Imagines the possibilities if middle school teachers worked together cooperatively for educational change. Provides data from one such collaborative effort experienced by two middle school teachers. Claims that such collaboration can be an exciting and challenging addition to many teachers' professional lives. (HB)

Maintains that interdisciplinary teaming in middle schools has not reached its full potential, with teams spending too much time on minor problems and housekeeping duties. Suggests ways to: improve the foundations of teaming; demonstrate greater discipline during team meetings; improve the team's ability to make decisions, solve problems, and…

Article concentrated on the academics of the Learning Community and mini-courses within the Community. (Author/RK)

The development of interdisciplinary teaching teams offers the counselor increasing opportunities to benefit larger numbers of students than usually appear in the guidance office. The counselor also gains more opportunities for inservice teacher education and for facilitating parent-teacher conferences. A format for this last function is outlined.…

Discusses the use of middle school collaborative teams to support "stay-put" programming for at-risk students and those with mild disabilities. Discusses the process of collaboration, tools of accommodation, and group motivational strategies to better teach at-risk students. (SR)

Describes problems faced in an interdisciplinary course taught by the authors on major 19th and 20th century figures and ideas in the humanities (literature, music, art, and philosophy). Tells how they refashioned it to focus on depth rather than breadth. Offers some hard-won insights and advice for those embarking on interdisciplinary teaching.…

Explains how and why the Key Concerns in Team Teaching Rating Scale was developed. Suggests how the scale can be used by others who become involved in training for team teaching. Includes the scale. (RS)

Discusses interdisciplinary team collaboration for teachers, including structuring a successful team meeting, the 10-step interdisciplinary problem-solving meeting, evaluation of team collaboration, and effective team communication. (SR)

This paper attempted to provide evidence that the new and beginning teacher of today not only need not, but should not emulate any one person; rather, he will be a well-prepared individual "teaching personality" capable of challenging any fault-finding critic. (Author/RK)

Reports findings of a study that analyzed five middle school teacher team meetings using a coding system adapted from Flanders' work on classroom interaction. Concludes that the procedure can provide administrators with a valuable tool for validating perceptions or describing aspects of school climate. (FL)

Author suggests that team teaching is here to stay and offers ten ways that will increase the chances for its success. (Author/RK)

Argues that the eight-period school day actually causes many of the discipline and retention problems found in traditional middle schools. Argues that misbehavior is often a symptom of a broken system, not a reaction of broken children or the hormones of adolescence. Suggests four steps educators can take to eliminate some middle-school problems.…