Describes the growth, development, and learning that a middle school administrative dean experienced with a Latina student who felt arbitrary rules and intercultural misunderstandings were stifling her growth. Asserts that all educators must make a personal commitment to finding their voice and promoting and understanding family, culture,…

Describes three theories supporting reading instruction--schema theory, the constructivist approach, and literary response theory--and offers best classroom practices that support these theories. Provides a sample lesson illustrating possible cross-curricular interactions, also considered a best practice. (EV)

Provides a rationale for developing document literacy--the ability to read and use the many printed forms of information encountered on a regular basis, such as applications, forms, and instructions. Offers practical suggestions for using such documents in middle school classrooms. (EV)

Argues that learning must be the number one leadership priority of middle school principals. Contends that principals need to find more effective ways to lead and to organize their schools for learning by reexamining school values, school vision, instructional practices, cultural traditions, organizational structures, curricular decisions, and use…

Discusses the need for middle school teaching teams to maintain boundary relations with other parts of the school. Provides a framework for dealing with group boundaries and recommends actions to preserve intergroup relations, including intergroup communication, acquiring a total-school perspective, and deliberately attending to boundary matters.…

Discusses the interdisciplinary use of poetry to enhance instruction in core content areas of the middle school curriculum. Considers how to use a poem instructionally, how to read a poem effectively, and how to locate poems with content applications. Provides an annotated bibliography of poetry volumes for browsing. (JPB)

Recommends eight strategies schools and individual teachers can use to best meet the needs of immigrant students, particularly East Asian students, in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Discusses program design, teacher training and cooperation, learning styles and teaching styles, individual background and needs, peer acceptance issues,…

Discusses making integrated instruction at the middle school level more potent by focusing on key concepts rather than on topics (e.g., systems, interdependence, change). Describes differences in curricula based on concepts and topics; defines concepts and principles for integrated instruction and what makes them effective. Compares integrated…

Examines factors relevant to developing a schedule for the middle school day to effectively meet educational goals. Identifies types of schedules used in middle schools and assesses the effectiveness of these scheduling options for supporting a quality program. (JPB)

Proposes strategies to help middle school teachers and parents remain current in their knowledge of good young adolescent literature. Notes the importance of collaboration for finding quality books, developing lists of books, defining quality, and deciding the place of popular fiction in a reader's education. (JPB)

Discusses the use of Channel One television news broadcasts in the middle school classroom, focusing on the circumstances under which students learn from Channel One, attitudes toward Channel One, and implications for teachers who wish to make effective instructional use of the programming. (JPB)

Defines service learning. Identifies four components needed to organize a quality service learning experience: preparation; student involvement in meaningful integrated service learning experiences; student reflection; and evaluation and self-study of service learning projects. Lists ten organizations with expertise in service learning and…

Discusses ways for middle schools to meet the needs of homosexual students, particularly discussing problems these students face with suicide, substance abuse, sexual activity, family, harassment and violence. Considers counseling and curriculum issues and ways to make schools safe and inviting learning environments. Includes a brief resource list…

Provides information on linking technology with middle school programs and philosophy, drawing on the experiences of a Missouri middle school during the process of technology purchasing and implementation. Explores: (1) curriculum and instruction; (2) information and media services; (3) administration; (4) staff development; (5) developing a plan;…

Describes the Cultural Inquiry Process, a way to broaden teachers' understandings of culturally diverse students and to maximize these students' success, by combining classroom inquiry and principles of educational anthropology. Describes its rationale, experiences using the Cultural Inquiry Process, and how to make the process work. (EV)