TEMC 4801C - CE The Middle School Learning Community
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43936,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Mrs. Michele McCaughtry
Email: mlmccaughtry@ysu.edu
Course Description
4801C. CE The Middle School Learning Community. History, philosophy, and concepts of middle level education, including interdisciplinary instruction, collaborative teams, cooperative learning, classroom management, teacher-based advisory programs, flexible scheduling, cross-age grouping, departmentalized/core curriculum, adapting curriculum to the needs of culturally diverse populations, and working with families, resource persons, and community groups. Prereq.: TEMC 3702, BCOE upper-division status, and approval of chairperson. Coreq.: Two of TEMC 3703, TEMC 3704, TEMC 3705, or TEMC 3706. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know, Third Edition | Dave F. Brown & Trudy Knowles | 978-0-325-05755-2 |
| Required | This We Believe in Action: Implementing Successful Middle Schools | Association for Middle Level Education | 1560902442 |
Recommended (Optional): Membership to the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) $14.99/year (student)
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25 | Introduction to course: Syllabus & assignments Introduction (Ice-Breaker Activity & Getting to Know You) AMLE Standards Introduce Family & Community Involvement Project | - Order Books and have them by the next class. | |
| 9/1 | This We Believe - Chapter 1 | Valuing Young Adolescents The Middle School Experience Creating a Culture of Learning | - Video and Standards Reaction sheet due (in-class assignment) |
| 9/8 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapters 2 & 3 | Middle Childhood Development Applying knowledge of student development to provide instructional environments and experiences that promote all students’ learning and environment. Physical Development Cognitive Development Introduce Technology Assignment | |
| 9/15 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapters 4 & 5 | Middle Childhood Development Applying knowledge of student development to provide instructional environments and experiences that promote all students’ learning and environment. Social Development Emotional Development | |
| 9/22 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapters 6 & 7 This We Believe - Chapters 9 & 10 |
Student Engagement & Motivation Choice Matters Assuming Responsibility for Learning Goal Setting Introduce Context for Learning | -Technology assignment due |
| 9/29 | History of Middle Schools Teaming Context for Learning | - Ch. 9 & 10 Choice Board (Videos & Reaction sheet) | |
| 10/6 | This We Believe - Chapters 2, 3 & 4 | Active Learning Challenging Curriculum Multiple Learning Approaches Introduce Learning Interest Survey/Learner Profile | - Video and Standards Reaction sheet - Context for Learning Due |
| 10/13 | Midterm Exam Covering: What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know Chapters 2-7 This We Believe Chapters 1-4 & 9-10 | Midterm Exam | |
| 10/20 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapter 8 This We Believe - Chapters 11 & 12 |
Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS) Creating a Safe Haven for Middle School Learners Physically and Emotionally Safe Environments Classroom Management Positive Middle Level Learning Environments | - Learning Interest Survey/Learner Profile due |
| 10/27 | Continuation of Classroom Management Social-emotional learning Trauma-informed instruction Discussion of Classroom Management articles from AMLE Introduce Philosophy of Behavior Management Plan | - AMLE printed articles on Classroom Management - Video and Standards Reaction sheet | |
| 11/3 | This We Believe - Chapters 15 & 16 | Collaboration: Parents, Families & the Community Sharing Responsibility Support Student Learning Review Family & Community Involvement Project | - Video and Standards Reaction sheet |
| 11/10 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapter 9 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Middle School Approaches to Curriculum Organization Interdisciplinary Approach Introduce Middle Level Standards Portfolio | |
| 11/17 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapter 10 | Curriculum Integration | - Philosophy of Behavior Management Plan due |
| 11/24 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapter 11 | Making Instruction Meaningful Gradual Release of Responsibility (I Do, We Do, You Do) Collaborative Learning Diverse Learners Universal Design for Learning Culturally Responsive Teaching | - Family & Community Involvement Project due |
| 12/1 | What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know - Chapter 12 This We Believe - Chapter 5 |
Assessment Students’ Role in Assessment at the Middle Level Authentic Assessment Presentation of Family & Community Involvement Project CAEP Assessment of Writing Proficiency | - Middle Level Standards Portfolio due - Video and Standards Reaction sheet |
| 12/8 | Finals Week: Date TBA What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know: Chapters 8-12 This We Believe Chapters 5, 11-12, 15-16 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.