Introduction to Middle School
Published on 2. June 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-0-13-060090-5 (ISBN)
Description
This fresh, new book presents a comprehensive introduction to the children, the choices, and the challenges of teaching middle school. Writing in the first person, the author, an experienced middle school teacher, examines the full range of middle school topics, from the development and diversity of middle school learners, to the structures, curriculum, and environment of the school itself. Engaging vignettes and photos of teachers and students bring topics to life, while boxed NMSA performance standards relate to each chapter's content. The resulting book offers a comprehensive body of knowledge that emphasizes academic rigor while speaking to pre-service teachers in a voice that invites new teachers into this field.
Reviews / Votes
"The author writes clearly, even about complex subjects. The chapters seem to flow together well. ...The Professional Practice and activities are effective and thoughtful." - Sara Delano-Moore, Ph.D., University of Kentucky"A strength ...is the authors ability to take material that could be very dry and scientific and approach it in a way that enables the reader to understand ...in a personal and very real-world way." - Cathy J. Siebert, Ph.D., Ball State University
"I can hardly wait until this is published. ...If this book were currently available, I would adopt it." - Bob M. Drake, University of Cincinnati
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Weight
1000 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-13-060090-5 (9780130600905)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Sara D. Powell
Introduction to Middle School
Book
07/2010
2nd Edition
Pearson
€87.89
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Sara Davis Powell has devoted her career to enhancing the middle school experience for both students and teachers. Most of her 30 years as an educator have been spent in the middle school math classroom. She is now at the College of Charleston in South Carolina teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in middle level education. Sara remains actively involved in local classrooms and the middle school community through facilitating staff development, supervising student teachers, conducting research on middle grades issues, and advocating for young adolescents whenever and wherever possible. She is also a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences where her enthusiasm for middle level education has proven contagious.
Content
1. What Is Middle School?
Chapter Web
Introduction
Middle School Defined
A Brief History of Middle School
Rationale for Middle Schools
Legitimizing Factors
Middle School Compared with Junior High
Reflections on Balance in Middle School Education
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Internet Resources
References
2. Development of Middle Level Learners.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Physical Development
Intellectual Development
Emotional Development
Social Development
Character Development
Reflections on the Development of Middle Level Learners
Meet the Students
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
3. Diversity Among Middle Level Students.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Gender Differences
Multiple Intelligences Theory
Learning Styles
Cultural Differences
Socioeconomic Differences
Family Differences
Academic Differences
Students with Special Needs
Reflections on Celebrating Diversity
Meet the Students
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
4. Middle Level Teachers.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Preparing to Teach
Characteristics of Effective Middle Level Teachers
Teachers Inside the Classroom
Teachers Outside the Classroom
Teachers as Learners
Reflections on Being a Middle School Teacher
Meet the Teachers
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
5. Structures of Middle School.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Structures of People
Structures of Time
Structures of Place
Reflections on Structures of People, Time, and Place
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
6. Middle Grades Curriculum.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Focus on Curriculum
Curriculum Standards
Subject-Centered Curriculum
Connecting the Curriculum
Service Learning
We Are All Reading Teachers
Reflections on Curriculum for Middle Grades
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
7. The Big Ideas of Instruction.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Brain-Based Learning
Student-Focused Instruction
Backward Design
Differentiation of Instruction
Thinking Skills
Constructivism
Inquiry-Based Learning
Teacher- Directed Instruction
Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
Cooperative Learning
Technology in the Classroom
Motivation and Expectations
Reflection in the Big Ideas of Instruction
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
8. Strategies of Instruction.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Choices
Nine Instructional Categories
Instructional Strategies
Reflections on Strategies of Instruction
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
9. Assessment in Middle School.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Purposes of Assessment
Classroom Assessment
Evaluating and Grading
Standardized Assessment
Reflections on Assessment in Middle School
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
10. Planning for Teaching and Learning.
Chapter Web
Introduction
The Importance of Planning
Organizational Skills
Goals and Objectives
Resources for Teaching
Collaborative Planning
Levels of Planning
Reflections of Planning
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
11. Managing the Learning Environment.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Management Theories
Creating a Positive and Productive Learning Environment
Physical, Emotional, and Academic Safety
Prevention
Intervention
Children of Poverty
Within Our Control
Reflections on Managing the Learning Environment
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
12. They Are All Our Children.
Chapter Web
Introduction
No Child Left Behind
Linking This We Believe with Family and Community
Family Involvement
Community Involvement
Transitions
Our Ten Students
Recognizing an Exemplary Middle School
Reflections on the Past and Future of Middle School
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
Chapter Web
Introduction
Middle School Defined
A Brief History of Middle School
Rationale for Middle Schools
Legitimizing Factors
Middle School Compared with Junior High
Reflections on Balance in Middle School Education
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Internet Resources
References
2. Development of Middle Level Learners.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Physical Development
Intellectual Development
Emotional Development
Social Development
Character Development
Reflections on the Development of Middle Level Learners
Meet the Students
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
3. Diversity Among Middle Level Students.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Gender Differences
Multiple Intelligences Theory
Learning Styles
Cultural Differences
Socioeconomic Differences
Family Differences
Academic Differences
Students with Special Needs
Reflections on Celebrating Diversity
Meet the Students
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
4. Middle Level Teachers.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Preparing to Teach
Characteristics of Effective Middle Level Teachers
Teachers Inside the Classroom
Teachers Outside the Classroom
Teachers as Learners
Reflections on Being a Middle School Teacher
Meet the Teachers
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
5. Structures of Middle School.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Structures of People
Structures of Time
Structures of Place
Reflections on Structures of People, Time, and Place
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
6. Middle Grades Curriculum.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Focus on Curriculum
Curriculum Standards
Subject-Centered Curriculum
Connecting the Curriculum
Service Learning
We Are All Reading Teachers
Reflections on Curriculum for Middle Grades
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
7. The Big Ideas of Instruction.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Brain-Based Learning
Student-Focused Instruction
Backward Design
Differentiation of Instruction
Thinking Skills
Constructivism
Inquiry-Based Learning
Teacher- Directed Instruction
Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
Cooperative Learning
Technology in the Classroom
Motivation and Expectations
Reflection in the Big Ideas of Instruction
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
8. Strategies of Instruction.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Choices
Nine Instructional Categories
Instructional Strategies
Reflections on Strategies of Instruction
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
9. Assessment in Middle School.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Purposes of Assessment
Classroom Assessment
Evaluating and Grading
Standardized Assessment
Reflections on Assessment in Middle School
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
10. Planning for Teaching and Learning.
Chapter Web
Introduction
The Importance of Planning
Organizational Skills
Goals and Objectives
Resources for Teaching
Collaborative Planning
Levels of Planning
Reflections of Planning
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
11. Managing the Learning Environment.
Chapter Web
Introduction
Management Theories
Creating a Positive and Productive Learning Environment
Physical, Emotional, and Academic Safety
Prevention
Intervention
Children of Poverty
Within Our Control
Reflections on Managing the Learning Environment
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References
12. They Are All Our Children.
Chapter Web
Introduction
No Child Left Behind
Linking This We Believe with Family and Community
Family Involvement
Community Involvement
Transitions
Our Ten Students
Recognizing an Exemplary Middle School
Reflections on the Past and Future of Middle School
Group Activities
Individual Activities
Personal Journal
Professional Practice
Internet Resources
References