Teaching in the Middle School with MyEducationLab » (3rd Edition)

This text for middle school classroom teachers provides a solid core of essential knowledge about middle schools. Balancing the practical and the theoretical, it has a strong research base, as well as a focus on teaching methods, strategies, materials, resources, and technology that are linked to the standards of the National Middle School Association. The author’s objectives are to tell readers about middle schools today, describe adolescents and their developmental period, identify essential middle school concepts that have potential for their age group and educational experiences that are developmentally responsive for young adolescents.

PART I UNDERSTANDING MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

1. Middle Schools Today - Concepts and Teaching

Scenario - The First Day of Student Teaching

Overview

Objectives

A Brief History of the Junior High School and the Middle School

Middle Schools

Middle Schools: Today and Tomorrow - Selected Concepts

Directions for Effective Middle Schools

Teaching in the Middle School: Questions to Consider

2. Young Adolescents - Development and Issues

Scenario - Ms. Ortega Reflects

Overview

Objectives

Generalizations About Development - The Need for Caution

Young Adolescent Development

Physical Development

Psychosocial Development

Cognitive Development

3. Guiding Young Adolescents - Teachers and Counselors

Scenario - Kim Matusi and the Guidance Team

Overview

Objectives

Guidance in Middle Schools

Differences Between Elementary and Secondary Schools

Functions of Middle School Guidance Programs

Guidance for a Diverse Population

Team and Collaborative Approaches to Guidance

Adivsor-Advisee Programs

Roles of Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators

Guidelines for Effective Advisory Programs

Advisory Plans

Need for Specialized Services

PART II DEVELOPING THE CURRICULUM AND ORGANIZING THE SCHOOL

4. Middle School Curriculum - Core and Related Domains

Scenario - The Williams Middle School Curriculum Committee

Overview

Objectives

Curriculum Definitions

Curriculum Frameworks

Curriculum Standards

Developmentally Responsive Middle School Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Related Domains

5. Middle School Curriculum - Integrated, Interdisciplinary, and Exploratory

Scenario - Mr. Costa Considers the Curriculum

Overview

Objectives

Contemporary Curriculum Perspectives and Definitions

Integrated Curriculum

Additional Information

Exploratory Curriculum/Programs

Selected Considerations for Developing Middle School Curriculum

PART III PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND ASSESSING INSTRUCTION

6. Planning Instruction - Appropriate and Interdisciplinary

Scenario - Karyn Rothmer's Journal

Overview

Objectives

Rationale for Detailed and Methodical Planning

Factors Affecting Middle School Instructional Planning

Interdisciplinary Team Organization and Interdisciplinary Instruction

Interdisciplinary Instructional Planning

7. Implementing Instruction - Methods and Materials

Scenario - A First-Year Teacher Needs Help

Overview

Objectives

Young Adolescents - Implementing Considerations

Organizing for Instruction

Implementing Interdisciplinary Team Teaching

Implementing Effective Instruction in Middle Schools

Related Domains

Activities Based on Personal Experiences

Using Effective Teaching Behaviors

Selecting Instructional Methods and Strategies

Special Characteristics of Middle School Teachers

Instruction for Special Learners

8. Assessment of Learning - Methods and Issues

Scenario - Changes at Longview Middle School

Overview

Objectives

Assessment Terminology - Definitions

Assessment of Learning - Perceptions

Assessment - Rationale and Purposes

Assessment - Traditional Methods

Authentic-Alternative Assessments

Assessment - Evaluation of Traditional and Authentic Assessments

Assessment - Reporting

Assessment - Developmentally Responsive in Middle Schools

Assessment - Issues

9. Managing Young Adolescents and Environments - Strategies and Techniques

Scenario - Westview Middle School Educators Tackle the School Environment

Overview

Objectives

Understanding Positive Middle School Learning Environments

Designing Positive Middle School Learning Environments

Classroom Management in the Middle School

Understanding Selected Classroom Management Theorists

Developing a Personal Theory of Classroom Management

PART IV WORKING WITH EXTERNAL COMMUNITIES

10. Parents, Families, and Community Members - Partners and Resources

Scenario - Encouraging Community Involvement

Overview

Objectives

Reengaging Parents and Families in Middle Schools

Backgrounds

Parents and Middle Schools

Nontraditional Families; and Fathers

Parent Education Programs for Parents of Young Adolescents

Communities and Young Adolescents

Epilogue Middle Schools of the Future

Middle Schools: The Beginning and Rationale

Documents, Position Papers, and Reports

Directions

Present Status

Young Adolescents

Recognition of the Developmental Period

Increasing Research Base

Contemporary Perspectives

Teaching in the Middle Schools - Challenges

Seeking Professional Preparation: Young Adolescents and Middle School Education

Committing to Teacher Middle Schoolers

Serving as Advocates for Young Adolescents

Providing Developmentally Responsive Educational Experiences

Engaging in Research to Determine What Works

The Future

Push for Excellence

Collaborative Efforts - Administrators, Teachers, Teacher Educators, Parents, State Departments of Education, and the Community

A Time for Responsive Action

Glossary

References

Name Index

Subject Index