msphilosophyppt dsw

8/8/2019 MSphilosophyPPt DSW

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Exploring the Middle School Philosophy

A layered approach to meeting

the developmental needs of

middle level learners

Deb White

KSP 607 - Fall 2008


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Coherent,SharedVision

Student's

DevelopmentalNeeds

Components of the Middle School Philosophy

All members of the school

community are committed

to a coherent, shared

vision.


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SchoolCulture

Student'sDevelopmental

Needs


School Culture is how we

create a learningenvironment that

supports the academic

performance, personal

development, and social

growth of middle level

students.


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices

Student's

DevelopmentalNeeds


School Practices are

what we do.


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices


Needs


The Students

Developmental Needs

are central!


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Student Development is Complex

Actors:

Student

Other Students

Teachers

(Advisors)

Families

Administrators

Other School Staff

and Specialists

Local Community

Global Community

Interactions

among thesecontribute to

the development

of each student as

a learner and

person.

Ecological Factors

Individual

Characteristics


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices


Needs


The Students

Developmental Needs

are central!


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Middle School Philosophy:

Developmental needs of the learner

Physical

Cognitive

Social and Emotional


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Physical Development

Rapid, intense, and sometimes painful growth spurts

Physical features develop at uneven rates

Hormonal changes; secondary sex characteristics

Awkward; balance and coordination are affected

Frequently hungry and thirsty

Often energetic


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Physical DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

Regular physical activity (non-competitive)

Good nutrition and hydration are essential.

Opportunities to learn about physical changes,

including sex education

Environment in which respect for differences is

reinforced; no tolerance for harassment

Knowledgeable, understanding adults


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Cognitive Development

Increasing capacity for abstract and complex thought

Problem-solving and reasoning skills are developing

Growing ability to reflect upon ones thought

processes (metacognition) and actions


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Cognitive DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

implements an interesting, integrative, challenging , and exploratory

curriculum that is relevant to students lives. provides numerous opportunities and support for students to:

Stretch themselves cognitively with unfamiliar ideas or tasks.

Transition from mastering concrete information to exploring

abstract concepts.

Practice new organizational, processing, and communication skills.

Reflect upon their thoughts and work; use reflections and feedback

to revise and improve products.

Middle school students will benefit

when their school or teacher:


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Social and Emotional Development

Emerging awareness of others

Heightened sense of fairness

Social consciousness

Need to explore personal identities Sudden, intense emotions


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Social and Emotional DevelopmentSuggestions for Middle Schools

Encourage students to explore new identity

roles in healthy ways.

Facilitate increased self-knowledge and resilience

characteristics.

Help students learn how to evaluate behavioral options

and anticipate consequences before making decisions.

Reinforce and model respect, empathy, and compassiontoward others.

Teach students how to understand and effectively cope

with their emotions.

An effective middle school will:


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices

Student's

DevelopmentalNeeds

Middle School Philosophy: School Practices

School Practices are

what we do.


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School Practices

Active learning Students are personally

involved and motivated to seek out challenges.

Multiple learning and teaching approaches

that engage all students in a variety of ways.

Assessment and evaluation are integrated with

planning and instruction

Guidance and support through an advisorysystem and community partnerships

Organizational structure Small, stable

learning communities and/or advisory groups


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School Practices

Not an la carte menu!

Must be used consciously.

Must be comprehensively integrated.


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices

Student's

DevelopmentalNeeds

Middle School Philosophy: School Culture

School Culture refers

to prevalent values,

attitudes, and

expectations.


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School Culture

High expectations for students and educators effort, behavior, products,individual growth, and collective progress

Knowledgeable educators trained, enthusiastic, energetic, committed

A safe environment

Health, wellness, and safety

Courageous, collaborative leadership

Shared vision focused on

fostering the growthof students as

learners and people


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SchoolCulture

SchoolPractices

Student's

DevelopmentalNeeds

The Unifying Element of the Middle School Philosophy

All members of the school

community are committed

to a coherent, shared

vision.

How do we define ourlearning community to

guide school culture and

practices in order to meet

the needs of middle grade

students?


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Whats yourrole?

Students: active participants in their own education

Advisor/teacher: adult advocate for individual students;

prepared and creative collaborator

Parents: active participants in the learning community; support

the schools vision at home

Administrators: collaborative planning time and resources for

teachers; time and support for advisory group activities

Staff and Resource Professionals: team with teachers/advisors

to apply their expertise


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Middle School Philosophy - Summary

Developmental Needs of the Studentand Recommendations:

Physical

Cognitive

Social and Emotional

School Practices

School Culture

Coherent, Shared Vision

Your role(s)


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