What do Middle School Children Really Need?

October 9, 2010

What do Middle School Children Really Need?

We only have a few children middle school age. But I want to write about one of them. Carly was here for K-3^rd grade. Her older brother was here 1-5^th grade and then decided he wanted to try public middle school. He loved it and was able to take with him what he had learned from being at Running River. In 4^th grade Carly decided to give public school a try too. She hated it. She didn’t feel inspired to learn or push herself, and started to fall behind in reading and in math. She also didn’t like the way girls treated each other – she was used to more respect and communication. So, in 5^th grade, she came back to Running River.

For two years Carly was in a fifth-eight grade class with a fantastic teacher who inspired and guided her. The kids in the class (which was mainly girls) were all incredibly close. It was a tight knit little community. This year, we have a 2^nd-7^th grade class. Carly is the oldest, and Megan and Chris are teaching. There is only one other child, a girl, in the class from last year’s class. So, new kids, new teachers, and lots of younger kids. Last spring I sat down with Carly and told her what this year would look like. I also told her I had an idea for a project geared towards just for her: a year long study on different philosophies of teaching young children (which is Carly’s passion). She didn’t hesitate. She said to me, “I know how I learn best. I learn by experience. I’ll be back.”

Here is a 12 year old choosing a school based on how she learns and wanting to be part of a dynamic learning community. Carly would have tons of friends if she were in a bigger school. She is very social and tons of fun. At an age where social relationships are the most important part of every waking hour, she is showing me, that in the right environment, with the right amount of challenge, meaning and responsibility, we don’t have to lose our middle school children to “no man’s land” for 3 years, hoping they will emerge whole (which many don’t).

Carly has a challenging individualized internship that integrates academics and real life learning. She spends time in the K-1 class twice a week, once to observe and help out, and once to teach a lesson. So far, she has focused on hands on science lessons. She has to write up the lesson plan and then how it went, what went well and what she would change and what she thinks the kids got from it. (see attached photos). She is creating a notebook of lessons, observations and photos.

Carly is researching different philosophies of early childhood education and visiting preschools that are each different in terms of how they implement those philosophies. She interviews the director of the preschool, spends a whole day in the classroom with a teacher, and writes up her interview, observations and her research. These are all going into a notebook as well. In the spring, she will be doing a public presentation on her essential question, which is, “What do Preschool Children Really Need?” There is a whole process for the work towards the presentation and it’s final form that allows for creativity, research and experience all to be blended together.

Carly is paving the way for future learners. Middle schoolers are ready to apply what they know to pursue real and meaningful interests to further their development at every level, not just academically but emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Good projects blend all these elements and set clear expectations for the student to follow, creating a structure that holds, mentors and guides the student. Instead of just pumping in information and facts, students are learning in a way that requires thinking for themselves, which develops responsibility and reliability…two of the core qualities that are needed to meet the challenges of this diverse and complex life.

I also, personally, can’t help but see Carly being the future of education in this world. I feel that as parents and educators, we need to believe in the children going beyond where we are. We need to give them an environment to learn in that not just trains them, but let’s them see what’s possible and gives them the confidence to express their experiences and learning in a real way.

The kids love Carly. They respect and listen to her. She is a natural. She already has what took me years to develop, a sensitivity to the children that creates both physical and emotional safety in the classroom. Carly is waking up to her own destiny and power to manifest her gifts, and she is only 12.

So, what do middle schoolers need? (to get back to the heading of this blog). Responsibility tied to their passions, direction and mentoring that builds confidence and character, and learning how to both apply skills and navigate in real world situations. Keep them busy with what is truly meaningful. Raise the bar of expectation and adults to help them make it there. And, it needs to be fun, lots of fun!