Week 5 chapter 8
Talking
about adolescence is tricky to discuss its stated as “a time of life marked by
transitions” (pg.186). This chapter
discuses all the types of changes an adolescent goes through; the physical
changes to the mental. It also brings up
the struggles they face with each of these changes.
This
chapter is all about change. “Adolescence is a complex process of growth and
change. Because biological and social changes are often the focus of attention,
changes in the young adolescents ability to think may go unnoticed.( LifeSmart
pf 191.) This rings true because of everything they deal with. . The students are developing physically via
puberty and these new changes make them feel emotionally different because it
makes them feel like they are always on center stage with everyone judging
those around them. I remember in one of
my classes in Wisconsin the professor had stated this is the roughest time to
teach the students because they have no idea what they are doing, or what they
actually want, or what they are doing, because of so many things going on for
them. I did not really understand until I simply just sat with the students and
talked with them working on the same projects they were.
The chapter discuses each thing that is going on
in their lives that they would discuss. Their lives, identities, and even
things they or their peers were dealing with.
It was honestly one of the most exhausting experiences. It was exhausting because of the sheer amount
of work they were given but also the different things they were dealing with
outside of their education. This was
part of a study I read in that class stating that a teacher wanted to experience
a student’s week and see what went on in the life of a student I did it for
significantly less than the professor did. I also did it at about a quarter of
their age and was mentally and physically exhausted by the end of the day. The students have a lot to deal with and it’s
a big stressor with their physical changes going on.
I actually used the same quote from the Life Smart book about adolescents. I agree that middle school students are the most difficult to teach in my opinion. Middle schoolers are have physical and emotional changes while trying to keep friends. In this time period most of the petty things that us as adults realize are the most important to middle schoolers. In the grand scheme of things most of the things that mean the most to these children will not matter in over 2 years of time. All of these changes can enhance their stressors if their support system at home isn't there. As teachers we need to try and find out as much as possible about at home life so we can better handle them in the classroom. Some students may need more/less attention than others based on this information. Learning this key biological information will help middle school teachers handle with these changes going on within the students.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said rings so true at the epicenter of adolescents, "The students are developing physically via puberty and these new changes make them feel emotionally different because it makes them feel like they are always on center stage with everyone judging those around them." There is a psych term called egocentrism that explains this. It is also referred to as the spotlight effect. This stage of development is hard enough without feeling the whole world is watching you as well.
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't even make the connection until I read your blog that adolescence or middle school students are the most difficult to teach. It makes so much more sense now that Ive read the chapter and the struggles that children at this age face. Eriksons Identity theory says it all. They really dont know exactly who they are and everything they are experiencing and learning is almost an overload of information in hopes of trying to figure who they are. Children's identities are ever-changing and will be until they have a strong foundation of beliefs.
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