Betwixt and Between

Understanding and Meeting the Social and Emotional Development Needs of Students During the Middle School Transition Years

By (author) Nicholas D. Young, Christine N. Michael

Not available to order

Publication date:

07 February 2014

Length of book:

114 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

ISBN-13: 9781475808445

Educators, parents, and those who work with middle school students in various settings will find this book to be a valuable addition to their library. Early adolescence is a time of tremendous change with the potential for positive development in the academic, social, and emotional domains; yet, often this age group struggles to adjust to the transition of middle school and the tasks that are required to be successful there. The authors -- both of whom are seasoned educators and administrators -- cover a variety of topics germane to positive development. These include social and emotional development, current research on the adolescent brain, and the academic challenges of entering middle school. There are also chapters on contemporary issues such as bullying, social media, and inclusive leadership. Parents will find suggestions for how to support their middle school child, and educators will discover a wealth of best practices to incorporate into their interactions with early adolescents and their families.

Preface
Understanding Social and Emotional Development and Difficulties in Middle School: An Introduction
Chapter 1: Social and Emotional Development during the Middle School Years: Theories and Educational Considerations
Chapter 2: The Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Brain: Current Research and Understandings
Chapter 3: The Pivotal Years: How Educators Can Assist Students with the Tasks and Perils of Middle School
Chapter 4: Social Media and Middle School-Age Development
Chapter 5: Middle School Parenting: Graduation Is Just around the Corner
Chapter 6: Teaching at the Middle School Level: Best Practices for Promoting Social and Emotional Development
Chapter 7: “We’ve Got Each Other’s Backs”: Promoting Social and Emotional Development through Inclusive Leadership
Chapter 8: “If You Really Knew Me”: An Effective, Middle School-Led Campaign to Stop Bullying
Chapter 9: Expanding the Application of Response to Intervention Strategies to Address Social-Emotional Difficulties in Middle School
About the Coeditors
About the Chapter Authors

The book addresses important topics in the social and emotional lives of early adolescents. This is such a pivotal time, developmentally, that it is wonderful to see an entire work devoted to the age group. Covering contemporary issues such as social media, bullying, and pro-social growth through leadership opportunities, the authors offer educators and parents alike a rich array of strategies and approaches to help “tweens” navigate middle school successfully.