This first volume in the series, Curriculum and Instruction: Selections from Research to Guide Practice in Middle Grades Education is comprised of the following chapters largely drawn from the original book’s section on academic excellence: -“Charting the Course of Curriculum Integration” by Mark Springer -“Differentiating Instruction as a Response to Academic Diversity” by Carol Ann Tomlinson -“Service-Learning: Connecting Curriculum to Community” by Katherine F. Thompson -“Technology in the Middle Grades Classroom” by Penny A. Bishop and John M. Downes -“Adolescent Literacies” by Donna Alvermann and David Moore -“Advancing Middle Grades Reform: Lessons Learned” by Gayle Andrews The chapters from Research to Guide Practice build on a tradition in middle grades education of synthesizing the best from the research literature in accessible and practical language. In keeping with that tradition, Volume 1 on curriculum and instruction will be a ready source of ideas to support improving young adolescents’ experiences in and out of school.