The conflict resolution curriculum presented in this teachers' guide is based on the belief that conflict is a natural part of life, although few people have the skills to deal with conflict creatively. This curriculum gives students the opportunity to practice skills related to dealing with conflict successfully in all areas of their lives. The…

This curriculum is based on the peaceable classroom model, which emphasizes cooperation, communication, appreciation of diversity, the healthy expression of feelings, responsible decision-making, and conflict resolution. This guide presents over 150 activities and tools to help middle school students learn to effectively handle the conflict that…

Offers activities for educating middle school students regarding the importance of lifestyle. Activities cover eating patterns, physical exercise, and potentially hazardous behaviors. (MDH)

This article presents results of a literature-response study conducted with at-risk middle school students of Latino, African American, and Caucasian backgrounds. The study was guided by an assumption of students' ability to read and coherently assimilate elements of "The House on Mango Street," by Sandra Cisneros (1984). Although centered in…

A practicum was developed to increase self-esteem, to lower anxiety, and to improve social skills in 13 emotionally handicapped (EH) middle school boys. An additional objective was to provide parenting classes which focused on increasing parents' knowledge and skills in improving their children's self esteem. The 8-month multifaceted program…

This guide contains activities to help teachers give middle school students experience in practical life skills. Techniques include role playing and using classified advertisements from newspapers. The five lessons include teacher tips on conducting the activities. Lessons contain objectives, materials needed, discussion, and suggested dialogue.…

This paper responds to several social studies teachers' complaints that students are not reading on grade level, and therefore, not able to engage in classroom activities. The paper describes the development of sample lesson plans for middle school students and identifies effective assessment alternatives for teachers to use. Solutions presented…

Cooperative learning and heterogeneous ability grouping meet many of the goals of middle grade education while avoiding the discriminatory effects of tracking and homogeneous grouping. Poor and minority students are overrepresented in lower track classes, and are, therefore, more likely to be denied equal access to education. Arguments in favor of…

Ways in which middle schools can better prepare their students are presented in this report. It discusses the national pattern of underachievement in basic mathematics and science and details how schools served by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) report that almost 50 percent of their eighth-graders are below the basic level in math.…

This booklet is designed for teachers and counselors in middle schools and high schools who are teaching the Sharing Today and Responsibility Tomorrow (START) Curriculum. The mission of the START Curriculum is to help students develop strong character by providing them with awareness, knowledge, and skills for building healthy relationships with…

Noting factors that have contributed to an increased emphasis on developmentally responsive middle level schools, this revised monograph examines early adolescence as a developmental period and explores the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics of 10- to 15-year-olds. In addition, the monograph provides recommendations concerning…

In an effort to improve spelling instruction in the elementary and middle schools, this booklet presents answers to 12 of the most commonly asked questions about spelling, based on a review of spelling research and a polling of authorities in the field. The booklet answers questions such as: (1) What is the most important single factor in spelling…

Argues for and gives ideas of how to involve more students in the activities of middle schools. (IRT)

This book presents science fiction readers theatre scripts for use with grades 4 through 8. The introduction provides information on what readers theatre is and its value, as well as presentation suggestions (e.g., preparing scripts, staging, props, delivery, and post-presentation). Each script includes staging directions and ideas for learning…

Water conservation and usage is an important concept in science. This document, geared specifically to New England, provides many activities for protecting and discussing ground water situations. Sample activities for grades K-6 include: (1) All the Water in the World; (2) The Case of the Disappearing Water; (3) Deep Subjects--Wells and Ground…