Education Commons^™

7th And 8th Grade Washington State Visual Arts Curriculum, Annette Lomeli

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a 7th and 8th grade art education curriculum that is grade appropriate and reflective of state and national goals and standards. The National Art Standards and Washington State Standards were reviewed and applied to design an effective curriculum with standards and goals. Art education has experienced major changes in approach to curriculum and instruction due to educational accountability and recently increased educational reforms.

A Series Of Teacher Inservice Workshops: Teaching Comprehension Using Informational Text With Intermediate Students, Tracy Lynn Denney

All Graduate Projects

Best practices for teaching comprehension using informational text with intermediate students were researched. Using information and knowledge gained from this research, a series of teacher in-service workshops was created. Subjects addressed in the workshops include differences between narrative and expository text, expository text structures, reading as a metacognitive process, strategies for activating and or building background knowledge, strategies for building vocabulary, and effective use of graphic organizers. The workshops will be presented to the intermediate teaching staff at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Yakima Washington.

A Technology Integrated Curriculum For An 8th Grade History/Civics Class, Kathy Colleen Chavez

All Graduate Projects

To ensure educational technology is used effectively, educators must put together a curriculum that will encourage students to ask questions and think about what they need to learn (Schrum, 2003). Educators must value the exploration that technology lends itself to and realize it can be a vital teaching tool. They must seek out professional development in the use of appropriate technology and become models of life-long learning for their students. In using technology within the classroom, educators must become comfmiable with and then develop ways technology can enhance what they teach (Schrum, 2003). This project's goal was to develop a …

A Model General Science Developmental Writing Skills Curriculum In Alignment With Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, Troy L. Halfaday

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design a model general science curriculum, for seventh grade students, for implementation at Ballou Junior High School, Puyallup, Washington. The model curriculum was designed in alignment with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's). To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature was reviewed. Additionally, related information from authorities was obtained and analyzed.

Approaching Equity: Strategies For Working With Hispanic Students In The Middle School Health Science Classroom, Heather L. Jones

All Graduate Projects

This project provides middle school science teachers with practical classroom strategies for working with Hispanic students. The strategies are built upon national and state recommendations as well as other expert opinions which can be found in the Review of Literature. The strategies align with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Washington state. For each strategy, a rationale is provided based on the literature review. In addition, each strategy includes a detailed explanation, along with specific examples. The strategies themselves address environmental, communicative, pedagogical, as well as assessment considerations. Recommendations for implementation are also discussed.

A Model Integrated Science Guide For Junior High General Education Classroom Teachers In The Tahoma School District, Angela M. Delgado

All Graduate Projects

Teaching concepts in science that incorporated different science disciplines were studied and placed into practice at Tahoma Junior High School, Maple Valley, Washington. This form of integrated teaching was displayed in an integrated science model unit. The integrated teaching was displayed in an integrated science model unit. The integrated science model unit detailed river systems and the many different sciences that play a role in creating the river environment we see daily. Research showed students learned as well if not better in integrated science classrooms when compared to students who fulfilled the traditional sequence of science classes. Moreover, brain research …

A Brain-Based Pedagogy To Improve Student Achievement Of Middle School Aged Children, Marci Lynn Stadiem

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the role of a brain-based pedagogy to improve student achievement in middle school students. The review of current research found that orchestrated immersion, relaxed alertness and active processing were integral for an effective brain-based pedagogy that increased student achievement. Included is a curriculum that focused on a brain-based pedagogy. Written for teachers of middle school students. Lessons included support a brain-based pedagogy, were age appropriate, and encouraged teachers to use a curriculum based on a brain-based pedagogy that increased student achievement.

An Integrated Approach To Teaching Washington State History In A Seventh Grade Humanities Block, Erika Lee Martin

All Graduate Projects

For the 2002-2003 school year, Sultan School District (WA) made the decision to move the Washington State History course from the high school level to be taught at the middle school level, specifically in the seventh grade Humanities block for a semester. This decision was made to be in compliance with the future state Social Studies requirements. Since the Humanities course was already based on the theory of integrating Geography with Language Arts, a new curriculum needed to be developed to incorporate the new Washington State History material. A team of teachers decided to take this task on and develop …

Gifted Education In The Middle, Debra Ann Carlson

All Graduate Projects

Educators have always been concerned with addressing the needs of gifted students within the regular classroom. It has become difficult to challenge all children when school populations are composed of diverse groups with special needs, interests, abilities, and learning styles. With an interest in the education of highly capable (gifted and talented) students, the author did extensive reading and research. This project encompasses a variety of strategies, grouping practices and programs that can be implemented into a regular classroom to accommodate the gifted population. With this comes a focus on meeting the unique affective and academic needs of the gifted …

A Model Sex/Health Education Curriculum For Middle-Level Students In Taiwan, Shih-Wei Cheng

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model sex/health education curriculum for middle-level students in Taiwan. To accomplish the purpose, a review of related literature was conducted. Additionally, related information/materials from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.

Multiple Intelligence Theory And Seventh Grade Mathematics: A Handbook Of Activities, Mechelle Lynn Devries Lalanne

All Graduate Projects

Multiple intelligence theory was investigated; a description and history of the theory, as proposed by Howard Gardner, is provided. The multiple intelligence theory as it relates to education, particularly mathematics education, was reviewed. A handbook of activities was created to provide a resource for seventh grade teachers that will assist in the application and integration of mathematics across the range of multiple intelligences in their classroom. Assessments that resemble the Washington Assessment of Students Leaming are included, in order to develop skills necessary to meet the Essential Academic Leaming Requirements of Washington.

Forming Partnerships With Parents Through A Series Of Interactive Home-Based Activities Delivered Through The Use Of Personal Computers, Michael P. Stark

All Graduate Projects

A project was implemented in which parents and students were encouraged to collaborate on a series of interactive mathematics activities designed to be completed in the home. yth grade math students along with their parents completed problem-solving activities on personal computers. Students with no access to computers at home were able to borrow Apple iBook laptop computers from the local school district. The activities were all designed to help students in preparation for the ylh grade mat WASL. The project also contained many resources for parents, including WASL related resources as well as resources on parental involvement at home.

A Model, Integrated Language Arts And U.S. History Curriculum Developed In Alignment With The Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements, Mark A. Helm

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model, integrated Language Arts and U.S. History curriculum at Foothills Middle School, Wenatchee, Washington, in alignment with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's). To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature was reviewed. Additionally, related information from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.

An Application Of The Essential Academic Learning Requirements And Gardner's Multiple Intelligences On Middle School Social Studies, Pamela B. De Persio

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this application is to use a combination of the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, to create learning plans for middle school social studies, history (U.S. Civil War) and geography. The Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements were first adopted in 1993 as goals to raise the standards and achievements of elementary and secondary students. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences is an alternate way to describe the talents or gifts we each possess. Multiple intelligences can be considered as intelligences in diverse disciplines which allow human beings the ability …

A Model School Within A School Program For Chelan Middle School, Joseph B. Harris

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model school within a school program for at-risk students enrolled in grades 6 through 8 who are currently residing in the Lake Chelan School District, Chelan, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature focused on altemative programs/schools and at risk students was reviewed. Additionally, related information from selected schools/districts throughout the state of Washington was obtained and analyzed regarding the formation of a new altemative school program. The school within a school will be evaluated on an ongoing, annual basis by participating administration, staff, and students.

An Interdisciplinary Research Project For The Middle School Study Skills Curriculum, Colleen M. Kinney

All Graduate Projects

An integrated curriculum correlating endangered species with the disciplines of life science, math, language arts, geography, and study skills, for seventh grade students at Lewis and Clark Middle School in Yakima, Washington, was developed. A literature review supports the premise that integrated units enable students to make connections between the concepts taught in school and the real world. The literature review also indicated the need for schools to teach study skills to better prepare students for the future.

Teaching English/Spanish Cognates To Increase Reading Comprehension, Stacey A. Suhm

All Graduate Projects

A curriculum has been developed for middle school English as a Second Language (ESL) students to improve their reading comprehension. A review of the literature found that vocabulary is an essential part of reading comprehension and becoming aware of English/Spanish cognates can increase the students' English vocabulary. The curriculum includes a survey to assess a student's knowledge and use of cognates, lesson plans to introduce the concept of cognates, to practice recognizing English/Spanish cognates, and learn the correlation of suffixes between English and Spanish. The curriculum also includes lists of English/Spanish cognates divided by subjects.

Issues In Our Society: A Middle School Interdisciplinary Curriculum, Matthew L. Bowman

All Graduate Projects

The project contains a team-taught interdisciplinary curriculum based on current issues in our society. The review ofliterature, which focuses on team teaching at the middle level and the process of implementing an interdisciplinary curriculum, indicates that middle level students need opportunities to discuss and analyze current issues in our society that affect their lives in order to make learning more meaningful. Therefore, the content areas of language arts, math, social studies, and science were structured around three themes dealing with issues such as the environment, space exploration, and cultural diversity. The interdisciplinaiy curriculum was developed for a sixth grade, four-person …

Instructional Lessons And Activities For Middle School Science Teachers, Sally Josephine Rich

All Graduate Projects

The significance of providing an inquiry based, hands-on approach to teaching science to middle school students was researched. Several sources supported this teaching method. The research suggested having students participate in engaging, thought provoking, and problem solving science activities to optimize successful student learning. Lessons and activities, which focus on active student learning, critical thinking and problem solving, were developed to enhance and revise the existing curriculum for five chosen textbooks. These selected science texts were intended for middle school sixth and seventh grade students.

Teaching Strategies And Resources For Gifted Middle School Student In Regular Education Classrooms, Meena Thukral

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a resource and strategies manual that could equip middle school regular education teachers to teach gifted students in their classrooms. The resource manual includes various instructional strategies that address learning styles, differentiated curriculum, enrichment in the regular education classrooms, and thinking skills. It also includes a list of published books and Internet sites for teachers to share with other teachers, parents, and gifted students.

An Interdisciplinary Water Quality Curriculum For Middle School Students, Barbara Michelle Cleveland

All Graduate Projects

An interdisciplinary curriculum correlating water quality with the disciplines of physical science and mathematics for 6th grade middle school students was developed. Literature examined indicates that the opportunity to explore key concepts and significant issues using an integrated approach provided greater opportunity to formulate meaningful connections between disciplines studied and that achievement was enhanced. The Learning units were developed for use at Wilson Middle School in Yakima, Washington.

A Resource Manual For Mainstreaming Students With Behavioral Disabilities In The Middle School, Matthew L. Cobb

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a resource manual to facilitate the use of effective components for mainstreamed or included Behavior Disabled (BD) students in the regular classroom. The manual will be used by Wapato Middle School, Wapato, Washington, to enhance the current mainstream/ inclusion program. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to BD student characteristics, legal issues, instructional strategies and policies were reviewed.

Wilderness Survival Basic Skills: A Model Seventh Grade Science Curriculum With Integrated Math Concepts, Layne B. Hutchins

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and implement a model 7th grade science program with integrated mathematics concepts using an outdoor survival theme. The developed program focused on mathematics and science topics related to exploration and survival in the wilderness and enjoyment of the outdoors in order to connect mathematics and science concepts with real life experiences. Current research and literature on integration and multiple intelligences, integration of mathematics and science as well existing outdoor programs was reviewed. Finally, section overviews, student learning objectives, learning activities and teaching strategies were adapted and developed.

Study Skills Handbook For Elementary Students Transitioning Into Middle School, Kristina Elise Riggs

All Graduate Projects

Students transitioning from elementary to middle school face a unique set of challenges. These students are coming from the comfort of having one teacher and one classroom, to the departmentalized setting of the middle school There they may have up to seven different teachers, classes and classrooms. This new situation forces them to call upon certain organizational skills which may be different from those utilized in past learning situations. The Study Skills Handbook was designed to aid students with this unique transition. It provides students with an overview of basic skills practicing teachers deemed important for success in their classroom. …

The Design Of A Middle School Manual To Aid Core Teachers In The Development Of Integrated Curriculum Units, Irene M. Moren

All Graduate Projects

This project purports to design a manual for middle-school teachers to aid in the development of core-integrated curriculum units. The manual will serve as an ally to the knowledge in textbooks, technology bases, and other available printed and nonprinted library and classroom resources. It will illustrate specific ways to integrate core curriculum knowledge and activities. The manual is intended for use by school-based subject core teachers by providing a common field of knowledge on the development of integrated curriculum units for middle level grades. The manual will enable educators to develop integrated core curriculum units that utilize themes and knowledge …

Using Read Aloud Literature To Motivate Resource Room Readers In The Seventh And Eighth Grades, Stephanie M. Cady

All Graduate Projects

This project provides a reading resource for teachers of seventh and eighth grade reading skills program students. A series of lessons were designed to accompany daily teacher oral reading from a novel selected to match students' reading interest and listening level. The lessons incorportated strategies to increase students' comprehension of readings emphasizing motivation to encourage future reading.

An Outcome-Based Curriculum Design For Seventh Grade Earth Science, Jeffrey Scott Fields

All Graduate Projects

This project presents a curriculum design to be used for the seventh grade Earth Science course taught at Centerville School. The curriculum was created by modifying the district's student learning objectives into outcome-based objectives, lessons and units. This project was designed with the intent of enhancing the teaching of earth science and aiding other teachers in the district by giving them a possible model for their own curricula comparison and adoptions. The curriculum design was successful in meeting these intentions.

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.

The Development Of A Nongraded Mathematics Program For The Intermediate Grades In An Open Concept Middle School, Timothy D. Paschal

All Graduate Projects

During the spring of 1972 the teaching staff of Fairview Middle School, Central Kitsap School District, was engaged in re-examining its methods of instruction. The opportunity existed to facilitate this re-examination through applied administrative techniques. Beginning in the Spring of 1972, and continuing through the Spring of 1974, the teaching staff, with the aid of this writer, worked to reorganize and improve its methods of instruction

The purpose of the project was to apply those administrative techniques which would foster and sustain a motivational level, within the teaching staff, sufficient to reorganize and improve their methods of instruction. The thrust …

A Language Arts Curriculum Guide For Seventh And Eighth Grade Indian Students At St. Mary's Mission Omak, Washington, William Peter Kelly

All Graduate Projects

St. Mary's Mission is situated five miles outside Omak, Washington, on the Colville Indian Reservation. It operates boarding and school facilities for one hundred and seventy Indian children in grades one through eight. Although the school has been in operation for ninety years, and is the only elementary boarding school for Indian children in the state, it has never developed or been provided with a written curriculum.

Without a curriculum guide, recording of the year to year progress of the children in the school program has been limited to the cryptic evaluation of the Spokane Diocesan report card form and …