MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms

What Award-Winning Teachers Do
Randi B. Sofman - Educational Consultant, Keene, NH
MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms
March 2010 | 200 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452271347
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Description

"There is a little something for everyone."
—David Callaway, Eighth-Grade Language Arts Teacher
Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

"Although there are many books that provide lessons and units for various levels, the lessons in this book are very well written and provide more than just the unit instructions."
—Diane Smith, School Counselor
Smethport Area School District, PA

Best practices BY middle school teachers, FOR middle school teachers!

Best-selling author Randi Stone brings together a collection of best classroom practices by award-winning teachers from schools throughout the United States to inspire new and experienced middle school teachers with time-tested ideas.

MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms is packed with ready-to-go lessons and units written by teachers who have used these ideas successfully in their own classrooms. Each lesson or strategy includes recommended grade levels, clear objectives, a listing of relevant national or state standards, materials lists, and easy-to-follow directions and tips. Readers will find ideas for:

  • Managing effective classrooms, using technology, and assessing students
  • Teaching in science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies
  • Engaging students in music, art, and physical education

Learn how some of the best teachers in the nation reach their middle school students—with best practices from the teachers themselves!

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

About the Contributors

About the Contributors

Part I. Classroom Practices Across the Curriculum

Part I. Classroom Practices Across the Curriculum

Classroom Management and Community Involvement

  • 1. The Process of Effective Classroom Management - Chris Anderson, Grades 6-8 (New Jersey)
  • 2. Developing Collaboration With Peers - Amy Stump, Grades 6-8 (Arizona)
  • 3. Successful Classroom Management Strategies - Julie M. Pepperman, Grades 6-8 (Tennessee)
  • 4. Taking Ownership - Truman M. Savery, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 5. Parent Involvement: Heroes Among Us - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)

Using Technology in the Classroom

  • 6. Internet Safety - Sherry Crofut, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 7. Lights, Camera, Action! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-8 (Michigan)
  • 8. Using Technology to Teach Language Arts and Social Studies - Donald Fought, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 9. Bridging Nations With Problem-Based Learning - Rebekah Hammack, Grade 7 (Oklahoma)
  • 10. Students Create Podcasts - Brian C. Querry, Grade 8 (Pennsylvania)

Assessment

  • 11. Short-Cycle Assessments - Darrell Yater, Grades 6-8 (Ohio)

Part II. Science and Math

Part II. Science and Math

Teaching Science

  • 12. Science Energy Lesson Including Differentiation and Inclusion - Michalle McCallister, Grades 6-8 (Texas)
  • 13. Creating Booklets Explaining Energy Transformation - Bonnie Garrett, Grades 6-8 (Alabama)
  • 14. Creating a Thriving Prairie - Tony Carmichael, Grades 6-8 (Illinois)
  • 15. Scientific Building Relationships and Inquiry Skills Using Toys - Susan Leeds, Grade 6 (Florida)
  • 16. It Is Rocket Science - Thomas J. Bennett, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 17. Teaching Students About Cells - Tammie Schrader, Grade 7 (Washington)
  • 18. The Sustainable Green Vehicle - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 8-9 (Michigan)

Teaching Math

  • 19. Coordinate Plane Aerobics - Genia Webb, Grades 6-8 (South Carolina)
  • 20. How Long Will It Take? - Lisa Wood, Grades 5-6 (Arkansas)
  • 21. The Hallway Crush: How Full Is Full? - Sarah L. Crosse, Grades 7-8 (Nebraska)
  • 22. Maze Madness - Amy Maxey, Grades 7-8 (North Carolina)
  • 23. Scale and Drawing Relationships - Eric Melnyczenko, Grade 8 (Illinois)

Part III. Language Arts and Social Studies

Part III. Language Arts and Social Studies

Teaching Language Arts

  • 24. Story Stew - Alicia Deel, Grades 5-6, Sepcial Needs (Virginia)
  • 25. Teaching Reading, Writing, and Differentiation - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)
  • 26. Tall Tales - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)
  • 27. Service-Learning Research Project - Rebecca Stallings, Garde 8 (Alabama)
  • 28. Comparing Formal and Informal Language - Sherry Crofut, Grade 8 (South Dakota)
  • 29. Teaching Descriptive Writing Using Song Lyrics - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)

Teaching Social Studies

  • 30. Historical Character Party - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 31. America's Dust Bowl - Elizabeth Rees Gilbert, Grade 6 (Maryland)
  • 32. Medieval Italy - Judy Lindauer, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 33. The Workforce - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 34. War! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-7 (Michigan)
  • 35. The Mayflower Compact - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)
  • 36. Graveyard of the Atlantic - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)

Part IV. Music, Art, and Physical Education

Part IV. Music, Art, and Physical Education

Celebrating Music and Art

  • 37. Successful Music Through the Use of Standards and Assessment - Denese Odegaard, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 38. Comics: Integrating Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies With Art - Amy K. Dean, Grade 8 (South Carolina)
  • 39. Edible Color Wheels: A New Way to Introduce Color Theory - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 40. Chinese Zodiac: What Animal Are You? - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 7 (New Jersey)

Physical Education

  • 41. Feel It Today: Warm-Up and Conditioning Routine - Kathleen F. Engle, Grades 6-8 (Wyoming)
  • 42. Spider Web and Human Knot - Erin Sweeney, Grade 8 (Virginia)

Description

"There is a little something for everyone."
—David Callaway, Eighth-Grade Language Arts Teacher
Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

"Although there are many books that provide lessons and units for various levels, the lessons in this book are very well written and provide more than just the unit instructions."
—Diane Smith, School Counselor
Smethport Area School District, PA

Best practices BY middle school teachers, FOR middle school teachers!

Best-selling author Randi Stone brings together a collection of best classroom practices by award-winning teachers from schools throughout the United States to inspire new and experienced middle school teachers with time-tested ideas.

MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms is packed with ready-to-go lessons and units written by teachers who have used these ideas successfully in their own classrooms. Each lesson or strategy includes recommended grade levels, clear objectives, a listing of relevant national or state standards, materials lists, and easy-to-follow directions and tips. Readers will find ideas for:

  • Managing effective classrooms, using technology, and assessing students
  • Teaching in science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies
  • Engaging students in music, art, and physical education

Learn how some of the best teachers in the nation reach their middle school students—with best practices from the teachers themselves!

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

About the Contributors

About the Contributors

Part I. Classroom Practices Across the Curriculum

Part I. Classroom Practices Across the Curriculum

Classroom Management and Community Involvement

  • 1. The Process of Effective Classroom Management - Chris Anderson, Grades 6-8 (New Jersey)
  • 2. Developing Collaboration With Peers - Amy Stump, Grades 6-8 (Arizona)
  • 3. Successful Classroom Management Strategies - Julie M. Pepperman, Grades 6-8 (Tennessee)
  • 4. Taking Ownership - Truman M. Savery, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 5. Parent Involvement: Heroes Among Us - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)

Using Technology in the Classroom

  • 6. Internet Safety - Sherry Crofut, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 7. Lights, Camera, Action! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-8 (Michigan)
  • 8. Using Technology to Teach Language Arts and Social Studies - Donald Fought, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 9. Bridging Nations With Problem-Based Learning - Rebekah Hammack, Grade 7 (Oklahoma)
  • 10. Students Create Podcasts - Brian C. Querry, Grade 8 (Pennsylvania)

Assessment

  • 11. Short-Cycle Assessments - Darrell Yater, Grades 6-8 (Ohio)

Part II. Science and Math

Part II. Science and Math

Teaching Science

  • 12. Science Energy Lesson Including Differentiation and Inclusion - Michalle McCallister, Grades 6-8 (Texas)
  • 13. Creating Booklets Explaining Energy Transformation - Bonnie Garrett, Grades 6-8 (Alabama)
  • 14. Creating a Thriving Prairie - Tony Carmichael, Grades 6-8 (Illinois)
  • 15. Scientific Building Relationships and Inquiry Skills Using Toys - Susan Leeds, Grade 6 (Florida)
  • 16. It Is Rocket Science - Thomas J. Bennett, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 17. Teaching Students About Cells - Tammie Schrader, Grade 7 (Washington)
  • 18. The Sustainable Green Vehicle - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 8-9 (Michigan)

Teaching Math

  • 19. Coordinate Plane Aerobics - Genia Webb, Grades 6-8 (South Carolina)
  • 20. How Long Will It Take? - Lisa Wood, Grades 5-6 (Arkansas)
  • 21. The Hallway Crush: How Full Is Full? - Sarah L. Crosse, Grades 7-8 (Nebraska)
  • 22. Maze Madness - Amy Maxey, Grades 7-8 (North Carolina)
  • 23. Scale and Drawing Relationships - Eric Melnyczenko, Grade 8 (Illinois)

Part III. Language Arts and Social Studies

Part III. Language Arts and Social Studies

Teaching Language Arts

  • 24. Story Stew - Alicia Deel, Grades 5-6, Sepcial Needs (Virginia)
  • 25. Teaching Reading, Writing, and Differentiation - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)
  • 26. Tall Tales - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)
  • 27. Service-Learning Research Project - Rebecca Stallings, Garde 8 (Alabama)
  • 28. Comparing Formal and Informal Language - Sherry Crofut, Grade 8 (South Dakota)
  • 29. Teaching Descriptive Writing Using Song Lyrics - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)

Teaching Social Studies

  • 30. Historical Character Party - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 31. America's Dust Bowl - Elizabeth Rees Gilbert, Grade 6 (Maryland)
  • 32. Medieval Italy - Judy Lindauer, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 33. The Workforce - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 34. War! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-7 (Michigan)
  • 35. The Mayflower Compact - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)
  • 36. Graveyard of the Atlantic - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)

Part IV. Music, Art, and Physical Education

Part IV. Music, Art, and Physical Education

Celebrating Music and Art

  • 37. Successful Music Through the Use of Standards and Assessment - Denese Odegaard, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 38. Comics: Integrating Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies With Art - Amy K. Dean, Grade 8 (South Carolina)
  • 39. Edible Color Wheels: A New Way to Introduce Color Theory - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 40. Chinese Zodiac: What Animal Are You? - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 7 (New Jersey)

Physical Education

  • 41. Feel It Today: Warm-Up and Conditioning Routine - Kathleen F. Engle, Grades 6-8 (Wyoming)
  • 42. Spider Web and Human Knot - Erin Sweeney, Grade 8 (Virginia)
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MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms

What Award-Winning Teachers Do


March 2010 | 200 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412963428 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452271347 $35.00

"There is a little something for everyone."
—David Callaway, Eighth-Grade Language Arts Teacher
Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

"Although there are many books that provide lessons and units for various levels, the lessons in this book are very well written and provide more than just the unit instructions."
—Diane Smith, School Counselor
Smethport Area School District, PA

Best practices BY middle school teachers, FOR middle school teachers!

Best-selling author Randi Stone brings together a collection of best classroom practices by award-winning teachers from schools throughout the United States to inspire new and experienced middle school teachers with time-tested ideas.

MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms is packed with ready-to-go lessons and units written by teachers who have used these ideas successfully in their own classrooms. Each lesson or strategy includes recommended grade levels, clear objectives, a listing of relevant national or state standards, materials lists, and easy-to-follow directions and tips. Readers will find ideas for:

  • Managing effective classrooms, using technology, and assessing students
  • Teaching in science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies
  • Engaging students in music, art, and physical education

Learn how some of the best teachers in the nation reach their middle school students—with best practices from the teachers themselves!


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • About the Contributors
  • Part I. Classroom Practices Across the Curriculum
  • Classroom Management and Community Involvement
  • 1. The Process of Effective Classroom Management - Chris Anderson, Grades 6-8 (New Jersey)
  • 2. Developing Collaboration With Peers - Amy Stump, Grades 6-8 (Arizona)
  • 3. Successful Classroom Management Strategies - Julie M. Pepperman, Grades 6-8 (Tennessee)
  • 4. Taking Ownership - Truman M. Savery, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 5. Parent Involvement: Heroes Among Us - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)
  • Using Technology in the Classroom
  • 6. Internet Safety - Sherry Crofut, Grades 6-8 (South Dakota)
  • 7. Lights, Camera, Action! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-8 (Michigan)
  • 8. Using Technology to Teach Language Arts and Social Studies - Donald Fought, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 9. Bridging Nations With Problem-Based Learning - Rebekah Hammack, Grade 7 (Oklahoma)
  • 10. Students Create Podcasts - Brian C. Querry, Grade 8 (Pennsylvania)
  • Assessment
  • 11. Short-Cycle Assessments - Darrell Yater, Grades 6-8 (Ohio)
  • Part II. Science and Math
  • Teaching Science
  • 12. Science Energy Lesson Including Differentiation and Inclusion - Michalle McCallister, Grades 6-8 (Texas)
  • 13. Creating Booklets Explaining Energy Transformation - Bonnie Garrett, Grades 6-8 (Alabama)
  • 14. Creating a Thriving Prairie - Tony Carmichael, Grades 6-8 (Illinois)
  • 15. Scientific Building Relationships and Inquiry Skills Using Toys - Susan Leeds, Grade 6 (Florida)
  • 16. It Is Rocket Science - Thomas J. Bennett, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 17. Teaching Students About Cells - Tammie Schrader, Grade 7 (Washington)
  • 18. The Sustainable Green Vehicle - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 8-9 (Michigan)
  • Teaching Math
  • 19. Coordinate Plane Aerobics - Genia Webb, Grades 6-8 (South Carolina)
  • 20. How Long Will It Take? - Lisa Wood, Grades 5-6 (Arkansas)
  • 21. The Hallway Crush: How Full Is Full? - Sarah L. Crosse, Grades 7-8 (Nebraska)
  • 22. Maze Madness - Amy Maxey, Grades 7-8 (North Carolina)
  • 23. Scale and Drawing Relationships - Eric Melnyczenko, Grade 8 (Illinois)
  • Part III. Language Arts and Social Studies
  • Teaching Language Arts
  • 24. Story Stew - Alicia Deel, Grades 5-6, Sepcial Needs (Virginia)
  • 25. Teaching Reading, Writing, and Differentiation - Judy McEntegart, Grade 6 (Massachusetts)
  • 26. Tall Tales - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)
  • 27. Service-Learning Research Project - Rebecca Stallings, Garde 8 (Alabama)
  • 28. Comparing Formal and Informal Language - Sherry Crofut, Grade 8 (South Dakota)
  • 29. Teaching Descriptive Writing Using Song Lyrics - Samantha Schwasinger, Grade 8 (Nebraska)
  • Teaching Social Studies
  • 30. Historical Character Party - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 31. America's Dust Bowl - Elizabeth Rees Gilbert, Grade 6 (Maryland)
  • 32. Medieval Italy - Judy Lindauer, Grade 6 (Indiana)
  • 33. The Workforce - Dale Baumwoll, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 34. War! - Steven M. Jacobs, Grades 6-7 (Michigan)
  • 35. The Mayflower Compact - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)
  • 36. Graveyard of the Atlantic - Spencer Bolejack, Grade 8 (North Carolina)
  • Part IV. Music, Art, and Physical Education
  • Celebrating Music and Art
  • 37. Successful Music Through the Use of Standards and Assessment - Denese Odegaard, Grades 6-8 (North Carolina)
  • 38. Comics: Integrating Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies With Art - Amy K. Dean, Grade 8 (South Carolina)
  • 39. Edible Color Wheels: A New Way to Introduce Color Theory - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 6 (New Jersey)
  • 40. Chinese Zodiac: What Animal Are You? - Gayle Gruber Hegerich, Grade 7 (New Jersey)
  • Physical Education
  • 41. Feel It Today: Warm-Up and Conditioning Routine - Kathleen F. Engle, Grades 6-8 (Wyoming)
  • 42. Spider Web and Human Knot - Erin Sweeney, Grade 8 (Virginia)
  • 41. Comics: Integrating Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies With Art

Recent Product Reviews:

"There is a little something for everyone."
David Callaway, Eighth-Grade Language Arts Teacher, Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO
"Although there are many books that provide lessons and units for various levels, the lessons in this book are very well written and provide more than just the unit instructions. Providing standards is unique, and I am thankful for that."
Diane Smith, School Counselor, Smethport Area School District, PA

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