Education Commons^™

Causal Attribution And Dimension Differences Between Sixth-Grade Urban Middle School Students Who Pass And Students Who Fail Reading On The Virginia Literacy Passport Test, Elsie Perry Daniels

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Attribution theory, which focuses on student beliefs about why they succeed or fail, was investigated with 220 sixth grade students who were required to pass the Virginia Literacy Passport test. Part I of this study investigated the reliability and validity of Causal Dimension Scale II (McAuley et al., 1992) when it is used with a sixth grade preadolescent population. Part II investigated student attributions for performance outcomes on the reading portion of the Virginia Literacy Passport test. This study researched the hypothesis that middle school students who passed the Virginia Literacy Passport Test (LPT) reading test would attribute their successful …

Black English, Karen Tibbitts Filimoehala

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Black English has recently entered the media spotlight with the passing of the Ebonics resolution by the Oakland School Board on Dec. 18, 1996. In this resolution, the school board unanimously voted to recognize Black English or "Ebonics" (a term which combines the words "ebony" and "phonetics")(LeLand & Joseph, 1997, p. 78) as the primary language of many of its students, and to teach students in their primary language in order to maintain the "legitimacy and richness" of the language, and to help students master standard English. Needless to say, the resolution was met with highly charged arguments - some …

Flarr Pages #5: Flarr: A Beginning Agenda For The Next 25 Years, Thomas C. Turner

FLARR Pages

In the Fall of 1997 the Foreign Language Association of the Red River celebrates its 25th Anniversary. We are the oldest collaborative group of its kind in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Nine Complementary Principles To Retain Adults In An Esol/Literacy Program, Edmund T. Hamann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

The following list of principles is my attempt to share general recommendations to teachers of ESOL and/or limited literacy adults based on my specific practice running a bilingual family literacy program and confirmed by my more recent experience as a volunteer bilingual literacy teacher at the Asociación Latinoamericana (in Atlanta). Though I believe in bilingual classroom environments, I think the principles identified here are also pertinent to monolingual ESL environments.

Classical Montessori: A Study Of The Classical Rhetorical Canons In Early Montessori Writing Instruction, Deborah E. O'Neil

English Theses & Dissertations

This thesis begins by proposing that all five classical canons are an ideal theory for guiding any writing pedagogy. The majority of the thesis, then, details how Montessori writing instruction synergistically exploits these canons to create a powerful pedagogy. Devised by Maria Montessori in the late 1800s, her instruction displays standard and nonstandard applications of invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Because Montessori writing instruction begins in preschool, this thesis concludes with an exploration of the potential benefits of introducing a classical curriculum before college.

Three High School Teachers' Conceptions Of The French They Teach, Patrick R. Moran

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study investigates secondary French teachers' conceptions of the French they teach.

Effective Reading Programs And Strategies For Students With Learning Disabilities, Tina Irene Baggett

All Graduate Projects

This project was designed to identify effective reading programs and strategies for students with learning disabilities. Teachers need many different instructional strategies and techniques to effectively teach the increasing number of students with learning disabilities. Appropriate interventions have been compiled to assist teachers in teaching students who have reading disabilities in grades kindergarten through third.

Elements Of A First Grade Writing Program, Julie Laree Fry

All Graduate Projects

Literature regarding the early developmental processes of (1) writing, (2) spelling, and (3) phonemic awareness for children between the ages of five and seven were reviewed. The literature stated that all three of these processes develop simultaneously through a series of very specific stages. Writing in kindergarten and first grade needs to be practiced daily and treated like a free activity without restriction of copious spelling rules. It was further regarded that spelling should be considered a life long evolving skill that should not stifle the early writer. A program to guide teachers as they help first grade children to …

A Model Curriculum Integrating Values/Morals Education Into Secondary Level Language Arts Instruction, Wilma J. Eads

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a model curriculum integrating values/morals education with language arts instruction. To accomplish this purpose a current literature search regarding values/morals education and related language arts instruction was conducted. Additionally, related information from selected schools was obtained and analyzed.

Parent Workshops To Build Early Literacy In Preschoolers, Andrea R. Olson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to increase the literacy skills of preschoolers through family involvement activities. Research on the factors that contribute to early literacy and ways that parents can be involved in the literacy development of their child was examined. Two workshops were designed based on this research which suggests that the development of literacy is a gradual process which occurs long before the child enters school. Two workshops were designed to provide parents with ideas. The first was to show how to create a literacy rich environment in their home, the second, to show how parents can …

Development Of An Effective Spelling Curriculum To Be Implemented In A First-Third Grade Classroom, Katherine Marie Richardson

All Graduate Projects

Spelling is a frequently investigated curriculum area. There has been extensive research in the last century concerning various instructional procedures for the acquisition of spelling skills. Many research-based principles of effective spelling instruction have emerged from one of two contrasting models for the development of spelling competence. Traditionally, spelling has been taught with textbooks from spelling series. Students followed a structured program with the goal of learning to spell the list words. Advocates for spelling reform suggest spelling instruction should be based on the understanding of the developmental nature of the child. This project report provides guidelines for implementing a …

An Inservice Training Manual Of Selected Writing Techniques To Improve Reading Achievement In Primary Grades, Roni L. Rumsey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a manual of writing techniques that could be used in kindergarten and first grade classrooms, in order to increase reading achievement. To accomplish this, current research and literature on emergent literacy, reading, writing, and communication was reviewed. Additionally, information and selected materials from selected schools and school districts related to the utilization of writing techniques to improve reading skills was obtained and analyzed.

To Write With Skill: A Writing Program To Meet Washington State's Essential Academic Learnings In Writing, Doris L. Sjoquist

All Graduate Projects

A writing program has been developed for intermediate level students to prepare them to meet the benchmarks of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements in Writing for Washington State. Students need daily, meaningful writing practice to contribute to success in their academic and work lives. The project includes daily writing practices, lesson plans for writing experiences that will meet the benchmarks established by the Commission on Student Learning, and a portfolio system for organization and assessment.

Promoting Phonological Awareness For Primary Grade Students Through Read-Aloud Book Activities: A Teacher's Guide, Mary Sue Warrington

All Graduate Projects

This project investigated phonological awareness as it relates to beginning literacy acquisition. The literature review provided a rational and guidelines for phonological awareness instruction. A manual containing a sequence of research supported activities based on read-aloud books for facilitating acquisition of phonoiogica! awareness with primary grade students was created. Many of the activities were field tested with a class of 14 kindergarten students in the last quarter of the school year.

Children's Book Festival, Karen Rowell, Onva K. Boshears Jr., University Of Southern Mississippi

Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival Programs

The program for the thirtieth annual Children's Book Festival held on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1997.

Literacy Standards In Australia, Geoff N. Masters, Margaret Forster

Monitoring Learning

This publication reports the percentages of year 3 and year 5 students meeting clear performance standards in reading and writing based on the 1996 National School English Literacy Survey. The performance standards described and illustrated in this report are informed by work to develop 'benchmarks' in literacy and numeracy under the direction of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. Examples of survey assessment tasks and student work samples are provided to illustrate performance standards for year 3 and year 5 students.

Mapping Literacy Achievement: Results Of The 1996 National School English Literacy Survey: Incorporating A Report On The Survey Principles, Procedures And Findings, Geoff N. Masters, Margaret Forster

Monitoring Learning

The national school English literacy survey conducted in 1996 provides the most comprehensive picture yet developed of the literacy achievements of Year 3 and Year 5 students in Australian schools. The most significant finding of the survey is the wide range of literacy achievement among Australian children. The top ten per cent of students in each year are working about five year levels ahead of the bottom ten per cent. This range indicates the complexity of the teacher's task in providing appropriate learning opportunities for all students, and the need for schools to reflect on the implications of this range …

The Benefits Of Word Processing In Process Writing, Renee Cecile Leimer Cuvelier

Graduate Research Papers

The word processor is a valuable writing tool that can have a notable impact on the writing process and on the social context for writing in today"s schools. The majority of the research on writing with a word processor has indicated the word processor does provide specific benefits for our students and may be used to develop skill in writing.

This review defines the process approach to writing, reviews the research on the benefits of using the word processor in process writing as well as the research which doesn't support its use, and discusses variables that affect the research results. …

Moving Towards A Language Arts Program Extended Across The Curriculum, Amy M. Kortemeyer

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based program;integrates oral and written language activity with other areas of the curriculum. Therefore, the curriculum is centered around real ideas, relevant issues, and problem solving. As a result; children have opportunities to experiment with language that can lead to higher levels of competencies (Goodman, 1986; Smith, 1994).

As teachers plan units in social studies and the sciences, they make note of relevant language activities. These activities can be teacher-directed or presented in learning centers (Harms & Lettow, 1992).

Kindergarten Writing Program, Kimberly E. Dewulf

Graduate Research Papers

In the kindergarten writing program, many experiences can help writing become an enjoyable experience for children. The learning environment can nurture pleasure in literature, an enthusiasm for reading and writing, and foster many opportunities to engage in the writing process. Some of the activities can be presented by the teacher while others can be initiated by the children.

Promoting Literacy : The Parent Link, Joby L. Mcgowan

Graduate Research Papers

This article is written for beginning teachers of the primary grades to provide tools for empowering parents as co-educators in the reading curriculum. Parents play a crucial role in the development of their child's learning. By inviting them to take joint ownership in their child's education, a teacher can build a bridge of communication that will stimulate success for both parent and child.

An overview of how to begin to build the bridge with parents and empowering those parents to become involved is presented. Then, several strategies for decoding text and boosting a child's sight word vocabulary will be discussed. …

The Influence Of Reading Comprehension And Other Selected Factors On Student Dropouts In An Urban Southeastern School District In Virginia, Viola Garris Morgan

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of reading achievement on the dropout status. The major research question was to determine to what extent does reading comprehension influence the dropout rate after controlling for demographic and performance characteristics?

The target population consisted of 677 urban twelfth-grade students attending schools in an urban southeastern school district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Of the 677 students, 142 were dropouts, and 535 were nondropouts. Simple and partial correlations were used to determine the relationship between variables after partialing out performance and demographic variables. In addition, the discriminant analyses were used …

A Comparative Analysis Of School-Based Performance Of Mobile And Nonmobile Students, Yvonne Darcel Smith-Jones

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of mobility on fifth grade students in an urban elementary school environment during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 school years. The significance of the study lay in its intent to assess the impact of mobility. Specifically, the study analyzed the demographic characteristics of mobile students and investigated the impact of mobility on student achievement, attendance, discipline referrals, and retention.;The sample consisted of 244 fifth graders. Archival data were obtained from the students' scholastic and directory information records for the 1994-95 and 1995-96 school years. The results were analyzed by performing …

Qualitative Assessment Of The Writing Process, Laura L. Behrends

Graduate Research Papers

A strong trend in the language arts is the emphasis placed on the involvement of-students in the language processes to extend their thinking and language abilities. Thus, their involvement needs to be described by qualitative means. Qualitative assessment is necessary in writing because there is a great deal that cannot be measured (Field, 1992). Assessment needs to be continuous and inseparable from instruction, therefore authentic (Tierney, Carter, & Desai, 1991; Valencia, 1990; Barclay & Breheny, 1994; Stone, 1995). Assessment must be an integral part of each day in order for teachers to plan instruction and communicate with parents and the …

Writing Portfolios In A First Grade Classroom, Lisa A. Friday

Graduate Research Papers

Much attention has been given to the authentic assessment of children's involvement in the writing process. Such assessment entails descriptive, or qualitative techniques. One descriptive technique is portfolios. In developing portfolios, students can become actively involved in their own learning and in establishing goals for future learning. Thus, instruction can be more closely related to assessment.

How writing portfolios were implemented in a first grade classroom is discussed. Two reluctant writers were particularly focused on as they developed their writing portfolios. These children selected exhibits for their portfolios with support from their teacher. As they developed their collections, the students …

Potential Technology Application In English Instruction In The People's Republic Of China, Ping Gao

Graduate Research Papers

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a vision of potential technology application as an effective teaching aid for English instruction in the People's Republic of China (hereafter referred to as China). In order to provide a clear picture of why technology should be applied in English teaching situations in China, major factors influencing the current English teaching methodologies – grammar translation and audiolingual method – have been analyzed. A theoretical analysis of modern Western teaching pedagogy, the communicative approach, has been explored to offer an in-depth understanding of foreign language learning and teaching processes. The close relationship …

Invitations To Sing : A Home-School Literacy Partnership, Connie J. Gordon

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses on fostering parent involvement in their children's school life, particularly the writing process. While acquiring literacy, children model behaviors of those around them, both at home and school. Schools need to build genuine partnerships that honor the voices of teachers, parents, and children.

The Role Of Phonemic Awareness In The Development Of Emergent Literacy, Cheryl M. Geurts

Graduate Research Papers

Phonemic awareness is discussed as one possible prerequisite and predictor of later reading ability. The role of phonemic awareness in the development of emergent literacy is investigated through a thorough review of relevant literature. The usefulness of phonemic awareness as a predictor of later reading and spelling achievement is discussed. In addition, the effectiveness of phonemic awareness intervention is discussed. Suggestion for future research are presented.

An Effective Writing Program That Meets The Needs Of Lower Elementary Students, Marita R. Schroeder

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine current research on the writing process, to identify major elements of an effective writing program, and then implement a writing program for young children which encompasses the major elements. The elements of the writing program implemented within the classroom were: modeling (by the teacher, children and authors), daily writing, conferencing (mini-lessons), publishing, and special projects. It was found that a carefully structured writing program enhances the writing of students in the classroom. The process approach to writing values the students as well as the writing process. This approach is an ideal way …

All About Me: Promoting Reading And Writing Through Creating Autobiographical Posters, Edward J. Dwyer

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.