What do we know about the unique needs of young adolescents which drive our work in middle schools?

     

  What do we know about the unique needs of young adolescents which drive our work in middle schools?

    Each and every unique need of young adolescents should be important for teachers working in a middle school setting. Young Adolescents are hitting puberty, dealing with gender differences, under peer and social influence, and changing over all. In the reading "Social-emotional development of young adolescents: fact and fiction", it talks about how students are going through changes that alter the way they act towards others. They are developing their gender identity which can also lead to them questioning their racial/ethical identity and their sexual orientation. Teachers should know about supporting the students during these times to accommodate and make their students comfortable during their questioning stages. Something that can help these students during young adolescents is being responsive. In the article, it states "... all who work with young adolescents can be "responsive" by using these unique characteristics to help make better educational decisions. It also allows all members of the school community to "challenge" our young adolescents, knowing what this development stage is capable of, and keeping the learning expectations high for all students". 

    After being in the field for the first time, I have noticed that many of the students have their own unique characteristics. In one of the Classes I saw, there was a student who went by she/he (if I heard correctly). They dressed different to the "stereotypical" female. Some of the other students had their opinion on how they acted and how they looked. It was very apparent the divide between the students who knew what they were and the students who were in the questioning stage. Although both students were respectful to me, they weren't to each other. I did notice that they were bickering back and forth during the introduction to the class on what had been said. Overall, both students were learning the same things and had the same expectations regardless of who they were. 

    In my classroom, I want to make sure that all my students are comfortable with themselves and feel welcomed. I want to make sure that I can meet each and every students needs within the classroom. I also want to make sure that they feel comfortable to come to me with any concerns or questions they may have regarding themselves. My goal as a teacher is to make sure my students know they are equal to everyone else regardless of the way they are. Everyone that walks in my doors will be equal. 

Below is a song that connects well with students being different that I really liked! 

Everyone is different