developmentally responsive middle school

Developmentally

Responsive Middle

School

New Hope Middle School

By: Molly McRorie, Erin Layton, and Heather McNeil

New Hope Middle School

Our Philosophy

Recognizing the unique needs of a middle school learner, the New Hope Middle School community is committed to promoting a program that offers a balance between academic achievement and the social-emotional development of all of our students; one which strives to inspire and empower our students to become respectful, responsible lifelong learners in the 21st century.

H ands-on

O pportunities

P romoting

E ducation

Why Middle School (6-8)?

Young adolescents undergo many physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes that heavily impacts their learning.

Placing 6th graders with 7th and 8th graders will facilitate positive learning experiences and nurture their growth.

Important to have a school that places major emphasis on 10 to 14 year olds’ developmental and instructional needs and

Bridges the gap between elementary and high school.

Teaming

6TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 3 teachers each Navigators Explorers

7TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 3 teachers each Voyagers Challengers

8TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 4 teachers each Titans Warriors

• Teaming builds a strong learning community with its sense of family and helps students feel safe and supported

• Effective teams lead to improved student achievement and positive student attitudes

Block Scheduling

Large blocks of class time allows for more valuable and enriched teaching time

Teachers are able to conduct valuable learning experiences, such as field trips, debates, mock trials, science experiments, etc.

Students can be provided with remedial support or participate in enrichment activities

More time to develop student/teacher relationships

“Chat Time” Mediators

Connects students to a caring and involved adult in the school

Connects them to a group of their peers in a more personal manner

Teaches them necessary skills for their success in school and in the community

The presence of an adult advocate who is personally connected to the student helps each individual student academically, emotionally, and socially.

Advisory Topics/Activities

Citizenship OrganizationStudy skillsCurrent eventsPeer

relationships/Friendships

Drugs/AlcoholDecision-makingGoal settingCommunity service

Clean up trash around school (community service)

Role Playing (decision making/ drugs & alcohol)

Journal writing/sharing voluntary

Debates (current events)

Support Personnel

Speech Therapist

ESL Teacher

School Secretary

Librarian

Media/Technology Specialist

Parents and Community

Teachers!

Principal

Assistant Principal(s)

Guidance Counselor

School Psychologist

Special Education Teacher

Resource Officer

School Nurse

Total School Curriculum

“Successful middle schools for young adolescents provide curriculum that is relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory.” (TWB)

Units are organized around a theme and ask essential questions which are relevant to students’ lives

Stretches students to new levels of learning and contains personal meaning

Studies important and worthwhile issues in-depth

Helps students make sense of their lives and the world around them

Exploratory classes reflect the needs of young adolescents and provides them with choice and discovery, as well as prepares them for adult life and job opportunities.

Core Curriculum

Core Subjects: Language Arts/Reading Social Studies Math Science

These core classes are aligned with the Standard Course of Study

Curriculum for the 21 st Century

Integrated, blended, and inter-disciplinary

Non-Core Curriculum

Advisory

Exploratory Classes

Clubs

Sports

Intramurals

Yearbook

Debate

Newspaper

Band

Art

Chorus

Health/PE

Foreign Language Courses

Instructional Strategies

Differentiated Instruction

Interactive lessons

Mini lectures

Discussion

Demonstration

Model problem solving

Technology

Projects

Inquiry Based Learning

Grouping Practices

Students will be placed in teams randomly

They will not be placed in classes by academic abilities or disabilities

Focus is on multiple forms of intelligences

Many instructional arrangements are used

Students are encouraged to work in groups, helping each other if needed.

Exceptional Learners

AIG/Gifted Students Independent Study

Projects Odyssey Of The Mind Science/Math Club After school programs

ELL/ESL Student Rosetta Stone Bilingual Programs ESL Teacher who works

closely with the students

Learning Disabled

Special Education teacher works along side the classroom teacher

IEPs Accommodations for all

students based on their abilities

Assistive Technology

Deaf and Blind Students Speech Access Software Braille books Qualified ASL teacher

Family & Community Relationships

“Research studies clearly link the involvement of both family and other adults in the community with higher levels of student achievement, improved student behavior, and greater overall support for schools.” (TWB)

Parents should be aware of the physical and emotional changes that adolescent’s go through and be a support system for their child.

Stay involved! Parents should communicate with the teachers regularly and monitor closely their child’s homework and grades.

Go to open house, as well as visit the teacher’s classrooms and participate in any activities/lessons/field trips

Involve themselves in and attend their child’s extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, debates)

Be active in decisions concerning what classes their child is taking (exploratory classes) and any extra curricular activities they wish to take part in.

Family & Community Relationships

Help create, initiate, and run fundraisers

Participate in PTA

Local businesses can form business partnerships with the school in order to support them (pizza donation, field trip tours)

Participate in school “spruce up” days

Donate materials to aide school

Be translators to help

language minority families communicate with teachers and school

Sponsor clubs and special events (dances, field trips)

Assist in the school office or library

Tutor/mentor students

Community can offer after-school programs