This manual illustrates an interdisciplinary team approach to teaching four academic subjects for seventh grade students. Eight interdisciplinary units are presented that were developed by teachers around two or more of the following subject areas: language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. An introduction to the Block Plan, as it…

This report identifies some of the relative advantages and disadvantages enjoyed by differing language groups in the Toronto school system. Eight groups of students were selected and studied in an attempt to determine whether cultural differences produce distinct patterns of performance on a variety of measures. The groups selected represent the…

The effectiveness of the Block Plan, developed and implemented by the seventh grade students at Edith Rogers Junior High School in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) was investigated. The Block Plan uses the concept of a pair of teachers assigned to two classes of students for the homeroom period plus a pair of teachers assigned for each of four academic…

This study examines the attitudes of students toward modern technology, their attitudes toward learning using modern technology in an academic setting, and whether there is a correlation between the two attitude variables. The investigation looked at the effects of gender and grade level on students' attitudes toward technology and toward learning…

Argues that the concerns and reactions of young girls to popular culture often are deemed superficial and irrelevant in social studies. Recalls an incident where a 13-year-old's journal entry regarding her fascination with horror films was poorly graded. Includes transcripts of the girl talking about films. (MJP)

Student responses to Canadian realistic fiction for young adults were examined for four seventh grade girls and three seventh grade boys. Interview findings support the view that students should have a role in selecting what they read, should talk about reading informally, and should construct representations less influenced by teacher responses.…

As part of a review of technological studies in the province of Ontario, the industrial arts programs of middle schools and junior high schools in the North York school system were evaluated. The review was undertaken to: (1) determine current student enrollment and time allocation patterns for industrial arts courses; (2) examine the extent to…

Grade retention data were collected from the Campbell River, British Columbia schools to determine the prevalence of retention and its effect on school completion. An extensive survey was administered to 52 parents and 204 educators to assess attitudes towards grade retention. Individual interviews were conducted with eight teachers from various…

As a prelude to testing deductions from the Ferguson and other ability theories that environment influences patterns of ability, school children in 5 large and 11 small isolated communities on the South Coast of Newfoundland were tested to compare ability patterns of children in small places with those in large communities. Data used for…

Intended for parents as a companion to the Alberta Curriculum Guides, this summary, in English- and French-language versions, uses an "at a glance" schematic to list the curricular goals for Grade 7 in Alberta. In addition to English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, goals cover health and life skills, physical…

One hundred and forty students in grades 6 and 7 were asked to process 32 science statements. Half of the statements were consistent with their prior knowledge, whereas the remaining facts were inconsistent with it. Half of the students were instructed to read the sentences for understanding (reading controls). The remaining students were…

Fifty-four standardized tests and subtests are examined, including achievement batteries, specific domain tests, and criterion-referenced tests. Individual test items are examined for their relationship to curriculum objectives developed by the Ministry of Education, Ontario for grades 7, 8, 9, and 10. The objectives are examined in four subject…

Research indicates that thoughtful technology use can positively influence learning process inside and outside the classroom, and one-to-one computing has been gaining popularity. Although some view such initiatives as passing, others look at the mounting research and see opportunities to reshape the nature of instruction and learning. This brief…

This bibliography, organized in seven sections, provides a comprehensive overview of Canadian arts education resources useful in the instruction of junior high school students. (1) "Titles and Descriptions" provides information, sources, annotations, and suggested subject integration for alphabetically arranged items. (2) "Community…

Parental involvement is critical to a child's success in school. This handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 7 curriculum in Alberta, Canada. Based on the Alberta Education "Program of Studies: Junior High Schools," the handbook describes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students in Alberta are expected to…