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Middle School Teachers Chatboard

I am going to be a middle school teacher!

by Jennifer

Jul 8, 2013

I am currently getting my degree for middle school education and I start my fieldwork in August of 2013. Does anyone have any advice for me? Anything to help me along would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little nervous. :)

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Bill T (now retired) First, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but...See MoreFirst, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but my stints in 3rd and 4th grade were unqualified catastrophes - it takes a special person to deal with that all day long, just as it takes a person with special skills to deal with middle schoolers.

But enough about me...

*** don't, I say again, DON'T listen to the naysayers, the ones who tell you "horror stories" about the things these "hormonal" miscreants do. I won't tell you that you won't have challenges. You already know that, but "war" stories are usually exaggerated to enhance the reputation and credibility of the authors.

*** as someone has already suggested, develop a decent sense of humor. A caution here. That doesn't mean act "silly" as the students sometimes do. The key, here, is to not take every word, every action as a personal affront.

*** No disrespect intended to other posters, but don't place too much in the words of published "experts," like Kohn and Wong. Sure, they're published authors, big names in the education world, but such have not been in a middle school classroom since Jesus was in swaddling clothes. Education has morphed in a big way in the past few years. Oftentimes, these "experts" are writing for situations that no longer apply.

*** hopefully they will appoint you a "mentor," teacher to help see you through your early years, but another caution....sometimes those mentors fall into the same category as the "experts" I mentioned above. I say sometimes. That is not usually the case, but just be cautious.

*** consistency and flexibility have already been mentioned. Without both, you won't do well in middle school

*** stay out of the "teachers lounge" It can be a den of inequity and frequently a site for massive pity parties. you're there for the kids, not for the politics and the drama

*** the kids will know, almost immediately, if you like and want to be with them. There's no fooling them. By this I do NOT advocate you being their "friend." Others have already told you that and they are correct. But neither should you be their adversary. You don't need to be in order to gain their respect. Indeed, being abrasive and overbearing is a very good way to gain their enmity. Respect IS earned, as has already been said.

Jul 20, 2013

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Beth Special Needs I have not taught middle school in a LONG time and I am sure much has changed, but one thing I remember as important is to listen well. They have a strong sense of justice and want to heard. I also remember getting parents involved is much harder at this level than it is in elementary school, but every bit as important. Anything you can do toward t...See More

Aug 17, 2013

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Differences between high school and middle school

by Chem Teach

Jul 21, 2013

I have an offer from a high school, but it's not an ideal position or school. I also am supposed to hear about a job at a really good middle school. I have never taught middle school, as I have six years of experience at the high school level. I was wondering if there was anyone who has taught both and what some of the differences are. I have an id...See More

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Scott head On 7/21/13, Chem Teach wrote: > I have an offer from a high school, but it's not an ideal > position or school. I also am supposed to hear about a job > at a really good middle school. I have never taught middle > school, as I have six years of experience at the high > school level. I was wondering if there was anyone who has > ta...See More

Jul 25, 2013

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L Stone Well, I have taught both. I loved the fact that my high schoolers were LESS guarded than my middles. I loved the subject matter at the HS level more (literature). Middle schoolers were ALL classroom management, all the time! They would talk if I even stopped to breathe between sentences! I could easily get HSers to work independently or in groups w...See More

Aug 27, 2013

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Middle school Teaching Resources

by Ryan

Aug 1, 2013

I've created a number of engaging teaching resources that are posted at this link. The resources cover a variety of curriculum areas and allow students to show what they've learned in different ways. Check them out! See if there is anything that you can use. Please feel free to share your feedback. Enjoy!

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Link not posted. nfm On 8/01/13, Ryan wrote:

> I've created a number of engaging teaching resources that

> are posted at this link. The resources cover a variety of

> curriculum areas and allow students to show what they've

> learned in different ways. Check them out! See if there is

> anything that you can u...See More

Aug 4, 2013

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Weight Bias: The Bulls-eye of Bullying

by Dr. Brad Johnson in Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 8, 2013

Click below to read the article, Weight Bias: The Bulls-eye of Bullying. Be sure to share this important link!

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Survey for Common Core (for academic thesis)

by Mike M.

Aug 13, 2013

Hello teachers! My name is Mike M. and I am a student at Brigham Young University. I am working on my capstone thesis on the Common Core, and I was hoping that I could obtain your opinions about it. I have created a very short survey regarding a few aspects that I am investigating. If you have just a minute or two, could you provide your experience...See More

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t On 8/13/13, Mike M. wrote: > Hello teachers! My name is Mike M. and I am a student at > Brigham Young University. I am working on my capstone > thesis on the Common Core, and I was hoping that I could > obtain your opinions about it. I have created a very short > survey regarding a few aspects that I am investigating. If > you hav...See More

Aug 13, 2013

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Subbing first week-looking for a good site(s)

by paloma

Aug 14, 2013

Hello all. Can anyone direct me to a safe and educational site that I could use for filler time? I will be subbing the very first week of a technology class (grades 6 and 7). Plans look fairly thorough, but I would like to be armed with something of a "filler" in the event of downtime. Maybe a site or sites where they can basically sort of "play" q...See More

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Student Organization issues

by Sandra

Aug 15, 2013

I have a middle school student who has problems with organization. She had this problem last year, so I would like to help her start the year off with some organization skills that will help her. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

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