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Association for Middle Level Education

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Beyond Cool Garb

T-shirt literacy and social justice education for diverse adolescent learners.

Graphic T-shirts have always had a special place in my life. One of my favorite pieces of clothing in my closet is an old "Schoolhouse Rock!" T-shirt. The shirt features the old PBS television show's classic logo...

Author: Rajni Shankar-Brown
Number of views (9464)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Diversity and Social Equity Teaching Language Arts and Literacy

Tags: Literacy

Beyond Power Tools: How Maker Learning Can Improve Social Dynamics

In September, my seventh grade students gave me a quick social snapshot of their class. As their new school counselor, I had asked them to submit their thoughts anonymously in a box, and they didn't hold back. Their...

Author: Phyllis Fagell
Number of views (9264)/Comments (0)/

Topics: School Culture/Climate Teaching

Tags: Character Education Guidance Social Emotional Learning

How can I help students view differences as strengths?

Many young adolescents desire to "blend in" by hiding or shedding certain aspects of their identities due to social pressures. How can I help students view differences as strengths? This is part 2 in "Mentor Me"...

Author: Amber Chandler
Number of views (6830)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaching Young Adolescent Development

Tags: Social Emotional Learning

Examining the Evidence

Exploring vocabulary terms in social studies with primary sources.

The C3 Framework by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) has changed the dynamics of social studies instruction. The emphasis of standards in this document is for teachers to build students' content-area...

Author: Jeremiah Clabough, Rebecca Bidwell
Number of views (8587)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Curriculum Teaching

Tags: Social Studies Inquiry-based Learning

Removing Imaginary Boundaries Around Content

Teacher and students benefit from an integrated curriculum.

Even though teachers work in different rooms and on different hallways, our individual subject areas should not be viewed as existing within rigid instructional walls. Middle level educators need to engage in...

Author: Jason D. DeHart, Christie DeHart
Number of views (7691)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Teaching

Tags: Interdisciplinary Teaching Integrated Curriculum

Middle School Schedule as a Driver for Innovation

A great schedule helps both students and teachers grow and learn

Having worked as a middle school administrator and math teacher in school operations in several states and multiple schools for many years, I have seen my share of middle school schedules. As a presenter and workshop...

Author: Derek McCoy
Number of views (12999)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Leadership Middle School Concept

Tags: Project Based Learning Scheduling

Transitions with the Brain in Mind

Teachers can help students during developmental changes.

Research findings and ongoing studies provide middle level professionals with information to help them continue to develop their understanding about the significant developmental changes that take place during...

Author: Shauna King
Number of views (12103)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Transitions to/from Middle School Young Adolescent Development

Tags: Transition to High School Transition to Middle School

Experiencing Challenges and Failures

Helping gifted and advanced learners during transitional periods.

Recognize These Students? Bryce stopped doing his homework in ninth grade. His backpack was a disaster, and he could never find the planner his homeroom teacher distributed in August. It was now mid-October. Earlier...

Author: Susan Rakow
Number of views (11152)/Comments (1)/

Topics: Transitions to/from Middle School

Tags: Gifted and Talented Transition to High School Transition to Middle School

Supporting Students During Times of Change

Working with students to adjust to new environments and expectations.

Moving away from home to attend college was the first time a transition from one school to another was a remarkable, memorable event. While I can recall school transitions during childhood and young adolescent years,...

Author: Valerie Benjamin
Number of views (8442)/Comments (0)/

Topics: Transitions to/from Middle School

Tags: Transition to High School Transition to Middle School

Young Adolescent Voices

Students share valuable insights when we take time to listen.

Middle level educators engage in a variety of professional development experiences in order to continue to learn about effective ways to work with young adolescents as they develop their identities, ideas, and...

Author: Ann K. Yehle, Connor Drevs, Kelly Garrity, McKenzie Larson
Number of views (6869)/Comments (0)/