Argues that middle school students are capable of producing quality student publications that bring recognition to the school and help students develop useful skills. Describes one teacher's experiences building such a middle school journalism program. Offers advice for others and responses from students. (SR)

Describes a writing workshop for eighth graders that seeks to tap into the humor of their everyday lives, and that uses humorous literature and film to spark writing. (SR)

Describes a proven program of structured, sustained silent reading (SSR) for middle school students that helps students successfully develop academically and socially. Notes the learning climate attends to the cognitive, personal, and social needs of the learner. Discusses student-teacher conferences and SSR, and negotiating individual reading…

Noting that middle level teachers interested in involving their students in curriculum planning and instruction need resource materials to draw on, this document presents such a resource unit developed by a group of eight veteran middle level teachers and designed to be used within an integrated curriculum framework. Part 1 introduces the unit,…

Describes strategies used to improve students' reading achievement in a New York elementary school: Hire the best teachers; train office staff members to support teachers; assign teachers based on needs; observe teachers in reading; design a staff development program; develop a reading action plan; use the existing research; involve students and…

This report describes the Lessons to Enhance Achievement and Develop Student Leaders (LEADS) program, designed to facilitate the leadership training of middle school students through the creation of a leadership program by teachers and administrators. Section I contains a brief introduction for teachers, and Section II outlines team building…

Describes the Missouri Middle Mathematics (M3) Project's goals, activities, and impact. Contains 11 references. (Author/ASK)

Describes an in-school suspension program based on a literacy-enhancement model (rather than a punitive model). Describes how students used prewriting activities both as a cognitive activity and as a reflection tool for self-monitoring of behavior, often helping them work through problems and replace inappropriate behavior with appropriate…

"Connecting with the Arts: A Workshop for Middle Grades Teachers" is a video workshop for middle school teachers of the arts and other subjects. The workshop includes eight hour-long video programs and a companion workshop guide and Web site. The workshop shows middle school teachers why and how to integrate the arts (dance, music, theatre, and…

An activity for use with the JASON project illustrating the factors which contribute to the instability of ships at sea is presented. The activities of the JASON project for the spring of 1990 are highlighted. Availability of materials and participating museums for the project are listed. (CW)

Describes a home reading intervention program for students with real reading difficulties, which has turned many students on to reading, by giving students book bags with three books (at different levels) in each bag for home reading. Discusses developing parent support, outlines contents of 30 book bags, and notes challenges and successes of the…

This resource booklet is designed to facilitate the teaching of personal development, an important part of an integrated program of outdoor pursuits, environmental education and personal and group development. Section I examines a history of the Alberta Environmental and Outdoor Education Course of Studies and course philosophy. Resources are…

This video workshop introduces teachers to ethnically diverse American writers and offers dynamic instructional strategies and resources to make works meaningful for students. It includes eight one-hour videos in which teachers model effective approaches--based on reader response, critical inquiry, cultural studies, and critical pedagogy--for…

Tobacco is routinely used during the school day by many middle school, junior, and senior high school students. Since the cost of tobacco addiction in terms of illness and the drain on school resources are enormous, an in-school cessation program is needed. No other institution in the community is better situated to provide intervention programs…

Created by teachers for teachers, the Math Academy tools and activities included in this booklet were designed to create hands-on activities and a fun learning environment for the teaching of mathematics to the students. This booklet contains the "Math Academy--Play Ball! Explorations in Data Analysis & Statistics," which teachers can use to…