This monograph examines early adolescence as a developmental period and explains the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics of 10- to 14-year-olds. The monograph also discusses how middle schools can provide developmentally appropriate educational experiences. Chapter 1 of the monograph explores early adolescence as a developmental…

The current interest in identifying gender differences in young adolescents suggests a need to focus on how gender differences affect teaching and learning situations and on how middle level school educators can address these differences. This book explains what gender differences are, how gender differences affect learning, how both girls and…

Presents an interview with Dr. John H. Lounsbury, Dean Emeritus at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, and publications editor for the National Middle School Association. Issues discussed include changes in young adolescents' education; the influence of societal changes, educational reform, and technological development in the…

Examines recent research on cultural and gender differences among early adolescents, focusing on friendship patterns, identity development, social expectations, self-esteem, learning styles, health concerns, achievement aspirations, and sex role attitudes and behaviors. Young adolescents benefit when middle-level educators provide opportunities…

Discusses current middle school reform efforts and the need to change significantly the structure and practice of middle school education. Examines three practices that hold great promise for meeting the increasingly diverse needs of middle school students (and that boost each others' effectiveness): teacher collaboration, block scheduling, and…

Notes that the middle school years can be difficult for young adolescents as they face new and challenging developmental tasks. Provides a brief overview of Robert Havighurst's developmental theory. Proposes developmental tasks specifically for ten- to fifteen-year-olds in increasingly diverse schools and society. (PM)

Proposes that there are four middle school concepts that hold promise for being effective in high schools: advisor-advisee programs, exploratory programs, interdisciplinary teams, and efforts to promote a positive school climate. Lists, for each concept, implementation tasks, the characteristics of effective high school efforts, and recommended…

Provides an abstract of the book, "Developmentally Appropriate Middle Schools," which examines young adolescents' physical, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics, and suggests developmentally appropriate educational experiences. The book includes the idea that young adolescents' individual development should be the basis for curricular,…

Describes the changing social characteristics of early adolescence; provides research finding implications of the effects these changes have on the school climate and academic acheivement and offers suggestions to middle school educators who interact daily with early adolescents. (BB)

This teacher education program experimented with innovative methods for identifying potential technology teacher candidates, and with providing training methods that take advantage of candidate's existing technological expertise and experience. In this article, the authors call attention to the shortage of technology education teachers, provide a…

Describes ways to improve middle-level preservice education, noting the importance of providing carefully designed educational experiences for 10 to 14-year-olds. Program shortcomings can be reduced by adopting a middle-level orientation and providing prospective teachers with knowledge of young adolescent development and sound middle-level…

Five syntheses of research on teaching are reviewed, with findings relevant to middle level teacher education highlighted. Implications for teacher education are discussed. Topics include preservice field experiences, adolescent student motivation, effective use of class time, effective teaching behavior and student achievement. (IAH)

Revisits the middle-level school movement. Provides an overview of young adolescents' development, offers representative examples of developmentally appropriate practices, and looks at progress educators have made as well challenges encountered. Emphasizes the importance of understanding physical, pychosocial, and cognitive development in young…

Reviews research literature that defines cooperative learning and substantiates many educational benefits to be derived from it. Outlines eight selected cooperative learning methods. Reports that research shows cooperative learning methods improve students' academic achievement, self-esteem, and social skills. Also suggests that cooperative…