Drawing on the wisdom of educators, researchers, and twenty years of personal experience in the middle school
classroom, Rick Wormeli lays out a clear vision of what responsive middle-level teaching can be in Meet Me in the
Middle: Becoming an Accomplished Middle-Level Teacher.
Both a "how-to" book and a thoughtful narrative on important topics, Meet Me in the Middle gives
you successful strategies for addressing key middle-level teaching challenges, including:
differentiating instruction;
motivating early adolescents;
teaming;
teaching in block-length classes;
using authentic and alternative assessment effectively;
writing in all subjects;
holding students and teachers accountable;
involving parents;
mentoring teachers;
using games in the classroom;
applying the latest in brain research;
the National Board Certification process;
understanding the young adolescent.
Rick ignites the imagination and commitment of pre-service and beginning teachers and rekindles the motivation
of veteran teachers who want to create a high-performance classroom. He effectively demonstrates theory with rich
examples from his own teaching. Teacher educators and staff developers will find Meet Me in the Middle to be a
wonderful handbook of best practices and insights to share with new teachers, including second-career individuals
coming from other professions.
Table of Contents
Part 1 Creating a Culture of Learning / 1. Stoking the Fires Within
2. Motivating Young Adolescents
3. Brain Research Applied to Middle School
4. Active Learning
5. Games in the Classroom
Part 2 Higher Student Achievement Through Innovative and Accomplished Practice / 6. Accountability for High
Standards
7. Differentiated Instruction--Fitting the Lesson to the Learner
8. Effective Assessment
9. Planning for Block Scheduling
10. Writing in the Content Areas
Part 3 Extending Our Professional Practices / 11. Teaming
12. Teacher Advisories--A Proposal for Change
13. Outdoor Adventures
14. Mentoring New Teachers
15. Parents as Partners in Twenty-First-Century Learning
16. National Board Certification
17. The Truth About Middle School Students
