not much just chillin ’

1. not much just chillin’ the hidden lives of middle schoolers • by Linda Perlstein Andrew Hosfeld EDCI 597

2. the hidden lives of middle schoolers

3. A Look at the Book’s Contents“not much just chillin” takes the reader on a journey through an entire school year with 6 middle school students, their families and their teachers. • Prologue … at least they can’t shove me in • Autumn … i can’t believe the day’s almost over • Winter … sometimes iwanna say stuff, but i don’t wanna say stuff • Spring … she’s lost to us • Epilogue … you get good at something and then you move on

4. “I was like :-0” Some highlights from “not much just chillin’ “ • A look at the theory behind the development of middle schools vs. jr. high schools • Inside look at thought processes of middle schoolers through real-life situations • Understanding the fears and questions about middle school from a parent’s perspective • How does life outside of school affect school relationships, interactions and performance of both students and teachers • Do’s, Don’ts and practical suggestions for middle school teachers

5. “not much just chillin” is a must read for middle school teachers, administrators, coaches and even parents.This book presents an interesting, no nonsense look at the physical and cognitive changes of middle schoolers and how the development of their brains and bodies needs to be considered in lesson development, program development and even the development of school structure .Because middle school age children experience the most drastic physical and mental growth period since toddlerhood, it is vital that adults involved with these youth have a working knowledge of these vast changes they are experiencing. Far from a dry, clinical text, “not much just chillin” is an interesting, fast moving read that gives teachers, coaches and administrators a detailed look at the unique needs and wants of middle schoolers and how their often frustrating, self-destructive behaviors and choices can be minimized by a knowledge of preadolescence.Information is presented from the perspective of parents, experienced teachers and administrators and middle school students .

6. If I was the teacher….. • What would the ideal teacher be like? • According to a group of 8th grade students these are the most important characteristics of a good teacher. • DON’T PICK FAVORITES • DON’T GO TOO SLOW • DON’T GO TOO FAST • MAKE THINGS INTERESTING • MAKE THINGS CHALLENGING BUT NOT TOO HARD • DON’T PUNISH EVERYONE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF A FEW KIDS • THINK ABOUT AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND EACH KID’S QUESTION • DON’T DISREGARD STUDENT’S THOUGHTS AS IRRELEVANT • TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND (INTERESTS) WITH STUDENTS

7. Summing It Up • I would definitely recommend Linda Perlstein’s “not much just chillin, the hidden lives of middle schoolers” • I learned about the intense needs of this group of students and was reminded not to indulge their “leave me alone” attitudes. • I feel this book helped me to understand what underlies the behaviors and choices of middle school students that sometimes seem so contradictory and so self-defeating. • This book is a good way to step inside the lives and thoughts of these young students and a way to understand the social and emotional pressures they feel. • Perlstein’s book presents necessary information and practical suggestions for teachers who want to be effective in building academic success and positive relationships with their students