SPARK [Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids], in its current form, is a brand that represents a collection of exemplary, research-based, physical education and physical activity programs that emphasize a highly active curriculum, on-site staff development, and follow-up support. Given its complexity (e.g., multiple school levels, inclusion…

Educators in Roland Park Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore recognize the essential role that the arts play in education. This K-8 urban public school, which serves a highly diverse population, focuses on academic excellence and high standards for students and faculty. They believe that teaching "in and through the arts" helps to achieve those…

Describes the Clarkton School of Discovery in Clarkton, North Carolina, a gifted-and-talented magnet middle school that is open to all students in the school district. (SR)

The Thaler System encompasses economic incentives for students and an extensive student government system that includes a legal system. (IRT)

Describes a technique for teaching reading which combines two divergent definitions of individualized instruction. (RB)

Presents a play that gives elementary school students a lighthearted but informative overview of middle school life. The play presents information about curriculum, lockers, physical education, materials, and classwork. Notes student reactions to the presentation. (RC)

The first of two documents presented, "Better Mathematics for K-8" (Iris M. Carl), describes the underlying assumptions, purpose, origin, formation, goals, and content of the "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" produced by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Information on implementing the Standards is…

Debate is an activity which can help young children learn to be part of a team without experiencing the intense competition that is present in athletics. For children, a focus on developing communication skills rather than on competition in debate can help foster attitudes of open-mindedness, fairness, and tolerance for the viewpoints of others.…

Describes ways to develop a strategy for using activity stations in reading and language arts. (RB)

An itinerant/consultant program in Colorado provides services to children with mild to severe emotional and behavior problems. Three Itinerant Behavior Development (IBD) teachers service 24 elementary and 5 middle schools. The program, which expanded from behavior management to include curriculum modifications, overcame early staff resistance and…

This curriculum guide describes the instructional program at the Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In brief, the goals of the program are to provide the schools' fifth-grade through eighth-grade students with educational opportunities based on an eclectic team-teaching approach. Four separate "houses" accommodate…

The author describes an arts resource center, which serves elementary and middle-school teachers and students. The ARC (Arts Resource Center) provides an area for creating instructional materials, brainstorming, researching, and for conducting classes in arts and workshops for both art and classroom teachers. (KC)

Recognizing the need for opportunities for children to interact meaningfully with older adults, this fastback discusses the organization and implementation of intergenerational programs in elementary and middle schools. It begins with a description of effective programs, focusing on the impact of two programs on students and older adults. The…

The paper describes three programs--elementary, middle school, and secondary--that have been successful in mainstreaming handicapped students. Initial information is devoted to a discussion of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by teachers and students regarding mainstreaming. The elementary setting described focuses on preparation of the…