Middle School Student Insights

At a recent meeting with middle school teachers talking to parents who will have children in middle school next fall, I was impressed when one of the teachers quoted a middle school student; "Middle school is like a soap opera and you are either in it or watching." How insightful.

It reminded me of an article I wrote. Click over to "On Middle School Children and Their Parents" to see if it, too, provides some insight.

You also might want to read "Teenagers Are Wired For Peer Approval, Study Says" in Education Week.

Every Child Needs a Champion

Hear what Rita Pierson has to say about human connection.

She's so right when she says "Teaching and learning should bring joy."

Far From the Tree

The other night I had the opportunity to hear Andrew Solomon speak about his book, Far From the Tree. He was most impressive. The fact that the book is based on over 300 interviews and took him 11 years to write is impressive enough, but it is the many beautiful people he writes about that will capture you. Here is the book trailer. View it and see what I mean.

2 Sides 2 Bullying

Having spent much of my career in middle school education, I am especially sensitive to how middle schoolers treat one another. Sometimes when the obvious grace and courtesy you hope will prevail are lacking, an inner thoughtfulness takes over and kids do take care of each other. See what I mean when you read my recently published "Stepping Up: A Short Story" in Independent Teacher magazine.

Summer 2013 Professional Reading List

Thinking about your summer reading?

Each year our Professional Development Committee selects the summer reading for our faculty and staff. The school buys the book of choice — eBook or print version — for each faculty or staff member. When we return in September, we divide into book groups for discussion.

Here are this year's selections:

Whistling Vivaldi - Claude M. Steele
Punished by Rewards - Alfie Kohn
Packaging Boyhood: Saving Our Sons from Superheroes, Slackers, and Other Media Stereotypes - Sharon Lamb & Lyn Mikel Brown
Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes - Sharon Lamb & Lyn Mikel Brown
Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can't Stop Talking - Susan Cain
Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential - Peg Dawson & Richard Guare