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Full-Text Articles in Education
Creative Multi-Disciplinary Learning Incorporating Da Vinci-Style Thinking For Gifted Students, Amelia Melissa Ferrell
Creative Multi-Disciplinary Learning Incorporating Da Vinci-Style Thinking For Gifted Students, Amelia Melissa Ferrell
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This project reviews the merits of interdisciplinary study with a focus on creative thinking, using the foundational knowledge of the life studies of Leonardo da Vinci to teach students concepts in math, science, art, and social studies. From these learnings, students will develop projects of interest that show their basic learning extended into creative student-developed projects.
Engaging Literacy Activities A Case Study, Tiffanie Dawn Meridth
Engaging Literacy Activities A Case Study, Tiffanie Dawn Meridth
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The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington State has adopted Common Core Standards. The reading curriculum given to teachers most often reflects the appropriate grade level materials, but does not necessarily meet common core standards, engage students in learning, or prepare students to pass the end of year exams. In this study, engaging classroom literacy activities will be developed and aligned with learning targets associated with common core standards for sixth grade students. A variety of materials will be used for activities to include: novel sets, picture books, social studies curriculum, and additional teacher resources. It …
A Handbook Of Learner-Centered Projects To Suppliment Fifth Grade, Social Studies Curriculum, Charre Margaretha Burnum
A Handbook Of Learner-Centered Projects To Suppliment Fifth Grade, Social Studies Curriculum, Charre Margaretha Burnum
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This handbook has been created in an effort to assist teachers with establishing a hands-on, learner-centered environment. The purpose of this handbook is to assist educators with teaching fifth grade, Social Studies curriculum. This handbook will help teachers to organize fifth grade expectations into thematic, learner-centered, intrinsically motivated projects that will allow for a well-planned, teacher facilitated, and educational experience. This is more than just a how-to manual; it includes the theoretical and empirical basis thesis for using thematic, cross-curricular projects, to enhance student retention, motivation and independent learning.
Strengthening Student Achievement Through Family Learning Events, Jacquelin Ann Charlton
Strengthening Student Achievement Through Family Learning Events, Jacquelin Ann Charlton
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Families and educators both have a great influence on a student's academic success. When the relationship between home and school is strained, students miss out on some of that success (Harris & Goodall, 2008). Parental influence is an important factor in a child's education, but parental engagement in their learning is even more important (Ho Sui-Chu & Williams, 1996). However, some parents may feel unwelcome or unneeded at school (Williams, Williams, & Ullman, 2002), so it's the educator's responsibility to understand and encourage parents to become more engaged in student learning. Hosting family learning events at school can build a …
Moving Forward In P-3 Alignemnt: Building Bridges In Public-Private Partnerships, Rachell Maza Foster
Moving Forward In P-3 Alignemnt: Building Bridges In Public-Private Partnerships, Rachell Maza Foster
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Reauthorization of the Head Start Act in 2007 called for new standards of quality education and evidenced-based practices for gathering child outcomes and assessment data. Furthermore, the act stipulates partnerships between public education K-12 and preschools; a relationship that traditionally held its distance due to age eligibility. With the recent acquisition of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant, Washington state is now recognized for its leadership in this field. This paper will take into consideration these efforts and further explore options for creating seamless transitions for children and families as they enter the public school system. This …
Preparing Algebra Students For Washington State’S End Of Course Exam, Mallory Jane Neher
Preparing Algebra Students For Washington State’S End Of Course Exam, Mallory Jane Neher
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This project was a response to the changes in the Washington State math assessments for high school students. Algebra was the focus of this curriculum alignment and resources were created to better help Washington State students pass their Algebra End of Course exam. A significant part of the project was the course-pacing guide, standards mapping, and integrated content and language objectives that were written for key lessons that specifically addressed state standards. Lastly, there was a tool designed for students to monitor and track their own progress with the Algebra state standards.
Does A Two-Week Pre-K Camp Have An Effect On The Outcomes Of Kindergartners Over The First Two Grading Periods?, Jessica Virden
Does A Two-Week Pre-K Camp Have An Effect On The Outcomes Of Kindergartners Over The First Two Grading Periods?, Jessica Virden
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This project will examine the academic effects a two-week, Pre-Kindergarten camp has on students entering kindergarten. The goals of the summer camp were to provide the students an opportunity to learn school routines, familiarize themselves with the teachers and building layout, and begin learning early reading and math skills. The program's focus was to make the students' transition into the school year both smooth and successful. The participants were evaluated two different times, spanning four months. Current literature, as well as data collection was used to determine results. t-tests comparing two equal variances were tabulated on seven literacy assessment components …
Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen
Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen
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The purpose of this project was to develop a guide for elementary teachers to improve writing strategies and motivation of boys. Nationally, boys are more likely than girls to struggle with writing in the elementary classroom. Teachers need to understand the differences that boys and girls bring to their classroom and develop strategies and lessons that make writing more inviting to boys. The project discusses current research about why boys are more likely to struggle than girls, because of innate differences in the brain, the classroom arrangement, and issues of motivation. It also provides a guide of activities and strategies …
K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters
K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters
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The American Library Association (ALA) has published standards of skills students need in the 21st century. Washington state librarians use these standards as a foundation for their curriculum. The Catholic School Librarian Association (CSLA) has adopted these standards to create grade level expectations. Using the standards published by the American Library Association and the Catholic School Librarians, this project is a curriculum map, outlining skills to be taught chronologically throughout the academic year for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Also included is a crosswalk identifying the local, state, and professional standards for each skill listed on the curriculum map. The …
Using Technology To Increase Interest In The Learning Of Mathematics, Teresa May Anderson
Using Technology To Increase Interest In The Learning Of Mathematics, Teresa May Anderson
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The purpose of this project was to develop unit openers in the form of PowerPoint presentations to introduce students to upcoming topics. Within the PowerPoint presentations, relevant visual images are used to pique the interest of the students. Also, within the presentations are opportunities for students to use a hand-held Student Response System to respond to questions. The questions the students answer are related to the upcoming material. After responses are entered, a visual display will show the responses and discussion will follow between the students and the teacher. The project will be used in geometry mathematics classrooms at the …
Preparing A Student With A Disability And Their Family For Transition Into Adulthood, Katherine Matwiczak-Weber
Preparing A Student With A Disability And Their Family For Transition Into Adulthood, Katherine Matwiczak-Weber
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As a student with a disability makes the transition from high school to adult life, together the student and the family are faced with decisions and challenges outside the support of the school system. There are certain time lines and criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to make the change successful as well guarantee the student's rights and entitlements both financially and vocationally from the federal government and other community based systems. Transition-focused educators have long advocated for a vision of post-school life for the young adult with a disability that includes community and social interactions in addition …
A Teacher’S Guide For Increased Parent Involvement In Low Socioeconomic And Highly Diverse Areas., Alyssa Katheryn Newby
A Teacher’S Guide For Increased Parent Involvement In Low Socioeconomic And Highly Diverse Areas., Alyssa Katheryn Newby
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Secondary research was performed to obtain an overview of parent involvement in schools with low socioeconomic status and ethnically diverse populations. Within the project, different ethnicities' typical values and perceptions of appropriate involvement in a child's education were presented. These perceptions often contradict educators' perceptions of parent involvement, which generally takes on a white, middle class perspective. The purpose of the project is to better inform educators about the variety of ethnicities. As a result, this project addressed challenges to parent involvement and suggested possible solutions/interventions to bridge the gap between educators and families.
Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe
Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe
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The purpose of this project is to help teachers integrate reading differentiation into the classroom and thus help students with their varied needs in learning to read. Differentiation of instruction is valuable in all areas, particularly in teaching reading. This project emphasizes that it is essential that teachers make reading skills and content accessible to all students. My purpose is to show the importance of differentiated reading instruction and to provide information and resources for teachers and parents.
A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel
A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel
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The purpose of this project is to create a differentiated unit of instruction for eleventh grade United States History students as a pilot for the creation of a differentiated curriculum in U.S. History. This unit will examine the relationship between instructional strategies utilized and the impact upon student achievement. This unit will systematically plan instruction that meets the needs of an academically diverse group of students by honoring each student's learning needs and maximizing each student's learning capacity.
Using Homework To Support Standards, Socorro Yanez-Garcia
Using Homework To Support Standards, Socorro Yanez-Garcia
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Historically, homework has been a controversial issue that has impacted teachers, students, and parents (Gill & Schlossman, 1996, 2004). Opponents of homework are quick to talk about the hours of meaningless homework that students are required to complete and how homework detracts from family time (Kralovec & Buell, 2000). However, this is no reason to completely do away with homework. Teachers may lack access to meaningful homework that is aligned with what students are expected to know. Homework is an important part of a student's education (Cooper, 1989). Homework that has a defined purpose before it is assigned has been …
The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson
The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson
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This project looks at obesity and undernourishment in American students. The project discusses the importance of physical education and nutrition education and the lack there of in the 21st Century. Research indicates current legislative mandates involving standardized testing and a stress on core academics, changing familial and societal structures and evolving food technology have helped lead to the obesity epidemic in the United States. The project also looks at different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and the impact nutrition and overall health plays in these groups. The project includes a nutrition curriculum that is designed to be used in a ninth …
“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart
“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart
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The purpose of the Prepared Jell Well Project is to create user friendly, one page templates that maintain fidelity to the "Read Well' reading program and follow the research based guidelines of the National Reading Panel, No child Left Behind, and Reading First. This intervention tool will enable teachers to teach target goals to mastery and therefore serve as a preventative model. The Prepared Jell Well tool will enhance teaching the "Read Well" curriculum using Direct Instruction methods. The Prepared Jell Well provides materials for pre-teaching and re-teaching the focus skills of the First grade reading program. The materials are …
Teaching Strategies For Increasing Computational Fluency In Middle School Students, Alejandra Rios Blakeslee
Teaching Strategies For Increasing Computational Fluency In Middle School Students, Alejandra Rios Blakeslee
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In light of the new Washington State K-12 Mathematics Learning Standards, it has become a priority to help struggling students close the gap in academic achievement. Therefore, in an effort to remediate the lack of computation and rigor currently being taught in middle school mathematics using an investigational approach curriculum a complimentary curriculum has been evaluated, compiled, and aligned to supplement the curriculum. The purpose of this project is to compile a set of Groundworks mini-lessons, a series of tiered lessons that targets specific mathematical skills, to be used with correlating parts of the CMP2 curriculum with the aim of …
Nonfiction Text Usage In The Primary Grades, Shanna Marie Carlson
Nonfiction Text Usage In The Primary Grades, Shanna Marie Carlson
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The past and current role of nonfiction text, also referred to as informational text, in the elementary classroom setting was studied. The educational benefits of nonfiction use was examined and found to have a significant impact on the learning and success of students. Effective uses for nonfiction books were compiled into a handbook for the use of primary teachers.
A Curriculum Guide For The Inclusion Of Ecopsychology In An Alternative Education Setting, Sara Leroux
A Curriculum Guide For The Inclusion Of Ecopsychology In An Alternative Education Setting, Sara Leroux
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Ecopsychology is a relatively new field. It is a hybrid of environmentalism and psychology. The study of ecopsychology and nature awareness emphasizes that people, chiefly children, need nature in order to maintain brain health. This study examines the impact that nature has on humans, and focuses on the positive impact nature has on students with ADHD, ADD, autism, learning disabilities, students at-risk, and students at large. The author lobbies for a paradigm shift in traditional curriculum to accept and honor the extensive potential for students' emotional and psychical health. The proposed project focuses on creating approaches to integrate and implement …
Improving Second Graders’ Understanding And Use Of Genre Through The Classroom Library, Melissa Kristene Arquette
Improving Second Graders’ Understanding And Use Of Genre Through The Classroom Library, Melissa Kristene Arquette
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The research supports the importance of the classroom library, using the classroom library to introduce non-fiction text, and developing students' understanding of genre using the classroom library as a tool. The purpose of this project is to improve second graders' understanding and use of genre through the classroom library. The project includes eight units focused on realistic fiction, poetry, fantasy, folktales, myths and legends, non-fiction (information books), biographies, and fairytales. Each unit combines student focused group book sorting, book browsing, reading log entries, whole group activities, and a genre review form. Pre- and post- unit assessment, in the form of …
Dual Language Education In The Elementary Grades: What Are Some Constraints Or Limitations Of Dual Language In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade., Anna Alvarez
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This study examined the dual language model of bilingual education available to students at Pioneer Elementary in Sunnyside, Washington. There are a variety of bilingual education, Spanish and English, programs currently used throughout the United States. The effectiveness of student's academic success is based on the bilingual education program they participate in, which has been a long-standing debated topic. Recently new and innovative bilingual education programs such as dual-language models have been introduced and implemented into many classrooms. There is significant scholarly debate regarding the efficacy of dual language education programs. It is possible that the debate is centered on …
A Guidebook, Based On One School’S Journey In Implementing Response To Intervention, Pearl Mckenzie
A Guidebook, Based On One School’S Journey In Implementing Response To Intervention, Pearl Mckenzie
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Many districts across the United States are considering, or have already implemented a system called Response to Intervention (RTI). This is a research-proven instructional method that will benefit many children who are challenged by the academic content. RTI uses a schoolwide structural system to support students and staff. This project documents steps taken by one school during an academic year in the form of a guidebook.
Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley
Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley
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Students most at-risk for academic failure are the populations of students classified as English Language Learners; migrant students; special education students; children of poverty; homeless students; students in foster care; children of abuse or neglect; and children with social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. The number of students falling within the at-risk population of students has continued to increase over the years. A program and curriculum called Kindergarten Connection attempts to address these barriers to learning by identifying family, societal and academic concerns prior to kindergarten and connecting families to the school and community resources that will provide the needed support. …
Microsoft Word 2007 And Powerpoint 2007 Units For Ell Students In Introduction To Information Technology, Janel Jo Lemieux
Microsoft Word 2007 And Powerpoint 2007 Units For Ell Students In Introduction To Information Technology, Janel Jo Lemieux
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Trying to settle in a country whose language a person does not speak is challenging in itself. Attending a computer class when a person has never touched a computer is just another hurdle to overcome. The current curriculum is not conducive to English Language Learners in Introduction to Information Technology. Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 are two of the most widely used computer programs in the school. For this reason more effective curriculum was created for ELL students enrolled in the Introduction to Information Technology class.
A Guide To Teaching Writing In Kindergarten, Pamela Lynn Wangsness
A Guide To Teaching Writing In Kindergarten, Pamela Lynn Wangsness
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Research was conducted on the topic of writing in kindergarten. Many different forms of teaching writing were researched and summarized in the literature review of this project. Curriculum that is designed for kindergarten is mostly written for full day kindergarten, not taking into account the time constraints of half-day kindergarten. The results of the research were combined in the form of lesson plans that a half-day kindergarten teacher could use to begin teaching writing.
Writer’S Workshop: Promoting Peer Relationships On Early Literacy, Jim Labrie
Writer’S Workshop: Promoting Peer Relationships On Early Literacy, Jim Labrie
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Writer's Workshop and the influence of peer relationships and art on young children's literacy development were explored. There was found to be a direct correlation between children's art/drawings on their literacy development. Peer interactions during writing were also found to positively impact young writers. Peers and art do impact early literacy and have influences on Writer's Workshop and children's attitudes toward writing. Based on this research a handbook was developed to aid educators in planning a Writer's Workshop model, developing peer relationships during writing, and assessing student writing.
Natural And Necessary Language: A Newcomer Resource Manual, Shelley Joy Henry
Natural And Necessary Language: A Newcomer Resource Manual, Shelley Joy Henry
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American public schools are experiencing a dramatic rise in immigrant students. These "newcomer students" have unique needs. Providing "newcomer students" with a specialized, short term program allows them the gift of time as they make major adjustments to many new aspects of life in the United States. Public schools are challenged to assess the needs and provide the most appropriate research based teaching practices for this special group of students. The research shows layers of diversity among "newcomer students" which requires careful implementation of instruction and curriculum to create a safe environment for learning the English language, core content, and …
A Resource Guide For Embedding Multicultural Capital Into The Secondary Science Classrooms Of Central Washington, Theresa Susan Bell
A Resource Guide For Embedding Multicultural Capital Into The Secondary Science Classrooms Of Central Washington, Theresa Susan Bell
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The multiple aspects of multicultural education were researched and are here-in compared and discussed. Through research it was found that although much research exists on multicultural education, little or no multicultural resources are available for secondary science specific to Central Washington. Implications for multicultural education, science education and the integration of the two are discussed. A collection of lessons, websites and teacher tools were merged into a resource guide that can be used for local lesson planning. Practical ideas are offered to the inexperienced multicultural science educator.
Using Music With Read-Alouds, Michael James Bento
Using Music With Read-Alouds, Michael James Bento
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The primary purpose of this project is to explore and expand the connection between music and picture book read-alouds. The literature review looks at the established educational value of the read-aloud as well as the use of music and how it has been used to help teach reading. Also, literature looking at student music preferences and the use of music as a tool for increasing intelligence is reviewed. Additionally, critical thinking skills and the subject specific area of music listening is examined. The process of the picture book selection and recorded music selection is explained and the project suggests music …