Adolescent Development

I just unearthed some short articles about adolescent development--physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual. Five 2- or 3-page articles, easy to read. It would be well worth your while to do that just to remind yourself what kids are capable of and what you can expect. Having realistic expectations about behavior could save you some heartache and anger. This knowledge could also help you in planning lessons/topics/units for the year. Here is one for you to read: The Wild World of Adolescent Emotional Development."
(I slipped these articles in the vertical files in the Religious Ed section--Age Group Characteristics--just in case you come looking for them.)
Email me to take a look at the others--all by Walt Mueller: Smart Kids, Stupid Parents? Understanding Adolescent Intellectual Development; Look at 'em Grow!: Understanding Adolescent Physical Development; From Parents to Peers: The Pull of Adolescent Social Development; "God, Are You There?" Understanding Adolescent Spiritual Development.
Speaking of which...I would be glad to sit with you and plan a unit or semester or an entire year or your whole 4 year program. We've got lots of good stuff here, and long-term planning wouldn't be a problem.