Plainfield CCSD 202 - Heritage Grove Middle School

Parents & Students

Middle School Development Chart

THE STUDENT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
PHYSICALLY

10-11 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	12 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	13-14 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:
be involved in a period of brain growth show rapid increase in weight (girls) be willing to work hard to acquire skills display awkwardness, restlessness and "laziness" as a result of uneven growth show beginning signs of secondary sex characteristics show an increased appetite	be at a plateau in brain growth development experience rapid growth be self-conscious about trying to learn new physical skills experience periods of extreme fatigue be self-conscious about sexual development be capable of initiating good personal hygiene habits	be approaching a new period of brain growth and development experience uneven bone-muscle growth; experience variety of growth development be easily upset if they are not physically coordinated or physically attractive be extremely restless need daily release of energy tire easily and be reluctant to admit it have difficulty accepting body changes

THE STUDENT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
INTELLECTUALLY

10-11 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	12 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	13-14 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:
need reinforcement of basic skills function at literal thinking levels be oriented to the present view ideas and facts in isolation make simple generalizations begin to develop reasoning skills handle formal operations and abstract thinking on a limited basis need encouragement to work to the maximum of their intellectual ability	be able to refine reasoning skills have difficulty acquiring new conceptual skills begin to think for themselves begin to understand abstract ideas like "justice," "honesty" demand privileges but avoid responsibility develop "hero" type worship--often a sports figure or entertainer	like to discuss their experiences with adults see relationships between similar concepts have fluctuating interests be easily discouraged have varying range of creative expression be capable of exploring and selecting learning materials on their own be trusted to assume personal responsibility for their own learning

THE STUDENT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
EMOTIONALLY

10-11 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	12 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	13-14 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:
be emotional about body changes have difficulty controlling emotions display highly variable interests have outbursts such as crying, fighting and swearing due to overexertion	worry over school work, exams and report cards have rather sensitive feelings have ambivalent attitudes -- want to be independent and yet hold to delights of childhood rebel at the idea of having a babysitter confide in an adult outside of family rather than parents	be anxious about the normality of development be easily angered and take longer to recover than when they were younger vacillate among interests exhibit erratic behavior realize their independence within the family structure is deepening learn to think feel and act in a role congruent with their sex identify and relate to the behaviors inherent in sex roles

THE STUDENT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
SOCIALLY

10-11 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	12 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:	13-14 YEAR OLDS TEND TO:
begin to break away from parental control be concerned with standards set by peer group be able to display teamwork be concerned with privacy in the home show interest in the opposite sex/be teasing	have critical attitudes toward home, parents and society in general show independence in choice of friends be concerned with group loyalty crave periods of being alone	exhibit an indifference to adults, especially teachers and parents be concerned with presenting a positive image for the peer group strive to conform in order to achieve peer acceptance be continuously changing friends, depending on peer pressures and changing interests, needs and wishes begin to explore aspects of their sexuality