A computer program, Pacesetter, is described. As an organizational tool, it assists in developing strategies for planning, organizing, scheduling, and completing tasks on time. An account is given of the experiences of a teacher who used Pacesetter to help sixth graders produce a school newspaper. (IAH)

Reviews six professional books in three categories: three books written by teachers and other educators writing about their experiences in whole language classrooms, two instructional idea books written to help teachers implement specific areas of curriculum (biographies and poetry), and one book on current research. Reviews books and audiotapes…

Discusses students' use of HyperCard, a program for the Macintosh, to create innovative, multimedia presentations of ideas across the curriculum. Presents samples of students' presentations. (MG)

This article identifies realistic, research-based computer simulations that are capable of stimulating student decision making. Also discussed is a recent category of computer programs, probeware. Students use a sensing device (probe) to measure physical characteristics and transmit results to a computer which collects, stores, and displays the…

Reviews 7 picture books and 15 chapter books that should appeal to readers in the intermediate grades. Discusses how the skills and interests of readers of this age are changing. (MG)

Reviews 17 recent young adult books that might appeal to the late elementary/middle school/junior-high-age children. Discusses the use of corollary text to help readers make connections between recent young adult literature and older, often classic literature. (MG)

Advocates the rights of early adolescents to (1) information they need on subjects such as AIDS, drugs, and reproduction; (2) information on topics they enjoy which may not be grounded in a school's curriculum; and (3) a sense of history. Seventeen recommended books are described in this context. (MES)

Reviews 13 professional materials that explore the uses of expository texts and informational materials designed to be used with elementary and middle school students in the classroom. Discusses a book that provides a whole-language perspective on language learning and teaching. (MG)

Reviews the reference book "Who's Who in Space: The International Space Year Edition" and provides a lesson plan for grades five and six to teach library media skills. Objectives, instructional roles, activity and procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described. (EAM)

Presents annotated bibliographies of 30 fiction and nonfiction titles judged to be outstanding books of interest to preadolescents. Suitability for middle school curriculum; accuracy of information in nonfiction titles; and character development, plot, and style in fiction works are considered, and the depiction of violence is discussed. (LRW)

Computer software programs designed to develop or increase musical skills in middle and secondary school students are reviewed in this document. These programs are not designed to be used instead of regular music instruction, but rather to supplement it. Each product review contains the producer, necessary hardware, optimal hardware, price,…

Discusses ways in which online searching promotes the development of research, computer, and critical thinking skills, and reviews two databases that offer access to information on elementary school science. Lesson activities for grades four through six are suggested, and information on the vendor, system requirements, and cost of each database is…

Suggests sources of information for African American History Month for library media specialists who work with students in grades four through eight. Gale Research's "African-American Reference Library," which includes "African-America Biography,""African-American Chronology," and "African-American Almanac,"…

Asserts polls show that the general public, high school seniors, and college seniors have many misunderstandings about the U.S. economic system and its role in the international economy. Maintains that grade level programs need to be interdisciplinary and utilize active learning techniques. (CFR)

Reviews three computer software programs focusing on teaching science to middle school students: (1) Encarta, a multimedia encyclopedia; (2) Gizmos and Gadgets, which allows students to explore physical science principles; and (3) BodyScope, which allows students to examine the systems of the human body. (BB)