Group items tagged

Three paradigms related to teaming and how the might be revised to improve the quality of today's middle school programs are discussed: team configurations, teaming for interdisciplinary instruction, and teaming and advisory. Rottier, J. (2003). Variations on a team: changing paradigms. Middle Ground, 7(2), 10-12.

Having faculty collaborative teams to evaluate student works is proposed in this article. The standards related to content and performance of student works should be agreed among team members. Team members should also be willing to implement change. Garrison, C. (2006). Morn than paper load: What does all this student work tell us? Middle Ground, 9(3), 12-15.

In this article the authors illustrate how Peter Senge's 5 disciplines: (1) systems thinking, (2) personal mastery, (3) mental models, (4) building shared vision, and (5) team learning can be used for the development of a learning organization in middle schools. Thompson, S., & McKelvy, E. (2007). Shared vision, team learning and professional learning communities. Middle Ground, 10(3), 12-14.

The report was written by Linda Darling-Hammond and a team of researchers from the Stanford University School Redesign Network. It examines what research has revealed about professional learning that improves teachers' practice and student learning. The report describes the availability of such opportunities in the United States and high-achieving nations around the world, which have been making substantial and sustained investments in professional learning for teachers over the last two decades.