The Whole Child
NFMS
Middle School Age Students
Our population includes ages 10 through 14, that is quite the age span, for one school level. The middle school years are some of the toughest school years and mostly because our whole child is asked to perform academically while growing into their young adult selves. There is so much involved evolving into an autonomous tween/teen. So much comes at a middle school student, and so much is asked of a middle school student and many times it is before they are emotionally or developmentally ready.
10 and 11 years of age
The transition from an elementary school into a middle school is daunting to most 5th grade students. They are asked to go from a close-nit two person team to a school where they could have up to six different teachers a day and move to just as many places in the building. They are expected to know what to bring to each different class, do not only homework but daily studying and reading. It is definitely the big kid world. We need to keep in mind, that not all our kids are ready to be big kids at ages 10 and 11.
11 and 12 years of age
This is the year of puberty for most of our middle school students. This is just the beginning of many body changes and the evolving of their personal biology. None of this makes sense to them, and that comes along with mixed up feelings, moodiness, being withdrawn, being outspoken, trying out sarcasm, feeling "blue," etc. All these roller coaster emotions make it difficult to concentrate, focus and make the best choices. Academics, many times takes a low rank on the priority list for must of our tweens. Sometimes as adults, we need to keep in mind that this is the year of many mistakes, forgiveness, maturity growth, and personal moral realizations. Some of us as adults, work in and out of this stage- as adults. Imagine a 12 year old trying to naviagate this unknown.
13 and 14
Many of our students are starting to mature and show their readiness to take on more independence, initiatives and interest in their education. Talk of high school brings talk of college or other after high school possibilities. This may create excitement, enthusiasm and maybe even some motivation for our students. But as a middle school educator we also have to remember that while others are excited about high school and beyond, there are some students just getting used to middle school and are now anxious that more will be asked of them soon.