A seventh grade student in Nebraska asked for information about becoming a teacher in middle schools. The letter was forwarded to present and former members of the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Council on Middle Level Education. Ten responses provide a broad look at the complex question, "What makes a successful teacher at…

Provides a lesson for grades four-six that develops students' ability to analyze a piece of furniture as a work of art which reflects the historical, social, and artistic values of the society that produced it. Students design their own chair based on the user's lifestyle, the chair's precise use and location, and the materials used. (LS)

Describes the work of a meteorologist, the history of meteorology, and links to mathematics. Contains reproducible student activity worksheets on weather data. (MKR)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 23 computer software programs selected for their applicability to the fifth-grade curriculum outlined in California History Social Science Framework. Categorizes the recommended software programs by eight chronological units in the course. Includes the current price for each program and a list of sources for…

Discusses a game to present middle-grade students that involves both choice and chance to help them understand the significance and usefulness of mathematical probability. Discusses winning versus self-improvement and provides a student worksheet to help students in thinking about the game. (MKR)

Presents two classroom lessons designed to integrate language arts and art education into primary and intermediate grade social studies instruction. Provides step-by-step procedures and one student handout sheet. (CFR)

Describes a teacher-developed simulation designed to teach cultural geography to students in the middle grades. Contends that this interdisciplinary activity can be adapted to fit teacher or curriculum needs. Includes student instructions and descriptions of six pilgrimages. (CFR)

This simulation helps students in grades four to eight see their planet as one environment with limited resources shared by all. Students learn that the earth is a large system comprised of small systems, that systems are interdependent and often have irreplaceable parts, and that resources are not equally divided among countries. (RM)

Presents a game for learning about Canada's geography, natural resources, and major highways. Suggests that the activity will help students develop map skills, knowledge of capital cities, cooperative skills, and natural and human-made hazards. Includes instructions concerning game objectives, procedures, and materials. (SG)

Described is a method which can be used to teach children how to study science. Included are suggestions for efficient use of the textbook, how to learn in the laboratory, hints for note-taking, how to ask questions, and how to study for tests. (CW)

Maintains that there is nothing more relevant in the lives of middle school students than being caught up in the competitive spirit of a game. Describes the use of a football-type classroom game as a methodology for helping students plan for a unit test. Includes game objectives and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

The paper presents activities for improving students' literacy, oral communication, and thinking skills. Students brainstorm ideas for improving consumer products, think of ideas for starting a business, design an advertisement, estimate costs involved, create a demand for the product or service, and write a research paper on relieving stress.…

Presents two sets of calendars for July and August that include simple science or math activities for each day. The first set is for students in grades 3-5; the second set is for middle school students. The activities motivate students to investigate and collect data and reinforce concepts learned in school. (SM)

Presents an alternative method to teaching percent problems which uses a 10x10 grid to help students visualize percents. Offers a means of representing information and suggests different approaches for finding solutions. Includes reproducible student worksheet. (MKR)

Presents a series of 5 reproducible worksheets for grade levels 5-10 that provide hands-on activities to help develop the concept of slope. (MDH)