This document highlights instructional practices from the Middle School Matters Field Guide that relate to the Common Core State Standards and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. These recommendations are provided for English language arts, reading, and mathematics in grades 6, 7, and 8.
The Middle School Matters Field Guide and the Research Platform on which it is based include content dimensions with specific instructional practices that research has shown to improve student outcomes. These practices explain how to provide instruction, not necessarily what content to present. Therefore, teachers can use the instructional practices with any content standards and for any lesson. Also, the research-based instructional practices are not grade specific, but rather apply to instruction for all students in grades 6, 7, and 8.