The world is constantly changing. "Today's adolescents are facing a number of new conditions that are different from those faced by past generations" (Dolgin, 2011). Because of these changes, adolescents have different characteristics.
What factors are Generation ? facing:
-The prolongation of adolescence
-The Internet and Smart Phones
-The changing economy
-Alterations in the makeup of the family
-Shifting sexual values and practices
-New concerns for health and safety
And you're thinking to yourself....why are they not listening to me while I'm teaching Social Studies, Science, Math, Reading, and Writing?! Well...are you relating your lesson to your students' lives? Are you making your lesson applicable towards their lives?
Today your challenge is to sit back and reflect upon how you are relating your curriculum to the present day needs of the adolescents of 2012.
Hi! My name is Amanda, and I am an eighth grade teacher in Chicago. I have taught Kindergarten, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eight Grade in my five years of teaching. I am currently earning my Masters in Education in Educational Leadership. I hope to become a school administrator. I feel fortunate to have taught all of these grades thus far, because it has given me the opportunity to witness the different stages of social and emotional development of children as they grow into adults first hand.
If you are a new teacher, you will quickly find out that formal schooling/training has not prepared you for everything that you are about to face in the world of teaching! You will find yourself dealing with an array of situations on a daily basis. We may as well have studied how to be doctors, phycologists, scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and....well, I could keep on going, but I think you get the point. As a teacher, you are not just a teacher. You are a role model for your students and you must become a jack of all trades in order to service them, and meet their needs. And yes, they are very needy!
Through my blog, I will share with you research and first hand situations dealing with adolescents and their ever-changing needs.
Talk soon!
Amanda
