Studied attitudes in a convenience sample of seventh graders regarding instructional strategies. Found that students had positive attitudes toward games and simulations, various media, classroom discussions, and skill practice. Negative opinions were expressed about questioning, problem solving, and lectures. Also documented student…

Describes an Adopt-a-Grandparent program involving seventh-grade students and area senior citizens. Describes aspects of program implementation and organization, including advance preparation, contacting and meeting grandparents, funding, and visits. Discusses program outcomes, including behavioral observations, studies related to…

Describes a bird habitat project completed by seventh graders as community service. Details coordinating five curriculum components: (1) social studies; (2) math; (3) language arts; (4) art, and (5) science. Describes implementing the project, including costs and additional ideas; and recognizes involvement of parents, teachers, businesses, and…

Literature circles are groups of three to eight students who have read the same (self-selected) story or novel and have gathered to discuss their reading. Discussions are teacher supported but student led, and they combine collaborative learning with independent reading. Teachers can use these small-group discussions to link reading, writing, and…

Describes use of community-survey research by seventh-grade social studies students to teach research techniques and survey methodology in an authentic setting and record community attitudes about the school to establish strategic school goals. Concludes that the project provided multiple positive results for students while providing a basis for…

Describes how seventh graders were given a writing activity, collaboratively created by teachers and librarians utilizing a computer program, to introduce cumulative tales. Details the process of identifying characteristics of cumulative tales, teaching as a team, writing the tale, recording the tale on the computer, and sharing cumulative tales.…

To motivate students toward higher achievement and encourage mingling across racial and socioeconomic groups, a team of Florida seventh-grade teachers developed a plan featuring a rotating schedule, enrichment classes for all students, long time-blocks two days weekly, and heterogeneous cohesive groups. The program exposed all students to a…

Proposes middle-school curriculum integrating two diverse disciplines (home economics and science), incorporates social issues, and deals with fundamental concerns of young adolescents. Three major areas are included in framework: food additives for appeal, science of textile fibers, and chemistry of household cleaning. All should be taught by…

Presents ways of learning through movement. Discusses the beginning of the systems approach, contents of the systems class, and connections to mathematics, social studies, English, science, and physical education. Focuses on the interconnectedness of basic core learning to other subject areas. (DLH)