By: Brooke T.

Middle school students have three primary personality traits: awkward, weird, and a little smelly.

I tell my students this on the first day of school. They usually disagree with me. Then, I tell their parents or guardians this on Meet the Teacher night, and they agree with me 100%. 

Middle school is an awkward, weird, and smelly time. Students are going through changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. They have to navigate these changes while dealing with increased academic loads, involvement in extracurricular activities, peer pressure, social media, and more. It’s difficult. And understanding these creatures known as pre-teens is also difficult. But as a teacher, tutor, mentor, and or parent/guardian, knowing more about how your student thinks and operates makes your job a little easier. So let’s take a look at these mysterious and hormonal beings. 

6th Grade 

Students across the US usually start middle school in sixth grade. You’ll get an occasional school that includes fifth grade, but sixth grade is the norm. These students are between eleven and twelve years old, and they are fresh from the comfortable halls of elementary school. They are usually sweeter than the seventh and eighth graders (at least until spring). They mature at different rates, so welcome their sweet nature but understand that their needs will change over the year. One day they will need someone to help them through every step of a math problem, and the next they can do it independently. A gradual release of responsibility works best with these middle school babies. 

7th Grade 

Seventh grade students are a class unto themselves. They are usually right in the throes of puberty, and their temperament changes from day to day. Patience is of the utmost importance when working with this group. And they will test your patience, but please remember they are only twelve to thirteen years old. They have no critical thinking skills, and they can’t really see past their own issues. It’s okay, that’s why we’re there to help guide them. They respond best to support from the back. Someone who helps them, but still lets them try things out. 

8th Grade

The eighth graders (thirteen to fourteen years old) are too cool for you. And they’re too cool for school. And there’s a good chance they’re taller than you. That’s fine, just roll with it. They work best with someone who is honest with them, and who holds them to high expectations. They know that high school is coming, and they need help in order to be fully prepared. They’re outgrowing middle school and it’s time to practice being independent. 

Of course, the best way to get to know your student and their psyche is to just talk to them. I’ve given some guidance, but forming a solid relationship with students (even the standoffish eighth graders) is the most important thing you can do as a mentor, tutor, or teacher. Students do their best work and make the most progress when they know they are supported and respected by educators and the other adults in their lives. So yes, middle school students are awkward, weird, and smelly. You too once were awkward, weird, and smelly, but you turned out just fine. Help them get there too.