School and academics often become a battleground for your family. Wars erupt around the kitchen table over homework, grades, projects, and late work. Fierce arguments explode over topics such as assignments, teachers, deadlines, technology, and decision-making processes. Your child will suddenly begin arguing with you over things like missing assignments and teachers they hate. They will begin to resist your suggestions and directions. And they will refuse to do their homework without having their smartphone nearby, the television blaring, and the music pumping.

What is a parent to do to nurture an environment that will help your middle school child continue to learn, grow, and thrive?

This book attempts to answer your questions. The focus here will be on the learning side of the equation, mostly those items which directly impact your child’s academic and learning performance at home and in school—whether a public, private, charter, or even home school.

Dr. Kid Brain has worked in middle schools over the past thirty years as a teacher, coach, school psychologist, dean, and principal. Recently, in partnership with the teachers and parents, he transformed his building from an ordinary middle school into an International Baccalaureate World School. Additionally, for many years he taught classes on how middle school kids think and behave to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Minnesota. He is also past President of the Minnesota Middle School Association.

Format: (eBook)
ISBN 13: 9781635050912
Number of Pages: 199
Publisher: Mill City Press
Publication Date: 07/15/2016

Insights for parents from a real-life middle school principal

The purpose of Navigating the Turbulent Middle School Years is to give you a good idea of some typical situations that confront middle school kids - and how each situation may be resolved.

Each scenario includes a story which will be told from the multiple points of view of those most affected by the story, all discussing a single problem that is common with middle school kids.

The easy-to-follow format for each scenario includes: the story from the middle school kid’s point of view, the story from the parents’ point of view, the story from the teacher or administrator’s point of view, a summary of the problem, a recommended solution(s) to the problem, and a list of what the parents should do.

We learn through stories and scenarios - and this book is all about stories and scenarios.  

"A must-have book for parents, teachers and administrators!" ~ Jerry Meschke, Middle School Principal

Dr. Kid Brain has worked in middle schools over the past thirty years as a teacher, coach, school psychologist, dean, and principal. Recently, in partnership with the teachers and parents, he transformed his building from an ordinary middle school into an International Baccalaureate World School. Additionally, for many years he taught classes on how middle school kids think and behave to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Minnesota. He is also past President of the Minnesota Middle School Association.