Natural Inquirer Writing Course Session 2

1. Natural Inquirer Writing Course Session 2 Welcome to the

2. So far, you have become familiar with: • The sections of a Natural Inquirer article • Science education standards • Critical thinking • Reading in science • Characteristics of the scientific process • Steps in the scientific process

3. Now, let’s become familiar with the developing mind of an adolescent. (Not a task for the faint-hearted!) Middle school is difficult for adolescents. Although each adolescent is an individual, there are common developmental processes that adolescents experience. These are often experienced as feelings. • Some of the big issues for adolescents include: • Growing independence • Their future • Cognitive changes • Sexuality • Morals and values • Self-direction Let’s explore these issues in more detail.

4. Movement toward independence: • Struggle with sense of identity • Feel awkward or strange about one’s self and one’s body • Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem • Interests and clothing style influenced by peer group Note that 7th graders are just beginning this developmental phase. Issues of particular relevance to the Natural Inquirer are in red.

5. Movement toward independence, continued… • Moodiness • Improved ability to use speech to express one’s self • Realization that parents are not perfect; identifying their faults • Less overt affection shown to parents • Occasionally rude to parents • Complaints that parents interfere with independence • Tendency to return to childish behavior, especially when stressed

6. Future interests • Mostly interested in present, limited thoughts of the future • Intellectual interests expand and gain importance • Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)

7. Sexuality • Shyness, blushing, modesty • Girls develop sooner than boys • Increased interest in sex • Movement toward heterosexuality with fears of homosexuality • Concerned about physical and sexual attractiveness • Frequently changing relationships • Worry about being normal The Natural Inquirer does not deal specifically with sexuality, yet reproduction may be one of the article topics. Awareness of adolescent sexual development helps to identify appropriate (and inappropriate) words or illustrations. With the exception of reproduction as expressed in published scientific papers, the Natural Inquirer does not tackle adolescent sexual development issues.

8. Morals and values • Rule and limit testing • Increasing capacity for abstract thought • Development of ideals and selection of role models • More consistent evidence of conscience • Experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana) This information is from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for-families/normal_adolescent_development_part_i

9. Now, let’s explore adolescent cognitive development in more detail. Note that for 7th graders, this development is just beginning. • Adolescents can imagine what situations might be like even though they have not experienced them in a concrete way. (What if I were rich?) • Adolescents can plan ahead in a logical way. (e.g., college planning) • Adolescents begin to develop abstract thinking that helps them to logically and systematically analyze ideas. This information is from http://education.atu.edu/people/swomack/3023ch15/sld001.htm

10. Adolescent cognitive development, continued… • Adolescents are beginning to use the following cognitive skills: • Emphasis on the possible rather than the real • Use of scientific reasoning • Ability to combine ideas • Ability to form hypotheses and try them out systematically • Ability to hold several ideas in mind at once and combine or integrate them in logical ways. Some adolescents may never develop these abilities; instead, they continue to learn by trial and error and have difficulty with translating theory to practice.

11. Adolescent cognitive development, continued… • Logical thinking is a major achievement in adolescence. • Some adolescents may overuse logical thinking when they first achieve use of it. (They may believe all problems including ambiguous ones can be solved rationally.) • A majority of adolescents use logical thinking inconsistently and some fail to use it at all. • Many adolescents focus only on what is visible or obvious, rather than questioning underlying reasons. Remember: Readers of the Natural Inquirer will have a range of cognitive abilities.

12. Other adolescent development issues • Egocentrism: Adolescents tend to view the world and themselves from their own perspective. • They are preoccupied with the reaction of others. • They find it difficult to differentiate between how they feel about themselves and how others feel about them. • Adolescents often act as if they are performing for an imaginary audience that is concerned about their behavior and appearance. • They may believe their own lives embody a special story that is completely unique and heroic. • Adolescents tend to believe that nothing serious or catastrophic will happen to them.

13. Information processing and adolescent thought… • Adolescents are able to handle longer-term projects than children. • Adolescents are learning to use their existing skills to their best advantage. • Both formal classroom work and informal relationships with teachers and other students influence their development. • Middle school can be daunting in comparison with elementary school: larger buildings, more students, different classes. This can result in increased social and emotional stress. • Often, middle school students have less positive attitudes toward school, poorer achievement, and lower participation in extra-curricular activities.

14. When you develop a Natural Inquirer article, keep the audience in mind. This will help you to develop developmentally-appropriate text, examples, references, and activities. Within each 7th grade (and middle school) classroom, students will exhibit a wide range of cognitive thinking and emotional development. As a creator of resources for this age group, focus your resources toward the less developed student. Offer a range of challenges, however, that will help develop cognitive skills for all students. This is difficult, so use your creativity to provide the opportunity for success to every student. This concludes this Natural Inquirer training session! NOW YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT ADOLESCENTS! HA HA!