Middle School Goals... Much more than Academic

I think one of the most important learning goals for middle level students is for them to learn to accept themselves for who they are.  Middle schoolers are searching their own thoughts and ideas, as well as others to figure out who they are.  For the first time in their lives they are beginning to see that they don’t have to think what mom and dad think- they can think for themselves.  It is a scary time for them as a result.  They are also going through a trying time physically and emotionally.  Hormones are raging and nothing seems to fit the way that it used to when they were younger.  The sooner they see that it is ok to be themselves and be different, the sooner they will see what truly matters in their lives.

Another goal that I believe Middle school students should have is to learn to become organized.  Organization is a part of becoming an adult, which is stated in the text, “In the Middle.”  Nancie Atwell makes strong convictions that being in middle school is a small step into adulthood.  It is our job as teachers to help them through this rough time and show them what they need to know, and how to succeed during the rest of their lives.

In the middle school level, most foundational skills have been implemented.  There are more occasions than one would think where they are not there.  However, this allows for further understanding of the material and to also focus more on developing more as a whole person.  In the elementary classroom the emphasis is more on learning the foundational skills that are needed for the rest of their time in school.  Middle school is about diving into new water and becoming a new person, an individual.