2. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp1 Association of Christian Schools International ACSI Metro NYC Convention Abundant Life, Nutley, NJ October 18-19, 2007 Middle School Series #1 Presenter: Dr. Stuart Knapp

3. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp2 Association of Christian Schools International ACSI Annual Conference Sturbridge, MA October 18-19, 2007 Middle School Series #1 Presenter: Dr. Stuart Knapp Nyack College

4. Prepared by: Dr. S. Knapp3 Getting To Know You

5. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp4 Getting to Know You… Through Inquiries I. Inquiries = interviews w/MS students. Asking MS students how they see things: surveys, show of hands, etc.

6. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp5 Be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18 … the spirit of INQUIRY As we help young adults explore who they are in Christ, we can start by asking them to trust God for where He wants them to be. Baugh & Hurst, 2003, p.161

7. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp6 4 Areas of Inquiry Nature of informal groups Time on cell ph. $ earned/wk & $ spent/wk.

8. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp7 1. Informal groups Jocks Do-gooders Preppies (all girls) Punks (weirdos)

9. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp8 How do you know which group to belong to? By the way they treat you & others Clothes & hairstyle Manner of talk

10. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp9 Why are you in that particular group? Theyre my friends We get along I can be me

11. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp10 2. Tele (cell) time Average = 28 min/da Range = 5 min. I hr.

12. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp11 3. $ earned Range = $2 $15/wk. If no allowance, $ for chores Chores = 1. Doing dishes 2. Babysitting 3. Cleaning house/yard 4. Mowing grass 5. Delivering newspapers 6. Cleaning room 7. Take out papers, containers, ref΄use (as in garbage)

13. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp12 ALL of $ earned + XX amt. borrowed against next wk. 4. $ spent

14. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp13 II. Q. Purpose of Inquiries A. Teacher credibility w/students is enhanced, i.e. young transescents LIKE to be asked what they THINK & BELIEVE

15. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp14 III. Why Use Inquiry ? Communication A. In schools, teachers tell-students listen B. Inquiry allows for role reversal Adult Understanding A. transescents have needs that theyve never experienced before B. they need a variety of experiences, NOT same old same old

16. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp15 3.Stress (when teachers understand sources of MS stress, they can help kids cope & learn) Sources a.fear of school failure b.peer pressure c.fears about physical safety d.being different from & liked by others e.being picked on, made fun of f.changing clothes in the locker room in front of others g.family problems

17. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp16 4.Students knowing about each other, their school & community (local & global) a. They have not previously experienced a MS b. they have not previously been aware of the (local/global) communitys social, political, economic, interactive dynamic

18. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp17 5. Reflection & Speculation a.Clearing up local & global prejudices or hypocracies they have, not ever having thought about it previously

19. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp18 6. modeling a. Inquiry provides a model for students, namely that: when adults dont know something, its natural & OK to ask

20. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp19 IV. What Do We Want To Know ? 1. About school a.What I like most/least b.How I feel about school rules, discipline, homework c.Cafeteria d.What adults think of me e.My unmet needs f.Things Id like to learn about, but havent been taught

21. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp20 2. About Teachers a.What I like/dislike about her/him b.things (s)he does that help/hinder me as a person c. things (s)he does that help/hinder my learning d.What makes a good teacher e.What Id do if I were a teacher

22. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp21 3. About learning a.what I most/least enjoy learning b.Important things Ive learned in/out of school c.Ways I like to show what Ive learned d.Changes at school that would help me learn better

23. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp22 4. About parents - family a.Parent expectations of me at school, home, community b.good advice from parents c.Things about me I wish parents valued more d.Favorite things to do w/my parents e.My parent rules f.Family routines, rituals, celebrations, traditions

24. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp23 5. About other kids a.Things about best friends b.Things they do that they shouldnt c.Pressures from kids about which I just say NO d.Things about kids whom I dont like to be around e.Things kids do that make me feel sad, betrayed, disappointed f.Other kids successes/failures

25. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp24 6. About Myself & Others a.The responsible me b.The confident me c.Things I like to read d.Religious beliefs e.Free time preferences

26. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp25 7. Favorites a.Food b.Music c.Clothes d.Games e.Sports f.TV g.Travel h.Food

27. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp26 8. Community Activities a.Scouting b.Church c.Organized sports d.Dance

28. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp27 9. Judgments & Choices (Pressures) a. tobacco, alcohol, & drugs b. dating, going steady, sex c. vandalism d. stealing e. cheating f. honesty g. child abuse h. adults/others to turn to for advice/help

29. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp28 V.DOCUMENTING WHAT KIDS THINK ABOUT (locally/globally) 1.topic discussion 2.video/audio recording 3.journal writing (personal reflections) 4.logs (academic opinions, reflections, attitudes) 5.teachers log 6.letter writing 7.suggestion box 8.portfolios

30. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp29 In each of the preceding 9 Fruits of the Spirit (slides 19-27) Galatians 5:22-26 we turn to face the following Message: Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding Proverbs 2:2

31. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp30 We have pondered together in this Middle School Series #1 The Christian Educators goal of: Getting to Know You… A study in Faith and Learning with transescents Thank you In Session 2 we explore ways to Construct & Connect Global Understandings

32. Nyack CollegePrepared by: Dr. S. Knapp31 References Baugh, K., & Hurst, R. (2003). The quest for Christ: Discipling todays young adults. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing. International Bible Society (1984). The Holy Bible: with helps. USA: Zondervan Pub. House. Stevenson, C. (2002). Teaching ten to fourteen year olds. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Walley, C., & Gerrick, G. (1999). Affirming middle grades education. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.