Fires in the Middle School Bathroom

The highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling Fires in the Bathroom-filled with practical, honest advice from middle school students to their teachers

Following on the heels of the bestselling Fires in the Bathroom, which brought the insights of high school students to teachers and parents, Kathleen Cushman now turns her attention to the crucial and challenging middle grades, joining forces with adolescent psychologist Laura Rogers.

As teachers, counselors, and parents cope with the roller coaster of early adolescence, too few stop to ask students what they think about these critical years. Here, middle school students in grades 5 through 8 across the country and from diverse ethnic backgrounds offer insights on what it takes to make classrooms more effective and how to forge stronger relationships between young adolescents and adults. Students tackle such critical topics as social, emotional, and academic pressures; classroom behavior; organization; and preparing for high school. Cushman and Rogers help readers hear and understand the vital messages about adolescent learning that come though in what these students say.

This invaluable resource provides a unique window into how middle school students think, feel, and learn, bringing their needs to the forefront of the conversation about education.

Inhalt

**Contents

Preface xi

Introduction: Journey over a Bridge 1
"Middle school still teaches you, but it's a part of growing up."

1. Everything Is Off Balance 14
"We're not really sure what's expected of us."

2. A Teacher on Our Side 39
"An ideal teacher understands and pays attention to the kid.
They should be friendly, but not too friendly."

3. Social Forces in the Classroom 66
"Everybody grew up together but still, we don't talk to each other
as much as you would think."

4. Helping Us Grow into Confident Learners 103
"Sometimes I want to ask the question, but I don't want to seem
like I'm dumb."

5. Using Our Energy to Help Us Learn 132
"It's not going to be boring because you'll be doing something
that you like to do."

6. Make Way for Parents 151
"Parents should change when you get to middle school."

7. Our Transition to High School 170
"That's all I was thinking about all summer long, staying up late:
What's high school going to be like?"

Epilogue: Through the Kaleidoscope 193
"Teachers don't know what the kids are thinking,
they only make a guess."

Resources for Middle-Grades Teachers 201

Acknowledgments 206

The Student Contributors 209

Index 215