Inquiry-based Learning

Social Studies Simulations – Do They Still Have a Place in Middle School?

In a recent issue of Middle School Journal, researchers Karen Burgard, Michael Boucher, and Tina Ellsworth reexamined the classroom simulation. Do they do more harm than good? AMLE CEO Stephanie Simpson sat down with the authors to learn more about the study and the key implications for educators. This interview has been edited for space

Read More… from Social Studies Simulations – Do They Still Have a Place in Middle School?

Collaboration and Connections: How to Transform the School Library into a Vibrant Learning Hub

The middle school library is an evolving space. What was once consistently a quiet space for reading has changed into a versatile space with a variety of functions, depending on the school. The Library Learning Commons at Scotts Ridge Middle School demonstrates how this evolution can create a library that serves as a hub of

Read More… from Collaboration and Connections: How to Transform the School Library into a Vibrant Learning Hub

Captivated by Comic Books!

This article is timed to coincide with the celebration of National Comic Book Day, which will occur on Sept. 25th. Introduction & Rationale – Why create comic books? When Jason was a middle school student, comics were a contraband medium not only in the classroom, but among friends. Students would not necessarily disclose themselves as

Read More… from Captivated by Comic Books!

Team Passion Project – The Importance of Offering Student Choice in the Middle Grades

Save the bees. That was the aim of Team Passion Project, the winners of the second annual Solve Together Challenge, a national competition designed to encourage career exploration and skill-building for middle school students. The team, comprised of seventh grader from Franklin Avenue Middle School, could either select from a list of real-world problems or

Read More… from Team Passion Project – The Importance of Offering Student Choice in the Middle Grades

Four Ways to Celebrate Diversity During Hispanic Heritage Month With Census Bureau Data

Did you know the Hispanic or Latino population was the second-largest racial or ethnic group, comprising 18.7% of the total U.S. population? Or that roughly 13% of all people five years old and over in the U.S. spoke Spanish in 2021? The 2020 Census revealed that the U.S. population had become much more racially and

Read More… from Four Ways to Celebrate Diversity During Hispanic Heritage Month With Census Bureau Data