Essential Adolescent Needs

The elementary experience in a progressive school is never more vital than when students reach the culminating years 5-8.  This is an amazing period of growth and development punctuated by what is important to these learners developmentally:

Relationship: To connect with others.

Autonomy: To be independent.

Competence: To do well in school, and to feel like a worthwhile, significant person.

Engagment: To have a good time and to feel learning is fun.

Fifth to Eighth grade years are a period of dynamic physical change in the life of a student. They are also the threshold to a greater capacity to think conceptually, which is indelibly linked to an abundant curiosity about life, the world, and peers. Students are preoccupied with ‘the self’ and wrestling with self-doubt.  Students at this stage of their development are more connected to what is happening ‘out there’ than at home but also critically need familial support. It is crucial that the learning environment encompass the academic and social needs of these learners. Teaching the whole child remains essential to academic growth.  Learning is enhanced by social and emotional realities.  Active and interactive learning needs to be relevant to student interests and needs.

In their classes, students get to know each other, have the chance to do meaningful work, and to share and to reflect on that work afterwards. Students ask and answer open-ended questions. Students regularly help to design and to make choices in their work. There is a balance between teacher-orchestrated lessons and independent and group work on skills and projects. This strategy results in a rigorous work day designed to optimize opportunities for growth and success.

In their social interactions at school, these students are exploring new freedoms. It is important that the school environment creates space for mistakes as a natural and healthy part of learning. Mistakes are an intentional part of our learning curve and should be navigated in a respectful way that teaches children from 'their' place of experience. The aim is to clarify what is expected, provide a chance to repair, safeguard safety and relationship, practice new habits, and nurture the integrity of the mistake maker.

When these essential components of what a fifth to eighth grader needs are woven into their daily school experience, middle school students have the opportunity to thrive.