AEDU335 Teaching in the Middle Grades - SU20 ONLINE

Time to wrap up what we have learned during this course.  It is hard to imagine that we are wrapping up our sixth and final week.  I didn't  know what to expect with this class but I remained optimistic.  I enjoyed reading the AMLE book as it gave me great perspective on the development of the middle school.  It also gave me great confidence in each of my son's experiences during their middle school tenures.  I like seeing that my tax dollars are being put to progressive use and that the middle schools do not rest on their laurels.  Reading AMLE's directives truly interested me and made me rethink the possibilities of teaching at the middle school level.  My youngest son took entrepreneurship during 7th grade.  He had no opinion of it going into the class but as the class progressed he disliked it more and more.  He said it was boring and it was not exciting.  When I asked why, he said the teacher just talks to them and forces them ...

The final reading this week covered how school culture and the surrounding school community can influence or support the middle school programs.  I found as I read the different characteristics I made notes where my town's middle schools support the different points. First the school environment should provide a safe environment for the student.  Students should feel secure and comfortable and welcome to the building by all adults and hopefully other students.  This is accomplished when all staff are themselves open, comfortable and welcoming to each other.  When the adults respect each other, this is observed by the students which in turn impacts them to model that same behavior.  I have to say whenever I walk into the middle schools in my town, I am welcomed politely and with a smile.  I am asked regarding my business and over time, due to my numerous volunteering, welcomed with a smile as I am recognized.  It is nice to be recognized as a parent by ...

I always find the topic of differentiation to be interesting since to me it seems inherent and natural.  It is not something that I typically think about when I do teach other people, whether that be my staff, my Scouts or my athletes.  In order to keep anyone's interest, I present information in different ways.  With my staff, I may delegate a project with minimal instruction but give them an example to follow.  For other projects, I may set up a meeting where face-to-face discussion makes more sense so I can read their body language and give them the opportunity to ask questions immediately.  Finally for other projects, it may require a whiteboard where we can use visual diagrams like "T" accounts and journal entries or math calculations.  This mixes things up for me but also my staff so it is not always the boss doing the talking and the staff associate taking it in and doing what is needed like a robot.  In certain instances, I may be handing off a...