling allows for longer periods of class time versus the shorter 45 or 55 minute classes. Students alternate classes daily when following a block schedule. Block scheduling is also easier on teachers as it allows for more teaching time and less time trying to settle kids in and getting them focused. From personal experience, I prefer block scheduling, both as a students and as a future educator. While do practicum, I experienced the shorter classes (40 or 45 minutes) and it was difficult to get the students focused. By the time they were settled in and willing to learn there was only about 20 or so minutes of teaching time. This doesn’t seem very effective to me. Following the block schedule allows teachers to teach to their students and have them learn at their full potential.

Meet Me in the Middle: Chapter 12

Chapter 12: In this chapter, teacher advisory programs, or hands on activities, are discussed. This way of teaching is different than the typical in classroom lecture. By incorporating these teacher-lead activities into your classroom and curriculum you will help build relationships with your students. This style of activity is becoming more and more popular. This is one of the many ways to get out of the traditional classroom and to help young middle school students learn more about themselves in healthy activities. I really would like to incorporate these kinds of activities into my classroom as to help my students learn more about themselves and build healthy relationships with my students.

Meet Me in the Middle: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Similar to the chapter in Turning points 2000, this chapter emphasizes the importance of team teaching in the middle school. This chapter provides teachers with the help that they need and talks about subject integration. Through the use of team teaching, students are equipped with the ability to link important themes and topics from the different content areas as well as draw their own conclusions and make their own connections. This helps prepare students for the real world as content and interests are not always separate. In order to do this, teachers must communicate with each other and share core beliefs. This way, students will share these core beliefs not only with each other and their teachers but also in their education and learning.

This We Believe

pp.27-33
This next part of the book discusses some of the major themes that contribute to a strong community in the middle school: a strong leader, a shared vision, committed leaders, courageous leaders, collaborative leaders, professional development and organizational skills. All of these are very important in creating a stable learning environment for middle school students. Teachers must work collaboratively and all share the same vision. It is important as a teacher to always work towards becoming a better educator. This will not only build your professional development but it will also allow you to become a better teacher and educate your students to the best of your ability.

Turning Point: Chapter 6

Chapter 6: This chapter talks about middle school team teachers and how important they are to the dynamic middle school. The book emphasizes how important student-teacher relationships are. There were several things that are essential to creating a good team. Size is very important and looping can be a good idea. Size of a team matters as you want to be able to create strong student-teacher relationships with all students. Looping is a good idea to consider as you will be able to continue to use, build and pull on those relationships for more than one year. By referring back to this chapter you will be able to build strong and effective teachers.