"Teaching Ten to Fourteen Year Olds," by Chris Stevenson, describes the author's odyssey as a teacher. Although scholarly and well researched, the book is filled with stories and anecdotes. Many of the teaching strategies are explained in detail. (MLF)

Challenges middle school teachers to broaden their definitions of both families and the roles that families can play in enhancing middle school effectiveness. Outlines six steps, supported by research from education and business, for recruiting families for middle schools. (15 references) (MLF)

Describes Donald H. Eichorn's leadership, commitment, and scholarship, highlighting his role in establishing the nation's first (nongraded) middle school, in the early 1960s. He founded middle school practices and programs on learner characteristics, developmentally appropriate tasks, and advisory groups at a time when little information about…

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…

Safe, noncontroversial social studies textbooks are neither meaningful nor necessary according to many students. As an alternative, teachers can integrate well-written trade books into the social studies curriculum. Well-researched diaries, journals, biographies, and autobiographies should become an integral part of the curriculum. (28 references)…

Profiles 7 middle-school teachers from a group of 32 outstanding middle-level teachers throughout the country that were surveyed, interviewed, and shadowed. Lists 10 attributes that they all share, including investment in personal and professional development and an attitude of commitment and self-confidence. (MLF)

Conrad F. Toepfer's experiences as a symphonic, jazz, and folk player influence his anxieties and concerns about education's moral obligations to further human development and freedom for all. Committed to learning as an active, interactive process, Toepfer has helped gather, organize, and motivate groups to design and implement middle-level…

First in a series of profiles to trace the intellectual roots of the modern middle-school movement through the thoughts and actions of five of its most influential revolutionaries. (seven references) (MLF)

Presents, in dialogue form, the differing viewpoints of two Maine middle-school teachers who developed individual methods and rationales for implementing portfolios in their subject disciplines. Whereas the English teacher has adopted a fairly inclusive, personalized format to evaluate students, the science teacher used portfolios to help students…

In a recent survey of outstanding school administrators, 70 middle-school administrators acknowledged the importance of student well-being, staff collegiality, higher expectations, innovative attitudes, school climate, risk-taking, professional activities, values, and institutional mission. The ability to facilitate others' growth and create a…

Middle school transition brings with it considerable change for those involved. Using corporate and industrial management theories and practices presents a rationale for wholesale and comprehensive educational change. (six references) (MLF)

Teachers who recognize the value of working together can put their belief into practice through the use of collaboration and cooperative learning methods. Lists 19 characteristics of a well-functioning and collaborative team. (MLF)

To promote academic success for young adolescents, schools must meet the following developmental needs: (1) positive social interaction with adults and peers; (2) structure and clear limits; (3) competency and achievement; (4) creative expression; (5) physical activity; (6) meaningful participation in their families, schools, and communities; and…

Discusses motivation systems theory and the complexity of motivation. Recommends that teachers reframe traditional dual dichotomies concerning intrinsic versus extrinsic orientations in motivation, intellectual challenge versus self-esteem development, or personal growth versus shared standards by blending the best assets from both to create…

Teachers who view their students simply as academic learners fail to consider the impact of each student's affective state on achievement at middle school. Teachers' indifference to students' (mis)treatment of each other project an insensitivity to students' right to a civil school environment. The best teachers maintain a caring, nurturing…