Two teacher researchers examined the nature of mentoring relationships occurring among and between team teachers at one middle school as they planned for and taught a common group of students. There were five types of (simultaneous) mentoring among teachers: collaborative, clerical, professional teacher, interdisciplinary content, and…

Proposes clustering content areas of a middle school curriculum under humanities, technology, and personal study. An interdisciplinary team planning approach could eliminate the schism between academic and other subjects. (MLF)

During 1990 Northeastern Conference of American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages, a panel of experts agreed that young Americans will require an advanced proficiency in foreign languages and an appreciation for cultural diversity. Language study should be intertwined with culture, social issues, and other dimensions. The middle school is…

During the 1960s and early 1970s two educational movements were the evolution of the middle school and the structures of disciplines approach to social studies. These movements involved school organization, curriculum development, and methodologies incorporating the inquiry or conceptual approach. Learners had trouble with the conceptual approach,…

Explores fifth-graders' ideas about art and economic concepts before and after an integrated art-economics unit. Indicates that students increased their understanding of both sets of concepts, with the economic concepts being learned better. Suggests that this support claims that coupling disciplines can facilitate the deep learning of concepts…

Discussion of historical events occurring worldwide within the general time frame of 1492 includes a bibliography of 95 books suitable for fourth to seventh graders. Techniques for teachers and librarians to use to present a more horizontal view of history are suggested. (LRW)

Briefly reviews the development of core curricula and interdisciplinary teaming in junior high/middle schools from the mid-1950s to the present. A recent study of 15,000 Maine eighth graders shows that schools using the middle-school, interdisciplinary approach outscored their junior high school peers enrolled in single-discipline subjects by 58…

Lesson plans and teaching suggestions for an interdisciplinary approach to environmental education are presented in this teacher's guide for use in the National Environmental Education Development (NEED) program. The program attempts to encourage a student to develop an awareness of his environment that will lead to a personal sense of involvement…

Presented are two visual aids, the Lesson Plan Tree and the Interdisciplinary Planning Wheel, which can serve as a framework and reference for student and teacher cooperative planning of an interdisciplinary studies unit. Both planning aids are illustrated with sample learning activities on pioneer life in Ohio. (SJL)

This is a year-long case study of Lakeview (Vermont) Elementary and Middle School's efforts to create an outdoor environment and improve students learning opportunities with a transdisciplinary curriculum project called "Ventures." It details the interplay of partnerships among administrators, teachers, students, parents, a local…

Some of the difficulties of building an interdisciplinary program are discussed, and the experiences of the West Islip School District in New York in building such a program for grades 7-12 are described. (RM)

This publication was developed to encourage United States educators to add a significant Canadian dimension to their social studies teaching. Though there is a growing teacher interest in Canada, teachers are often not adequately prepared. The 10 authors of the articles contained in this volume view Canada from a wide variety of perspectives; they…

Studies have shown middle grade learners to differ in needs from the elementary and high school learners. By incorporating subject areas, an interdisciplinary or "unified" approach in teaching will make learning a more meaningful experience. (Editor)

This curriculum unit, intended for students in grade 6, covers the Mayas, Mayan history, and ancient civilizations. The unit was developed using Roger Taylor's collaborative team model "Connecting the Curriculum: Using an Integrated, Interdisciplinary, Thematic Approach." The unit addresses multiple intelligences, brain research,…

A qualitative study was undertaken to create lesson plans that integrate science and social studies with the hope that teachers will expand them and incorporate them into their curricula. An instructional package of lesson plans that teachers can use to integrate the science and social studies curriculum was devised. The "Mississippi State…