In this article, we describe a collaboratively developed information literacy curriculum that was embedded into three core 8th grade subjects: Algebra, American History, and English Language Arts. The curriculum was rooted in the concept of generalist literacy and supported students as they developed their curiosity, skepticism, commitment to…

"This We Believe" advocates the use of a curriculum that maximizes early adolescent learning by integrating multiple disciplines rather than teaching them in isolation. The development of an interdisciplinary curricular unit is a common assignment in middle grades teacher education programs that seek to prepare teacher candidates to…

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…

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…

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…

Describes ways teachers can enhance students' vocabulary development through multiple contexts available in typical middle school classroom settings. Addresses questions about vocabulary learning and offers suggestions for enhancing vocabulary with narrative and expository texts that involve multiple classroom contexts. Considers the Vocab-o-gram…

Describes the role of integrative curriculum reform in fostering multicultural education in Brown Barge Middle School, in Pensacola, Florida. Examines the efforts of one team of teachers to create a multicultural curriculum, noting factors in their success. (JPB)

Describes experiences developing and implementing an integrated curriculum in a middle school. Considers the importance of ecologizing (placing abstract content back within its authentic contexts) the learning situation around an anchor in order to create an instructional context consistent with what students would need outside school. (JPB)

Discusses the role of foreign language studies in middle school reforms. Considers how foreign language instruction works with the middle school curriculum to integrate learning through an interdisciplinary approach that connects meaningful experiences in school to the students' community and understanding of life outside school. (JPB)

Discusses intellectual, practical, and accountability problems of the integrated curriculum model. Notes the need for improving basic classroom instruction before reform. Argues for the potential of the basic theory of curriculum integration. (JPB)

Discusses the role of middle school curriculum reform, including disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and integrated perspectives, that will improve students' social, intellectual, and personal development. (JPB)

Following 2 years of planning with community members, local university staff, district administrators, teachers, and parents, the Wichita (Kansas) Public Schools Board of Education drafted, approved, and funded a state-of-the-art middle-school conceptual model that was implemented in fall 1989. The pilot project process promoted teacher and…

Describes a thematic, interdisciplinary, middle-school curriculum that integrates visual and language arts. Curriculum embodies three principles: (1) visual and verbal responses depend on meaningful interaction among the artist (writer), the art object (text), the viewer (reader), and the environment (context); (2) visual and verbal thinking are…

Assesses the concerns raised by a group of middle-level teachers when developing and implementing interdisciplinary curriculum, teaming, and teaching. Participants progressed through various stages, including information, personal, management, and collaboration. Concerns at each level had to be resolved before teachers could reach the final…

Discusses the use of children's literature to integrate language arts and mathematical problem solving in the middle school classroom. Considers selecting a book and writing the language arts and problem solving lessons; describes the process of creating and solving a mathematical problem based on a story. (JPB)