The transition to middle school can be difficult. Most teens are excited about getting older, but they're often not prepared for some of the challenges that come with growing up. Physical and emotional changes, evolving relationships, and increased expectations at school can all make for some major adjustments. "Too Old for This, Too Young for…

Responds to E. D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy" and Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind," confronting questions of teaching values through literature. Argues that while teachers should deplore societal tyrannies, they can endorse the list proposed by Hirsch and allow students to develop their own responses to items…

Kids of any age can learn the basics of good character and figure out what they stand for. This leader's guide is a companion to the children's book, "What Do You Stand For? For Kids". The 11 lessons on the CD-ROM provide a complete course for kids on caring, citizenship, cooperation, fairness, forgiveness, honesty, relationships, respect,…

Presents a proactive, nonjudgmental strategy for encouraging students to reflect on the development of moral character by developing physical education skills. The strategy involves a working conception of character as habit; good habits for moral behavior; understanding why doing good can seem so difficult; and developing personal character that…

This presentation provides teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) with an outline for a seven-session course entitled "Great American Films," which is designed to teach ESL students about cultural, universal, and personal values through the use of popular American films. The presentation contains: (1) a course syllabus; (2)…

Although teachers often hesitate to raise controversial issues with students, they are in a powerful position to encourage students to get involved and ask questions. At its best, committed teaching redeems education as a moral force. Educators can give students a sense that they should work to improve the world. (SLD)

Describes the structured activities that have been developed at C. R. Anderson Middle School in Helena, Montana, to help adolescents develop a better sense of self-confidence. (MD)

This article discusses the family as source of values, parents as role models, character education, and where to find help. A sidebar describes a leadership training program for students at West High School in Anchorage (Alaska) contributed by Joan Kuersten. An annotated list of resources with publication information and addresses of organizations…

In these workshop materials, Perry's scheme of intellectual and ethical development is graphically portrayed. This is followed by: (1) an epistemological overview of positions two to five of the Perry scheme (what to learn, how to learn, how to think, and how to judge in context); (2) an overview of Perry scheme instrumentation; (3) Perry rating…

Explores possible responses to students' writings about religion. Suggests a social-epistemic response, urging students to examine their assumptions and to write for conflicting audiences. Proposes a unit on religious discourse, including various readings on religious rhetoric combined with students writing about their own religious background and…

Solving school problems and making policy decisions require that we anticipate how people will feel about an issue or how they will behave. School leaders must understand the values, attitudes, and beliefs brought to different situations. "The School Leader's Guide to Understanding Attitude and Influencing Behavior" makes it possible for educators…

Individuals worldwide face significant issues related to social studies. Students must be educated to be able to make informed decisions to help ameliorate environmental problems. The article explains the curriculum's role in helping students understand the interrelatedness of individual lifestyle actions and resulting consequences on the quality…

Camps offer a unique opportunity to inform parents of the psychological workings of their child through information based on a large repertoire of situations. Camps can be interpreted to parents as a better way to observe, record, and report how their children: (1) reacted to "on-hand contact"; (2) accepted duties and responsibility; (3)…

Examines sources of disillusionment and uncertainty in college students' career thinking. Suggests effective vocational counseling may be analogous to survival training. Discusses essential ingredients for career survival including self-responsibility, awareness of values, work knowledge, and work experience. (RC)

This report provides information about drug testing by American secondary schools, based on results from national surveys. The purposes of this study are (1) to provide descriptive information on drug testing practices by schools from 1998 to 2001, and (2) to examine the association between drug testing by schools and reported drug use by…