Wait, that wasn't yesterday?

Gotta say, it's pretty weird learning about how to teach a middle school student! I mean, I was JUST there! I wish I could have given my old teachers some of the articles we've looked at so far. I did actually sent my dad, who is the middle school and high school librarian, the two Surrealist game articles, telling him that he should scatter them about the teachers room and even just play them at home with my youngest brother and my mom!

I feel that most teachers get stuck in a very repetitive loop.

They give the same monotonous spiel year after year without change.

All they do is provide information that the students will be tested on in the future. They forget that these students have other needs. Other interestes. Other things going on. In 'A Middle School Curriculum' James Bean points out that teachers often separate the skills from the main focus. But that "misrepresents the reality of life." They won't be able to apply them when needed if they are taught separately.

Also, that 'middle schoolers' is not all that they are. That was important to say. I find myself doing that a lot. I see someone that age and think Middle Schooler. And that's it. Not about anything else going on, whether it's brother or swimmer or bike-lover or LEGO-player. We, or at least I know I do, have the tendency to label children that age as a middle schooler. They have a lot going on. They are basically being molded into what they will become. They are conscious of everything around them.

I remember when I was in eighth grade I so badly wanted to fit in with the popular music scene of kids my age, although I totally hated that music. I listened to my dad's old records. The Doors, The Who, Carly Simon, Frank Zappa, Harry Nilsson, and The Dubliners. I loved them. I wanted to listen to Avril Lavigne, System of a Down, Green Day, Usher, and Missy Elliot. So I bought some of their CDs. I hated them. I put up a face and whistled the songs as I unlocked my locker combo, hoping someone would hear and be surprised that I knew that music. Stupid idea. Those CDs didn't last very long either! But this goes to prove, these kids are trying so hard to fit in with their peers and also growing into themselves! I know, I JUST did it!