Aptitude-treatment interactions in large- and small-group learning situations were investigated. Students who initially preferred small groups did worse in that approach than in the large-group approach. High- and low-ability students did better and had more positive attitudes in the small- and large-group approaches, respectively. (Author/RD)

Recommends using primary source documents in middle school history instruction and examines several strategies for making them more accessible. Describes a course on 17th-century social reformers that utilized paraphrasing of the historical language used in primary documents followed by focus questions and class discussion. (MJP)

Reports a college-school project that examined the effects of thematically integrated mathematics instruction on Mexican American middle school students' mathematics achievement, attitudes, and motivation. Students receiving thematic instruction surpassed traditionally instructed students on mathematics concepts and applications. The two programs…

Presents a learning activity to help students see themselves as part of the historical process. Describes the nine-week project in which students solicit written or oral remembrances of family, local, and national history. Maintains that the project integrated history and writing in a meaningful way for students. (CFR)

Presents a scripted lesson plan for intermediate grades, based on M.C. Wittrock's model of generative teaching derived from brain lateralization research. Uses a shopping mall as the setting for hypothetical dilemmas. Offers a combination of verbal and imagined strategies that improve students' economic reasoning and teaches cost-benefit analysis.…

Task engagement and conceptual change were studied for 12 sixth graders in 2 classrooms where teachers and instructional materials provided students with extensive support to understand science better. Results indicate that some students recognize the value of science learning and demonstrate cognitive engagement, whereas others pursue alternative…

Reviews peer-led substance-abuse prevention programs for middle school youth to determine whether they are efficacious in minimizing substance use. A meta-analysis of 120 studies examined program features and effectiveness. Results indicated that interactive peer interventions for middle school students were statistically superior to…

This book and video are based on a symposium of leaders in the fields of gifted education and middle-level education, which was held to identify and explore areas of agreement in often contrasting philosophies. Emphasis is on identifying areas of agreement between the fields, areas of tension, and promising directions that could engage educators…

ASETS (Achieving Sex Equity Through Students) is a peer leadership program designed to prepare Michigan high school students to develop and present sex-equitable career-related programs to middle school students. The emphasis is on career decision making based upon career interests rather than gender. This handbook is a guide for a 2-day workshop…

This parent guide addresses common parent concerns about middle schools, focusing on the Long Beach (California) Unified School District. It provides a quick reference to different aspects of the child's middle school education and encourages parent involvement. Sections describe how parents can make a difference for the child in the home and in…

This guide to sexual harassment awareness education in grades 6-12 offers five chapters: introduction, preliminary notes, core lessons, supplemental activities, and resources, and an appendix containing seven relevant readings taken from legislative materials, periodicals, and newspapers. The core lessons are: (1) Flirting vs. Sexual Harassment: A…

This is a study of two sixth-grade classes at Bayshore Middle School (Middletown, New Jersey) who were enrolled in a 7-week keyboarding class. The first class met from October 31 through December 23, 1994; the second class met from January 3 through March 1, 1995. The instruction of the first group was teacher directed, and the students typed from…

This document contains 17 lesson plans that can be used for career awareness activities in fifth grade. The lessons were developed by teachers and submitted as part of the Florida Blueprint for Career Preparation. The lesson plans include a topic, materials and information needed, and directions for activities. Lesson plans are designated by…

It is widely believed that a child's imagination ought to be stimulated and developed in education. Yet, few teachers understand what the imagination is or how it lends itself to practical methods and techniques that can be used easily in classroom instruction. This book offers practical help for teachers who want to engage, stimulate, and develop…

"Seeing Fractions" is an instructional unit for teachers in California that was trial tested in about 30 classrooms, grades 4 through 6 with diverse student populations, and designed to help students become aware of the variety of ways in which fractions are commonly used. The Introduction includes an overview of fractions and what…