Articles by Topic

How We Used the Changing By the Minute Documentary for Powerful Professional Development

These are challenging times in education, and middle school educators are looking for encouragement and inspiration about how to best engage this unique age group. Enter the amazing, uplifting, and sometimes provocative documentary Changing by the Minute which captures one school’s remarkable and memorable efforts to help young adolescents thrive. The Center School (the public

Read More… from How We Used the Changing By the Minute Documentary for Powerful Professional Development

Research to Practice: Addressing Student Motivation in the Middle Grades

About a month into her student teaching semester, Melissa voiced frustration about one student who just would not engage in social studies class. Gregory seemed disinterested and apathetic, and he seldom completed his assignments. Melissa was determined to make a breakthrough, but how? How could she get Gregory engaged in social studies? How could she

Read More… from Research to Practice: Addressing Student Motivation in the Middle Grades

Female middle school teacher leading lesson at whiteboard in classroom

Navigating the Landscape of Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teaching and Learning

Middle school English Language Arts (ELA) education is a critical phase in a student’s academic journey, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping their language skills, cognitive development, and critical thinking abilities. In recent years, the landscape of middle school ELA teaching and learning has witnessed significant transformations due to advancements in technology, shifts

Read More… from Navigating the Landscape of Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teaching and Learning

Captivated by Comic Books!

This article is timed to coincide with the celebration of National Comic Book Day, which will occur on Sept. 25th. Introduction & Rationale – Why create comic books? When Jason was a middle school student, comics were a contraband medium not only in the classroom, but among friends. Students would not necessarily disclose themselves as

Read More… from Captivated by Comic Books!

From Home Visits to Parent Academies: Transforming Engagement in Middle Level Education

There’s an age-old adage: “It takes a village to raise a child.” As a middle school teacher, I have always believed in this philosophy but often felt limited to the four walls of the classroom. Making home visits was never on my radar until a fateful day when my multilingual skills became indispensable for a

Read More… from From Home Visits to Parent Academies: Transforming Engagement in Middle Level Education

Let’s Talk about Sex…Education in the Middle Grades

Sexual education is a rite of passage for middle schoolers, but how it’s delivered varies widely from state to state and school to school. In the February, 2023 edition of Middle School Journal, Yvonne Allsop and colleagues describe how a collaborative, cross-discipline team worked together to create a virtual sexual health education curriculum for the

Read More… from Let’s Talk about Sex…Education in the Middle Grades

Trending Topics

AMLE Celebrates Inaugural Schools of Distinction

AMLE recognized its inaugural class of Schools of Distinction earlier this month, in conjunction with the organization’s 49th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. The twelve schools were selected for their fervent commitment to implementing the essential attributes and characteristics of successful middle grades schools. In addition to being celebrated during a special awards ceremony, each

Read More... from AMLE Celebrates Inaugural Schools of Distinction

Reimagining School – What should it look like and who is it for?

Cornelius Minor and Kass Minor help #AMLE22 attendees find their bottom lines as educators Cornelius and Kass Minor believe that kids don’t just learn in school. They become. It’s an attitude reflective of what we know about middle grades best practice, making them the perfect keynoters for #AMLE22 and our return to in-person conference. We

Read More... from Reimagining School – What should it look like and who is it for?

Kindness is harder than it looks.

Houston Kraft reminds #AMLE22 attendees that connection doesn’t happen by accident. Houston Kraft, author and co-founder of CharacterStrong, took the main stage at #AMLE22 yesterday for his keynote address on Deep Kindness. From the outset, he made clear that he had a mission for those in attendance. “If we want more kindness on our campus,

Read More... from Kindness is harder than it looks.