Education Commons^™

Winter : A Literature-Based Unit For Kindergarten, Amy L. Murray

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based program in a classroom can provide many opportunities for children to engage in the language 'process. As a result, children's thinking-language abilities are extended and their enthusiasm for involvement in classroom learning experiences is enhanced. Literature experiences representative of the different genres add dimensions to the study of themes and topics.

A literature base and related expressive activity for the topic of winter in kindergarten is presented in this article. The subtopics of the unit include seasonal changes, weather, outdoor activities, clothing and changes in animal behavior. Teacher-directed and student-initiated activities through learning centers are presented.

Integrated Science Unit : Ponds And Water, Evelyn K. Oliver

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrated the language arts and the science areas. The science content was ponds and water from the second grade curriculum. A rich learning environment was provided through a literature base, representing the different genres and related expressive activity. The unit was presented through teacher-directed activity and learning centers that offered many options from which children could select experiences.

The goals of the program were to give children more control over their learning and to extend children's thinking-language abilities by capitalizing on the common processes of the language arts and science areas and offering many opportunities to …

Reading In The Kindergarten, Christine E. Resch

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines the effectiveness of implementing a formal reading program in the Kindergarten. Past and present reading instruction methods were reviewed. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with such implementation and instruction were discussed and conclusions were drawn from the literature. Guidelines and recommendations for implementing various approaches to the teaching of reading in the Kindergarten were outlined.

The Prospect Of Educational Technology In Tibetan Schools In India, Penpa Dorjee

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research paper was to determine the prospect of educational technology in Tibetan schools in India. In order to look at this, an attempt has been made to determine the present status of technology in Tibetan schools by collecting data through survey, telephone interview, electronic mail, on-line resources, and documents published by related organizations.

This paper also focuses on the present situation of the Tibetan schools, and looks at the primary problems of technology integration into the schools. Through survey and telephone interview, an attempt was made to determine the attitude and motivation of teachers, administrators, and …

The Future Of Educational Technology, Barbara F. Erlandson

Graduate Research Papers

Presents an overview of the role of educational technology. Inadequate teacher training, minimal technical support, limited money and time are seen as barriers to successful integration. The research involving each barrier is discussed, and suggestions are made for overcoming these barriers. The importance of classroom teacher is investigated. The current uses of educational technology are discussed as well as suggestions for the successful future use of educational technology. Concludes that technology will be partnered with education; the issue to be resolved by individual schools will be how to best use it to improve the educational process.

Integrating Technology Into The Science Curriculum : Environmental Studies Grade 5, Lois Diane Enger

Graduate Research Papers

The project was developed to illustrate a process for including hands-on use of technology in an environmental education activity. The requirements for an integrated curriculum identified by McRel are incorporated: science, technology, language arts, math, and life skills. Activities included are discussion of the topic, writing and editing a script, digital photography, computer usage including scanning, on-site visiting, and teacher and student evaluation. The on-site visit was conducted at a nature center.

Classroom activities involved planning, research, storyboarding, organizing visual materials, script writing, and creating a computer-generated presentation using mPOWER, a presentation software program. The completed computer presentation was converted …

Expending The Content Of Curriculum : Implementation Of The World Wide Web Into Foreign Language Teaching, Ping Gao

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated the factors that impact the decisions to integrate the World Wide Web into foreign language curriculum. This inquiry involved a combined approach -- including a survey and a case study. The current status of the technology application in foreign language instruction at a state university in the United States was assessed through the survey. It revealed that integrating the Web was the least immediate concern of most foreign language professors due to their limited knowledge, their inadequate training, and their ambiguous attitudes. A case study of an innovator's practice of integrating the Web in foreign language instruction …

Character Education In The Schools, Holly Mcleod Gilliland

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this master's paper is to familiarize educators with character education as a curricular entity and to demonstrate that it is worthwhile to intermingle character education into a program without detracting from students' core subjects. A review of literature indicates that there is a character crisis among youth in America. Although character education has been present in some form in the earliest schools up to now, this intervention is being resurrected in schools with assistance from national organizations such as Character Education Partnership and CHARACTER COUNTS!

Ideas for the inclusion of character education are presented followed by a …

Emergent Literacy : School To Home Connection, Barbara Grell

Graduate Research Papers

All homes have opportunities to influence young children's emerging literacy. Parents or other caregivers and teachers can work together to help children develop literacy abilities. Sharing this responsibility between the home.and school demonstrates to children the importance of learning. Establishing connections from home to school and from school to home will help children make sense of the world in which they live. The school can provide families with ideas to support literacy development in the home.

A project to support children's emerging literacy at home is provided through the use of literacy theme bags. This project is designed for first …

A Literature-Based Extension Of A Basal Reading Unit, Julie J. Holdsworth-Nagal

Graduate Research Papers

A unit on friendship in the basal reader was extended to include many literature experiences and teacher-directed and student-initiated activities for children in second grade. Quality pieces of literature from different genres served as the unit's basis. Many different expressive activities that extended the literature experiences were offered through learning centers, both sustaining and specific to the unit. Children worked in the centers individually, in pairs, and in small groups. Whole group sharing time at the end of daily center sessions was provided.

The print-rich environment with many opportunities for engaging in the language processes led to quality comprehension-composition connections. …

Integrating Literature-Based Language Arts And Mathematics, Lora L. Irvine

Graduate Research Papers

The National Counsel of Teachers in Mathematics in 1989 developed a list of 13 mathematical standards that would lead to a more effective way to teach mathematics. Before they began their list of standards, they made a list of goals. These goals stressed the importance of making learning relevant to the learner.

The goals that the NCTM developed are similar to the theoretical formulations that support instruction in the language arts. Many leading authorities in language arts advocate an instructional program that extends literature-based language arts across the curriculum. The content areas provide content and experiences with the functions of …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Mathematics, Carrie L. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based language arts program provides opportunities for children to create meaning through quality literature experiences. Children's learning is integrated, and connections are made across the curriculum. The mathematics and language process are related and can be integrated into units of study through the genres of literature.

A unit of study on circles provided kindergarten children with quality literature and related expressive activities that facilitated the understanding of the concept of circle. As a result of this literature-based language arts program extended to mathematics, children's knowledge was integrated, peer interaction increased, and the reading-writing processes were connected. Children's enthusiasm for …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To The Science Area : Backyard Unit, Grade 2, Suzanne Jensen

Graduate Research Papers

This paper explores the process of integrating second grade language arts into a science unit through a literature base representative of the different genres. This experience will provide students with the opportunities to connect the content of a backyard theme with quality literature and related expressive activities. From the supporting professional references cited, it becomes clear that students' positive interactions with literature develop self-motivated learners.

Parental And Community Involvement In Reading Education, Rhonda S. Johnstone

Graduate Research Papers

Research shows the effects of parental involvement in reading education to be beneficial to students, parents, teachers, and schools. Parental involvement can aid students in keeping up with (and possibly catching up with) grade level reading, learn to appreciate books, and about the various ways of communication in real life situations. Parent involvement helps parents gain the understanding of their children's strengths and weaknesses in literacy acquisition and the opportunity to assist in their development. Teachers may gain an insight into students, and their literate activities outside of school, which might help with curriculum development. At the same time, schools …

Home Schooling, Julie L. Lange

Graduate Research Papers

This study addresses the issue of home schooling in our state and our nation. Benefits and disadvantages associated with home schooling are discussed. Guidelines for planning a successful home schooling program are outlined for parents. Conclusions were drawn from the literature review, and recommendations were made for the future of home schooling.

School-To-Work : What Does This Mean For Our Schools?, Amy K. Leonhart

Graduate Research Papers

Over the course of fifty years the academic content of schools has changed dramatically. Today, employers are looking for different skills from their employees than they were in the 1950s. Therefore, schools have been given the assignment to teach young adults about surviving in the work force.

Where do these skills fit into the schools' curriculum? Is this just another item that is added to the plate of teachers? What time is the "right" time to start teaching these critical skills to youngsters? This paper examines those questions. It also focuses on the different aspects of the school-to-work initiative.

Creating A Web Page For The Professional And Scientific Council At The University Of Northern Iowa, Rochelle Lee Gehrke Loonan

Graduate Research Papers

A web site was created for the Professional and Scientific Council at the University of Northern Iowa. This site can be visited at www.uni.edu/ps_council. This site was created as a resource for the Professional and Scientific Staff. It includes links to payroll and benefits, along with background of the council, listing of the council members and information on meetings and monthly events.

The methodology used to create the site will be addressed which will include discussion of why to build a site, categories of sites, planning the site, the design process, design principles and the presentation of information on …

The Need For Technology In Homeschooling, Jonathan Luttenegger

Graduate Research Papers

Homeschooling is becoming a more popular option for parents who do not want their child to study in a public school. This literature review was developed to analyze the potential of technology for homeschooling. It does not focus on the positives or negatives of homeschooling. Instead, it focuses on the positives or negatives of technology in homeschooling. This literature review will analyze whether or not technology that is adopted by homeschooling families can make a big difference in the quality of a homeschooling program.

Literature Circles, Diane Maclennan

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature concerning the use of literature circles in elementary classrooms. The purpose of this paper is to present all aspects of literature circles, both the pros and cons, within the context of elementary classrooms. The content of the paper deals with the historical aspect of reading instruction, variations of literature circles, advantages of literature circles, and suggested guidelines for successful literature circles. This paper concludes that literature circles are a unique format for successful book discussions in which· students and teachers work collaboratively to enable optimal educational success.

Creating A Purposeful, Powerful Web Site For The Cedar Falls Historical Society, Douglas B. Moore

Graduate Research Papers

With communication becoming more instantaneous then ever, one fear is losing the message in the medium. Creating the web site for the Cedar Falls Historical Society was much more than giving the Historical Society a presence on the World Wide Web. It was extremely important that the Cedar Falls Historical Society web site promote the true intentions of the Historical Society with integrity and dignity. Many times, when web sites are developed, the technology overshadows the content. The Board of Directors of the Historical Society insisted their site be built with both professionalism and historical accuracy.

The Society members took …

The Lifelong Learner And Technology, Dia L. Davis

Graduate Research Papers

The teaching strategies of the educator alter to suit the needs of the students and technology. The content integration process takes time. It has been stated that teachers' first technology projects generate excitement, but often little content learning. Often it takes a few years until teachers can use technology effectively in core subject areas.

Teachers learn to use computer technologies and learn how to bring content learning to the forefront with, in some cases, impressive results on the part of the students. Teachers eventually learn to view the learning process in concert with their new technologies and come to understand …

Internet Project Involving Elementary Students And Pre-Service Teachers, Helen Westcott

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes a project designed to help pre-service teachers use technology effectively in their future classrooms. The project provided the opportunity for pre-service elementary teachers to communicate with 2nd grade students via e-mail and the ICN, an interactive television communication network. The 2 groups of students collaborated to create a web site and HyperStudio presentations featuring children's literature. The project enhanced the motivation of 2nd grade students to read and to write. The pre-service teachers reported that the project helped them gain new technology skills and a better understanding of the students they would be teaching in the future.

Integrating Technology Into A 1st Grade Classroom, Kimberly Swartz

Graduate Research Papers

America's public schools are in the middle of one of the most exciting periods in history. Changes in society, technology, and the economy are creating a demand for well-educated people. Vice President Al Gore has estimated that by the year 2000, sixty percent of new jobs in the United States will require advanced technological skills (Clinton & Gore, 1998). Burness et al. (1997) maintain "Hundreds of reports and articles have detailed the shortcomings of our school system as well. The gap between what people need to know to thrive in today's world and what they learn in school is very …

Math Wars: The Politics Of Curriculum, Raymond Johnson

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

There is an ongoing battle in mathematics education, a battle sometimes so fierce that some people call it the "math wars". Americans have seen many changes and proposed changes in their educational system in the last fifty years, but few have stirred such debate, publicity, and criticism as have the changes in mathematics education. We will first look at the history of the math wars and take time to examine previous attempts to change mathematics education in America. Second, we will assess the more recent efforts in mathematics education reform. Lastly, we will make some predictions for the future of …

Developing Literacy Through Symbolic Play, Lisa Kaiser

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of symbolic play on children's emerging literacy. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with facilitating literacy through symbolic play were discussed. Guidelines for teachers on the successful use of symbolic play as a tool for literacy development were presented. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations made for the future facilitation of literacy-based play.

Student Satisfaction Of Educational Media Reference Guide For Courses 240:020 And 240:031 At University Of Northern Iowa, Velma M. Sallis

Graduate Research Papers

University of Northern Iowa students desiring to become educators are required to enroll in an introductory basic technology course. Integrating technology has become an important issue in American schools. Ritchie and Baylor (1997) argue teacher candidates will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in educational technologies before acquiring their teaching credentials. How to help future educators grasp technology-related competencies and the use of technology when teaching is being addressed by many institutions of higher learning within their teacher education programs. Ritchie and Baylor suggest that in addition to providing demonstrations and hands-on experience, reference aids which detail the …

Perspectives On Early Literacy : The Monroe School, Mona S. Rosdail

Graduate Research Papers

This article is based on two days of observations and interviews in an all- kindergarten school in a small midwest city. The purpose of my research was to look at how the steps taken by this school correlate with the steps of Erickson's Dance in addressing the needs and development of the school when becoming an all-kindergarten literacy center. I feel that the information in this article would benefit educators who would like to implement changes in their schools.

Nurturing At-Risk Students' Writing Abilities, Carol A. Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this journal article was to review current professional literature on the writing process and the importance of voice in writing and then to design and implement a writing program for at-risk sixth grade students. The writing process is an effective means for children to create meaning, especially for at-risk students.

In the writing process, the writer's voice gives the best sense of a writer's potential. This driving force was the basis of the instructional project in writing developed for at-risk sixth grade students.

School Violence And Its Implications For Gifted Children, Nancy Schuldt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this article is to review the research of school violence, the emotional needs of gifted and talented students, and the implications of school violence for gifted students. The violence which has occurred during the past two years in the United States, not only in the high schools but also the middle and elementary schools, has been widely publicized in current periodicals, television, radio and newspapers.

The questions I have addressed in this article include: What is violence? What is school violence? What does research say about the emotional needs of gifted students? What are the implications of …

Computer Use In K-12 Classrooms, Terry J. Shaw

Graduate Research Papers

This project has two components: a survey of educators to determine how technology is being used in K-12 classrooms and a web site of software, Internet sites, and contact person in each grade level and subject area. To discover the use of technology in the K-12 classroom, a survey was sent to 3,500 educators within the Area Education Agency 7 boundaries. The results of the survey have been published on a website and will serve as a place for teachers seeking guidance on what software and Internet sites are considered "best practice." The website is divided by academic disciplines and …