April 2012 • Volume 15 • Number 4
Motivating Middle Grades Learners
Motivating young adolescents to learn—to want to learn—can be a daunting challenge. However, middle grades educators are an inventive, committed group. In this issue of Middle Ground, educators share their strategies for engaging students in their own learning.
Member Access articles are available for purchase.
Editor's Note
Patricia George
What's Your Motivation?
Executive Director's Note
William D. Waidelich
Value Young Adolescents
Features
Getting to the Why: Motivating Students to Read
Deborah K. Arrowsmith
Tap into what you know about young adolescents and they’ll want to read.
Pining for the Pen: Motivating Students to Write
Jennifer M. Denmon
Implement three easy strategies and you can turn your reluctant writers into enthusiastic authors.
Test Anxiety? Rally Your Students to Achieve
Aubrey Krenzer and Marybeth Nerone
Turn the week before testing into a "spirit week" to support student success.
There's an App: Recharge Your Students with Technology
William L. Merrill
Yes, there’s probably an app for that and it will engage students in learning.
Break the Silence and Make School Safe for All Kids
Norma J. Bailey
Part 3: Affirming School-wide Efforts
Create a safe, inclusive environment for all students.
Technology, Translations, and Treasure Hunts
Sarah B. Bush, E. Todd Brown, and Shannon M. Washburn
Summer camp helps students problem solve together.
Guilty of TWA? Simmer Down!
Gerrelyn C. Patterson
Are you an angry teacher? Try a change of attitude.
Learning, Content Literacy, & Textbooks
Kathy Misulis
Textbooks should support, not rule instruction.
A Novel Study for Every Reader
Ida Trisolini
Action, adventure, and fun activities make this unit a hit.
Cartoons, Content, and Creativity
Jeffrey Natoli
Students use cartooning to share their knowledge.
Visual and Performing Arts Take Center Stage
Richard Chorney
The arts help young adolescents reaffirm who they are.
The Middle Child of Teaching
Larry Sandomir
Middle grades teachers provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood.
How My Puppy Reinforced My Commitment to the Middle Grades
Donald Gross
With a puppy to train and time to reflect, this veteran educator rediscovered his passion.
Attention! Turn Down Your Teacher Voice
Bryan McCoy
Want to get your students' attention? You don’t have to yell.
In Every Issue
News to Use
Information to promote effective middle level education
Teams in Action
Jill Dreer, Jennifer Moyer, Nancy Schneider, Meredith Weiss, and Susan Lloyd
Jump-Start Your Student Advocacy Program
Teaching in the Middle
Rick Wormeli
Motivating Students to Step Up
Click Here
Brenda Dyck
Students as Change Agents
Mark of Leadership
Tom Burton
Where Will You Be?
Reviews & Resources
Books and resources of interest to middle level educators
Megaphone!
Amusing, interesting, and provocative comments from the field of education
Spotlight on Student Activities
Bringing Leadership into Focus
Lou Miller
Middle Grades Students Champion a Cause
Robert Ruder
Copyright © 2012 Assocation for Middle Level Education