Making the Most of Middle School

It's a house of horrors, complete with eighth grade zombies, the ghouls of too much homework, and the ghosts of lost students looking for their homeroom! Actually, explains a friendly high school host, breaking into this imaginative introduction, middle school doesn't have to be that scary—if you know what you're getting into. This practical, lighthearted program provides a sneak peek into what to expect and prepare for, as the sixth grade in the American public education system marks the beginning of a very different school experience for young adolescents. Interviews with diverse, successful high school students provide firsthand information about academic expectations, organizational needs, extracurricular activities, necessary social skills, and personal work habits, emphasizing the idea that middle school is where kids begin to really build a solid foundation for their future, and that the habits and choices made during that time can and will affect the rest of their lives. The accompanying curriculum, with assessments, lesson plans, and lab activities, is both useful and comprehensive. Recommended. Aud: I, J. (E. Gieschen)