We held our mid-year awards ceremony for seventh graders today. We had originally planned to have a soloist sing to open our assembly but there turned out to be a scheduling conflict. I knew I could jump right into just presenting the awards but felt I needed to use the time in a better way to speak with our students. What follows is an excerpt from what was shared today:
"If you ask our Middle School teachers which grade is sometimes more difficult than most, many would say 7th grade. It’s not the students that make it difficult. Let me say that again. It’s not the students that make it difficult. It’s everything that happens at this age that makes it difficult.
There are specific characteristics that apply to 7th graders. How many of our 7th graders are 12? Raise your hand. Ok, let’s listen to see if you can relate to any of these. 12 years olds have loads energy, can be moody at times, feel friendships are very important, sometimes complain to parents about wanting more independence, and feel unique and misunderstood at times. 12 year olds learn best when learning is active and hands-on.
Ok where are our 13 year olds? Raise your hands. Let’s see if these apply to some of you. Things get tougher for 13 year olds. Sometimes, at this age, you begin to worry about your physical appearance and you want to have more independence. You’re still a bit moody sometimes. There are more peer conflicts but you’ll search for peers you can trust through these conflicts. You still care about what your parents think even though sometimes you won’t understand what they are trying to tell you.
When we talk with our 12 year olds and 13 year olds in a one on one situation, we are always struck by their honesty. These kids tell it like it is. We have great kids in our school. We all make mistakes but middle school is the time to make those mistakes. This is where we want students to make their mistakes so that we can help them learn from them before moving onto high school.
Earlier today, I asked Mrs. Bardin (ELA teacher) to share a poem with her ELA classes that I think speaks to what many of us, as teachers, principal, family members, and parents would tell our 7th graders.
The Voice by Shel Silverstein
Ok seventh graders, I’ve talked for long enough so here is the main idea or "gist" as Mrs. Bardin would say. Your families, parents, teachers and even school community are here to listen to your voice and help you if you need it. We all believe in you and we are proud of you."
I was talking after the assembly with one of our teachers who is also the mom of a seventh grader. It's tough. Let me say THAT again! It is tough raising an adolescent! The changes students go through are, in many ways, a metamorphosis. A beautiful metamorphosis.
"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." - Unknown
Reference: "GCISD - Curriculum Guides and Developmental Characteristics." 2002. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. 7 Dec. 2007 via http://www.glendale.k12.wi.us/7_char.aspx
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