Surveys of Native-American students in grades six through eight examined their attitudes toward and knowledge of fetal-alcohol-syndrome risk factors and prevention strategies. Results revealed that there were limited prevention programs in middle schools, though students considered it an important topic. Families and peers were the most important…

Presents examples of how computer-mediated communication (CMC) affects language learning, describing a successful CMC project involving a Minnesota middle school and a school in France. Students exchanged electronic mail over two years and eventually produced a student-written, bilingual, multicultural play. Though students differed in age and…

Profiles the Indiana Exchange Project, an endeavor that uses technology to link fourth-grade teachers and students from three geographically and ethnically diverse communities. The students exchange letters, photographs, response journals, local newspapers, and videotapes of classroom and community activities. Includes an example of a summary…

Describes Team Science, a child-centered, activity-based science program for middle school students that evolved over a 25-year period. Three key components for success include educational philosophy, teaching and modeling respect, and a quality science program. Philosophy stresses maintaining natural curiosity and developing skills for lifelong…

Reports on a study that examined the comfort level of eighth-grade teachers who used nontraditional teaching strategies in sexuality education classes. Surveys indicated that most were comfortable teaching sexuality education, though a quarter to a third never or rarely used nontraditional strategies such as role playing, small group discussion,…

A middle school teacher asked her students how they felt they learned best and how they felt a teacher could assess what they learned. Students perceived a large gap between their learning and what tests reflected they had learned. They provided suggestions for a more effective tool for measuring learning. (SM)

Notes that young adolescents arrive at school greatly influenced by their home environments and are then influenced by school experiences. Notes that students with risk factors at home and school have difficulty succeeding. Recounts story of a young adolescent male to illustrate impact of school and home on school performance, highlighting the…

Israel's Educational Television Multimedia Program supports junior high school teachers in heterogeneous English-language classes. No prior knowledge of multimedia or computers is required. Mixed-ability student groups collaborate on multimedia projects. Students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles work on varying aspects of the same…

Discusses how co-teaching is useful for teaching important aspects of teaching to preservice educators, presenting an episode of masterful questioning from a study about teaching and learning in a science classroom co-taught by an experienced science teacher and a preservice teacher completing an internship. Their work suggests that preservice…

Describes the experience of a writing residency from the host teacher's point of view. Notes that students' attitude changed from an aversion to poetry to enjoyment of both reading and writing poetry. Notes that students now enjoy emotional self-expression through writing. Also discusses teaching techniques and school environment. (JG)

A semantic differential scale was used to detect racial prejudice before and after teaching a course developed to convey the concept "human" as consisting of many races. The course improved attitudes toward Blacks and Chinese, but little change was noted in the German children's attitudes toward Germans. (CP)

Presents a dialog between an educational psychologist and a middle school social studies teacher concerning the integration of the arts into social studies curriculum. Both agree that the use of the arts can simultaneously enhance the presentation of content while providing multiple paths to learning. (MJP)

Provides advice to school leaders in working with the school community to design, develop, and implement plans for a safe and secure learning environment. Argues the process requires communication with students, staff, parents, community, and the school district. Focuses on analyzing potential threats, incidence management, and incident reporting.…

Describes how a sixth grade teacher of an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) resource class used the GlobaLearn online program to promote cultural awareness and academic skills in social studies/geography. Discusses online communication with international host children, educational benefits, and other programs. (AEF)

Describes a pilot project designed to foster quality literacy projects by fifth-grade students; establish a positive working relationship between fifth-grade teachers and the Chapter 1 reading teachers; and provide an enriching atmosphere for the use of computers. Notes that the project uses portfolios and a process model of writing. Notes staff…