Answer to Question 1
Examples of possible strategies include the following:
Introduce Tom to students who have interests similar to his.
Have assigned seats in class, being sure that Tom is seated near students who are apt to make friendly overtures and possibly take him under their wing.
Ask an appropriate student to be a study buddy with Tom for the first few weeks of school.
Use a variety of cooperative group activities, rotating group membership on a regular basis.
Provide equipment that requires the cooperative involvement of several students.
Answer to Question 2
Following are examples of the changes that often accompany the transition to middle school or junior high:
Physiological changes associated with puberty appear