Education in the Middle Years

Education is the central work of the Middle Years.  The school years we will look at are generally known as Middle School, ranging from fifth or sixth grade through eighth or ninth grade.

An additional big change that happens during the Middle Years is a huge surge in brain development.  "Change is exciting, and adolescence is certainly filled with it. But just because your adolescent child is willful, reckless, and moody, doesn't mean there's no rhyme or reason to their behavior. Knowledge about brain development can help parents understand the behaviors and abilities of this age group, and work with their kids to grow together."  Read this article online at Adolescent Brain Development, on Education.com.

One of favorite subjects for Middle Schoolers is science.  "Maybe it’s the Bunsen burners or those life-size models of human intestines, but there's something about a science classroom that keeps most middle school kids riveted. And teachers want it that way. In fact, says the National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA), these are critical years."  Read the rest of the article at Middle School Science: What Happens, on Education.com.

Frankly, not all students enjoy school, and school in the Middle Years is not as fun as elementary school was. To learn some strategies for helping Middle Years students with homework, read the article When Your Child Hates the Textbook, from education.com.

For more information on the Middle Years and education, see The Parent's Guide to Middle School.