Changing By The Minute

One year in a startlingly upbeat public middle school in New York City where 5th-8th graders are mixed in almost all classes — and somehow it actually works.

Created by an award-winning documentary team, this one hour film offers a rare insider’s view into the daily lives of students and teachers at school — featuring unprecedented observational footage and candid, unfiltered commentary from students about the joy and complexity of being 10-14 years old. (62min documentary)

Pure joy!
— Sara Davis Powell, Belmont Abbey College

A novel and extraordinary window into the world of early adolescence.
— Penny Bishop, University of Maine

A terrific documentary and an authentic portrait of what it means to be an early adolescent today. Use it in professional development with educators and directly with students. Give it to your PTA. Everyone will get something from it!
— Phyllis Fagell, Author “Middle School Matters”

Available from:

Streaming service available for patrons from many public libraries and University Libraries

Available for members of Assoc. of Middle Level Education

Used by these organizations:

Documentary Tool Kit

The Changing By The Minute documentary tool kit is intended to help reverse the narrative of early adolescence as a negative time. The tool kit includes the feature documentary and 10min short (filmed at the Center School with Elaine Schwartz, principal) and discussion guides developed by subject matter experts for a variety of student, family, and professional audiences. Learn more here.

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