The AdolescentThe Adolescentoror
“Where has my Baby gone?”“Where has my Baby gone?”
Keys to Understanding Keys to Understanding
The Adolescent & Middle SchoolThe Adolescent & Middle School
byby
CMS CounselingCMS Counseling
CMS Administrators Principal – Cynthia Jackson Assistant Principal – Sedric Childs: 6th
Grade and Instruction Assistant Principal – Yolanda Cromer-
Nunn–CMS Annex 6D Assistant Principal – Gloria Watson: 7th
Grade Assistant Principal – Karen Briggs – 8th
Grade
CMS Support StaffYou are not Alone
Counselors– Bree Winkler – Teams 6A, 6B &7B
– Deborah Lorenz – Team 6D
– Nerida Edwards –Teams 7C, 8A & 8B
– Robert Rice – Teams 7A, 7D & 8C
Graduation Coach – Charles Walker Intervention Specialist – Sally Kellogg Social Worker – Stephanie Ingram School Psychologist – Deborah Bailey
Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolA Time of Many ChangesA Time of Many Changes
New EnvironmentNew Environment Academic RigorAcademic Rigor Transition from play (Elementary) to work Transition from play (Elementary) to work
(high school and beyond)(high school and beyond) Growth ChangesGrowth Changes Social ChangesSocial Changes Emotional StrugglesEmotional Struggles
New EnvironmentNew Environment Larger BuildingLarger Building
Larger Variety of teachers – Larger Variety of teachers – coming coming from backgrounds in Elementary and High from backgrounds in Elementary and High
SchoolSchool
More Students More Students Disruption of Comfort Level – Disruption of Comfort Level – Leadership & Role understanding Leadership & Role understanding
BelongingBelonging
Life DevelopmentLife Development
Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development Intellectual DevelopmentIntellectual Development Social DevelopmentSocial Development Emotional DevelopmentEmotional Development
Physical DevelopmentPhysical DevelopmentCharacteristics & Characteristics & NeedsNeeds
22ndnd Fastest Growth Period Fastest Growth Period Irregular Growth and Maturity Fluctuating Basal Metabolism Ravenous Appetites Body changes are Normal & Ok Allow for Changing Needs Allow for Exercise and Periods of Rest
– Body Clock Adjustments Nutrition is Very Important
Intellectual DevelopmentIntellectual DevelopmentCharacteristics & Characteristics & NeedsNeeds
Egocentric – Egocentric – Its about meIts about me, , meme, , meme Highly Curious about the Real World Prefer Active Learning to Passive Moving from Concrete to Abstract
(Now to Future) Be Available: Set up private time Exposure to real world events and
discussions of real world events Find out how they learn; model learning Organization and guidance is needed
Social DevelopmentSocial DevelopmentCharacteristics & Characteristics & NeedsNeeds
Finding Their Place in Finding Their Place in theirtheir World World Testing the Boundaries/PowerTesting the Boundaries/Power Reacting to EnvironmentReacting to Environment Social ExplorationSocial Exploration Be Available: Encouragement not Praise Set Clear Logical Values-Rules driven Listen to their Fears and concerns
without judgments Know the friends-Space but not too
much!
Emotional DevelopmentEmotional DevelopmentCharacteristics & Characteristics & NeedsNeeds
Searching for Identity and IndependenceSearching for Identity and Independence Moody – Who Me?Moody – Who Me? Behavior IssuesBehavior Issues Self-Esteem - IALACSelf-Esteem - IALAC Help them become independent, but give
them a sense of belonging It’s only part hormones Poor Behavior is not readily apparent Unconditional Love is paramount
Experimenting and Disorders Self Inflicted Violence Eating Disorders ADHD/ADD
– Medical– Constructed
Depression/Suicide Gangs Cyber World Sex all types
What’s a Parent to Do?
Let’s Hear from the Experts
Bree Winkler - Moderator Kimberly Peddrew – Teacher of the Year
– Lang Arts & Social Studies, Depart. Chair S.S.
Kent Hite – Teacher of the Year – Math John Donegan – Teacher of the Year –
Social Studies Lisa Lee – Teacher of the Year – Impact Cagina Noird – Department Chair – Lang
Arts Dr. Denean Smith – New to DeKalb from
Atlanta City Schools - Science
Parenting Ideas (Following Rules)
Set Rules based on your Values and Morales
Punish the behavior (correction not anger) Be Consistent and Loving Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Know the School Rules Teach your Child good decision making
skills
Parenting Ideas (Learn about Their World)
Be actively involved in school You can’t love them too much Be familiar with their friends and hangouts Know about what they read, see, listen and
interact Keep up on the latest drugs and their effects Teach them to be safe
Success in the Middle School Micro-manage Get a Copy of your child’s Syllabi so you can
help them manage their time and prioritize. Agenda—check daily—reward responsibility
and organization Homework—designated time and place;
check daily; establish a plan to get homework to teacher
Schoolnotes.com
Success in Middle School
Studying for quizzes, test, and finals Materials—be prepared
Goals—short and long term Assess child’s learning style Notebook, bookbag and locker checks
The Role Of CounselingThe Role Of Counseling We are Here for Your ChildWe are Here for Your Child
Delivery of ServicesDelivery of Services ProgramsPrograms
CollaborationCollaboration SchedulingScheduling
Academic InformationAcademic Information Social/Emotional InformationSocial/Emotional Information