February 2013 • Volume 16 • Number 3
Teaching the Whole Child
When we focus only on academics, we fail to address all of our young adolescents' needs. Teaching the whole child means addressing students' social, emotional, physical, and academic development. It means providing opportunities for students to explore themselves and the world around them. This issue of Middle Ground looks at topics such as understanding emotional foundation of discipline, meeting adolescent needs across the curriculum, promoting social inclusion and tolerance, homelessness, and building relationships.
Features
When Discipline Issues Are Emotional Issues
Ruby K. Payne
It's impossible to talk about behavior and learning without talking about emotions.
Teaching the Whole Student: Maslow Means Middle School
Paul D. Deering, John McAleese, Joy R. Hannah, and Doug McLean
New Zealand middle schools use Maslow's hierarchy to ensure they meet students' needs.
Social Inclusion: It's Our Middle School, Too
Andrea Cahn and Betty Edwards
All middle schools can ensure inclusion, acceptance, and engagement for all students.
Providing Shelter: Homelessness in the Middle Grades
Rajni Shankar-Brown
It's past time to get the conversation going about meeting the needs of our nation's homeless students.
Three-Dimensional Students: Getting to Know You
Merideth Van Namen
Teachers can know their students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Handing Over the Keys: Giving Students Ownership of Math
Josh Martin
Allowing students to self-regulate their learning gives them a sense of ownership.
Bringing Cultural Relevance to the Science Classroom
Carla C. Johnson
A culturally relevant pedagogy can help promote respect for diversity in the classroom.
Rock the Test: Conquering the State of Anxiety
Billie Sheesley, John Snyder, and Jeffrey Kuntz
This school helps students turn test anxiety into enthusiasm.
Writing to Learn: Using Poetry in Two Voices
Lesley Roessing
Poetry in two voices helps students gain a deeper understanding of text.
CAMP Gator: Students Helping Students Lead
Matthew Ohlson
College students have an opportunity to play a mentoring role in the lives of young adolescents.
Working Together Through the Darkness
Hillary Coffman and Melanie W. Greene
Deep in a dark cave, middle grades students learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and believing in themselves.
In Every Issue
Editor's Note
Patricia George
Kids and Chocolates
Executive Director's Note
William D. Waidelich
Multiple Learning Approaches
News to Use
Information to promote effective middle level education
Teams in Action
David Auerbach and Heather Oliver
Learning in the Living Lab
Teaching in the Middle
Rick Wormeli
It's About Time
Click Here
Brenda Dyck
When the Unexpected Enters the Classroom
Mark of Leadership
Tom Burton
Feels Like Home
Reviews & Resources
Books and resources of interest to middle level educators
Megaphone!
Amusing, interesting, and provocative comments from the field of education
Spotlight on Character Education
Watching Learners GLO: Character Education at Work
Sandy Cameli
Connecting Character, International Service Learning, and Curriculum
Dean J. Fusto
Copyright © 2013 Assocation for Middle Level Education