Reveals that the reading performance and dispositions towards reading of three adolescent readers (a successful, a moderately successful, and a struggling reader) observed in day-to-day classroom reading over five months varied according to the context of their reading, the materials they read, and their reading purpose. None, however, could be…

Investigated the effects of transitioning from elementary to middle school on the motivational beliefs of students attending two very different types of middle schools. Surveys of students at the end of grades 5, 6, and 7 indicated that while few differences existed in elementary school, students' motivational beliefs changed differently,…

Finds that, while parents are the only source of support for at-risk middle school students, the not-identified-at-risk students also received support from their teachers and friends. Finds different types of social support associated with different outcomes. Finds that students not identified as at-risk appear to benefit more from the social…

The purpose of this practicum was to resolve conflict in a peaceful and constructive manner in the sixth-grade. Students participated in a conflict resolution and peer mediation program designed to enable friendships to grow and to reduce the number of violent acts within the school setting. Thirty students initially began in the program. During…

This paper describes preliminary analyses of data from an ongoing project entitled "Connecting In-School and Out-of-School Mathematics Practice." During this project the authors are: (1) investigating how middle school students use mathematics concepts and processes in a variety of out-of-school situations, and (2) working with middle…

The difficulties that students with learning disabilities experience in cooperative learning activities include failure to attend to their peers, low levels of participation, inappropriate interactions with peers, and inactive learning. Three techniques are suggested to improve performance during cooperative learning activities. The first…

The notion of educating and encouraging the whole child is not a new idea, but it awaits full acceptance. Strategies for teaching the whole child in a middle-school environment are presented here. The text opens with an overview of how schools have failed to use the latest ideas and technologies in educating students and how schools can draw on…

This study investigated during a 2-year period how middle school students spend their time when not in school. Nearly 75 middle school students participated in the study. The subjects' out-of-school activities were first investigated in April of 1997 when subjects were in the fifth grade. The same students were studied again in April 1998 when…

This report describes a program for improving student geographical skill components identified as place and orientation, cultural geography, economic geography, physical geography, and plants and animals. Middle school students in a middle class community in the midwest participated in the study. Three major categories of interventions were…

Many educators believe that middle grades schools have a responsibility to capitalize on the natural curiosity of young adolescents through the use of an exploratory curriculum to help students understand the world in which they live. This study examined the status of middle grades exploratory programs in Alabama. A 22-item questionnaire was sent…

A study investigated the effect of explicit instruction in notetaking on sixth-grade students' notetaking skills and comprehension of lecture information, as well as on students' attitudes towards notetaking. Subjects, 41 students enrolled in two academically gifted and 47 students in two average ability language arts classes from a middle school…

Preparing students for high school is only one of the many functions of middle school. It is expected that by this time children would have acquired the behaviors necessary to interact appropriately with peers and adults. This practicum was designed to help the low achieving and the learning disabled student (SLD) acquire appropriate social…

Examines how middle school students' literacy behaviors in the classroom relate to their academic achievement, how these behaviors reinforce their developing sense of self, and how teachers can support academic competence in their students. Discusses teachers' influence on efficacious behavior, how students and teachers work together, and…

Describes orientation strategies aimed at new students at a middle school. Has two separate plans: for non-English-speaking students and those who speak English. Orientation includes a checklist of student needs, such as issuing a student handbook and offering the student a tour of the building. (RJM)

Explains that students in intermediate grades often find the academic demands more difficult and complex. Four factors are identified: ability, quality and quantity of instruction, and motivation. Examines the direct and indirect effects of variables shown to influence academic achievement. Claims that motivation and homework are especially…