Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons^™

Scamle Journal 2024

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

And Then The Black Birthed Me: Celebrating Black Girlhood In Middle Level Ela Classrooms Through Afrofuturism, Dywanna Smith, Kenesha Johnson, Kiana Eaddy

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The manuscript delves into the dynamic interplay between Afrofuturism and young adult literature and Middle Level English pedagogical inspiration to offer fresh perspectives on intersectionality, agency, and empowerment among marginalized youth. The authors explore how Afrofuturistic young adult literature authors are employing characters who navigate a multitude of identities, challenging traditional power dynamics, and dismantling oppressive structures. Through its incorporation of technological innovation, speculative visions, and the reclaiming of historical narratives, Afrofuturistic young adult literature creates new paradigms of empowerment and self-realization for all students, but especially Black girls. Works such as Kalynn Bayron’s The Poison Heart (2021), Namina Fornas’ …

Adolescents With Eating Disorders Due To Bullying, Avery Page

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Bullying is a strong predictor of eating disorders. Adolescent girls are more susceptible to developing eating disorders due to social media, developmental changes, and societal pressure for unattainable perfection. Adolescent advocates have an important role in addressing this issue and providing support for students.

Avoiding Burnout: Resources To Help The Overworked Teacher, Victoria Oglan, Janie R. Goodman

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Everyone knows that teaching has always been a demanding job; however, in the last decade the demands on teachers have increased. Today, teachers have to answer to parents, administrators, legislators, and the general public when it comes to their classroom practice and educational beliefs. In addition, long hours, classroom management issues, lack of support, low pay, poor working conditions, and the demands of high-stakes testing have all contributed to widespread teacher stress.

This collection of resources will make your teaching life so much easier. Bringing these authors into your classroom can give teachers a broader understanding of how to configure …

The “System” Was Never For Us: Redefining Middle School Discipline To Empower Black Girls, Kenesha Johnson, Dywanna Smith, Kamryn Griffin, Jada Williams

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This manuscript addresses the need for a transformative redefinition of school discipline, focused on empowering Black girls. It highlights the heightened likelihood of suspension and expulsion faced by Black girls, exposing flaws in traditional practices. Advocating for a paradigm shift, the manuscript emphasizes adopting restorative practices, centered on healing and collaboration to address behavioral issues at their core. It explores the impact of implicit biases and systemic racism on Black girls’ experiences, proposing a comprehensive, inclusive approach. Through transformative measures, schools create environments that actively empowers and supports the academic journey of Black girls, fostering a more equitable educational experience.

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adolescents: How To Support Them In Life And Education, Emma Chambers

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Research has shown that a socioeconomic divide is occurring and only getting larger in classrooms, and it is especially affecting the young adolescent age group. While there are many different problems that these students must face in their personal and public lives, the education system should be doing all it can to prevent this divide from growing larger with different strategies and prevention tools. This article will promote the use of several classroom management strategies, suggestions, and private organizations that offer help to make classrooms a more welcome place for all students no matter their home life.

Uniting Students With Literacy Connections In Mathematics, Bridget K. Coleman, Michelle Rasheed, Nancy B. Ruppert, Toni M. Williams

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Literature provides opportunities for students to connect to mathematics, as well as each other. Reflecting on personal identities, storytelling, and place-based connections are avenues to enhancing the relevancy of content across the curriculum. Literature can bridge the divide for students reluctant to see the beauty in mathematics. It can also be the impetus in helping unite students as they gain a better understanding of cultures and places beyond their own. Stories, along with interactive tasks, give context for collaborative experiences. This article shares resources and strategies for building understanding and collaboration among students using cross-curricular connections between mathematics and literacy.

Advocating For Teens In Single-Parent Households, Bailey Davis

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article examines the issue of young adolescents living in a single-parent household. Challenges include reduced income, limited resources, family stress, and less parental involvement. Academic achievement and social- emotional development may be adversely affected. Teachers can help by becoming advocates for these students.

An Argument For Interdisciplinary Learning In Middle School, Isaiah Gillian

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Interdisciplinary education is a pedagogical approach that is beneficial for adolescent learners. Using this approach, students can integrate knowledge from one subject into another and form a holistic understanding of the real world we live in.

Advocating For Adolescent Sexual Minorities, Madeline Hawkins

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Sexual minority (gay, lesbian, and bisexual) adolescents experience bullying and mental health issues at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. It is important that teachers find ways to protect, support, and advocate for these students to prevent them from struggling academically and socially. Through the use of inclusive curricula, gay-straight alliances, and informal mentoring, educators can foster an environment of inclusion and respect for sexual minority students.

I Wish My Teacher Knew: Trauma, Stress, Loss, And Learning In Today’S Classrooms, Janie R. Goodman, Victoria A. Oglan

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

As teachers and students continue to navigate the new normal of in-class, remote, and hybrid learning environments, three ongoing themes of trauma, stress, and loss have become pervasive. This collection of resources can give all educators a broader understanding of stress, trauma, loss, and learning as well as provide information that can be applied directly into work with students in the classroom and the community.

Kindling A Desire To Read: A Review Of Three Young Adult Novels, Michelle Rasheed

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Drawing on experiences as an English teacher and as a teacher educator, this article offers a review of Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk (2021), Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes (2022), and Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum (2022). The review offers suggestions to promote adolescent reading. Authentic characterizations, realistic dialogue, credible events, and elements of suspense draw readers in and keep them reading. Recommended as viable works to spark students’ interest in reading, Nothing Burns as Bright as You, Paradise on Fire, and Year on Fire are contemporary young adult novels to …

Connectedness In The Classroom: Classroom Management In The Middle School, Patricia S. Fears

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

As documented by research and assertions from middle school instructors, teaching adolescent students can be a challenging experience for many. Specific challenges include mediocre student engagement, lack of motivation, substandard academic performance, and disengaged teacher- pupil relationships. This article addresses these challenges by offering research-based options for teachers to consider when designing a classroom management system that will improve the aforementioned challenges. The techniques and strategies presented focus on developing relationships and building upon them to make teaching and learning experiences positive, engaging, relevant, and impactful.

Shaking Up Assessment: Integrating Low And High Technology Tools, Lenessa Clark, Erin Besser

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Assessment is an important component of education because it communicates whether the academic goals are met within a class. Generally, assessments offer opportunities for educators to target their teaching goals and to measure the extent to which the expected goals are attained (Madani, 2016). Incorporating the right technology provides opportunities to enhance teaching and learning. This article presents several low- and high-tech tools that middle grades educators can integrate into their instructional practice as a developmentally responsive way to facilitate the assessment process.

Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered And Queer (Lgbtq) Youth In Southern Middle Schools, Xiomarra A. Beverly

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

During my experience teaching in a conservative, southern middle school, I have found that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ) youth are not afforded the same support systems as other minority groups within the classroom. I have noticed that students who self- identified as a member of the LGBTQ community were less engaged, had lower overall grades, and were frequently victimized by both students and faculty at times. I believed that I could increase the overall mental and physical health in the classroom by instilling supportive means that would translate inside and outside of the classroom. From both personal …

Scamle Journal 2023 Front Matter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Guest Editorial: Renewing The Commitment For Specialized Middle Grades Teacher Preparation And Licensure

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

teacher shortage, recruitment and retention, grade span configurations, specialized middle grades preparation, licensure

Time To Escape! Using Escape Rooms In The Middle Grades Classroom, Rebecca Harper

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Motivation and student engagement are at the forefront of quality instructional design and implementation. While traditional teaching methods may have been effective in the past, today’s diverse student body, with their rich literacy experiences in both print and digital worlds, demand unique classroom engagements. Because problem solving and critical thinking skills are ones that are required for student success both in and out of school, instructional opportunities should be designed with this in mind. One way to address the diverse skills and needs of today’s students, along with the instruction of academic skills needed for success, is through the implementation …

Sticky Notes Matter: 3 Ways To Promote Mental Health In The Middle School Classroom, Demisa Gray

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Mental health issues continue to be a prominent concern in middle level education. Adolescence marks a crucial period for developing healthy social and emotional skills to promote mental well-being. Poor mental health can affect grades, relationships, decision-making, and students’ overall health. Building positive rapport and connections with students can protect their mental health. Encouraging students to journal their thoughts and feelings helps students process and recognize their emotions. Students enjoy using bright, colored sticky notes. I recommend that teachers give students opportunities to use sticky-notes to express themselves.

Using Music To Teach Math In Middle School, James D. Walsh, Bridget K. Coleman

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Music is an effective tool to use in the middle school classroom. Music is engaging, makes learning memorable, and can help relieve anxiety. Music can be connected to math in many different ways. Lyrics, melodies, and movement can be used to enhance learning. Students can learn the quadratic formula song to help with procedural memory; they can identify fractions in musical composition and notation; and they can write class songs to help retain information.

More Than Academic: Texts For Teens, Casey Belli, Rebecca Harper

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Middle and high school students are dealing with many heavy issues and topics daily – and we’re noticing the strain this is putting on their mental health -- yet there are several texts that can be used to help middle grades students develop decision making skills and coping strategies. Teaching reading and writing with books like these in classrooms can help students build a sense of empathy and compassion for others, along with offering them opportunities for contemplation and reflection. Plus, these experiences can also allow students a safe space to invite dialogue and discussion about topics that are part …

Scamle Journal 2023 Full Volume

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

A Creative Solution To The Traditional School Schedule, Lisa Rivera

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article examines the current traditional school schedule and its effects on teacher retention, student engagement, morale, and overall academic success. This article also explores the pros and cons of a four-day school week and offers an alternative weekly structure.

Connecting Weirdness And Wonder To Mathematics, Elizabeth Basile, Deborah H. Mcmurtrie, Bridget K. Coleman

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Middle school students are weird and wonderful. Why not bring some of that weirdness and wonder into the mathematics classroom? Effective teachers of mathematics can create a culture of engagement, curiosity, and collaboration in mathematics instruction by presenting “weird” problems (as opposed to word problems) and giving students opportunities to explore their wonderings. Inspired by “the bizarreness effect,” the problems presented here are infused with humor and designed to intrigue young adolescents.

Closing The Stem Gap: A University, P-12 School District Partnership To Engage Sixth Grade Students In Integrated Computing Activities, Michiko Mcclary, Deidra Morrison, Kamilah Brown, Y. Rochelle Bennett

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article describes how participating in a computing program positively impacted young adolescents from underrepresented populations in STEM attitude toward STEM and interest in STEM- related careers. Nineteen sixth-grade students attending a rural, Title I middle school participated in the study. Five computing lessons were taught by undergraduate interns majoring in computer science, middle-level mathematics and science teacher education, and secondary mathematics teacher education. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data provide convincing evidence that students’attitudes toward STEM improved and interests in STEM-related careers increased because of participating in the computing program.

Take A P.A.U.S.E. For Student Success, David H. Vawter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our middle level students and teachers have suffered both great stress and loss. This loss and stress can result in the acting out behavior of students whose emotional maturity may not be fully able to cope. One middle school cancelled in-person classes in an attempt to ameliorate behavior issues. This article will examine the causes of the anti-social behavior and offer suggestions on the social-emotional health of both students and teachers. Strategies and resources will be listed in an effort to provide support to educators.

A South Asian Vice President Takes Office: A Middle School Teaching Opportunity, Julia Wilkins, Anneda Nettleton

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Middle school students need to be aware of geopolitical issues that impact current events. The inauguration of a South Asian vice president demands awareness of South Asian geography and an understanding of the complexities of identity. In this article, we explain why the study of Asia, and in particular South Asia, is important, in both historical and contemporary contexts, and we provide lesson ideas for middle school students based on the Geography dimension of the C3 framework. The lesson activities are interdisciplinary and are intended to serve as resources for middle level teachers in any content area.

Scamle Journal 2022 Front Matter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Individualized Professional Development, Thea Dirton

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

A one-size-fits-all professional development program may not be beneficial to all of the staff in an educational setting. The following professional development program offers an alternative solution to traditional professional development methods, by allowing teachers to determine the strategies that they want to implement into their classroom. The implementation of these strategies and the reflection that goes along with it in the form of action research, allows staff members to determine which methods are most beneficial to them and the students in their learning environment.