PHILOSOPHY AND CORNERSTONES
Philosophy of an Effective Middle School
- It is based on the unique needs and characteristics of the young adolescent. These needs encompass physical,
psychological, intellectual, social, moral and ethical needs. The entire program is developed
around these needs. - It is student-centered rather than subject-centred.
- It accepts and respects each student and teacher as an individual of worth and dignity in his or her own
right; it celebrates differences and encourages creativity and freedom of expression in keeping with
ethnic genealogy and background experiences.
In Summary:
The successful middle school program is forward thinking, outcome-based and devoted to excellence in
classroom instruction, student motivation, and the quest for life skills, broad-based learning, and creative thinking.
Middle School Cornerstones
Each “homebase” class is part of a team of two or four classes. There are many advantages to teaming:
- The team shares the same group of students and has the opportunity to really get to know
each student. As a result, monitoring of student progress across all core curriculum areas is
more easily attained. - The team of teachers has a common preparation time where they may share resources and
ideas, prepare units, decide on the best way to use the core instructional time and problem
solve ways to support individual students within the team. - The team may provide consistent standards for student work, discipline and expectations.
Coordination of student assignments is also possible. - The team may plan interdisciplinary units to stimulate student learning.
- Teaming provides students and teachers with a feeling of belonging to a smaller group within
the school that has common goals and whose members are supportive of one another. Each
team works at establishing its own identity within the school.
Comments or suggestions.