Muses on the teaching of history to sixth graders, using writing historically as a form of personal exploration, and making connections with the past. (SR)

Investigates effects of explicit instruction in notetaking. Suggests that explicit instruction in notetaking is effective in improving sixth-grade students' lecture comprehension and attitudes toward notetaking. Notes that future research may emphasize a longer treatment period with a delayed comprehension measure. (RS)

Two teacher researchers examined the nature of mentoring relationships occurring among and between team teachers at one middle school as they planned for and taught a common group of students. There were five types of (simultaneous) mentoring among teachers: collaborative, clerical, professional teacher, interdisciplinary content, and…

Assesses spelling achievement of fourth graders using four self-corrected test methods (visual and listwise, visual and wordwise, oral and listwise, and oral and wordwise). Finds that wordwise feedback produced significantly higher gains than listwise and no significant differences in gains between visual and oral modes, or among presentation…

At a Maryland middle school, teachers and students were asked how teachers routinely give medium-term and long-term assignments. Results showed that students, teachers, and parents would benefit from clearly written performance standards. The school's science fair assignment sheet specifies student and parent responsibilities, project completion…

Responding to the needs of estranged youth, a group of Benjamin Tasker Middle School teachers created the Thoughtful Pedagogy Model. The program allows adolescents to reconstruct images of the adult world through self-exploration; participate in field trips, assembly programs, and adult/adolescent bonding activities; and experience the love and…

Examined attitudes toward Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) issues among 224 fourth grade students. Student responses to 36-item questionnaire revealed that students had good understanding of 3 major modes of spreading AIDS. They perceived AIDS as real and formidable health problem and expressed fears and concerns about AIDS. Findings…

Asserts that children in junior high and middle school may be reluctant to participate in the process of counseling. Recommends that school counselors use therapeutic techniques that actively involve children and excite their imagination. Examines three such techniques that work with middle school students: game play, stories and metaphors, and…

Analyzing the ways newspapers cover different racial and cultural groups can stir provocative discussions among middle school students, as one teacher found. In one day's news, students unearthed mostly negative images and citations involving blacks; few references to Hispanics, Indians, Greeks, or Native Americans; and unrealistically favorable…

Describes a learning strategy which asks students to write questions that can be answered from the information posted on a graph that they created. (MG)

Sees conflict between students and between students and staff as imposing problem facing urban education. Considers causes of conflicts and describes conflict resolution pilot program implemented in inner-city middle school. Describes relapse among program participants and concludes that interventions must be long term and consistently available.…

Discusses how picture books can be used in the classroom with intermediate grade students. Provides examples of books and projects that have been used on the following topics: issues of war and peace, the environment, relationships between generations, and the development of self. (MG)

For teachers at Laurel (Delaware) Central Middle School, the old, dull routine of lecturing docile children has become an exciting exercise in active teaching and learning. Although RE:Learning has pushed nurturing ahead of intellectual skill development, more students are actively engaged in learning. Teacher attitudes toward building…

A nine-week instructional unit to increase multicultural awareness of North Dakota sixth-grade students with hearing impairments is described. The unit involved students in such areas as charting family trees, reading and writing about U.S. history and cultural diversity, art, speech and rhythm, and math. (DB)

Discusses the value of student-created artifact kits as a means of visualizing and synthesizing knowledge about another time. Explains steps to be followed in guiding students on the project. Includes a bibliography, list of sources, and suggested ingredients. Suggests that handling artifacts and primary source materials enables students to order…