Gifted adolescents may identify as "gamers" who create avatars to navigate video games and cell phone apps. Avatars provide a unique venue through which gifted teens can explore the issues of self and identity in a critical time of their development. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide an overview of what avatars are, (b)…

Despite the use of various anti-bullying programs, bullying continues to plague middle schools. However, there is an approach to bullying that complements other programs and can be easily integrated into course curriculum. This approach uses young adult novels to encourage adolescents to use perspective taking and empathy building through…

Recent efforts to define qualities of effective teaching practice have done little to capture the role of play, imagination, and creativity in classroom teaching. Drawing on theories of play and data from a two-year case study that included classroom observations, interviews, artifact collection, and surveys, the author examines the ways in which…

Explores use of fiction in the classroom as a tool for enhancing the self-understanding of adolescents. Two novels by S.E. Hinton are used as examples. Discusses theoretical consideration as well as practical classroom activities. (Author)

The Teenage Health Teaching Modules (THTM) program is a health education curriculum for adolescents. Each THTM module frames an adolescent health task emphasizing development of self-assessment, communication, decision making, health advocacy, and self-management. This module provides complementary details on the substance of the THTM program.…

The numbers of disconnected youths (adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 21 who have dropped out of school and who don't have jobs) in adult education programs continue to grow at the Turning Point Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York. These youths can be particularly challenging to teach. They often have negative attitudes toward what they…

Provides an analysis of the main character of a novel to show how the current literature on adolescence can be taught through analysis of adolescent characters in novels. (SS)

Describes the use of adolescent literature with preservice middle school teachers to help candidates understand the developmental issues adolescents face and remember their own adolescence as a step in identifying with their future students. Considers the use of book clubs, reading aloud, and an adolescent literature response journal. (JPB)

This document was developed to provide principals and teachers with an understanding of the concept and process of student transition to secondary school and to suggest creative ways which teachers have found that will enable educators to facilitate students' transition into and through some of the early secondary grades. The monograph is…

Early adolescence is a time when students require adult assistance to become accurate and effective decision makers and problem solvers. Because of the fragmented nature of society, the family structure, and the schooling process, schools need to establish a nonthreatening environment in which students can discuss the issues related to growing up.…

Discusses teaching junior high students Ann Sexton's poem about remembrances of childhood. Notes the strong personal connections students make with the action and feelings of the poem, and that the poem helps thirteen- and fourteen-year olds understand their own developmental transformations. Suggests related writing assignments based on multiple…

States that students struggling to find ways of establishing independence need support from home, school, and community. Suggests books and activities suitable for classroom use dealing with moving, being different, money, family concerns, and death. (PRA)

Discusses the dilemma of self-concept in pre-adolescent girls, as they revise their self-images based on information that the culture dictates as the norm. Argues that drama education can offer creative activities to help girls find their voice and bring them into their power. Includes two group drama activities and a short annotated bibliography…

This Senior 2 (grade 10) health curriculum guide is designed to accommodate the needs and developmental tasks of adolescents. The publication provides a course of instruction to help students choose and practice responsible behavior conducive to maintaining and enhancing health. The guide is organized into 5 units: (1) "Contributing to…

This supplement offers 10 articles focusing on middle school education. Topics include remembering adolescence, resources and teaching tips, active middle school students, adolescent development, challenges in middle school education, integrated studies, planning middle school special events, a writing-science-consumerism miniunit on popcorn,…