We teach a precious and somewhat precarious age group. Our middle grades students are in the throes of one of life\u2019s most pivotal and seminal periods in human development. They are growing faster than at almost any other time in life, and are grappling with some of life\u2019s most significant milestones which will come to shape how they see themselves, others and the world. These are the \u201cturning point\u201d years of life.<\/span><\/p>\n Growing up has always been hard work, but for today\u2019s young adolescents, it is well\u2026simply harder.\u00a0 We do not need volumes of research to convince us of this. The past two years of trials and challenges in managing the not-so-post pandemic school world offer plenty of evidence. Students need us more than ever to help them navigate the challenges of growing up well.<\/span><\/p>\n As middle grades educators we have long celebrated the importance of positive relationships and social and emotional learning in middle school. We know and research substantiates that when our young people feel well known, valued and included at school, they are more likely to be fully invested in learning, make better choices, and feel happier at school. (CDC, 2011<\/a>). Moreover, for young adolescents, being connected to others is essential for healthy identity development.\u00a0 A productive search for self is inextricably linked with positive adult and peer relationships. And, since our age group is vulnerable to bullying, ridicule and exclusion, they depend on us to ensure school is a socially and emotionally safe place so they can take the risks needed to grow in such important ways.<\/span><\/p>\n The Advisory concept has long been celebrated as an essential program feature designed to safeguard our young adolescents. While there are many models of Advisory, the twin aims emphasize quality peer relationships and personalized adult support. The hope is that every child has one caring adult advocate, feels connected to a caring peer group, and is afforded the opportunity to develop social skills in a safe haven.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the past decade, educators have learned even more about the value and leverage of Advisory programs. Perhaps most significant, is the fact an Advisory program can transform a school\u2019s culture creating a sense of connectedness; a key ingredient in school success. Connectedness takes shape when schools deliberately attend to quality relationships and make time to help students do the same.\u00a0 (See this resource from AMLE for more: Creating a Culture of Connectedness through Middle School Advisory Programs.)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Finally, there is no doubt we all aspire for a softer and kinder world. Living through the pandemic has made abundantly clear the need to help kids learn to care about themselves, others and their world.\u00a0 Advisory is one special opportunity to help us show young people how to be caring members of a community: to listen well to others, to understand others with empathy, to learn to be kind, and to learn about the value of a civil community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So let’s say you are on board with all the possible benefits, but last year\u2019s Advisory left a bad taste in your mouth.\u00a0 You felt like you were managing chaos most days and the occasional good days were not enough to bring you back into enthusiasm. You\u2019re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n The last school year will long be remembered as one of the toughest we have ever faced. And, it wasn\u2019t only Advisory that lost ground. Advisory however is a unique beast. It\u2019s too relational to be unstructured; too intimate to be unplanned. And, with a huge decline in student social skills and a rise in problematic student behavior, it’s no wonder many of us were wondering if Advisory was really worth it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the fog of last year\u2019s challenges starting to fade, how can we give Advisory a new fresh stroke<\/a>, and better prepare for a year of Advisory success.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s what some fellow middle grades teachers and students have learned that might help us recommit to our Advisory and keep it relevant and manageable:<\/span><\/p>\n Every one of us joined the teaching profession to try to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.\u00a0 This has always been hard work. Today, however, it\u2019s not only harder for students to grow up, it is harder for all of us to reach and teach every child. In these challenging times, we need every tool available if we are to make that difference. We need many ways into the hearts and minds of young adolescents. Advisory is one powerful way in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Why We teach a precious and somewhat precarious age group. Our middle grades students are in the throes of one of life\u2019s most pivotal and seminal periods in human development. They are growing faster than at almost any other time in life, and are grappling with some of life\u2019s most significant milestones which will … <\/p>\nAdvisory Going Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n
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