McGinnis draws on the idea of engaged learning as critical and illustrates how school literacy practices do not provide urban Khmer youth (and by extension, other groups whose backgrounds are linguistically or socioculturally distinct) with deep levels of engagement in literacy activities. By looking at the types of writing experiences these youth…

Alvermann introduces us to a new metaphor for thinking about the ways in which teachers might intervene in their students' reading lives: re/mediation. Ultimately, it involves fixing the conditions in which students learn rather than attempting to fix the students per se (remediation).

The authors, one a teacher-researcher and the other a literacy researcher, take on the daunting task of vocabulary instruction in a school with a socioeconomically diverse population. They have designed a literacy program that emphasizes vocabulary development and uses personal choice (for motivation) and scaffolded literacy strategies (for…

Describes episodes of humor in a middle school classroom. (SR)

Defines emotional intelligence. Considers why and how music can be a very useful educational medium for middle school children. Describes some musical activities used for emotional learning programs. (SR)

Having taught both mainstream and special needs middle school students and in an alternative high school, the author resists the concept that all children are capable of doing the same work. She contends that there is no one best teaching style any more than there is any one best learning style. She suggests that a teacher needs to find his or her…

Writing comes to life when students remember to watch for and express detail--name names. Examples from favorite authors, classroom exercises and discussion, and practice with absolutes and appositives all support students as they focus the "camera" on vivid descriptive elements. (Contains 3 figures.)

"Voice" is one of the least concrete elements of good writing, and yet it is also one of the most important. Helping students find a balance between the "gush" of ideas and words and the "long-thinking" of reflection and craft, Tom Romano leads students to allow themselves creative freedom while developing the patience to hone that first rush into…

Describes how a class full of unwilling middle school Language Arts students got over their reticence and started looking at school as a positive place through an inquiry learning project about school. Describes the project, things students read and wrote, and a field trip to the university. Argues that students must have a voice in the classroom.…

Van Horn deems three "recognitions" as essential to truly internalizing professional development: what and how we learn; the importance of individuals, contexts, and community in learning; and the ongoing nature of learning. Here, she provides an overview and examples of ideas about professional development and how we might develop ourselves as…

Describes the basic tenets of social and emotional learning; discusses the emotional and social challenges that middle school children face; and provides suggestions for parents and teachers to help promote smooth sailing through these rocky middle school years. (SR)

Describes an exercise used successfully with a 5th- and 6th-grade classroom that helps students name their struggles and find common ground and even compassion. (SR)

Presents a call to action to all adults who impact the lives of students to make the time to pay attention to students, encourage their strengths, promote their learning, and model considerate and pro-social behavior--to notice them and talk to them. (SR)

A student who confesses he is gay and a teacher who must hide her sexual identity make us question how much has changed in the past few years and what we need to do hasten change now. (Contains 8 resources.)

School districts have come to think of intervention for struggling readers as something accomplished in a session outside the classroom, one period long, taught by someone other than that student's usual teacher. This often leaves struggling readers in a learning environment where no theory or empirical evidence would predict substantial learning.…