Amargosa Valley School in Nevada could be considered representative of almost any preK-8 school that serves a large proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and is focused on turning around persistently low achievement. Like other schools supported by federal School Improvement Grants, Amargosa is beginning to implement a reform plan…

A Los Angeles, California, project that infuses reading and language into the health curriculum allows teachers to give additional reading instruction without sacrificing time or curriculum content; it shows that communication skills can be infused successfully into the broader curriculum. (Author/DCS)

Seventh graders reacted enthusiastically to this watercolor art activity. A blank piece of white drawing paper was soaked in water and then removed to a newspaper-covered table. Students held a brush full of watercolor above the paper and squeezed the bristles. When the droplets hit the surface, they spread beautifully. (RM)

Describes LOGO programming activities accomplished by seventh grade students in France, including those involving graphics, geometry, and movement commands. Includes descriptions of various LOGO commands (statements) used by students as well as program listings. (JN)

Seventh-graders studied inflation and other economic consumer concepts at a consumer convention. Preactivities, workshop sign-up day, and the convention schedule are discussed. A chart of the workshop design is included. (SR)

Seventh grade students studied the Victorian period using a 4-6 week interdisciplinary unit that integrated language arts, mathematics, art, science, social studies, music, home economics, parents, and business into the program. The main goals were to help students understand the importance of all curriculum subjects; comprehend how subjects are…

A 7th-grade teacher describes a unit on the elderly involving films, books, a visit to a local nursing home, and other activities. Resources for teaching about old age are listed. Suggestions for preparing for and following up on a nursing home visit and ideas for related activities are presented. (MT)

Describes a locally developed, grade 7 unit focusing on the migration of the earliest people of the Polynesian region. Inquiry strategies and activities encouraging inferential thinking are used with the unit. (JN)

Presents a day-by-day account of a beginning filmmaking course for a seventh-grade class. (MM)

Discusses seventh-grade weather activities, including comparison of barometric pressure and temperature charts and launching of postcards attached to three helium-filled balloons. (JN)

This document is a conference presentation on the use of portfolios as an evaluation tool for middle school music students. All of the pages are suitable for use with an overhead projector. Areas covered include reasons for teaching the arts as both an intellectual discipline and vocational education; Illinois state goals for musical learning for…

Presents a lesson plan for seventh-grade students in which they learn respect for themselves and others and apply social studies skills. Explains that the students create timelines, interview someone of an older generation, and create a Venn diagram comparing that person's life to their own. Includes suggestions for writing assignments based on…

Describes the probability and statistics component of an experimental mathematical science and communications program. Some of the successes and failures are considered. (PK)

Includes a preface and two articles: "Rhetoric in Action: Roger's Social Studies Classroom" and "Rhetorical Understandings for Social Studies Teachers." Details how one teacher applies rhetorical principles to teaching, so that student learning, enjoyment, and motivation increase. Focuses on the definitions and principles of…

Seventh-grade students attended a weekend "camp-out" in which local scientists and college educators were used to enrich students' learning. Information on planning the camp-out and an annotated schedule of events are presented. (JN)