Explores the use of faculty book clubs as a means to introduce middle school teachers to acclaimed adolescent literature, including recently published novels, in hopes that they might incorporate the books they read into their language arts and social studies classes. Examines the extent to which the book club participants incorporated the novels.…

Provides and describes the use of a "Proficient Reader Protocol" in the evaluation of the middle school reader. Defines the six main components that combine to make up proficient reading and shows how each component is measured by the protocol. Proposes implications for the classroom. (HB)

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)

Describes a strategy for a study of social problems in social studies classes that involves selecting brief excerpts from various literary genres that focus on a key social issue. Notes the students identify the problem, consider its implications, and offer solutions--then the students are encouraged to read the entire text to see how the problem…

Discusses the importance of parental involvement in middle-level schools. Describes how an online threaded discussion format can create a virtual community, promoting positive parental involvement. Offers guidelines to consider when using this form of technology. (SR)

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…

Middle school educators can enhance the quality of education in the classroom by obtaining grants for special projects. Grants, which can be used to improve instruction, upgrade equipment, and implement innovative programs, are available from local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit foundations, and private corporations. Overall, millions of…

Assessing students' knowledge is complex. Ideally, an assessment measures what students know about a given construct. Too often, however, assessments are complicated by miscommunication. Miscommunication occurs when students misinterpret the intent of the teacher's question and/or the teacher misinterprets the students' answers. This article…

Author described some of the techniques she used for teaching French at Roosevelt Junior High School, West Palm Beach. She also explained how these techniques helped students to maintain an early desire to learn a foreign language. (Author/RK)

In the Fred S. Engle Middle School, an experiment in the structure of a middle school student council has been in progress for the last two years. Here students learn to develop leadership and become involved with many cultural and socio-economic groups. (Author/RK)

Discusses paradoxes of American middle schools as well as their promises for hope and success. Explains why the middle school has not failed as the junior high school did. (HOD)

Describes a program of student scholarship and conduct recognition developed by a middle school in Arkansas. (FL)

This article describes the initial steps taken to mainstream students classified as "educable mentally retarded" and then presents a twelve step curriculum development procedure for totally mainstreaming such students at a middle school. (Author/RK)

Data on schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. (SP)

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.…