Middle schoolers learn about themselves by locating themselves in their social world. First, they compare themselves to their schoolmates in appearance, stature, color, and other physical characteristics. Then they start making distinctions based on how they act. Even later, they start taking a more reflective view of themselves—the beginning of creating an adolescent identity. We can see this progression in the statements by students that follow.

"I’m taller than most people in my grade, and some people in the next grade." —Edward

"I don’t eat a lot at school. But when I’m at home, I eat the whole fridge practically. And I’m known for that at school, and for not being fat, too." —Jason

"Everybody thinks I’m so little, but my friends they all look up to me. When they call me 'shorty,' I’m like, 'Hey, that’s how I’m made, I can’t help it.' I have a lot of mouth, but I can back it up. I do the right thing. People do pick on me, ’cause I guess my voice is deep and squeaky. At least some people like it. And I wear glasses, but that’s okay, ’cause I’m pretty no matter what. I’m not conceited but I know my mom did not make no ugly kids, and if I wear glasses, it’s me." —Thea

"My weight, maybe, is more than what it’s supposed to be for my grade. And my personality, it’s more loose, more “mess around.” Not uptight. Fun." —Gabe

"I stutter. It’s not a big deal, I still talk, but most kids don’t stutter. Some kids stutter worse than me, so it don’t matter." —Eric Q.

"In class when people aren’t doing their work, I do my work and I’m not talking. And I don’t hang with that many people, so I don’t get in much trouble. I can’t read that good, there’s some words I can’t pronounce, and this lady she’ll come in and help. Other kids, they’ll get those big words, but I’m the person who don’t." —Katelin

"Some people talk about videos on TV or whatever, and I don't really pay attention to that stuff. And sometimes I act like I know about that stuff, but I really don’t." —Eric F.

"I’m one of the youngest eighth graders, ’cause I’m twelve years old in the eighth grade. And I act different than everybody else—individual. I don’t like to follow people. Sometimes that makes it harder for me, but some people like the way I act." —Amanda

"I’m the one that cracks a joke and makes everybody look on the bright side and be not mad anymore. In gym class, the kids call me a geek. They don’t pick me on the football team a lot. But I won a couple of games for my team, so now they know that I’ve got the brains and the athletics." —Denue

"I’m not shy. I’m not scared to go up out of nowhere on the bus and start singing to my favorite song. I have a lot of things that I’m insecure about but I try not to show them, ’cause when you do show them, that’s what bullies pick on." —Alma

"People know me as smart and good at football and most of the time in basketball. Kids would say that I’m like a geek. I like doing my work, and I always listen to the teacher. But then, as the year went on, people would just look past that and be my friend. They decided to notice me for who I really am. And I’m comfortable now." —Kenson

"I try to be different. I don’t sway with the wind. Like what that poet said on the commercial for the anti-drugs. I love that poet." —Carmela

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