How to Create a Classroom that Meets the Needs of Adolescent Learners
Adolescents are pulled in opposite directions as they try to figure out who they are. They are pushed by two significant factors; first, their need for independence, and they are then drawn by their need for belonging. As educators, it is essential to create a classroom that meets the needs of both.
What Are The Needs Of An Adolescent Learner?
The needs of the adolescent learner are:
To be independent and make their own choices while still feeling like they belong to a group (Adler & Rougle, 2005)
To explore their identity and develop a sense of self
To learn the skills they need to be successful in college and careers
Adolescence is a time of change and discovery. As learners move from childhood to adulthood, they are trying to figure out who they are and what they want in life. This can be a confusing and challenging time, but it can also be a time of significant growth and learning. As educators, we need to create classrooms that meet the needs of adolescent learners. We need to provide them with opportunities to explore their interests, discover their talents, and develop their identity. By doing so, we can help them learn in the best way possible and set them up for success in the future.
Strategies That Can Be Used to Create a Safe and Supportive Environment for Adolescents in the Classroom
Several strategies can be used to create a safe and supportive environment for adolescents in the classroom. These strategies include:
Building relationships with students and getting to know them as individuals (Parsonson, 2012)
Providing opportunities for students to work together and learn from each other
Encouraging students to ask questions and think critically about the world around them
Giving students choices and allowing them to take risks (Monteiro et al., 2021)
Providing challenging coursework and opportunities for students to apply what they have learned
Helping students develop time management, study, and test-taking skills
By using these strategies, educators can create a classroom environment that meets the needs of adolescent learners and helps them succeed in school and beyond. It is vital to create a classroom that meets the needs of adolescent learners. Adolescent learners are in a unique stage of life where they are constantly changing and growing. To provide an effective learning environment for adolescents, it is necessary to understand their needs and cater to them. Many strategies can be used to create a safe and supportive environment for adolescents in the classroom. By following these tips, educators can help adolescents reach their full potential as students.
How Do We Help Adolescents With Social Emotional Learning In The Classroom? Sometimes schools struggle to provide SEL resources and although it would be exceptional to have these resources you can still do these few extra things to bond with students
References
Adler, M., & Rougle, E. (2005). Building literacy through classroom discussion: Research-based strategies for developing critical readers and thoughtful writers in Middle School. Scholastic Inc. p.8-17.
Educational Innovation 360 . (2022). How Do We Help Adolescents With Social Emotional Learning In The Classroom. Educational Innovation 360. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRG2Ka-WbxEsmA6eoK4Rdpw.
Monteiro, V., Carvalho, C., & Santos, N. N. (2021). Creating a supportive classroom environment through effective feedback: Effects on students' school identification and behavioral engagement. Frontiers. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.661736/full.
Parsonson, B. (2012). Evidence-based classroom behaviour management strategies. Kairaranga. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ976654.pdf
Social Emotional Learning. Partnership for Children & Youth. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.partnerforchildren.org/social-emotional-learning