Chapter 3: Brain Research Applied in Middle School

In this chapter the author tries to get in the head of middle schoolers. He discusses how emotions play a big role in students' behavior especially when it comes to lying and cheating on assignments. Adolescents like to test limits and cross lines. A set of ground rules need to be determined early on and when a student slips up, they need to take responsibility for their actions. One way to help adolescents to think critically is to discuss logical fallacies. Talking about gray-area issues in the world will help students gain individuality as they form an opinion. However, with opinions it's easy for students to create misconceptions. It's important for teachers to ask straightforward questions, revisit topics frequently, reward questioning, and many other things. Middle school is where students form identities and it's important for teachers to place students in the right direction.