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Full-Text Articles in Education

Dual Language Education In The Elementary Grades: What Are Some Constraints Or Limitations Of Dual Language In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade., Anna Alvarez Aug 2009

Dual Language Education In The Elementary Grades: What Are Some Constraints Or Limitations Of Dual Language In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade., Anna Alvarez

All Graduate Projects

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 Aug 2009

A Guidebook, Based On One School’S Journey In Implementing Response To Intervention, Pearl Mckenzie

All Graduate Projects

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 Aug 2009

Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley

All Graduate Projects

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 Aug 2009

Microsoft Word 2007 And Powerpoint 2007 Units For Ell Students In Introduction To Information Technology, Janel Jo Lemieux

All Graduate Projects

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 Jul 2009

A Guide To Teaching Writing In Kindergarten, Pamela Lynn Wangsness

All Graduate Projects

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 May 2009

Writer’S Workshop: Promoting Peer Relationships On Early Literacy, Jim Labrie

All Graduate Projects

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 May 2009

Natural And Necessary Language: A Newcomer Resource Manual, Shelley Joy Henry

All Graduate Projects

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 May 2009

A Resource Guide For Embedding Multicultural Capital Into The Secondary Science Classrooms Of Central Washington, Theresa Susan Bell

All Graduate Projects

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 May 2009

Using Music With Read-Alouds, Michael James Bento

All Graduate Projects

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 …


Enumclaw School District Summer Reading Program, Lea Kai Tiger Feb 2009

Enumclaw School District Summer Reading Program, Lea Kai Tiger

All Graduate Projects

The aim of this project is to improve the elementary summer school program currently offered by the Enumclaw School District by developing a reading program to be used by the summer school instructors. Instruction outside of the school day, characteristics of successful extracurricular programs, why reading needs to be the focus of the summer school program, and what to teach and how to teach reading were researched. Taking the information found after studying the aforementioned topics, a program to be used for the Enumclaw School District summer school was developed. The program consists of lessons, games, and strategies that can …


Sitka School District Kindergarten Literacy Curriculum Handbook, Jacqueline Elizabeth Hedrick Jan 2009

Sitka School District Kindergarten Literacy Curriculum Handbook, Jacqueline Elizabeth Hedrick

All Graduate Projects

The intent of this handbook is to provide support to a teacher and be used as a resource. This document is intended to guide a Baranof Elementary Kindergarten teacher, through the year, with the use of a theme document. However, the scope and sequence contains the skills and content that must be addressed by the end of the year. The literacy curriculum handbook was developed based on Froebel's kindergarten philosophy and Bruner's educational philosophy that early childhood education should be hands-on and developmentally appropriate. The handbook includes programs available to kindergarten teachers in Sitka, Alaska while continuing to be content-based, …


Benefits Of Using Primary Sources In The High School United States History Classroom, Norene Lee Osborne Jan 2009

Benefits Of Using Primary Sources In The High School United States History Classroom, Norene Lee Osborne

All Graduate Projects

History textbooks have not traditionally included the perspectives of the whole of society. The contributions of non-whites, women, the poor and the illiterate are consistently forgotten or ignored in the history classroom. When the stories of these groups are present, the content is incomplete and minimal, due to the resources available to the teacher within the curriculum provided by the textbook manufacturers or the school districts. Primary sources, or first hand accounts of history, can be used to supplement gaps in the curriculum, allowing students to construct a more authentic and complete knowledge of history. This project includes practical supplemental …


Redefining The Apartheid Of American History: A Middle School History Curriculum, John Scott Sandberg Jul 2008

Redefining The Apartheid Of American History: A Middle School History Curriculum, John Scott Sandberg

All Graduate Projects

After more than half a century of efforts to address the historical educational chasm between marginalized groups it has become obvious that the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive curriculums need to be developed. This project is intended to assist educators take the first steps into the multicultural arena or provide a vehicle for curriculum incorporation. Sample curriculum is provided as an illustration of classroom practice and cultural inclusion. Student and educator roles are defined as well as activities, and assessment methods are described and outlined with links to curriculum content, Washington State's Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Classroom Based …


Unlocking The Power Of Multidimensional Literacy In A Language Arts Classroom: A Middle School Language Arts Curriculum, Andrew Raymond Kostelnik Jul 2008

Unlocking The Power Of Multidimensional Literacy In A Language Arts Classroom: A Middle School Language Arts Curriculum, Andrew Raymond Kostelnik

All Graduate Projects

A curriculum project that incorporates a multidimensional and multicultural point of view is created for a middle school language arts classroom in a rural community. Multiculturalism theories and underpinnings are examined and critically analyzed. Materials are identified and examined to determine the appropriateness in relation to the demographics and nature of the Kayman School District. Multiple sources and materials were established as a permanent curricular component to ensure an education that incorporates multiple perspectives and viewpoints.


An Integrated Nutrition Unit For Half-Day Kindergarten, Erin Spencer May 2008

An Integrated Nutrition Unit For Half-Day Kindergarten, Erin Spencer

All Graduate Projects

The obesity rates among children in the United States have been rising rapidly over the past thirty years. Children are getting messages from the media to eat unhealthy foods. This epidemic is beginning to be addressed in schools. A nutrition curriculum was developed and implemented in a half day kindergarten program. Core academic subject were integrated using Washington State GLEs as a guide. Parent involvement was a component to strengthen student's understanding of cultural diversity as it pertained to food.


Using A Balanced Reading And Spelling Approach To Enhance The “Spell To Write To Read” Program For Preschool To Fifth Grade, Dawn A. Heer May 2008

Using A Balanced Reading And Spelling Approach To Enhance The “Spell To Write To Read” Program For Preschool To Fifth Grade, Dawn A. Heer

All Graduate Projects

Reading is the foundation of much that society aspires to, even now in the age of technology. The teacher plays a key role in facilitating the learning of reading in an elementary school. By using a balanced reading approach through the use of spelling, phonics, writing and language, teachers will be able to apply user-friendly principles of reading with the curriculum, Spell to Write to Read. A handbook will be used to present this information during a workshop for teachers and para-professionals of preschool to fifth grade students.


A Manual For Using Communication Strategies With Adolescents With Autism, Gayle J. Anderson May 2008

A Manual For Using Communication Strategies With Adolescents With Autism, Gayle J. Anderson

All Graduate Projects

Many students with autism lack the essential skills necessary to communicate effectively as adolescents and adults. They communicate in a nonproductive manner to get their "wants" or "needs" met. Some of these behaviors include crying, screaming, or having tantrums. Current research reviewed for this project indicates clearly the benefits of applied social skills such as social stories, augmentative strategies such as picture exchange systems, and alternative strategies such as gestures and sign language. These students need to communicate their wants and needs by using socially appropriate adaptive methods of communications. The purpose of the manual at the end of this …


Teaching Washington State History Through The Arts: A Curricular Guide, Rebekah Norgard Jan 2008

Teaching Washington State History Through The Arts: A Curricular Guide, Rebekah Norgard

All Graduate Projects

Students benefit both academically and nonacademically when a core subject is taught through the arts. The arts allow students to develop cognitively, extend their research skills, define their ability to problem solve, and strengthen their self-image. Personal connections and student attentiveness is increased when classes incorporate the study of the arts. The purpose of this project was to encourage the integration of arts into core subjects and provide a framework and examples of effective arts content infusion as an instructional strategy for use by Washington State History teachers.


A Guide To Balanced Literacy—Pertaining To Reading—For The Intermediate Elementary Teacher, Meghann Finn Mcdonald Martin Jan 2008

A Guide To Balanced Literacy—Pertaining To Reading—For The Intermediate Elementary Teacher, Meghann Finn Mcdonald Martin

All Graduate Projects

This project is a resource that offers information on how to implement, plan, and assess reading using the instructional strategies of balanced literacy. A review of the literature on all four instructional strategies of balance literacy is included. This guide will aid intermediate elementary teachers in planning effective instruction. The intent of this project is to provide a realistic and useful source for classroom teachers to utilize when planning and assessing reading instruction. Finally in addition to the sample lesson plans are examples of texts used for each lesson.


Instructional Models And Strategies For Language Acquisition And Literacy, Sheri Ann Ruiz Jan 2008

Instructional Models And Strategies For Language Acquisition And Literacy, Sheri Ann Ruiz

All Graduate Projects

This study introduces research that shows the most effective teaching models and strategies for language acquisition for students whose primary language is not English in the United States; although most of the research and suggestions presented are also effective for teaching all students, regardless of the student's language level. First, a short background of the history of bilingual education is reviewed. Then, the language domains and various stages oflanguage acquisition are explained. Later, an overview of the research of the most effective teaching models and strategies are provided to inform preschool through 12th grade classroom teachers, Para educators (teaching assistants), …


A Model For The Integration Of Writing Across Fourth Reading Curriculum, Barbara Mae Truchon Jan 2008

A Model For The Integration Of Writing Across Fourth Reading Curriculum, Barbara Mae Truchon

All Graduate Projects

The evidence from the literature review points to the challenge students of Washington State face today. Reading and writing are the key components in all content areas students are required to learn in today's schools. The challenge for educators is to provide reading and writing instruction that will enable our students to become proficient in the skills they need to pass high stakes assessments like the WASL and become productive members of our ever changing global society. This project presents a model of integrating writing to learn strategies into the reading curriculum. A discussion of the rationale supporting this model …


Integrating The Wasl Into The High School Algebra Curriculum, Kent Stafford Pearsons Nov 2007

Integrating The Wasl Into The High School Algebra Curriculum, Kent Stafford Pearsons

All Graduate Projects

Most Algebra courses in Washington are supplemented with Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) material. However, in the last two years, little more than half of Washington sophomores passed the math portion of the WASL; for about half of tenth graders the extra worksheets did little to no good. Students need relevant WASL material that correlates with the current math they are studying. In this manner, even though questions may be phrased differently, the material is familiar and so answering questions are more possible. Also, since new worksheets have multiple choice, teachers can discuss how most wisely to answer this …


Phonemic Awareness: The Nature And Role In Reading Acquisition, Toni Michelle Paganelli Jul 2007

Phonemic Awareness: The Nature And Role In Reading Acquisition, Toni Michelle Paganelli

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Phonemic awareness and its link to reading are a current topic in education. Research has shown that the two are interrelated and those students lacking in phonemic awareness are at a higher risk for reading failure. The terms phonemic awareness and phonics tend to be used simultaneously, but phonemic awareness is not the same as phonics. Children can naturally acquire phonemic awareness through their environment. However, children who are lacking phonemic awareness can be taught using many different methods and materials in the classroom. Within phonemic awareness there are many different skills. These skills can be tested using commercially produced …


An Opportunity Gap: Focusing On The Issue Of Boys’ Underachievement In School Literacy, Whitney Ann Cromwell Jul 2007

An Opportunity Gap: Focusing On The Issue Of Boys’ Underachievement In School Literacy, Whitney Ann Cromwell

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Male students statistically have not been as successful as females on standardized test scores or literacy activities. The discrepancy between literacy achievement between boys and girls at the elementary level is cause for concern. This gap between the literacy achievement of girls and boys will continue unless we change the way we teach. "All educators share the common goal of providing equitable learning opportunities for every student in the classroom. Providing equitable opportunities for girls is a familiar topic; providing them for boys is a relatively recent issue, but one that is appearing with increasing urgency on education agendas around …


Effect Of Movement Activities On Student Engagement: A Handbook Of Movement Activities For Elementary Teachers, Leanne Kaye Procter May 2007

Effect Of Movement Activities On Student Engagement: A Handbook Of Movement Activities For Elementary Teachers, Leanne Kaye Procter

All Graduate Projects

A handbook has been developed to aid teachers in the incorporation of movement activities in the elementary classroom. The activities can be done between lessons or between long periods of focus. The activities will help to gain attention and engagement of students. The activities in the handbook are to be used as a supplement to any existing elementary curriculum. The handbook consists of seventy-eight activities that may be used in a variety of classroom settings. Current literature and research surrounding the topics of engagement, stimulation, retention, and the importance of movement for adolescents were explored.


Enrichment Curriculum For Third Grade Mathematically Gifted Students, Brooke Anne Mcallister Feb 2007

Enrichment Curriculum For Third Grade Mathematically Gifted Students, Brooke Anne Mcallister

All Graduate Projects

Research shows that mathematically gifted students learn differently from their same age group peers. They require curriculum to be differentiated to meet their specific learning styles (Johnson, 2006). Studies have shown that formal instruction in elementary school classrooms often lacks challenge for the gifted learner since courses in regular classrooms sometimes have a relatively narrow range of topics, minimal investigation of concepts, repeated drill and practice, and yearly repetition (Fello, 2004). This project consists of curriculum for third grade gifted math students which takes the regular classroom curriculum to a more contextual level. This unit provides inquiry-based, discovery learning approaches …


Repeated Reading To Improve Oral Reading Fluency, Loretta Lynn Powers Feb 2007

Repeated Reading To Improve Oral Reading Fluency, Loretta Lynn Powers

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review the available research on repeated reading as a method of improving a student's oral reading fluency (ORF), to determine its contribution to the reading process, and to create an implementation guide for middle school teachers to use in their language arts classroom. The results of the research show that there is a need for effective repeated reading instruction. Including this instruction at the middle school level will provide tremendous benefits for students. Repeated reading is an effective way to expose students to short, interesting, fictional and non-fictional texts. The project includes a …


Improving Reading Acquisition In Elementary Boys, Rachel Ann Stork Jan 2007

Improving Reading Acquisition In Elementary Boys, Rachel Ann Stork

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a guide for teachers and parents to improve reading acquisition in elementary-aged boys. The project will summarize current research and a brochure gives practical solutions for education professionals and parents to help increase the interest and acquisition of elementary boys in reading. Current literature and research shows an alarming problem in elementary boys' reading acquisition. This project analyzes best practices, brain research, and parent involvement that lead to improved literacy acquisition in elementary-age boys.


English Language Learners And Technology: Applying Universal Design For Learning And The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol In The Evaluation Of Literacy Support Software, Susan M. Connolly Nov 2006

English Language Learners And Technology: Applying Universal Design For Learning And The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol In The Evaluation Of Literacy Support Software, Susan M. Connolly

All Graduate Projects

The population of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in U.S. schools has been steadily increasing. These students do not experience equal educational opportunity in U.S. secondary schools. CLD students need to develop English literacy as well as content knowledge to attain equal educational opportunity. Teachers of CLD students need techniques and tools which support CLD students in mastering the content expected of secondary school students while acquiring English literacy. The criteria for effective lesson design and delivery inherent in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and the criteria for designing curriculum without barriers to access inherent in Universal Design …


Implementing Reading Response Logs In An Intermediate Classroom To Increase Student Interest And Comprehension, Carrie Winegar Risley Nov 2006

Implementing Reading Response Logs In An Intermediate Classroom To Increase Student Interest And Comprehension, Carrie Winegar Risley

All Graduate Projects

This study includes a brief explanation of the history of reader response and the purpose behind the theory as well as how to apply the theory to classroom practices when teaching literature and reading. Reader response is the reader's reaction to what he/she has read. This can include making connections, asking questions, clarifying information, evaluating the author's craft and making predictions. The reader's response can be oral or in written form. The study includes examples of the application of reader response in classrooms ranging from the primary level through the high school level and an explanation of why it can …