The whole middle school movement is based on the knowledge that children between the ages of 10 and 14 have special developmental needs. Summarizes recent research findings. A sidebar lists eight recommendations for middle school executives adapted from the Carnegie Corporation document "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st…

Examined relationship between relative age and achievement in middle school by investigating standardized mathematics and reading scores for 933 students. Found significant differences among relative age groups in only one area, sixth-grade reading. Found no main effect for gender and no interaction between age and gender in sixth, seventh, or…

In recent years, science educators have struggled with the dual challenge of equity and excellence, of providing all students access to a quality science education, and ensuring each student achieves an understanding of scientific concepts and processes. The Program for Complex Instruction, a model of group work, addresses this dual challenge by…

This monograph provides rationale, examples, and specific guidelines for initiating advisor-advisee programs in the middle school. Part 1 discusses why affective education is needed in the middle school, and promotes the need for qualitative properties of education to exist along side the quantitative. Part 2 describes six on-going programs of…

Describes eight creative inquiry projects for middle-school students, complete with description, time investment, level of difficulty, and student rating. (SR)

Finds that academic preferences of students in grades five, six, and eight for mathematics were near the midpoint of Mathematics Preference Index, whereas those for seventh graders were substantially below it. Shows a preference for mathematics to be negatively correlated with measures of academic achievement. (SR)

Through a review of the transition literature and a survey of 225 students about to enter middle school, the most significant anxieties identified were the following: (1) space concerns about a new and larger building, especially getting lost and being late to class; (2) contact with older and possibly rougher students; and (3) heavy homework…

Argues that middle school students are capable of producing quality student publications that bring recognition to the school and help students develop useful skills. Describes one teacher's experiences building such a middle school journalism program. Offers advice for others and responses from students. (SR)

Studied reasons for tardiness given by students in private middle school for girls. Found that some sort of transportation problem was the most common reason, followed by health-related causes, sleeping habits, family-related excuses, no reason given, and miscellaneous excuses. (KB)

This guide presents a new focus, called future options education, for career and college planning for students in the middle grades. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of future options education, describing it as a sustained, comprehensive, age- and stage-appropriate mix of guidance and counseling, with an enhanced curriculum and supplemental…

Explored effectiveness of one-session classroom presentations about recently initiated school counseling services with grades five through eight students (N=207). Following presentations all grade levels on average were able to provide four reasons for seeking counseling, offer a definition of counseling, and report two methods of securing an…

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)

Middle school students' real-life interests and preoccupations with themselves make them ideally suited to enjoy reading. Lists eight premises about teaching writing that have parallels in the teaching of literature. (12 references) (MLF)

A Connecticut middle school has developed a student plan book that is a communication tool between school and students' homes. Students use the book to record homework assignments and daily grades and take the book home every night so that parents can see the students' grades and assigned homework. (MLF)

Hospice of North Carolina developed and pilot tested curriculum materials dealing with death, loss, and grief for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12. Middle school curriculum was tested in 4 schools with 211 students. Findings from general information questionnaire administered to students suggest that middle school students experience many significant…