http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Middle E-Connections is an e-mail newsletter that Association for Middle Level Education members receive monthly during the school year. This brief, easy-to-read publication highlights trends and issues in middle level education. en-US Copyright 1999-2012 Association for Middle Level Education webmaster@amle.org Don't wait until Back to School Night to make contact with your new group of parents. Get off to a good start by following these four tips for productive parent-teacher relationships http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:38:56 GMT 09/05/12 Does it matter to learning if we pay attention? You bet it does. The more attention the brain pays to a given stimulus, the more elaborately the information will be encoded—and retained. Classroom research has shown that better attention always equals better learning. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:38:56 GMT 08/01/12 Here are some ways to keep kids actively engaged in reading during the school year and over the summer. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 02 May 2012 17:38:56 GMT 05/02/12 During the last year at the middle level, educators can help prepare students for a successful ninth grade year by addressing their concerns associated with the procedural, social, and academic changes. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:38:56 GMT 04/04/12 What is authentic assessment? Authentic assessment is a method for measuring student learning by providing developmentally appropriate, student-centered, active learning strategies that help students develop lifelong learning competencies such as effective decision making, communication, and cooperation. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:38:56 GMT 03/07/12 Students do need knowledge, but they also need skills. The knowledge must be relevant, and the skills must be transferable, especially since research tells us that these young people will change careers, not just jobs but careers, seven to eight times during their lives. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:38:56 GMT 02/08/12 Principals should set a clear policy where bullying is concerned a zero tolerance policy. They also need to set expectations for teachers and staff members. Many principals employ the "You see it, you own it" standard for dealing with bullying situations. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:38:56 GMT 01/04/12 The participants of MiddleTalk, the Association for Middle Level Education's member listserve, have shared some strategies for communicating with students and their parents about the place of standardized testing as a component of the assessment of achievement. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:38:56 GMT 12/07/11 It will be difficult to close the achievement gap if a respectful and orderly learning environment does not prevail. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:38:56 GMT 11/02/11 Students are also far more likely to follow the rules of the classroom if they have a part in creating those rules. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:38:56 GMT 10/05/11 The beginning of a new school year is upon us, and it is time to resume the important work of educating young adolescents. Building meaningful relationships with students plays a big role in that important work. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:38:56 GMT 09/07/11 In our efforts to maximize time on task or to reach desired outcomes, we often forget to take time to "sharpen our axes." Working harder for longer hours may look impressive, but lower productivity and stress-related health and personal issues won't win any contests. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 03 May 2011 17:38:56 GMT 05/03/11 By organizing schools in developmentally responsive ways, developing curriculum and programs that support high academic performance, and establishing a comprehensive transition program, middle school personnel can help ease the middle-to-high-school transition and support student success in school. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:38:56 GMT 04/05/11 It sounds obvious. Of course we plan with students in mind. Except, most of the time, we don't think about them as individual students but as abstractions as idealized students who are usually well behaved and almost always listening to what we have to say. That is not realistic. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:38:56 GMT 03/02/11 Keep 10-minute reviews lighthearted and tension-free. The point is not to catch someone not knowing, but rather to check for understanding so that you can make adjustments in the next section of the lesson and allow students to summarize and hear others' thinking. Summarizing and metacognition are two major elements of increasing learning. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:38:56 GMT 02/01/11 In an effort to make time for students to connect with faculty and peers outside regular classes, some schools are building in routine "club time." A small group of students from across grade levels meets with a faculty/staff member during the school day to participate in an activity revolving around a common interest. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:38:56 GMT 01/04/11 One way to combat cyberbullying is to create a positive school climate. The benefits of a positive school climate have been identified through much research as improved attendance, student achievement, perceived and actual campus safety, and other desirable student outcomes, along with decreased peer-on-peer bullying. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:38:56 GMT 12/07/10 Teams improve student learning and achievement when they work together strategically to address the skills, knowledge, and processes that span the curriculum. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:38:56 GMT 11/09/10 Service-learning connects learning objectives to the students' lives. They never ask, "Why do we have to learn this?" because the reasons are obvious to protect our economy, our wildlife, and our future. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:38:56 GMT 10/05/10 I was recently asked to speak to an assembly of seventh graders on the topic of emotional change in their lives. My job was to draw these young adolescents into a discussion about understanding their feelings. It occurred to me that it would be wise for all teachers especially advisors to help kids recognize certain emotions that rise to the top during their middle grades years. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:38:56 GMT 09/07/10 How do middle grades educators teach these students how to handle times of challenge and controversy? Building strong relationships with students and sharpening classroom management skills provide a solid foundation, to be sure. However, more than anything else, we need to model the behavior we want to see. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:38:56 GMT 08/24/10 Schools can raise health awareness, just as they have helped kids engage in character education and anti-bullying programs. It only takes a few energetic individuals to get the ball rolling. Start planning now for next fall. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 11 May 2010 17:38:56 GMT 05/11/10 Middle grades students tend to have issues with organization and remembering homework assignments. This problem can be minimized by posting assignments online. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:38:56 GMT 04/06/10 Young adolescents have a driving need to interact with their peers and be part of a social group. Traditional middle school classroom settings provide limited opportunities for peer interactions, and classroom socializing is often frowned upon. Adolescents also have diverse strengths, needs, and learning styles. Because of these varied personal and social needs, young adolescents respond well to using learning stations. This interactive, hands-on approach engages and motivates students. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:38:56 GMT 03/09/10 As teachers, we find our students are more attentive, more intrigued, and more excited when we introduce new information to them in a familiar language online media. SchoolTube.com is a video sharing website for kids and teachers to share media. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:38:56 GMT 02/02/10 While part of the middle grades experience requires students to assume increased levels of responsibility, providing a student with a once-per-year lunch voucher will not encourage irresponsibility. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:38:56 GMT 01/05/10 Ask a teenager whether she thinks she will grow up to lead a free life. The answer you get may surprise you. The vast majority of my students are pessimistic about freedom. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:38:56 GMT 12/18/09 While many schools have teacher mentor programs, many do not have administrator mentor programs. If we see the value and importance of a mentoring program for teachers, wouldn't it be equally valuable and important to have a mentoring program for administrators? http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:38:56 GMT 11/11/09 Power can be a valuable teaching aid but must be used very sparingly. Probably the most common form of insidious power a teacher uses is what I call the "gotcha" technique. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:38:56 GMT 10/07/09 My classroom experiences certainly taught me that middle grades students are adept at speeding through assignments and never looking back. Many believe their first effort is the best—and, generally, the only—product. Unfortunately, too many teachers grudgingly accept this behavior instead of gently and persuasively demanding worthy work. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:38:56 GMT 09/08/09 The middle level years are fraught with challenges for students and their families. Particularly challenging for many students is the transition from elementary to middle school. Reducing the uncertainty students experience as they leave the security of elementary school and venture into the next educational phase of their lives can be accomplished by using a well-organized process. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 05 May 2009 17:38:56 GMT 05/05/09 Why are middle schoolers so embarrassed about being good? Of course, experienced middle grades teachers know it isn't being good that embarrasses them, it's being singled out. Of course, that doesn't mean good work and good behavior should go unnoticed. Here are a few ways of acknowledging students without embarrassing them. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:38:56 GMT 04/07/09 Many 10- to 15-year-olds do not share personal information easily, especially the negative. That's why reading books or showing TV or film clips is a great strategy for stirring up conversation. It's all about the character, not the individual middle schooler. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:38:56 GMT 03/03/09 Often, these late winter months can be a time fraught with student discipline issues. Businesses adopt various philosophies and ideas to ensure success and teamwork in their offices. Middle schools can take some of those ideas and use them for the same success. Here are four tools teachers and staff can use to encourage each other and help each other shine during the down times. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:38:56 GMT 02/03/09 Sometimes teachers are looking for new ways to address difficult topics without putting students on the defensive. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to read to students. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:38:56 GMT 01/05/09 Teams academic and athletic, teacher teams and school leader teams continue to hold value as students move through elementary, middle, and senior high school. In fact, teams are the backbone of middle level education. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:38:56 GMT 12/09/08 Using the walls as a teaching tool immerses students in the topic of your class. By thinking ahead and changing them often, walls can serve as more than a container for the students—they're part of the "learning soup" for the middle grades. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:38:56 GMT 11/05/08 There are numerous reasons why field trips are helpful to young adolescents and their learning experiences, but the relationship-building between teachers and students is the most positive function. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:38:56 GMT 10/07/08 Since the education profession is not among the upper echelons of those professions offering strong professional development, here are some ideas for teachers to take charge of their own professional development. http://www.amle.org/Publications/WebExclusive/MiddleEConnections/tabid/701/Default.aspx Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:38:56 GMT 09/09/08