This article shares aspects to consider when designing and implementing content area instruction through the study of people. It begins with a description of an inquiry that investigated students' learning with the use of authentic literature and meaningful writing in social studies, and then extends to a discussion of how to apply these same…

Discusses connections between the critical theory of John Dewey and the agenda of the middle school movement, noting that both attempt to infuse a traditional, authoritative institution with innovation, democracy, and unity. Considers Dewey as a catalyst for ideas that brought about middle school reform, and the need to synthesize past and present…

Urban middle school students should be challenged by high-content assignments that force them to reformulate their knowledge. This article recounts one San Diego teacher's experience with the Writing-to-Learn program. Using learning logs, editing exercises, and scoring guides, students are discovering their writing selves by writing creatively,…

Describes the planning and initial implementation of the restructuring of Oswego Middle School, New York, toward full inclusion for students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities. Includes lists of Inclusive Education Committee activities, and a three-year building-based planning process for implementing inclusion. (JPB)

Discusses the development of a living museum of history project in a middle school classroom, noting the pedagogical foundations for such instruction and the students' process of creating their exhibits. Presents sample worksheets for developing and evaluating exhibits. (JPB)

Advocates the use of serious play in the middle school classroom to provide students with motivating, creative, hands-on activities. Considers the pedagogical benefits and themes of fun and play, and ways to overcome teacher reluctance. Provides four examples of class activities. (JPB)

As middle school educators refine interdisciplinary teaming, numerous challenges have emerged, notably the development of interdisciplinary units and personality-compatible teams, design of instruction to challenge honor students while motivating low achievers, and integration of subject areas into thematic topics. As the New Kids pilot project…

Discusses strategies for inviting middle school students to participate in class planning and presenting of information, noting the payoffs of this student-centered approach in greater student investment in the curriculum and receptiveness to learning. Considers the value of allowing time for students to reflect on their learning processes. (JPB)

Describes educational and philosophical foundations of the Carolina Friends Middle School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which blends a conception of adolescent development with Quaker beliefs to create a community that values contributions of young people and the ideals of cooperation, responsibility, and communication. Considers the school as a…

Describes ways middle school teachers can engage in "asset building" within the context of regular classroom instruction. Highlights using interest inventories to determine students' interests and needs, and then developing a Book Club to introduce quality literature on these topics of interest. (JPB)

Examines how teams of teachers can develop units of study that move the middle school curriculum toward integration. Describes a project conducted at an Arlington, Virginia middle school connecting society, technology, and science in the study of westward migration in the early 1800s. Describes students' projects to illustrate how they began to…

Describes an integrated curriculum activity directed by middle school students to promote voting during the presidential election. Notes how students raised money to pay for a billboard advertisement they designed. Discusses the connection between the project and content areas, including electoral procedure. (JPB)

Describes a middle school unit on the European theatre in World War II that combines seventh-grade social studies and language arts objectives. Traces steps in students' growth toward active engagement, sharing representative samples of their work. Demonstrates how a curriculum can help students see the world differently and act accordingly. (EV)

Discusses several research-based premises underlying meaningful instruction for gifted and regular students. Lessons should be relevant and student centered, and students should be actively involved in their own learning and aware of attainable standards that guarantee high-quality work. This article describes an interdisciplinary Iowa summer…

Describes teachers' efforts at a New Jersey middle school to learn alternative assessment strategies and implement a portfolio system. As they became more student-centered and interdisciplinary colleagues, these teachers realized they needed new student assessment tools. Portfolio neophytes are advised to start small and simple, using a limited…