Describes a program at Stone Middle School in Melbourne, Florida. (JM)

Discusses a walking trip through Elfers, Florida, which gives intermediate level students a basis for a real understanding of the state's history, climate, economy, and natural resources. Describes how students prepare for the outing by examining maps and interviewing their parents and grandparents about life when they were in school. (GEA)

A 1991 Florida survey of teachers and students identified five crucial characteristics of effective teacher advisors, including ability to care about students and relate to advisees' individuality, availability, and possession of a positive attitude and a unique advising style. The main qualification is enjoyment of children. (MLH)

Outlines current positions in the United Kingdom and the United States regarding pupil transition from elementary to secondary school. Presents U.S. findings as case studies from each state visited (New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia), highlighting significant similarities and differences in organization and practice. United…

A Florida survey shows middle school students' favorite advisement activities to be parties, holiday and special day celebrations, discussion, service projects, games, group activities, and freedom to choose activities. Teachers' favorites are student of the day/week, academic advisories, organization and goal-setting days, career exploration,…

Teacher-directed content, immovable subject divisions, and rigid scope and sequences perpetuate mismatch between middle school curricula and young adolescents' needs. Teachers at one Florida middle school are experimenting with Coalition of Essential Schools processes such as backward curriculum design and units of joy. Curriculum becomes an open…

Since the state of Florida enacted stricter academic standards for high schools, the dropout rate has increased and middle schools have suffered. Funds formerly intended for elementary and middle schools are being used to sustain high school reform programs. School reform at one level has serious implications for other levels. (MD)

Discusses Project CHILD (Computers Helping Instruction and Learning Development), a program promoting active learning and the integration of technology with learning stations. First piloted in Florida in 1991 and adopted by 57 schools, the project's success has been ensured by documentation, updates, encouragement, and support. Describes a day in…

To address the retained-student dropout rate and increase parent involvement, a Fort Lauderdale (Florida) middle school principal devised a program to help overage seventh graders catch up with their peers in one year and help parents achieve their own education goals. The Rogers' Achievement Program stresses basic skills, student-designed…

Discusses the use of travel photographs as original sources in geography and other social studies classrooms. Contends that students can learn about other places and people through analysis of the photographs. Includes suggested sources and activities for using the photographs. (CFR)

This study focuses on responses from a questionnaire surveying the personal, educational, and musical backgrounds of the all-state instrumentalists participating in the Florida Music Educators Association In-Service Concert. Subjects were 882 students in the nine instrumental ensembles surveyed. There were three groups for middle/junior high level…

Sixth graders completed a survey investigating the relationship of school and home self-esteem to history of substance use, membership in alternative education programs, gender, and race. Both school and home self-esteem inversely related to tobacco, alcohol, and drug use. Students in nonmainstream programs had significantly lower home and school…

Provides background on ThinkQuest, the world's largest Internet learning competition. Describes the experience of H.D. Perry Middle School in Miramar, Florida, where students designed a Web site about one of their hobbies--juggling. Includes the 1997 ThinkQuest Category of First-Place Winners. (AEF)

Summarizes results of 1990-91 study of pilot program (SHAPE) using a multiagency approach to provide individualized support services to at-risk middle-school students. Presents detailed case analyses of three selected students representing three target groups. Students having difficulty adjusting to school demands resulting from moderate family…

This study examined how brief nurse consultations helped prevent alcohol use among urban youth. Surveys of sixth-eighth graders who did and did not complete the consultations indicated that intervention students reduced and control students increased their heavy drinking following the intervention. There were no differences on other alcohol use…