Education Commons^™

Reluctant Readers: How To Motivate Them, Linda Adell Thomson

All Graduate Projects

Elementary age children without a desire to read may be reluctant readers. Many factors may contribute to this condition, and research indicates that parents and teachers need to provide ideas and activities to motivate the reluctant reader to enjoy pleasure reading. Reading activities and ideas are compiled to be used by parents and teachers to spark an interest in books in the reluctant reader.

Volunteer Assisted Reading, Linda Laurene Young

All Graduate Projects

The problem investigated in this study relates to the need in schools today to find ways of providing educational support assistance for classroom teachers as part of the classroom learning process. With the continued rise in school enrollments, it is difficult for school funding to keep up with growing educational demands. Favorable student-teacher ratio issues emphasize the need to provide additional help for the classroom teacher. Finding additional classroom help has become a major concern; parents' commitments to employment and social obligations have changed their availability to participate at the schoolhouse and have lessened parent-child contact time (Cassidy, 1981). According …

Monthly Parent Involvement Reading Packet, Beverly J. Severtsen-Meeks

All Graduate Projects

The importance of parent involvement in reading with their child at home was studied. A review of literature was done on this topic. Many researchers strongly supported the importance of parents reading with their child and many suggestion were given. The author put together nine monthly parent involvement reading packets (September-May) and implemented them in a self-contained first grade classroom. The parents spent quality time, each month, completing the packet with their child.

The Benefits Of Reading Aloud To Children, Lori Ann Prince

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of reading aloud to children are studied. Observations indicate that the more young children are read to, the more they are motivated to become readers themselves. When young children are participating in the dialogue of a story that is being read aloud, their interest in that story increases dramatically. Using a variety of children's literature is an excellent supplement to the first grade curriculum and language activity lessons. Recommendations from the conclusions are presented.

Increasing Reading Fluency In Students With Reading Difficulty, Kathryn Balabanis Peabody

All Graduate Projects

Four methods designed to increase reading fluency were employed in a primary level Special Education resource room. The methods were implemented in accordance with the theory and research regarding reading fluency. Each of the four methods effectively increased the students' ability to read fluently. However, the implementation of these methods varied in cost and time.

Supplimental Functional Reading Materials For Secondary Moderately Retarded Students, Kimberlie Ann Baglau

All Graduate Projects

Reading materials were compiled that would help secondary moderately retarded students develop reading skills needed to function at a more independent level than in the past. Materials were developed in the form of worksheets. These worksheets were designed to be supplemental materials to be used to reinforce the learning of functional sight words. Materials were produced for two types of functional reading: reading labels on medicine bottles and reading bus schedules.

Bridging The Gap Between Generations: An Intergenerational Handbook For An Elementary School And Senior Citizens, Karla Jane Hansen

All Graduate Projects

Intergenerational programs are designed to bridge the generation gap and encourage the development of positive attitudes between the young and the old. T.hrough implementing intergenerational programs in the schools of today, students gain an understanding of the aging process, seniors in the community participate in a life satisfying activity, and school and community relations increase. To facilitate the implementation of intergenerational programs in the schools, a handbook was developed which outlines the process and procedures for a successful program.

Using Children's Literature To Teach Reading Comprehension And Written Language Skills To Elementary Students, Simona Sue Frank

All Graduate Projects

Literature-based instructional strategies for teaching reading comprehension and written language skills were studied. Evidence from the review of literature indicates that trade books motivate students to develop: critical thinking, comprehension, expanded vocabulary, knowledge of grammatical and literary devices along with enrichment of written language skills. Children's literature has proved to be an excellent vehicle for combining reading, writing and literature. Implications for literature-based instruction are discussed.

Literature-Based Preschool Activities Using A Modified Whole Language Approach, Beverly M. Chandler

All Graduate Projects

A review of the literature revealed higher academic expectations by today's teachers of kindergarten children than in the past. To prepare students more completely to meet these expectations fourteen preschool activities related to children's literature and based on a modified whole language approach were developed. The varied activities were designed to be used by teachers or parents of preschool children in order to better prepare the children to enter kindergarten with an exposure to, basic understanding of, and appreciation of children's literature.

Using Manipulatives To Teach Beginning Reading Skills, Veronique F. Rush

All Graduate Projects

Based on a review of the literature, a reading curriculum for kindergarten children was created. The curriculum focuses on the learning of beginning reading skills through hands-on manipulative activities. The activities were arranged into ten centers. Each center related to beginning reading skills. Each activity is self-correcting and requires minimal verbal directions from the teacher.

Activities For Teaching Letter Identification, A. Kristin Seibel

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to compile and design research based letter identification activities. Emphasis was placed on the highly confusable letters "b-d", "p-q", and "n-u". The activities were for use in the first grade curriculum. Learning objectives were stated for each activity. The activities, utilizing a variety of materials, were chosen and designed for hands-on application. Needed materials were listed, directions and patterns for construction were included, directions for use were provided, and classroom management was suggested. Use of the activities was divided into three parts: whole group introduction, guided practice, and small group activities.

Improving Content Area Reading In A Middle School Core Classroom, Richard Têtu

All Graduate Projects

Many middle school students cannot adequately use content area textbooks. This project begins with a review of the research literature related to this concern. The literature review is followed by a content area reading program designed for an eighth grade core classroom. The program is composed of sequential directions and worksheets to teach diverse content area reading techniques. The relative values of different techniques are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are offered.

Literature Strands For The Enhancement Of Language In The Early Childhood Classroom, Wendy Sue White

All Graduate Projects

Literature and activities which support and enhance language learning in the early childhood classroom were examined. Seventy-six pieces of literature were selected along with thirty-two supporting activities. These were all described and matched for easy reference by the classroom teacher. A discussion of the importance of literature for the early childhood classroom, particularly that in which Engli~h is taught as a second language, has been included.

An Overview Of Bibliotherapy And Its Applications In The Elementary Classroom, Kerry Sue Abernathy

All Graduate Projects

Bibliotherapy has been used for many years as an aid to the healing process. The concept of using literature to promote mental health has been increasingly accepted as a valid therapeutic method in recent years. Bibliotherapy has, in the past, been used primarily with adults. This study will focus on recent developments to help children grow and develop a positive self-concept through literature. Book lists have been compiled from the many children's books available on the subjects of death and dying, illness, divorce, fears, handicaps, blended families, single parents, friendship, physical development, family relationships, attitudes and values, emotions and feelings, …

Take Home Reading/Writing Activity Packets For Kindergartners, Jean Marie Czubin

All Graduate Projects

This project was developed to provide meaningful reading/writing activities which would involve the parents of kindergartners in the reading process. Research studies reviewed in literature supported the theory that kindergartners should be taught basic reading skills and parents need to be involved in the reading process. It is currently recognized that parents can do a great deal to develop reading and writing skills at home. Therefore, the role of the teacher is extended beyond the school into the home.

Reading Comprehension Learning Center, Pamela Joy Krocker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was the development of a reading comprehension learning center that reinforces comprehension skills at the literal, inferential, and evaluative levels, and which also provides practice with basic and sight vocabulary. The contents of this project included a review of the literature related to the topic, a description of objectives on which the cards were based, a description of the materials and methods used to construct the project, and an explanation of how to utilize the project in a primary classroom. Examples of the project including color photographs of the parts of the project that were …

Notification Of A Commercial Reading Program Presented As Learning Activity Packets For Learning Disabled Students, Edna M. Meyers

All Graduate Projects

This project represents a modification of a commercial reading program, with individual learning activity packets as the management tool for the program. The project plan provides for:

1. Program goals and objectives

2. An initial placement test

3. Unit criterion tests

4. Mastery level tests

5. Individual learning activity packets

Each learning activity packet includes:

1. Individual student record and assignment page

2. Individual story report forms

3. Vocabulary words

4. Detailed comprehension questions

5. Individual student/teacher reading contract

This project provides a reading program that meets the unique instructional needs of the learning disabled student in a financially feasible …

Reading Instruction Activities For Trade Books For Use In Third-Grade Reading Curriculum, Laverne A. Schott

All Graduate Projects

Reading instruction activities were developed to be used with trade books in third grade to supplement the basal reading program. Activities developed included comprehension questions and a cloze unit for each selected trade book, as well as general creative and enrichment post-reading·assignments to provide students with reading and writing practice.

A Program For Teaching Reading Readiness Skills To Primary Spanish-Speaking Children, Mary Ofelia Smith

All Graduate Projects

Methods and procedures for teaching reading readiness skills to primary Spanish-speaking children were developed. The methods and procedures were developed to enrich the basic teaching of reading programs and to provide a means for development of specific skills that the standard program failed to develop for the limited English speakers. Each procedure contains step-by-step directions for the teacher to combine with current methods of the teaching of reading.

Using Children's Literature To Enrich The Social Studies Program In A Fifth Grade Study Of The United States, Judith S. Lemke

All Graduate Projects

Children's literature can enliven and enrich a social studies program. The role of children's literature in content subjects, especially social studies on the elementary level was studied. The types of children's literature which can be used in social studies, namely informational books, biographies, historical fiction, were also studied. In addition bibliographies were consulted for repeated mention of the best selections. Based upon the findings cited above a selected annotated bibliography of selections of poetry and children's books was produced for use in a fifth grade study of the United States.

[A Curriculum Plan For Teaching Prereading And Beginning Reading Skills To Kindergarten Children Using The Language Experience Approach], Shelby Scott

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop and execute an effective method of teaching prereading and beginning reading skills to kindergarten children using the language experience approach in a center-oriented classroom. The ultimate goal was to have, at the end of the kindergarten year, a roomful of children who felt good about themselves, talked freely and expressively, demonstrated a measure of independence, imagination and creativity, understood and used some basic reading skills, [...]

A Practical Guide For The Classroom Teacher To Help Students Read More Efficiently With Emphasis On Speed, Karen Lynne Nelson

All Graduate Projects

This project was developed to supplement the Holt Basic Reading Series. One hundred seventy lessons were designed and sequenced to be used to increase reading speed and flexibility in order to develop more efficient reading.

Inservice For Elementary Teachers: Activities And Techniques To Motivate Readers, Beverly R. Pontius

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to provide an inservice course of study for teachers of children in grades one through six. The activities and techniques are designed to motivate children who are below grade level in reading and help them develop an interest in reading in the hope that reading may become a pleasure in their lives.

Reading Enrichment Activities For Gifted First, Second, And Third Grade Children, Beverly Staneart Doleac

All Graduate Projects

A teacher's manual of reading enrichment activities was developed for use by reading specialists. The manual contains activities geared towards primary-aged children reading at least two years above grade level. It is divided into four focal units, each based on a different area of children's literature. Bloom's Taxonomy at the higher levels is used to classify the specific learning activities suggested in the focal units. A children's bibliography is included for each unit. Teacher resources on the gifted are also listed.

Enrichment Materials In Reading Designed For The Gifted First Grade Child, Virginia Ann Burke

All Graduate Projects

This project provides enrichment reading materials for the first grade child who is designated as gifted and is reading beyond the preprimer and primer levels at the beginning of the school year. The materials are divided into four areas; (1) word recognition, (2) comprehension, (3) vocabulary, and (4) study skills. In each of these areas, enrichment activities have been prepared with the most emphasis given to comprehension. Although originally designed to be used independently, the materials can be used as skill teaching devices. The difficulty of the materials varies; therefore, the materials have been sequenced according to difficulty.

Reading Strategies For Content Teachers, Constance Dallman Luna

All Graduate Projects

This project, designed for content teachers wishing to improve their students' reading skills, includes lesson plans, procedures, and materials for learning modules in the following content field reading problem areas: readability, vocabulary, diagnosis, questioning, using the textbook, organizing for instruction, and notetaking and listening. The key recommendation was that the project be seen as an evolving process and not as an end product.

A Training Program For Use With Aides And Volunteers In A Middle School Remedial Reading And Language Arts Program, Jeanette Johnson

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of three parts. Chapter 1 establishes the need for more concentrated teaching of poor readers among school children and suggests volunteer tutors as a possible source of help. Chapter 2 examines the history of tutoring by non-professionals and concludes that volunteers can indeed be effective tutors, but that appropriate training is a crucial factor. Chapter 3, the main part of the project, presents a set of ten training modules each consisting of taped instructions and accompanying printed material. The script for each tape is included in this paper.

A Language Arts Curriculum For The Seventh Grade At Morgan Junior High School, Lois A. Fisher, Marianne Mcafee

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to develop a meaningful program for Seventh Grade Language Arts. The factors to consider are the following: (1) handling large numbers of students, (2) meeting varied interests and abilities, (3) using available materials profitably and efficiently, (4) selecting specific skills and determining the amount of emphasis given the skills, (5) utilizing the physical setting.

Personalized Reading Program For Intermediate Grades, Pamela Kay Kelly

All Graduate Projects

As the reading specialist in an elementary school, it was my responsibility to assist the classroom teachers with their reading program; specifically, with those students who were having difficulty. It was not feasible for me to meet with all who needed help; at the most, I could help forty-three students per week. The pace at which I had to function to assess and meet their individual needs became too great. In view of this situation, the following program was designed to stimulate every intermediate student's desire to read and to do so at his own pace.

The Results Of The Reading Improvement Classes In The Emerson Elementary School, Seattle, Washington, 1957-1958, Hilo H. Hasegawa

All Graduate Projects

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the degree of individual growth in reading ability made by the pupils enrolled in the Reading Improvement classes at the Emerson Elementary School, Seattle, Washington, during the 1957-1958 school year; (2) to keep an accurate record and description of techniques and materials used in securing this individual growth; and (3) to present the findings in a form that might be of assistance to other teachers in developing similar programs.