“Surviving and Thriving in Middle School”
Article by Kiahhn’ Jackson
Description:
We all know how hard it is to survive in middle school. Children between the ages of eleven and fourteen worry about finding friends who will accept them, making sure they dress in what is popular, while still keeping their grades up. When you visit a middle school you can usually tell who has a lot of friends and is very outgoing. That person always looks happy and pleased with their life. Unfortunately, year-by-year, those happy faces are fading and being replaced with tears or sneers.
Many people are trying to help our youth, but our kids in middle school are being left out. Some people help our elementary youth stop problems at the root. Others spend their time in high school, helping teenagers go to college and stay out of jail. Middle schoolers need guidance, also. They need more social capital and there are three easy ways to help them with this need.
1. Teacher Help: Students see teachers for most of their day. Teachers mold our youth as much as the student’s parents. So, our middle school teachers should be well trained in youth interactions. The faculty and staff need to be civil, treating each other with respect. Teachers should show a strong bond and camaraderie with each other. Students are more likely to behave if they know that the leadership in the school is united.
All youth need to be motivated, encouraged, and praised. These three factors keep student’s self confidence healthy. When a child has an idea to improve or change the classroom, try it. When you use ideas from students it makes them feel important.
Teachers need to give their students specific, reachable goals. It is very important that the teachers are sure their students can complete the goals. When completed, the students will be more confident. When students have self confidence they are more likely to interact with other kids and adults who can help them.
2. Kids Help Himself/herself Kids want to be happy, have a lot of friends, and enjoy everything they do. Contrary to what anybody says, no child wants to be anywhere by themselves. But, to fulfill these wants it takes cooperation from the child. There is a long list of things that middle school kids can do to promote social connections in their life.
First, they can participate in middle school age sports that are based through schools, like basketball, flag football, soccer, or track and field. Three of the four listed thrive on teamwork and the last promotes student interaction. A child does not have to be a pro to try out for a sport. Beginners are welcome!
Away from school there are many sports leagues they can play in. Clubs are another excellent extracurricular activity. They provide kids with friendship-making opportunities and adult connections. There are plenty of clubs, in school and out of school.
There are also many sports and activities that don’t require a team, for example equestrian, chess, BMX, painting, drawing, and music. All of these things however, do encourage interactions and relationship making.
Engaging in art is a wonderful way for kids in middle school to make good relationships and connections with other youth and adults who share their same interest. Kids can paint, draw, act, dance, or get involved with music. All these are fun and help better children’s cultural lives. In middle school, kids have reached the age where they can make a few decisions that will affect the rest of their life. Getting involved in extracurricular activities is a decision all kids need to make.
3. The Climate The better the climate in a middle school, the more social capital the students will have. Also, the better the school climate and the more social capital in a kids life, the less likely they are to be involved in delinquent behavior. Good school climate promotes academic success.
The bottom line is, a kid’s life can be greatly improved with many positive connections, or more social capital. All aspects all their life will improve, from grades to personality. Middle school kids need to start taking initiative for their lives, but they still need help from adults.
Funding for Academic Year: 2004