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Excellent middle schools
focus on the intellectual, social, emotional, moral, and physical developmental
needs of learners. This is critical due to rapid physical growth, changes in
moral reasoning, the onset of abstract thinking, and social pressures. At the
same time students begin to form their self-concept, acquiring social skills,
gain autonomy, and develop character and values.
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A core of teachers should be assigned to the same group of
students. Ideally, students are heterogeneously grouped. In this arrangement
teachers are better equipped to meet the needs of all learners. Small groups
of students are assigned to staff members for a regularly scheduled meeting
(i.e., advisory). The purpose is to development close, trusting relationships
between students and adults and to increase engagement with learning and
feelings of positive self-esteem and belonging. Instruction should address students’ own questions and focus on real
life issues. Accommodations should be made for individual differences and
students should engage in problem solving. Exploratory programs expose
students to a range of academic, vocational, and recreational subjects for
career options, community service, enrichment, and enjoyment. Transition
programs should be present to ensure a smooth change of schools.
REFERENCE
Exemplary Middle Schools. (1996) Retrieved November 28,
2005 from http://www.nmsa.org/
Research/ResearchSummaries/Summary4/tabid/256/Default.aspx
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