Key Middle School Instruction Components

Brain-based Learning
Brain-based learning relates to the learning needs of young adolescents by providing empirical research and physiological evidence that relates to the education of middle school students. It assists teachers with the utilization of a variety of strategies to engage various aspects of the students’ brains. Brain-based learning engages the complete physiology of the brain, addressing the fact that learning can be either facilitated or inhibited by factors such as nourishment, neuron synthesis and growth, and external factors such as stress, challenges, excitement, etc. Brain-based learning hypothesizes that neuron synthesis can be affected by school experiences, and events. It has several implications for educators. For example, educators can teach students about proper nutrition, stress management, and exercise. Also, a stable and familiar learning environment is conducive to healthy brain activity and learning. Overall, brain-based learning equates a healthy brain with lifelong learning experiences, which can be fostered through a holistic curriculum within the school system. Once per week, the homeroom teacher will incorporate “healthy brain” mini lessons as an instructional strategy to promote brain-based learning.

Constructivism
Constructivism postulates that knowledge, meaning, and learning is generated through active experience. When one reflects upon their experiences, they “construct” their own understanding of the world around them. This is based upon the premise that humans create their own mental models which help to facilitate understanding, thus causing humans to adjust their mental models to accommodate new experiences. Constructivism is extremely useful in the adolescent classroom. When middle school students actively participate in their learning experiences, they gain a greater sense of knowledge and responsibility of the material that is being learned. It helps students to think critically, and take responsibility for their education. Also, it helps with their social maturation, as constructivism, as opposed to direct instruction, actively involves the student with the class as a whole. Constructivism will be utilized as an instructional strategy within the school by teacher promotion of group based learning and constructive peer feedback. Constructivism begets active problem-solving skills, which facilitate knowledge in middle school students and young adolescents. The knowledge gained from constructive instruction will follow the students throughout their life endeavors.

Socialization
Socialization is an important process in young adolescents, because it facilitates positive and beneficial inter-peer relationships, which carry forward throughout life. It is crucial to develop adequate socialization skills as a young adolescent, and to learn the skills, values, thought processes, and behavioral patterns within our culture. This insures positive behavioral interactions among human beings. Socialization is essential for the development of a cohort of middle school students, and for the development of a society as a whole. It insures that the collective culture of society will be followed through by future generations. School is among the top key factors in facilitating socialization, and it is essential to nourish good social skills, especially when young adolescents are undergoing so many physical, mental, and emotional changes. Socialization benefits the learning needs of young adolescents because it can effectuate learning if the student is socialized properly, as opposed to being disturbed by social distractions.

Essential Outcomes
Essential outcomes are extremely important in meeting the needs of young adolescents because they create a standard to uphold, that will provide equal education opportunity to all students. By having essential outcomes in place, students know what to expect, and teachers have a guideline to follow to assist them with their delivery of knowledge. Essential outcomes provide a universal standard for all students, and a framework to guide student learning cumulatively throughout their studies.

Diversity
Diversity is an important aspect of adolescent learning. It is crucial to understand one’s background to maximize that particular individual’s learning experiences, and to assist with their growth as a student and individual. In today’s society, schools are observing an increase in the diverse backgrounds of their students. It is important to understand where these students are coming from in order to know how to help them to further their education. Learning is not as important in some cultures as in others, and gender roles and enculturation factor in to the prioritization of learning across each culture spectrum. Diversity can also enrich the learning experiences of students outside of each individual culture, and can assist with cultural sensitization and empathy toward people with different backgrounds, which are important skills for adolescents to learn as they journey throughout life.