August 2010 • Volume 14 • Number 1 • Page 2
Editor's Note
Patricia George, Editor
"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each." —Plato
Sounds to me like Plato had some middle level educator in him. What a spot-on description of what middle level education is all about: discovering what captures the minds and attention of young adolescents and then using that information to guide their learning—all with the understanding that each student is unique.
That may be easier said than done in a classroom where students are constantly interrupting each other, don't respect the teacher or administration, or are mentally distracted by something that's going on at home. All the while, you are trying to tackle the myriad tasks associated with being "in charge" of a classroom, such as taking attendance, collecting papers, answering questions, and, of course, teaching!
Now is the time to get a handle on student behavior by establishing and honing your classroom management skills—and Middle Ground is here to help. This month, we offer best practices for managing classroom behavior, including establishing and communicating expectations, creating a sense of community, getting to know your students beyond the classroom, and letting them get to know you as a person.
You'll no doubt notice a theme running throughout the issue: the importance of establishing positive relationships with students. Every middle grades student needs an advocate, a role model, someone to help navigate the ups and downs of early adolescence.
As Ann Mary Roberts observes in her article about children of drug and alcohol-dependent parents, every student learns a slightly different dance as a way to navigate life. It's up to us to tap into each student's unique beat to discover what Plato called "the peculiar bent of the genius of each."
Best wishes for a successful start to the new school year. Remember to mark your calendar for the 2010 NMSA Annual Conference and Exhibit, November 4–6 in Baltimore, Maryland. Find out more at www.nmsa.org/annual
Copyright © 2010 by National Middle School Association