"This We Believe" advocates the use of a curriculum that maximizes early adolescent learning by integrating multiple disciplines rather than teaching them in isolation. The development of an interdisciplinary curricular unit is a common assignment in middle grades teacher education programs that seek to prepare teacher candidates to…

When middle school teachers and leaders commit themselves to being responsive to the personal concerns of adolescents and the social concerns of their community, it results in opportunities to build capacity in students to be agents of change. This article captures the story of one school's process in designing and implementing a yearlong…

This article shares aspects to consider when designing and implementing content area instruction through the study of people. It begins with a description of an inquiry that investigated students' learning with the use of authentic literature and meaningful writing in social studies, and then extends to a discussion of how to apply these same…

Theme studies are worth doing if they support the study of universal ideas, broaden students' understanding of their world and human experience, are interdisciplinary, reflect students' genuine interests, and lead to student inquiry. Themes can be developed from students' common interests, adolescent literature, textbook topics, current events,…

Highlights the topic of the interaction of students, teachers, and subject matter within structurally sound middle schools explored in this journal issue. Asserts that instruction can not be improved merely by raising standards and accountability without also providing developmentally appropriate learning activities within a supportive team…

Describes a middle school mathematics project that incorporated the adult mathematics concepts of school finance. Discusses the lesson plans; the goal of teaching students to make, use, and understand frequency tables; and teacher notes on the use of a relevant, complex problem context. (JPB)

Discusses intellectual, practical, and accountability problems of the integrated curriculum model. Notes the need for improving basic classroom instruction before reform. Argues for the potential of the basic theory of curriculum integration. (JPB)

Discusses the restructured teacher education course design of a Professional Development School program called the January Experience, in which student teachers work in an interdisciplinary team with an experienced teacher. Considers the history of the program, data on the success of the experience for teachers and students, and the Center for…

Discusses using children's literature to introduce mathematical concepts to middle school students. Provides an annotated list of novels and recommends development of concepts, processes, and attitudes to motivate students' intellectual explorations. (JPB)

Discusses outdoor education to improve student participation and learning in skill and subject areas. Relates outdoor education to constructivism, flexible scheduling, hands-on experiences, performance-based standards, multiple intelligences, cooperative learning, and interdisciplinary curriculum. Lists Web sites related to outdoor education. (DLH)

Presents ways of learning through movement. Discusses the beginning of the systems approach, contents of the systems class, and connections to mathematics, social studies, English, science, and physical education. Focuses on the interconnectedness of basic core learning to other subject areas. (DLH)