Week 5's readings focused on the characteristics of culture and community within middle school. It is important for middle schools to have inviting, safe, inclusive and supportive environments so that students are enabled to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally. Another aspect for middle schools to provide their students should be an adult advocate. Every student should be provided with an adult advocate to assist them with the ups and downs in their academic and personal development. This provides the student with individual care and support within the middle school. Besides the adult advocate, guidance counselors should assist students with one-on-one and group sessions to guide them through the upcoming decisions middle school students face in their future. It is important that these school counselors also coordinate the support services, advocates and specialists for the most effective use within the student body.
In my personal educational experience, I haven't really seen such a supportive environment in middle school. However, within my kids middle school, I have noticed a shift in support, especially during the e-learning of this past spring. The middle school staff were each assigned six students that they had a Zoom meeting at the end of the school day. The advocate would check-in on how the work-load was, how the student was feeling and inquire about the student's family. When I asked about this "new" concept, it was explained that the students and families of the school seemed very isolated and the staff had come up with the advocacy plan to help the students through the challenges of e-learning.
I had two children in middle school this past spring and they both utilized this Zoom advocate meeting differently. My middle school son checked-in and out within minutes and my daughter lingered with a few of the students and just chatted for a very long time; she just loved it. They both got out of it something different but they had varying levels of social and emotional needs. I thought it was a great way for the school to connect with the students on a more personal level and not make a heavy obligatory waste of time for the kids who really didn't want that type of support.
The last two characteristics that the readings explained was the importance of family involvement in the student's education as well as the involvement of the community and businesses of the area. In other education classes the importance of family involvement was discussed. The communication of English Language Learner's families and transportation issues of low income students should take special thought and care as communication impediments that must be thoughtfully overcome by the instructor.
The involvement of the community and businesses within the school is interesting and could really be an exciting opportunity for students. There are limitations from the business aspect, but in the best possible world if businesses could open their doors allowing middle and high school students to come and have "hands-on" experiences within the various crafts, building trades, social work, manufacturing, engineering companies, medical, industry, and stores, students would have a more realistic idea of what direction they would like to go in life. Basing life decisions on experiences is a much better tool then taking tests, besides tests are not particularly inspiring or motivating.
Hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading about school and family involvement, I thought of middle school being like the forgotten middle child. They aren't quite the exciting younger child (elementary school) and they aren't the sophisticated oldest child (high school). They are somewhere in-between just trying to get by.
I love your insight on the Zoom meetings during this past Spring. I think that's great! I heard of some schools doing this but not all. We were in such a weird situation and I bet these check-ins were informative for all parties. With the different experiences you saw with your son and daughter, I think that's life. Some are going to take it in some ways and others in a different way. I'm not sure either is right or wrong.
Businesses having a hands-on approach would be awesome! Especially starting with middle schoolers! I didn't even get that experience in high school, but when I went off to college I met a lot of classmates that had programs at their high schools where they got involved within their communities through service-learning projects or with businesses in the community. I think the earlier this can start, the better!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteAt the high school level they have some pretty interesting opportunities for product development. Some allow them to actually create the product, develop a marketing strategy, and compete with other schools. I have seen some pairings with local businesses to create new products and even heard about a combined culinary/business project to create a food truck. Some states already start business courses in the middle grades so maybe this is an area we will see growing in Illinois in the near future.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I thought that you had a great summary of the week's readings. I like what you said about how advisors can help students not only with their academics, but also their personal lives. I think that is a major part of an advisor's role and it can make a big difference in a student's life.
I am sorry that you did not have a great support in middle school - sometimes I feel that middle schools can be like that. I thought that what your kids middle school did was a great idea. I like the concept of having one teacher per 6 students or so. It sounds like it is much more manageable for teachers to keep up with students despite the amount of work they already have. This concept kind of seemed similar to what Trinity did with support staff during our transition too. I like how you included the different perspectives of your children. One liked the zoom meetings and the other was not as fond of it. It reminds me, I babysit two great kids. One is in 3rd grade and another is in 2nd grade. During the e-learning during the spring, I helped them with school. The 2nd grader had daily zoom meetings with his class. He did not seem to enjoy it, the teacher was only talking and the kids always seemed distracted. The kid I watch never wanted to be on camera and I felt he was not really listening. As for the 3rd grader, she never had zoom meetings! It was quite a difference and I wonder what it would have been like if the school set it up like your kids school did.
Overall, I thought that you had a great post with a great summary of what was read and you connected the reading to your personal life. Great post - thanks for sharing!