Pivotal Book Review

 

Fires in the Middle School Bathroom: Advice to Teachers from Middle Schoolers

 

 

From the reviews

The highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling Fires in the Bathroom—filled with practical, honest advice from middle school students to their teachers.

Cushman, whose well-received Fires in the Bathroom covered high school students, teamed up with psychologist and Tufts professor Rogers to explore how to teach middle school students more effectively.

Growing up in a world that seems to change with just as much speed as their developing personalities and bodies, students often face challenges different from their teachers' own youthful experiences.  And as teachers, counselors, and parents cope with the roller coaster of early adolescence, too few stop to ask students what they think about these critical years. Here, middle school students in grades 5 through 8 across the country and from diverse ethnic backgrounds offer insights on what it takes to make classrooms more effective and how to forge stronger relationships between young adolescents and adults.

Having interviewed tweens and teens in five urban areas from Connecticut to California, the authors share suggestions with teachers navigating the murky waters (and noisy school corridors) of early adolescence. Not surprisingly, students want strong role models in the classroom—adults who are firm and fair as well as funny and understanding. They don't want to be stereotyped, and they don't like to be singled out for praise or ridicule. Topics of discussion include, homework, grades, scheduling, parents, friendships, cliques, video games, lunchtime, bullying, swearing, gender, identity, and other issues that impact the middle school experience. Cushman and Rogers quote frequently from their student panel, helping readers grow accustomed to their ways of expressing themselves, and include several self-evaluation worksheets for teachers. Throughout, the authors propose practical hints for making the school day more kid-friendly and receptive to students' physical needs and learning styles. In addition, they present questionnaires designed for teachers and students to encourage personal and professional reflection and assessment.

This invaluable resource provides a unique window into how middle school students think, feel, and learn, bringing their needs to the forefront of the conversation about education.

As eighth grader Canek counsels, “An ideal teacher understands and pays attention to the kid. They should be friendly, but not too friendly or else they'll lose their authority. But they have to be comfortable with the kids, and be fair to everybody.” Whether novices or seasoned pros, teachers will welcome and value the observations offered in these honest, open voices.

This book is available from Amazon