not much just chillin’

the hidden lives of middle schoolers

by Linda Perlstein

Andrew HosfeldEDCI 597

the hidden lives of middle schoolers

A Look at the Book’s Contents“not much just chillin” takes the reader on a journey through an

entire school year with 6 middle school students, their families and their teachers.

Prologue … at least they can’t shove me in

Autumn … i can’t believe the day’s almost over

Winter … sometimes i wanna say stuff, but i don’t wanna say stuff

Spring … she’s lost to us

Epilogue … you get good at something and then

you move on

“I was like :-0” Some highlights from “not much just chillin’ “ A look at the theory behind the

development of middle schools vs. jr. high schools

Inside look at thought processes of middle schoolers through real-life situations

Understanding the fears and questions about middle school from a parent’s perspective

How does life outside of school affect school relationships, interactions and performance of both students and teachers

Do’s, Don’ts and practical suggestions for middle school teachers

“not much just chillin” is a must read for middle school teachers, administrators, coaches and even parents.

This book presents an interesting, no nonsense look at the physical and cognitive changes of middle schoolers and how the development of their brains and bodies needs to be considered in lesson development, program development and even the development of school structure .

Because middle school age children experience the most drastic physical and mental growth period since toddlerhood, it is vital that adults involved with these youth have a working knowledge of these vast changes they are experiencing.

Far from a dry, clinical text, “not much just chillin” is an interesting, fast moving read that gives teachers, coaches and administrators a detailed look at the unique needs and wants of middle schoolers and how their often frustrating, self-destructive behaviors and choices can be minimized by a knowledge of preadolescence.

Information is presented from the perspective of parents, experienced teachers and administrators and middle school students .

If I was the teacher…..

What would the ideal teacher be like? According to a group of 8th grade students these are the

most important characteristics of a good teacher.

DON’T PICK FAVORITES DON’T GO TOO SLOW DON’T GO TOO FAST MAKE THINGS INTERESTING MAKE THINGS CHALLENGING BUT NOT TOO HARD DON’T PUNISH EVERYONE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF A FEW KIDS THINK ABOUT AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND EACH KID’S QUESTION DON’T DISREGARD STUDENT’S THOUGHTS AS IRRELEVANT TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND (INTERESTS) WITH STUDENTS

Summing It Up I would definitely recommend Linda Perlstein’s “not much

just chillin, the hidden lives of middle schoolers” I learned about the intense needs of this group of

students and was reminded not to indulge their “leave me alone” attitudes.

I feel this book helped me to understand what underlies the behaviors and choices of middle school students that sometimes seem so contradictory and so self-defeating. This book is a good way to step inside the lives and

thoughts of these young students and a way to understand the social and emotional pressures they feel. Perlstein’s book presents necessary information and

practical suggestions for teachers who want to be effective in building academic success and positive

relationships with their students