April 2006
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April 2006 | Volume 63 | Number 7
Teaching the Tweens
What do tweens really need? Tweens need us. Although they might roll their eyes at the thought, anyone who observes young adolescents navigate through a day can't miss their need for guidance and encouragement from their teachers. This issue explores the kinds of instruction and support most appropriate in the classroom. One debate concerns the grade structure that works best—K–8, 6–9, 7–12? Another debate concerns how much teachers should focus on social development and how much they should emphasize academic achievement. From differentiated instruction to mastery learning—read about some of the practices our experts on middle school education support.
Feature Articles
Perspectives / Which Way, the Middle?
Marge Scherer
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Broadening the World of Early Adolescents
Donna Marie San Antonio
Academic achievement and social development—middle school students can't have one without the other.
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Differentiating for Tweens
Rick Wormeli
Five teaching strategies can provide adolescents with multiple pathways to learning.
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Mayhem in the Middle: Why We Should Shift to K–8
Cheri Pierson Yecke
Fewer behavior problems and more concentration on learning are two reasons that K–8 schools work, this author contends.
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Guess Again: Will Changing the Grades Save Middle-Level Education?
James Beane and Richard Lipka
Blaming unsatisfactory student achievement on the middle school concept is a case of mistaken identity, suggest these authors.
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Leading Adolescents to Mastery
Sue Kenkel, Steve Hoelscher and Teri West
Middle school students learn the benefits of not being able to turn in substandard work.
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Stories from Tween Classrooms
Bruce Morgan and Deb Odom
Close-up looks at classes reveal differences in maturity within and across grades.
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Resolving the Confidence Crisis
Terri Apter
What self-doubting middle school students need instead of praise.
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Help Us Make the 9th Grade Transition
Kathleen Cushman
Ninth graders tell how teachers can ease students' way into the world of high school.
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A Writer for Tweens at Heart: A Conversation with Louis Sachar
Kathy Checkley
The author of Holes talks about the sophistication, innocence, and promise of the kids he writes for.
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The Relevance of Young Adult Literature
B. Joyce Stallworth
Young adult novels address tough life issues and encourage the reluctant to read.
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Welcome to the House System
Daniel G. Green
A school finds a way to connect students, build spirit, and reduce bullying.
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How Tweens View Single-Sex Classes
Frances R. Spielhagen
Students talk about some benefits—and some drawbacks—of single-sex classes.
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The Age for Drama
Jeffrey D. Wilhelm
Using drama strategies in class enables teachers to bring meaning and action to learning.
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Special Topic / The Battle Over Commercialized Schools
Alex Molnar and David Garcia
In spite of growing opposition, marketers' messages continue to invade our classrooms.
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Departments
Meet ASCD's Outstanding Young Educator
Danielle Boykin
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All About Accountability / Branded By a Test
W. James Popham
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The Principal Connection / Picking Our Battles
Joanne Rooney
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Research Matters / Promoting Adolescents' Prosocial Behavior
Yael Kidron and Steve Fleischman
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Special Report / A Generation Immersed in Media
Amy M. Azzam
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ASCD Community in Action
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Web Wonders / Teaching the Tweens
Rick Allen
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Online Only
EL Study Guide / Teaching the Tweens
Naomi Thiers
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Copyright © 2006 by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
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