This task force report is designed to focus attention on the young adolescent learner and provide direction for developing appropriate and meaningful social studies instruction for the middle school. Schools at the middle level characteristically focus on the unique developmental needs of young adolescents. A number of these needs are listed, in physical, social-emotional, and intellectual categories. It is recommended that the social studies curriculum be designed and implemented with the characteristics of middle level learners in mind. These characteristics are organized into four basic themes: (1) concern with self: development of self-esteem and a strong sense of identity; (2) concern for right and wrong: development of ethics; (3) concern for others: development of groups and other-centeredness; and (4) concern for the world: development of a global perspective. Coming under an overall model curriculum entitled, "Social Studies for Citizens of a Strong and Free Nation," the following scope and sequence options for grades 5 through 8 are recommended: Grade 5: People of the Americas: The United States and its Close Neighbors; Grade 6: People and Cultures: Representative World Regions; Grade 7: A Changing World of Many Nations: A Global View; and Grade 8: Building a Strong and Free Nation: The United States. A number of social studies instructional practices also are recommended as appropriate for middle level social studies: experiential learning, interdisciplinary instruction, cooperative learning, heterogeneous grouping, addressing controversial issues, and performance-based assessment. A list of selected resources that feature organizations and publications is included. (DB)