Former middle-school principal's graduation speech to fifth graders and their parents focuses on three areas: students and psychological and physiological changes they will experience; what to expect in middle school (teamwork and advisee-group activities); and secrets for success and happiness. Students and parents are advised to concentrate on…

Transcripts of two segments of CBS-TV's "Sunrise Semester" discuss the experiences of several participants in a production of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" by elementary school students. (RL)

Some important issues related to teaching problem solving in the elementary grades are addressed, with particular emphasis on the intermediate grades. Presents one point of view and some specific questions often raised by teachers who wish to incorporate problem solving into the mathematics program. (MP)

Discusses the use of literature in the whole-language approach. Examples show the integration of a second grader's experiences with the curriculum; integrating the language arts in the middle school via study of the author as well as the book; and the integration of literature into the study of history. Titles to use in each area are suggested.…

This paper focuses on ways to enhance the study skills of students in the middle grades, and describes the use of study guides, textbook activity guides (TAGs), and the Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review (SQ3R) technique of textbook study. Research on the use of the techniques is reported. It is concluded that the proper use of study guides…

Discusses "Cobblestone," a social studies magazine, and "Penny Power," a consumer education publication, in this the second of a two-part article concerning content area periodicals for intermediate grade students. (FL)

Introduces eight minicenters that deal with topics such as time, mystery objects, statistical tables, nature, comedy, and war. These materials are aimed for the upper elementary grades and are intended to spark interest in an area and to entice the learner into stopping for a while to browse. (MOK)

Observes that changes in the pattern of social interactions in classrooms as a result of computers may be even more significant than any simple technological effect. Illustrates the point with an example of sixth-grade writing on the QUILL software system, and the student's increased peer interaction and audience awareness. (HTH)

Teachers should have the authority to teach as they think best in their own classrooms and be held accountable for academic results. Proposes teams of teachers who are responsible for teaching the same group of children for four years. Teams of primary teachers would work with children from ages 6 through 10, and teams of intermediate teachers…

Provides direction for developing appropriate, meaningful social studies instruction for the middle school. Identifies characteristics of early adolescents that have a direct relationship to curriculum design and the selection of appropriate social studies instruction strategies. Offers National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)…

The growing field of profit-making public-school management represents a way to begin school reform and save money. Educational Alternatives, Inc. has an agreement to manage eight elementary schools and one middle school in Baltimore, Maryland; and Whittle Communications, Inc. plans to seek contracts to manage existing public school programs. (MLF)

This monograph explores current trends in the literature on school reform, dropouts, effective schools, and successful practices in the middle grades in order to create a framework for thinking about dropout prevention at the intermediate level. Literature reviewed in Chapter 1 suggests that the dynamics of dropping out involve the relation…

This research commentary offers a rationale for focusing on individual students with learning disabilities (rather than teacher beliefs and behaviors or general achievement) in elementary grade cooperative learning settings. This focus resulted in the finding that many of these students were not having successful experiences and identified…

First in a series of columns on helping children develop content area literacy. Promotes the 3W3H strategy, a framework of "what" and "how" questions to help students approach content-area assignments. (ET)

This paper focuses on the role of the school leader as motivator. In particular, attention is given to what those in school leadership roles can do to enhance the personal investment of students in learning. A conceptual model is outlined which suggests that school leaders affect not only the degree, but also the quality of student motivation by…