4th Edition
Teaching Middle Years Rethinking Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment
Teaching Middle Years has established itself as the leading text to focus on the adolescent years of schooling.
Recognition of the educational importance of this age group continues to grow as research reveals the benefits of programs designed especially for young people's needs. With a renewed approach, this fourth edition includes new chapters on Indigenous Knowledges, STEAM education, and sustainable practices. A trusted resource, the book continues to provide a systematic overview of the philosophy, principles, and key issues in middle schooling, together with an enhanced focus on the emotional and developmental challenges unique to this age group. There is an emphasis on creating positive learning environments, engaging relational pedagogies, achieving effective transition, the importance of physical activity and health in adolescence, and developing cooperative and collaborative learning. Further, there is an enhanced focus on practical applications right throughout the book.
Featuring contributions from leading experts in the field, and fully revised and updated to reflect the latest research, Teaching Middle Years will assist both pre-service and in-service teachers to bring out the very best in their students.
Part I: The Middle Years
Chapter 1. Middle years education
Donna Pendergast
Chapter 2. The middle years learner
Katherine Main, Donna Pendergast and Nan Bahr
Chapter 3. Indigenous knowledges and learners
Candace Kruger and Greg Vass
Chapter 4. Promoting wellbeing
Katherine Main and Donna Pendergast
Chapter 5. Student engagement
Donna Pendergast and Katherine Main
Chapter 6. Quality teaching and learning
Donna Pendergast and Katherine Main
Chapter 7. Inclusive practices
Kathy Gibbs, Michelle Ronksley-Pavia and Loraine Mckay
Chapter 8. Transition
Donna Pendergast and Anne Coffey
Part II: Curriculum practices in the middle years
Chapter 9. Literacy
Georgina Barton, Jennifer Alford and Nathan Lowien
Chapter 10. Numeracy
Kym Fry, Kristin Zorn, Kevin Larkin and Peter Grootenboer
Chapter 11. Physical activity
Sue Whatman
Chapter 12. The Arts
Brittany A. Mccormack and Susan N. Chapman
Chapter 13. Histories and sustainable futures
Katherine Main and Donna Pendergast
Chapter 14. Technologies
Christopher N. Blundell, Sarah Prestridge and Belinda Von Mengersen
Part III: Pedagogical practices in the middle years
Chapter 15. Collaborative learning
Katherine Main
Chapter 16. Critical thinking
Peter Ellerton, Yael Leibovitch and Deborah Brown
Chapter 17. Positive classroom environments
Mia O’Brien
Chapter 18. Relational teaching
Jane Howard and Katherine Main
Chapter 19. Parent and community engagement
Linda-Dianne Willis and Beryl Exley
Part IV: Assessment practices in the middle years
Chapter 20. Assessment
Elizabeth Wheeley
Part V: Middle years in action
Chapter 21. Transforming middle years education
Donna Pendergast
Biography
Donna Pendergast AM is Director, Engagement in the Arts, Education and Law Group and former Dean and Head of the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Australia (2009–2023). She is a leading international scholar in the field of middle years education. She leads educational transformation, including the shift of Year 7 to secondary schools around the nation. In 2024 Professor Pendergast was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contribution to tertiary education.
Katherine Main is an internationally recognised researcher in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Australia. Her work focuses on middle years learners’ wellbeing and the development of social and emotional competencies. She has also led national and international projects working with school leadership teams around different aspects of wellbeing within their individual school contexts.
Nan Bahr is Emeritus Professor of Southern Cross University, Australia. She has a broad profile in the field of adolescent development and responsive education. She has significant experience as teacher, teacher educator, and university executive. A career highlight has been nomination for Australian of the Year (2020) for service to education.
