Middle School Teaming
Hickory Public Schools
Summer Conference
2009
Middle School
Philosophy
• Large numbers in the 60s and
70s as part of desegregation
• Another wave after The
Nation at Risk report (1983)
• 9th grade became more
rigorous and moved to the
high school because of
graduation requirements
• General recognition that the
adolescent had specific needs
Middle School
Philosophy
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Advisor/Advisee
Individualized instruction
Guidance
Exploratory
Continued orientation
and articulation for
students, parents, and
teachers
• Leadership teams
The Middle School
Program
Elementary
Middle
High
Parental
Advisor
Choice
Self-contained
Interdisciplinary
Team
Department
Skills
Exploratory
Depth
Self-Contained
Block
Periods
Teacher-directed
Diverse
Student-directed
Chronological
Supportive
Subject
Single Classroom
Team or House
Department
Co-Curriculum
All Participate
Broad Choice
By Ability
Governance
Principal and
Teachers
Principal and
Council
Principal and
Department Heads
Teacher
Preparation
Child-oriented
generalist
Flexible Resource
Academic Specialist
Student-Teacher
Relationships
Teacher
Organization
Curriculum
Schedule
Instruction
Student Grouping
Building
Organization
Middle School
Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary teaming
• Common planning time for
teachers
• Flexible scheduling
• More teacher support and
collaboration in this model
Forming
• Purist
– 2,3,4 person teams
– One per content area
– Self-contained group
• Variations
– 5+
– Departmental structure
– Share a grade level
Movement from
Departmental Model
• Little or no correlation
between departments
• Territoriality
• Focus on discipline rather
than student
• Lack of flexibility
Like a Marriage
• Requires a great deal of
patience
• When it is good, it is
beautiful
• When it is not, it is horrible
Factors for Success
• Planning time
• How well members
communicate
• Proficiency in planning
interdisciplinary units
• Having a clear vision
• Commitment to success for
all students and each other
Teaming Traps
• Refusal to acknowledge
that teaming is a process,
not an event
• Resistance to change
• Taking things personally
• Unwillingness to work
collaboratively
• Refusal to commit time
Norming
• Effective Middle School Teams
use common strategies such as
– Discipline Policies
– Rewards
– Schedules
– Team planning
– Conferences
Examples
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Team discipline policy
Team meeting policy (adults)
Team meetings with students
Common passes
Common expectations
Reading Strategies
The Next Level
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Student Led Conferences
Parent Back to School Day
Leopard Idol
Math at the Mall
Collaborative Planning
• Small steps
• Build to year-long scope
• Off-site planning for this
session
Planning an Interdisciplinary Unit
1. Brainstorm themes
2. Spell out subject area dn objectives
3. Work independently gathering materials and
resources
4. Examine activities and materials and decide
about schedule
5. Final scheudle produces with resources,
speakers, rooms, etc
6. Check last minute details
7. Implement the unit
Helpful to Examine
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Yearlong plans
NCSCoS
Technology SCoS
Pacing Guides
WASP
School Wide Events
Benefits
• Consistency for Kids
• Clear expectations
• Opportunities to build
relationships
Successful Teaming
is a Process
• Takes time
• Takes effort
• Takes a leader to facilitate
and organize