The field of education today is continually changing. Portfolio assessment and integrated curriculums are emerging. The use of technology in the classroom is growing. And the multicultural nature of the classroom is greater, too. Today's middle grades teachers must stay abreast of all these topics, and more, so they can be the most effective and innovative educators. This book reflects the changes that have occurred in middle level education in the past several years. With a strong research base, this book helps readers to link their knowledge of young adolescents with their understanding of the curriculum and sound institutional practices. The authors include descriptions of middle grades classrooms and examples of dialogues between teachers and young adolescents, both collected from their visits to real middle grades schools. Middle grades teachers and educational administrators.