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Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons™
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Articles 1 - 30 of 72
Full-Text Articles in Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching
Ready-To-Teach Reads: Standards-Aligned Novel Studies For Seventh Grade Using Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction, Elizabeth Duvall
Ready-To-Teach Reads: Standards-Aligned Novel Studies For Seventh Grade Using Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction, Elizabeth Duvall
Senior Theses
This project aims to provide middle school English teachers with an easy way to update their curriculum to be culturally relevant using ready-to-teach unit plans based on diverse novels. Since research shows students benefit from reading texts from diverse cultures, each novel features minority voices. Both units include lesson plans for each day, and resources like slideshows, worksheets, and discussion questions. They were created using the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts. While these units are tailored to South Carolina teachers, they can be used by any educator whose standards align with the units’ learning …
Reinventing The Regency: A Review Of Amalie Howard’S Queen Bee, Shari Revels-Davis
Reinventing The Regency: A Review Of Amalie Howard’S Queen Bee, Shari Revels-Davis
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This review examines Queen Bee, Amalie Howard’s debut YA novel, highlighting its blend of romance, revenge, and richly drawn historical detail. The novel reimagines Regency- era storytelling through diverse representation, dynamic female rivalries, and an engaging plot driven by scandal and transformation. The review explores Howard’s effective fusion of historical settings with contemporary sensibilities and discusses the emotional impact on readers.
Building Buy-In For Student Support Teams: Lessons From Givhans To Carolina Springs, Patrice Green
Building Buy-In For Student Support Teams: Lessons From Givhans To Carolina Springs, Patrice Green
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This article examines strategies for cultivating staff buy-in and sustaining effective Student Support Teams (SSTs) within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework at the middle school level. Drawing from the author’s personal experiences of overcoming adversity and his leadership journey from rural Givhans, South Carolina, to serving as principal of Carolina Springs Middle School, the narrative highlights the critical role of intentional, data- driven interventions in promoting equitable student outcomes. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of proactive identification, individualized support, and collaborative problem-solving among educators. Common implementation challenges—such as staff resistance, initiative fatigue, and inconsistent follow-through—are addressed through actionable …
South Carolina Middle School Student Performance In Ela And Mathematics: The Imperative Of Assessment For Learning, Olivia S. Ochoo
South Carolina Middle School Student Performance In Ela And Mathematics: The Imperative Of Assessment For Learning, Olivia S. Ochoo
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Despite broad access to middle school in South Carolina, recent SCReady assessment data indicate persistent literacy and numeracy achievement gaps, with so many students performing below grade level in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. This article evaluated five years of state- and district-level data, highlighting steady but small gains, and explored how current assessment practices failed to fully inform instruction to accelerate learning. This paper used a mixed-methods research design, particularly a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, in which both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect and analyze data. To be specific, document analysis and both open- and …
Moving Forward: Teachers Managing Challenges And Change, Victoria A. Oglan, Lauren Gehr
Moving Forward: Teachers Managing Challenges And Change, Victoria A. Oglan, Lauren Gehr
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Teaching requires adapting to ongoing changes in pedagogy and technology, a reality intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article situates pandemic-era instructional shifts within a broader history of educational change and reviews contemporary professional texts addressing technology integration, artificial intelligence, literacy instruction, teacher clarity, and deep learning.
Middle School Magic: Building Belonging And Brain-Aligned Classrooms, Christopher S. Culver, Katie Kinder
Middle School Magic: Building Belonging And Brain-Aligned Classrooms, Christopher S. Culver, Katie Kinder
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Middle school represents a critical developmental period when belonging, identity, and emotional regulation converge to shape academic and social outcomes. This article explores how belonging and brain-aligned kindness transform classroom culture through connection, collaboration, compassion, and the Science of Kindness. Drawing from recent neuroscience, educational psychology, and classroom practice, the authors demonstrate how these principles activate neural pathways of safety, motivation, and empathy that enhance learning and well- being. Integrating research with actionable classroom strategies, this article illustrates how small, consistent acts of care, such as greeting students by name, fostering collaborative learning, building relationships in trust, and practicing restorative …
Mental Health And Neurodiversity In Middle Grades Literature: Sharing Stories Of Anxiety, Identity, And Resilience For Today’S Adolescents, Brooke B. Eisenbach
Mental Health And Neurodiversity In Middle Grades Literature: Sharing Stories Of Anxiety, Identity, And Resilience For Today’S Adolescents, Brooke B. Eisenbach
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Literature offers a powerful entry point for classroom conversation and engagement around mental health and neurodiversity. Stories invite students to challenge stereotypes and deepen their understanding through exploration of character, conflict, and voice, rather than through lecture or the expectation of personal self-disclosure. This article examines five contemporary novels exploring topics of mental health and neurological diversity that teachers can utilize to integrate mental health and social-emotional learning in the classroom. Through authentic voices and relatable narratives, these stories provide educators, parents, and teens with meaningful insights into the realities of navigating challenges while emphasizing resilience, self-worth, and the power …
Freedom On The Sea: The True Story Of The Civil War Hero Robert Smalls And His Daring Escape To Freedom, William Bintz P
Freedom On The Sea: The True Story Of The Civil War Hero Robert Smalls And His Daring Escape To Freedom, William Bintz P
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Book Review
Villain Or Victor, Part Ii: Embodied Advocacy In A Time Of Democratic Turmoil, Kenesha Johnson, Theodore W. Anderson
Villain Or Victor, Part Ii: Embodied Advocacy In A Time Of Democratic Turmoil, Kenesha Johnson, Theodore W. Anderson
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This paper examines how middle level educators embody advocacy through movement, care, rest, and recreation as acts of democratic engagement. Extending Part I of Villain or Victor, it positions advocacy as a lived, physical, and relational practice grounded in wellness and cultural responsiveness. Through embodied pedagogy, healing-centered approaches, and intentional recreation, educators help young adolescents experience democracy through motion, connection, and collective courage. The paper links theory to practical strategies that build sanctuaries of belonging, support student voice, and nurture civic leadership in the middle grades.
Press Play! Integrating Gamified Tools Into Web- Based Formative Social Studies Assessments, Victoria L. Pierce
Press Play! Integrating Gamified Tools Into Web- Based Formative Social Studies Assessments, Victoria L. Pierce
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
In an increasingly technology-dependent world, middle school students are emergent experts in technology use although novices in content knowledge. Middle school social studies teachers have dual issues of relevance and rigor to balance in their instruction with students at this developmental level. To strengthen students’ historical reasoning skills, middle school social studies teachers can implement gamified learning in a variety of ways to make use of technology skills and interests of students while also meeting content standards. This research models integration of gamified assessment into a virtual learning environment featuring educational games from organizations such as iCivics and Next Gen …
Understanding Distracted Minds: A Review Of Stolen Focus, Tammy J. Burnham Dr.
Understanding Distracted Minds: A Review Of Stolen Focus, Tammy J. Burnham Dr.
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This review examines Hari's Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again, an exploration of society's lack of sustained attention in an increasingly digital world. Hari's investigation of technology's impact on cognitive abilities provides meaningful insights for those in the educational field, where educators must guide young people through social media environments. Hari argues that systemic forces are disabling attention spans, and he evaluates practical solutions for educators and parents. Stolen Focus is an important resource for educators committed to supporting students' cognitive development and mental well-being.
Front Matter
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.
Scamle Journal 2026 Full Volume
Scamle Journal 2026 Full Volume
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.
Learning Lessons From Hard Truths: School Shootings, Devin Watson
Learning Lessons From Hard Truths: School Shootings, Devin Watson
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
The American school system is plagued by violent attacks such as school shootings. Unfortunately, these events are incredibly difficult to predict. The security used for these schools is often found lacking and students aren’t getting the help needed. Part of the issue is the internal struggle of students in tough situations and teachers not being trained properly to help them. School security is more than just something at the gate. It’s about creating a safe environment that students can find sanctuary in. The solution is to provide better training for teachers and updating the physical security of the school.
Original Student Artwork, Carmen Holley
Original Student Artwork, Carmen Holley
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.
Continuous Improvement: Resources To Support Teachers’ Professional Growth, Victoria Oglan, Lauren Gehr
Continuous Improvement: Resources To Support Teachers’ Professional Growth, Victoria Oglan, Lauren Gehr
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Being an effective teacher requires attention to a wide variety of factors. In addition to knowing the content, teachers need to address the following: planning and implementing curriculum, building a welcoming classroom where every student feels safe, developing healthy relationships with students, mastering the many forms of assessment strategies, understanding how to actively engage and motivate students in their learning, growing a repertoire of best practice instructional methods, and being a reflective practitioner to address next steps in their methodology. The books reviewed here will assist in professional development for teachers.
A Review Of Three Verse Novels To Promote Engagement And Critical Thinking, Isaiah Gillian, Michelle Rasheed
A Review Of Three Verse Novels To Promote Engagement And Critical Thinking, Isaiah Gillian, Michelle Rasheed
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Verse literature is a valuable genre to incorporate into today’s classroom. Verse literature provides various benefits for students and teachers alike, while sparking readers’ interests and aligning with educational standards. The verse style requires writing to be concise, with relatively short lines, condensed thoughts, and depth of emotions. Verse literature delves into underrepresented topics and perspectives, beneficial for student growth and new learning experiences. This article reviews three verse novels—All the Fighting Parts (2023), Good Different (2023), and I Am Kavi (2023)— highlighting their potential to engage diverse student populations. Additionally, the article provides practical recommendations for integrating verse into …
Attendance And Absenteeism: Can We Fix It?, Stephanie J. Bell
Attendance And Absenteeism: Can We Fix It?, Stephanie J. Bell
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This research project shows how consistent communication with parents of special education students regarding daily and weekly attendance can make a difference in decreasing absenteeism and increasing attendance in the virtual resource classroom. This study supports promoting access to special education services with parents as partners in the virtual environment. This approach can be adapted to fit various classroom environments.
Don’T Flip Out, Flip Your Class!, Jessica Scott
Don’T Flip Out, Flip Your Class!, Jessica Scott
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
There are many benefits to using a flipped learning method in a middle school classroom. Students are able to take control of their learning in their own time. This alleviates any time constraints on note taking as well as giving them the opportunity to review information. This is especially true in Social Studies classrooms where educators are teaching complex topics using multiple cross curricular standards. Teachers may be hesitant to try this method due to the workload that is required before the lesson begins and uncertainty of whether it is a good instructional model for their particular class. Flipping the …
Villain Or Victor: Advocating For Middle Level Students In The Face Of Systemic Challenges, Dywanna Smith, Kenesha Johnson, Jada Williams, Myles-Anthony Johnson
Villain Or Victor: Advocating For Middle Level Students In The Face Of Systemic Challenges, Dywanna Smith, Kenesha Johnson, Jada Williams, Myles-Anthony Johnson
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Middle level students often face significant systemic challenges that can hinder their academic and personal development, positioning them in narratives where they are perceived as “villains” instead of “victors.” This paper explores the role of educators as advocates for these students, drawing parallels between the concept of superhero villains— figures who, like many students, are misunderstood or marginalized by society. Preservice educators will examine historical examples of heroes, who were initially viewed as villains for challenging the status quo but later celebrated for their transformative impact. Grounded in the principles of This We Believe (2020) by the Association for Middle …
The Gendering Of Literature In Middle School, Patrick D. Adkins
The Gendering Of Literature In Middle School, Patrick D. Adkins
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
The classification and promotion of books based on gender significantly affect middle education, where reading behaviors and external influences notably shape identity development. This paper examines the impact of gendered literature in middle schools on students’ academic engagement, social development, and self-concept. The article illustrates the repercussions of maintaining gender binaries in educational literature using examples from classroom practices and library systems, while advocating for a more inclusive methodology in book selection and curriculum development.
Beyond The Four Walls: Understanding The Impact Of Inter-Industrial Learning Experiences, Walter Lee, Olivia Bobo, Shaekwon Heard, Nicole Patton, Lauren Thrasher
Beyond The Four Walls: Understanding The Impact Of Inter-Industrial Learning Experiences, Walter Lee, Olivia Bobo, Shaekwon Heard, Nicole Patton, Lauren Thrasher
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
The traditional learning environment for pre-service teachers most commonly reflects the banking concept, coined by Paulo Freire. The instructor teaches in the classroom and students are expected to learn, applying concepts during lesson planning and certification exams as proof of their learning (Freire, 1996). If authentic learning is occurring and skills are transferable, students should be able to identify educational concepts in other industries as validation that these practices are relevant. In this article, we propose a fresh, engaging approach to teaching pre-service teachers: inter-industrial learning experiences. Learn about our experience with Clayton Construction Company and how middle level pre-service …
Helping Future Teachers Do History Through Digitized Primary Sources, Jeremy Rinder
Helping Future Teachers Do History Through Digitized Primary Sources, Jeremy Rinder
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of using the National Archives DocsTeach program on preservice teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course. Candidates completed a document-based question and a perception survey about history before completing one activity within the DocsTeach program for four classes. Anecdotal observations focusing on collaboration and engagement were collected during the unit. At the conclusion, participants completed another document-based question, a perception survey about history, and an exit interview. It was determined that the DocsTeach program had a positive impact on the participants’ historical thinking and perceptions of history.
Fostering Motivation For Reading Primary Documents In History, Derek Rhodes
Fostering Motivation For Reading Primary Documents In History, Derek Rhodes
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
One issue that many middle-level social studies teachers face is motivating their students to read primary documents. Primary documents are great tools that allow teachers to show their students differing perspectives on a topic that they are teaching and can come in the form of speeches, newspapers, letters, books, academic works, and legal documents. Social studies teachers must figure out how to effectively inspire both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to read in their students to most effectively use primary sources in the classroom. In order to foster motivation to read primary documents, social studies teachers can use strategies like Concept …
Soldiers All The Same, Jennifer L. Altieri
Soldiers All The Same, Jennifer L. Altieri
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.
An Exploration Of The Disproportionate Representation Of Youth With Learning Disabilities In The Juvenile Justice System, Kayla S. Cox
An Exploration Of The Disproportionate Representation Of Youth With Learning Disabilities In The Juvenile Justice System, Kayla S. Cox
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
This article examines the factors and potential remedial approaches to the longstanding overrepresentation of adolescents with learning disabilities in the juvenile justice system. As schools look to harden themselves and reduce their appeal as possible targets of violence, this group of students becomes more vulnerable to policies and decisions that can increase the risk of engagement with the juvenile justice system and prolonged criminality versus normal developmental adjustment into adulthood. This requires considering the unique challenges that this group faces, the impacts of the main hypotheses explicating the phenomenon, and considering ways that classroom educators can help to meaningfully divert …
Empowering The Future: Cultivating Resilience In Adolescents, Jocelynn Mccarthy
Empowering The Future: Cultivating Resilience In Adolescents, Jocelynn Mccarthy
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
The concept of resilience has been explored in relation to various factors, including individual traits such as self-regulation, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation. External factors can also affect a student ability to be resilient such as support from family, peers, and school environments. A resilient student is one who can effectively cope with and adapt to challenges and setbacks during their academic journey. These students often share characteristics such as persistence, adaptability, critical thinking skills, and self- efficacy. These traits can collectively help students navigate educational difficulties and emerge stronger from their experiences.
Realizing The Potential Of Middle School Students With Autism, Zachary Evans
Realizing The Potential Of Middle School Students With Autism, Zachary Evans
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively common yet widely misunderstood condition among middle school students. The cognitive differences of students with autism can lead to academic and socioemotional difficulties. By using specific, evidence-based interventions, however, teachers can ameliorate these challenges and bring out the unique potential of this population.
2025 Front Matter
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.
2025 Scamle Full Volume
South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal
No abstract provided.