Intended for middle school instructors or teacher education students in middle school methods courses, this guide provides a practical, concise, criterion-referenced, performance-based mastery learning model for effective teaching. The guide is organized around four components: why the rationale to support the components that follow; what the teacher will be teaching; how it will be taught; and how well-how effective the teacher is at teaching. The four parts of the guide correspond to these components. Part I, "Orientation to Middle School Teaching and Learning," covers the characteristics of middle schools and middle school students; expectations, responsibilities, and facilitating behaviors of middle school teachers; and establishing and maintaining an effective, safe, and supportive classroom learning environment. Part II, "Curriculum and Planning for Middle Level Instruction," covers curriculum components preparing an instructional plan. Part III, "Choosing and Implementing Instructional Strategies, Aids, Media, and Resources," covers instructional strategies for positive interaction and quality learning; using teacher talk, demonstrations, thinking, inquiry, and games; and using media and other instructional aids and resources. Part IV, "Assessment and Continuing Professional Development," covers methods of assessing and reporting student achievement; and continuing to assess teaching effectiveness and develop professionally. (HTH)