In other words, if a student breaks a classroom rule, ask him/her to consider how the action impacts the smooth running of the classroom. So what can teachers do to help middle school students bridge this gap? Here are some developmentally-appropriate suggestions.ġ) When a student misbehaves, tell him or her whether the misbehavior broke a societal convention or a moral issue-and then talk about it. So their behavior often falls in a moral gap between the fidelity to the rules they showed as young kids and the more complex moral reasoning they develop in their later teens. They typically won’t make that connection until they’re about 15 or 16. Developmentally, they haven’t yet understood why these rules were developed in the first place: to protect the welfare of other people. All of a sudden, they wake up to the fact that these rules were set by adults and are somewhat arbitrary. Think about it this way: Middle school students have just spent the first 11 or 12 years of their lives following the rules. In that case, the indirect nature of the dilemma doesn’t stimulate their moral instincts, and we can’t count on them to adhere to societal conventions like they did when they were younger. For example, even though they wouldn’t actually pick someone else’s pocket, they’re less inclined than younger kids to return money they find on the street. This means that when their moral decisions have only indirect effects on other people, they become less likely to do the right thing. Once they hit middle school age, however, they become less bound by societal conventions. Research suggests that even through adolescence, kids maintain a strong emotional response to moral issues where the direct effects on another person are clear-they still know it’s wrong to hit other people or pick their pockets, for instance. Nucci and Turiel stress that, when dealing with student misbehavior, teachers need to take both areas into consideration. Children as young as two-and-a-half years old have demonstrated that they understand the difference between moral issues and societal conventions. Societal conventions, on the other hand, focus on norms or rules (e.g., talking in class). Moral issues focus on the effects students’ actions have on the welfare of others (e.g., hitting another child). The answer can be found in research by human development experts Larry Nucci and Elliot Turiel, who have identified two important domains that play a role in the moral development of children: moral issues and societal conventions. But because of where adolescents are developmentally, we need to practice very specific strategies for translating their moral instincts into moral behavior. In fact, research on moral development suggests that middle school is a crucial developmental period for these moral instincts to take root and grow. So what happens to this moral instinct when they reach middle school? Does it just shut down for a while? Not at all. Middle Schoolers meet twice weekly with tightly knit advisory groups-forming friendships, exploring their emerging sense of independent identity, learning about and celebrating the diversity of our community, pulling together to meet challenges, preparing for what’s next, and celebrating this important moment in the journey.From the GGSC to your bookshelf: 30 science-backed tools for well-being. Our students may sing in the choir, be a member of the Diversity Club, compete in lacrosse or tennis, or participate in exciting class trips. Our classrooms are warm and respectful spaces where students learn to manage time and organize tasks, to use technology, to meet and collaborate with each other, and to play an active role in our strong Middle School community.Ī challenging, supportive, and enthusiastically collaborative atmosphere empowers students to seize this moment-to try harder, dare more, and take responsible risks. Our Middle Schoolers build momentum in major subjects like English, math, history, science, and world languages, as they forge new paths into 3D design and woodworking, art, health, music, physical education, religion, and theater. It’s also a vital academic moment, when maturing minds gain the skills, discipline, and confidence they need to take on growing responsibilities and greater challenges. Middle School is a time of discovery and transition-socially and individually, intellectually and emotionally.
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