TEACHING IN THE MIDDLE YEARS
The term 'Middle Years' refers to young adolescents at the end of primary school and the early years of secondary school (Year 5 to Year 9).
Students in this 10 to 15 years age group have particular interests, needs and focuses that are different from those of young children or older adolescents. Middle years students identify strongly with their peers and experience heightened emotions, progressively seek greater independence and develop their individual identities and value systems. Intellectually they have a growing capacity for reflective and abstract thinking and begin to make decisions about adult roles.
Most students progress satisfactorily during the middle years but it is a time when some students switch off from schooling. Showing respect, empathy and an understanding of the variety of ways in which young adolescents develop, learn and think is required to meet their needs.
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