Activities are proposed which are designed to aid the development of formal reasoning processes in middle and junior high school pupils. It is felt the materials presented can be easily adapted by an instructor to many audience levels. The puzzle format is designed to increase student motivation for participation. (MP)

Investigated was student inability to understand mathematics across concepts, focusing on the processes by which students solve problems. In-depth clinical interviews were used with students during ninth-grade general mathematics. Mathematical abilities investigated were information gathering, generalization, reversibility, flexibility, and…

Described is an activity designed to make the concepts of experimentation, independent variables, and dependent variables easy to understand by using observable characteristics of several rods to illustrate these concepts. (DS)

Describes the development of an experimental Likert-type rating scale for use in monitoring student attitudes toward seventh and eighth grade science. A sample of the opinionnaire and the results from two administations of this instrument are included. (JR)

The use of small groups of students (usually four members) as an alternative instructional unit is described. Classroom procedures, teacher role, instructional materials, pacing, and discipline associated with this arrangement are discussed. (CP)

Three density questions were administered to 290 ninth-grade students to assess their understanding of this concept. Found two-thirds of students understand displacement and/or density concepts. Three solubility questions were administered to 385 ninth-graders to assess understandings of solubility. Found students have difficulty with some aspects…

Teachers at the middle school level not only teach content but also counsel students concerning student problems. Both tasks can be accomplished by bringing into the classroom community resource people who can concretely demonstrate the utility of learning science and math and who can help students gain information about careers. (DS)

Eighth-grade students in Verona, Mississippi were surveyed for their awareness and understanding of energy problems after they completed a specially designed unit on energy. Verona pupils seemed more conservation-minded and aware of limited energy resources than a control group. (MP)

Results from a national assessment of science conducted by the Minnesota Science Assessment and Research Project in 1981-82 are presented. The achievement of 13- and 17-year-olds on biology items, their attitudes about science and science classes, and comparisons with data from 1976-77 are discussed. (MNS)

Described is a model for planning and conducting an investigation designed to teach science process skills. Use of this model illustrates the generalizability of process skills and facilitates their inclusion in novel curriculum areas and beyond the classroom. (DS)

Discussed are science activities appropriate for middle school students. Considerations include the degree of abstractness of the concepts and the need for increased class time for explaining, discussing, and integrating students' activity experiences. (DS)

Five series of mathematics textbooks for grades seven and eight were examined to see the kinds, amounts, uses, and suggestions for writing included. Few writing activities and very few longer writing tasks were found. (MNS)