Focuses on elementary and middle school children, the technology they are embracing, and Montessori methods in education. Connects Montessori philosophy and practices with the concepts of Marshall McLuhan on interactivity and technological change. (ET)

Replicated earlier studies on bullying using younger students. Findings from 178 fourth through eighth graders revealed that nearly 90% reported victimization by bullies. Bullying was seen as largely verbal phenomenon, with teasing as most common behavior reported. Although specific rates of bullying and reported trauma were higher among middle…

Examined prevalence of writing problems among 1,274 middle school students from 3 middle schools in southeastern, midwestern, and western United States. Data suggest high prevalence of writing problems in these middle school populations when compared to normal curve expectations, particularly when using spontaneous writing samples in diverse…

Studied factors contributing to early Spanish literacy and later English reading for students from kindergarten through grade 7 (complete data for 91 students). Results suggest that early literacy experiences support subsequent literacy development regardless of language and that time spent on the native language is not time lost with respect to…

Today's classrooms hold many students who often possess dysfunctional approaches to conflict as entertainment. Abrasive talk shows, confrontational radio, even political debates, and the frenzy surrounding them may be considered evidence of this dysfunctional approach. Because we live in a post-9/11 reality and a time of war, the opportunity to…

Written for parents and for professionals working with children and their parents, this book demonstrates that children's social development must be given paramount importance in order for them to achieve long-term school success. The book shows parents how to be effective caregivers by knowing what to realistically expect from a child based on a…

This paper describes the history, characteristics, program model, activities, and evaluation results of the Pottstown Homework Center Partnership project, in Pottstown County, Pennsylvania. The goal of the program is to initiate homework centers and train volunteer tutors from the community to support the at-risk middle students by providing…

This monograph is designed to serve as a vision for guiding the future of vocational education at the middle level. Chapter 1, "Understanding Early Adolescents" (Frances Smith), provides an overview of early adolescent development as a basis for developing middle-level vocational education programs. Chapter 2, "Essential Elements of…

Differences in actual classroom behaviors in teaching with technology between novice and expert teachers were studied for six middle-school mathematics teachers from a large urban/suburban school district in a major metropolitan area. Teachers received inservice training in the use of calculators, and their students were issued calculators for the…

This practicum employed a systematic series of activities to assist special education middle school students (n=16) in making successful transitions from special classes into regular classes. Students were identified as either gifted-handicapped or communication disordered. Weekly class meetings were held in which general social skills issues were…

This paper suggests that emerging adolescents in middle schools will do better in social studies if activities are encouraged that develop and maintain student interest. Goal centered, interesting learning opportunities are a must in the social studies curriculum. Middle school students need ample opportunities to engage in problem solving.…

Need in Deed (NID) is a non-profit organization which has been serving Philadelphia schools since 1987. The organization aims to promote youth engagement in their schools and communities by working with teachers to develop and implement service learning projects in which students can apply academics to real life problems. Until recently, NID staff…

This report summarizes results of the 2006-2007 Austin Independent School District parent survey.

Objective: The authors analyze the occurrence of grade repetition and inattention in children diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Method: The participant group consisted of 310 patients with NF1 and a control group of 242 individuals. The number of grade repetitions for each participant during his or her time in elementary, middle, and…

This study compares middle schools to K-8 schools, as well as to newly formed K-8 schools that are part of a K-8 conversion policy. The outcome is student achievement, and our sample includes 40,883 eighth-grade students from 95 schools across five cohorts. The analysis uses multilevel modeling to account for student, cohort, and school-level…