A teacher must not only address academic standards in the classroom but also be aware of the developmental stages of their students so they can find the best approach to presenting the information. Therefore, they must review and identify the characteristics of their particular learner.

One theorist, Piaget, has identified four stages of development. The middle school student (6th-8th) should be moving toward the last stage which is called formal operations. The characteristics for this stage include the following:

• Think logically about abstracts and test hypothesis (ex: Students could discuss the idea of fairness and develop their own definition.)
• Are concerned about the future and hypothetical situations (ex: Students would research the various waste by-products disposed of by their school and create a plan to address the situation.)
• Adapt to the world through assimilation (altering the nature of reality to fit their cognitive structure) and accommodation (changing their internal structures to stay consistent with the external reality).

Vygotsky's thoughts on development focus more on the social conditions that the learner encounters. He believes that:

• Social interaction is essential for cognitive development. Both Piaget and Vygotsky believe that students need to have time with each other and adults to argue and disagree so they can gain an appreciation for multiple perspectives on various issues. (This is extremely important at the middle school because students are so egocentric and believe that they are the center of the universe.)
• Children benefit from tasks they can perform only with the assistance of a more skilled adult. (Omrod Reading) (ex: When introducing the concept of PI to middle school students, describe it as approximately 3.14).

As teachers move through the curriculum in their various school districts, they must continue to find the best way to present their content to the learner sitting in their classroom. If attention is not given to the developmental stages of the learner, then learning at it's best will be superficial and inconsequential.