This We Believe pgs 1-7

Middle School education is perhaps more pivotal than both elementary and high school education. This is the period in the lives of young adolescents when they undergo rapid physical, mental, and emotional changes. This is also the time when they develop the morals and values that will stay with them throughout their adult lives. In light of all these facts about students of this particular age, educators of these students should be trained specifically to help nurture that growth. No student will be exactly at the same level of development as their peers. Understanding all these facts is important to effectively meet the needs of every single student. Seeing students as individuals with different learning needs and back grounds should always be a focus in education but especially with this age group. A sense of community including teachers, peers, and parents within the school can go a long way leading and shaping students to be functioning members of society.

Pages 9-19

The culture of a school is important in determining the ability of a school to achieve its goals. This section talks about different aspects that would help cultivate a climate in which middle school students could learn the best way possible according to current research. The first step listed is having adults and teachers in positions of leadership that have been trained for this age group and are grounded in the philosophy of the school. This makes sense because the leaders will direct the progress of the school and keeping the goals in mind are important. A safe environment, both physically and emotionally, is important for budding adolescents to risk the effort to try and really learn. The last major point of emphasis is the need for every child to have an adult advocate. The transition from complete support to self sufficiency required at the high school level happens in middle school. A balance of independence and of assistance is critical. The first section of the book stated how important middle school education is. This section states the environment or culture a school would require to make that quality of education occur.

Pages 19-34
Curriculum is basically the only reason why students are forced to come to school, to learn something. Middle school curriculum should be relevant, challenging, integrative, exploratory, and prepare students for the 21st century. However there is the underlying curriculum that affects what students really learn. It’s hidden because it consists of social interactions between students and students and the teacher. Skilled teachers will harness the power of the hidden curriculum and use it to further the lesson. Technology, meaningful assessment, and constructive teacher/student relationships all assist in the learning process. It is also important to keep the students’ health, mental and physical in mind. All of these things factor in to make a middle school successful. That success is measured by the students’ learning.

Pages 35-51

Basically what the last part of the book was divided into three sections: a call to action to implement the philosophy of the essay, different ways the reader could change the middle school they are involved in depending on their role, and a break down of the changes and attitudes of adolescents. I found this particularly helpful because it is one thing to discuss the ‘beliefs’ outlined in the essay but it is another to put those beliefs in action. This book really wants the ideas in the book out and being used in the schools. The book has always put the students first and how to best serve them. I think that is a very important part of teaching to always keep in mind.