A New Perspective...

This weekend, I really took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and sat near my sliding glass door as I read through and marked up some professional books. I was reading books about teaching writing workshop in the middle school, and as I was perusing Ruth Culham's book Traits of Writing, I came across a few points that gave me a new perspective of my students on this Monday morning. I thought I would share them with you in case you needed a new outlook as well...

Ruth Culham's Five Truths About Middle School Students (6-8)...

1. They have a hard time remembering things: students in middle school are at a unique developmental age that honestly makes it more difficult for them to remember things--especially things they deem to be unimportant such as homework. We must still expect the best our students can give, but we also have to realize who we are working with and do all we can to help them be successful despite how their bodies and brains are growing and changing.
2. They don't like to do ordinary, repetitve tasks: But then, who does? We need to be sure our planning is meaningful and active. We have been talking about active engagement strategies at the middle school that work to get all students participating in a lesson as well as thinking on higher levels. I needed to give myself permission for learning to be fun and active!
3. They must talk to learn: If students are sitting silently for an entire class period, it isn't likely that they are taking in much information. It is important for students to be able to talk through their ideas and learning with their peers and even with their teachers.
4. They adore technology: This is one that I struggled with because of the particular lack of access to technology right now due to MAP testing. The book also mentioned things like SMART boards and not having students use pencil and paper all the time to write drafts, which are technologies that I don't have access to. My take away from this is that I need to take advantage of opportunities for my class to use technology whenever I can. Using e-mail discussions with their peers was one idea for developing the trait of "ideas" with students. 
5. They aren't high school students: This was the biggest new truth for me. No matter their age, we need to be able to see students for who they are in that moment. I am not at all the same person I was when I was in middle school. That person is a former version of me who had her own unique set of problems, beliefs, thoughts, and passions. It is important for us to see our students for who they are and not who they are going to be and teach them as if their current self is the most important person in the world.