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Middle School Family Guide

Middle School Family Guide . Prepared by Deborah Riley ED 330. Middle School Students Go Through Many Development Changes. Physical Changes . Types of Physical Changes: Growth Spurts Girls usually grow faster than boys Can experience “growing pains”. Puberty

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Middle School Family Guide

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  1. Middle School Family Guide Prepared by Deborah Riley ED 330

  2. Middle School Students Go Through Many Development Changes

  3. Physical Changes Types of Physical Changes: • Growth Spurts • Girls usually grow faster than boys • Can experience “growing pains”. • Puberty • Hormones influence sexual development • Sexual Maturity • Once they achieve sexual maturity middle school students have all the necessary parts to reproduce. • Sexual experimentation can lead to unfortunate consequences like pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. • Every child develops physically at different rates • Boys and girls can feel self conscious about being early bloomers or late bloomers.

  4. Physical Changes Continued Physical Development Issues • Parents should also be prepared to talk about these physical changes with their children to offer support and guidance. • Rapid growth during the middle school years requires a greater intake of nutritious food. Try to minimize the junk food and have healthy alternatives around the house.

  5. Intellectual Development • Students are moving from concrete to abstract thinking • They don’t have to see something to visualize it • They can grasp concepts, put them into perspective and make predictions • Students can have vivid imaginations • Students have the ability to think about their own thinking. They can think about their own learning process. • Students begin to think about what has meaning and what is useful in their lives.

  6. Emotional Development • Emotions strongly influence our ability to pay attention. If we are worried about something we can not concentrate. • Teachers and parents need to help students achieve emotional maturity. We must create a safe environment that says “It’s okay to feel the way that you do”. • We must teach our students self regulation. One strategy is to count to ten.

  7. Social Development • Students have a strong need for approval and may easily be discouraged. • Strong sense of wanting to fit into a group. Students need time to socialize. Peer pressure can play a role in decision making. • Student’s need adult relationships. Adults can act as role models and provide security. • Some adolescence become targets of bullying

  8. Psychological Development • Can be preoccupied with themselves • Some students become increasingly independent • They are aware of ethnic identity • Self esteem levels fluctuate • They believe that their problems are unique to them • Self conscious and sensitive to criticism • They desire recognition and praise for positive efforts and achievement • They become curious about sex and they have sexual feeling. They need to know that this is normal.

  9. Middle School Students’ Interest • Middle school students are very interested in hanging out with their friends • Enjoy shopping • Playing video games • Participate in the newest fads. • Social networking, cell phones and texting • They enjoy school. They want to be challenged and engaged in learning • Young Adolescents are developing a social conscience. They have a strong sense of fairness

  10. Middle School Students’ Needs • Families should develop a family routine • A space for homework • Good health habits- right amount of sleep, nutritious food and breakfast before school • Model value of learning and hark work. • Monitor out-of-school activities • Set and discuss rules with children • Balance homework, time with friends and afterschool activities • Ask your students three questions: • “Who” will you be with? • “What” will you be doing? • “Where” will you be?

  11. Middle School Students’ Needs Continued • Express an interest in school. • Encourage child to explain projects • Attend school events • Stay in touch with teachers • Encourage reading, writing and discussions with family members. • Families can discuss current events • They can evaluate and discuss television programs • Write grocery lists, journals or diaries together Middle students also need to feel a sense of independence. While giving them structure you can also give them choices.

  12. Myths about Middle School Students Middle students don’t want to talk to their parents about important issues. This is very inaccurate myth. Young adolescents depend on their parents’ input for most of the value based decisions they make. Middle students don’t need guidance because they are older and appear more worldly. It is true that young adolescents are experiencing a more global world. Between television and the internet they are exposed to much more than we were at their age. They still need guidance to navigate through the confusing and complicated issues. Families always take time to discuss important issues. Sometimes with our busy schedules, it is hard to find the time to sit down with our middle school student and discuss important issues. We might even be shy about talking about sex with our young adolescents. It is important for parents to have these discussions and let your children know your values.

  13. Community Resources • Adult Volunteer Services Contact Susan Olson at 440-995-7796 Residents are welcome to become volunteers at any of the Mayfield Schools. Some of the opportunities are: • Classroom and Office Positions • Science Olympiad Coaches • Basic Aid Training Instructors • CPR Instructors • Art Docent Program • After School Club Leaders • Safety Reporting for Students – Hotline to report abuse, bullying, discrimination, suicidal behavior, violence, guns. Can be anonymous. https://www.publicschoolworks.com/SHL/studentReport.asp?di=146&mi=9 You can also report by phone 1-866-listen2me (1-866-547-8362) • The Cleveland Free Clinic 12201 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Ohio 44106. You can call 216-721-4010 for an appointment. Provides free medical, dental, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and HIV services.

  14. School Resources MMS Assistant Principle ElinorNyiradi 440-995-7811 Discipline Problems MMS Psychologist Matt Bradic 440-995-7812 Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Issues MMS Guidance Counselor April Yuhas 440-995-7813 Academic Planning Individual/Family school crisis intervention MMS Clinic 440-995-7814 Student Health Issues

  15. Resources National Middle School Association. (2003). This We Believe Successful Schools for Young Adolescents. Westerville, Ohio: National Middle School Association. NMSA. (2010) Middle School Education New When Families Stay Involved in Education, Student Success Rises. Retrieved from National Middle School Association: http://www.nmsa.org/Advocacy/PressRoom/MiddleSchoolEducationNews/Articles/Article2/tabid/395/Default.aspx NMSA. (2004). The Family Connection. Retrieved September 20, 2010, from National Middle School Association: http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/TheFamilyConnection/Vol9No2/tabid/211/Default.aspx Powell, S. D. (2011). Introduction to Middle School. Boston: Pearson Education Inc.

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