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Educator support

Support middle school students

Give students real choices, different ways to take part and clear adult support and supervision.

Start with a small school activity and explain what students can decide, what you'll handle and how they can ask for help. Offer different ways to take part: speaking, writing, making something or working with a partner. Give students time to explain their ideas before offering a solution. Notice who is being heard and who has little to do. Afterward, talk about a specific moment and help each student choose something to try next.

Talk it through

  • Which decisions can students genuinely make in this activity?
  • Who might need another way to contribute besides speaking to the whole group?
  • When will you observe and wait, and when does adult responsibility require you to step in?

Try this next

  1. Choose a small activity and state the student choices, adult responsibilities and available support.
  2. Offer at least two ways to contribute and check privately whether anyone needs a different arrangement.
  3. Discuss one specific moment with students and help them choose something to try next.