Characteristics of Middle School Students

Five characteristics of middle school students that I have seen throughout my module experience are that students are very sensitive to criticism, desire adult identity and acceptance while needing acceptance from peer group intensity, like active learning with peers, desire to learn things they consider useful, and become anxious and disoriented if separated from peer group. As a teacher I gave lots of positive feedback and if I gave specific feedback I made sure to give positive both before and after the specific feedback. That way the student wouldn't get to sensitive to the criticism. I also treated them with respect like adults would and allow them to be with their friends during activities as long as they weren't being disruptive. I also relate every activity to other every day activities they use in life so they find the things they are learning useful. By letting them stay with their friends and peers they won't feel disoriented. Once you have targeted the characteristics of your students it is important to use these to your advantage. You can use them to your advantage by planning ahead in activities and making sure you take their characteristics into consideration. These characteristics differ between the three grade levels. There is a huge difference between a sixth grade class and an eighth grade class. Sixth grades I find to be more attentive and the boys and girls aren't as separated yet. Students will develop at different rates so these three years are usually when they will develop. Some will mature much faster. I noticed a difference between my sixth grade class and seventh grade class. Seventh graders were much more efficient with sports while sixth graders were a little more akward.