Bullying, diversity, how to motivate a seemingly unmotivated kid, family values and school values, sadness and loss, self-image and self-esteem, a philosophy of kindness and what a child might want to be when he or she grows up are all topics addressed in, “The Parent Teacher Discussion Guide.” What I had hoped to get across was, “Hey, kid, you’re not alone in the way you think and feel.” Most middle graders have similar questions and are dealing with almost identical issues as they move through grade school.
Excerpts from the middle grade book, “The Boy Whose Idea Could Feed the World” are included as a springboard to start the conversation. As these discussions unfold I believe you’ll discover quite a lot about how your middle grader thinks and feels. If these discussions take place in a classroom, it will quickly become evident that many of their classmates have similar questions, struggles and concerns.
My philosophy: Throw a kid the ball, step back, listen and be reassured they will not only catch the ball but run with it. Never have I been disappointed in how honest, perceptive, candid and bright middle graders can be given the right prompts in a safe environment.
