j lee 's List: research perspectives- tweens!

• Tweens are unpredictable
• This lesson reinforced my beliefs about the necessity of discussing before writing, the role of demonstration lessons, and the importance of having high expectations for standard conventions of print. In addition, my reflections on the lesson gave me several other insights
• The boys talked more, and I allowed it. The girls had equally important observations to make, but were mowed down in the process.
• Sixth graders are usually sick of personal narratives and the expectation that they will have a never-ending supply of fresh ideas flowing from draft books to publication.
• Eleven- and 12-year-olds are just beginning to develop a sense of themselves as entities separate from their parents, and they often use humor to explore that independence.
• sense of humor.
• ather than give the class a list of 20 words with instructions to find the definitions and mythological origins
• Their assignment would be to find the current definitions and draw a cartoon for each.
• he students' enthusiasm and motivation kept them engaged enough to allow me to work more with the kids who didn't understand the concept as easily.
• As students worked on their cartoons each day, the room hummed with excited, insightful, and often hilarious conversation as they tried to tie the mythological origins to current usage.
• In many ways, 4th graders and 6th graders operate on different levels. But all our students are capable of more than we sometimes believe.

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• distraction-free space for risk taking, challenge, and fun are what these middle schoolers relish in single-sex classrooms
• arrangements are most effective when classes are designed to address students' developmental needs
• I asked students about their classroom choices, their perceptions of the classroom environment in single-sex as compared with mixed-gender groups, and their satisfaction level.
• James also said that he felt "more challenged" in his all-boy classes because he enjoyed the competition with other boys
• particularly math and science.
• Bullying seemed to become more of a problem with only boys present.
• "boys try to act tougher" in that environment.
• istreatment was worse in the all-boy classes.
• From these tweens' perspective, single-sex classes can clearly contribute to a comfortable yet intellectually challenging middle school experienc
• e overwhelmingly positive responses from the girls in this study suggest that single-sex classes are particularly beneficial to middle school girls

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• chools

  School is a natural venue for reaching tweens; it also gives youth a prime opportunity to discover their interests and develop skills. For example, working with youth publications like Weekly Reader and TIME for Kids, VERB distributes custom-developed materials to middle schools throughout the country. Primedia’s Channel One allows VERB advertising to reach tweens through schools. In-school vehicles include book covers, day planners, and customized lesson plans that incorporate physical activity into the classroom and encourage tweens to try many different VERBs.