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Full-Text Articles in Education

Small Group Reading Instruction For English Language Learners In Grades 3-5, Emily Peters Jan 2018

Small Group Reading Instruction For English Language Learners In Grades 3-5, Emily Peters

All Graduate Projects

This project highlights best practices for small reading group instruction for third through fifth grade English language learners in the general education classroom. By completing a literature review, a journal article was developed to report the pros and cons of heterogeneous and homogeneous groupings for reading instruction. Data from the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) and the OSPI Report Card were used to discuss a need to raise student reading proficiency scores.


Reading Comprehension Strategy Handbook For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Reluctant Readers, Cheryl Jordan Jan 2011

Reading Comprehension Strategy Handbook For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Reluctant Readers, Cheryl Jordan

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project is to provide a variety ofreading comprehension strategies for reluctant readers at Adams Elementary and also to demonstrate the need for a supplemental handbook that addresses the "gaps" with the Walk to Read program (spiral curriculum). This research will reveal that teacher guidance facilitates student learning, motivates students, and provides opportunities to dialog with classmates in a context of creating connections. The project includes a discussion related to the rationale supporting this project, along with a review of related literature. The repertoire of reading strategies in this project is designed to encourage the student to …


Methods For Encouraging Economic Diversity In Academically Rigorous Courses, Karen Patricia Kraabel Jan 2010

Methods For Encouraging Economic Diversity In Academically Rigorous Courses, Karen Patricia Kraabel

All Graduate Projects

In International Baccalaureate (IB) classes at Thomas Jefferson High School, the economic status of students in honors classes does not reflect that of the school as a whole. The author sought ways to bring more students from impoverished backgrounds into rigorous courses. In this school, there is a strong coincidence between etlmic minority status and socioeconomic status. The author believed that in addressing the economic issue the ethnicity issue would also be addressed. This is a practical issue as well as a pedagogical one, because the school's scores on state-wide standardized tests are lower for economically disadvantaged students than for …


A Handbook For Developing And Implementing A High School At-Risk Reading Program, Tamara A. Deford Jan 2010

A Handbook For Developing And Implementing A High School At-Risk Reading Program, Tamara A. Deford

All Graduate Projects

This project is intended to serve as a guide and resource for the development of a reading intervention program for at-risk secondary students. The project consisted of the following three foci: 1) an initial review of the literature in the areas of adolescent literacy, the Washington State Three-Tier Reading Model, the reading intervention program Literacy First, and school environmental and cultural traits that foster success among adolescent students-specifically struggling adolescent readers, 2) a discussion of Othello High School's process of the selection of a secondary reading intervention program, and 3) a resource handbook, which included methods and processes that supported …


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 …


A Parent Handbook Of Reading And Writing Activities For Continued Literacy Development In The Home, Lisa Annette Bangs Jan 2006

A Parent Handbook Of Reading And Writing Activities For Continued Literacy Development In The Home, Lisa Annette Bangs

All Graduate Projects

This project provides a handbook of reading and writing activities and strategies for parents of first grade students to use with their children in the home environment. Included is a review of research which: (1) discusses the importance of reading aloud to children at home and school, (2) examines how a child's early literacy experiences in the home affect overall reading achievement, (3) explains ways to increase communication between parents and teachers regarding a child's literacy development, and (4) describes activities to connect school and home literacy experiences.


Using Literature Circles To Engage Students With Informational Texts, Theresa Marie Anderson Jan 2006

Using Literature Circles To Engage Students With Informational Texts, Theresa Marie Anderson

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review the available research on literature circles as a method of engaging students with informational texts and to create an implementation guide for teachers. The results of the research show that there is a need for effective nonfiction instruction and that including this instruction at the elementary level provides tremendous benefits for students. Literature circles are an effective way to engage students with these informational texts, because they offer an authentic literacy experience and provide students with the kinds of informational text interactions they will encounter in the real world. The project includes …


Leaving Home: A Handbook For Teachers To Promote Critical Thinking, Leanne Molly Luehrs Jan 2006

Leaving Home: A Handbook For Teachers To Promote Critical Thinking, Leanne Molly Luehrs

All Graduate Projects

A handbook of instructional strategies connected to a text set theme for fourth grade teachers to promote critical thinking was developed. The handbook is intended for fourth grade teachers interested in promoting critical thinking through the use of children's literature. The text set theme, leaving home, was chosen and children's literature and curriculum was developed around this thematic focus. Library research, books, and the Internet aided in the development of this project. The studies showed the importance of developing critical thinking skills in elementary students. The studies also review theories pertinent to promote critical thinking and best practice.


Motivating The Reluctant 9th Grade Reader In The English Classroom: An Educator's Guide, Christine Murphy Jan 2006

Motivating The Reluctant 9th Grade Reader In The English Classroom: An Educator's Guide, Christine Murphy

All Graduate Projects

Reluctant readers need support from all levels of government as well as from the community, parents and educators. Motivating reluctant readers and changing their attitude toward reading in order for students to be successful requires educators to discover the interests, dreams, and goals, of their students. Educators must invest the time and energy needed to view students as whole individuals in order to understand their reading needs, and to utilize best practices in an effort to improve student reading ability. ll1


Instructional Writing Strategies For The Secondary Teacher: A Handbook To Guide Content Area Teachers Implementing Writing Into Curriculum, Cathy S. Thompson Jan 2006

Instructional Writing Strategies For The Secondary Teacher: A Handbook To Guide Content Area Teachers Implementing Writing Into Curriculum, Cathy S. Thompson

All Graduate Projects

Secondary teachers are concerned that their students are having difficulties learning and retaining difficult concepts present in secondary curricula. Additionally, students may not be learning the content at a deep enough knowledge level to pass stringent high-stakes standardized tests required for graduation in the state of Washington. For students to succeed in the competitive global economy they must become self-monitoring critical thinkers. Research supports the use of writing-to-learn and content area writing strategies to facilitate metacognition and boost student learning. This project reviews the research in writing and metacognition, synthesizes the findings, and applies the results in a series of …


A Series Of Teacher Inservice Workshops: Teaching Comprehension Using Informational Text With Intermediate Students, Tracy Lynn Denney Jan 2006

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.


Using Pop Culture And Media Together With Effective Literacy Instruction: A Teacher's Tool Kit For Selah H.S. Read Write Class, Stephanie Marie Sevigny Jan 2006

Using Pop Culture And Media Together With Effective Literacy Instruction: A Teacher's Tool Kit For Selah H.S. Read Write Class, Stephanie Marie Sevigny

All Graduate Projects

A toolkit has been created to assist secondary teachers in using popular culture and the media in conjunction with explicit comprehension strategy instruction in the classroom in an effort to improve struggling students' comprehension. The toolkit consists of an introduction, examples and suggestions for using popular culture and media in the classroom, examples and guidelines for strategic comprehension instruction. CutTent literature and research regarding the use of popular culture and media in the classroom and effective comprehension strategy instruction were reviewed.


Curriculum Design To Teach High School Students: How To Pull Evidence From Text, Karen Marie Hughes Bray Jan 2005

Curriculum Design To Teach High School Students: How To Pull Evidence From Text, Karen Marie Hughes Bray

All Graduate Projects

Inadequate pe1formance of Washington State's public school students on national exams motivated the state legislature to pass the Basic Education Act in 1993. Graduation requirements were changed and expectations increased to specific skill levels in reading, writing, and several other subjects. The problem is that48% of North Central High School IO'" graders have averaged below standard in reading and 56% have averaged below standard in writing for the last six years. The project is designed to increase reading and writing skills at the high school level in classes outside of the academic arena by direct instruction. Washington State's Commission on …


Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz Jan 2005

Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review the available literature on the topic of literature circles from the framework of a balanced literacy program and to create materials to be used by intem1ediate elementary teachers for implementing student led literature circles into their reading curriculum. The results of the research show that through specific teacher guidance, children are empowered with choices and are provided with opportunities to dialog with classmates in a context of creating connections. The project includes an instrnctional framework to establish literature circles, a progression of teacher led to student led applications, and intermediate literature book …


Meaningful, Motivating Library Lessons That Matter To Students In Grade Four, Karen Louise-Bjorling Felch Jan 2005

Meaningful, Motivating Library Lessons That Matter To Students In Grade Four, Karen Louise-Bjorling Felch

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a meaningful, motivating library curriculum to increase student learning in literacy for students in grade four. Current literature and research on the roles of the teacher-librarian, information literacy instruction, reading advocacy, specifically literature guidance and appreciation, and motivation were explored. A yearlong library curriculum map was created addressing topics and methods found to be effective in the review of current research. The library curriculum was aligned with the Marysville School District Elementary Library Curriculum Guide for Grade Four, the Washington State Grade Level Expectations in Reading, the Washington State Essential Learnings in …


Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz Jan 2005

Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to review available literature on using a daily message within the framework of a balanced literacy program, and create specific lessons and activities to use in a kindergarten classroom that help students become successful readers and writers. Throughout this project the students will be experiencing powerful communication between teacher and students, and student to student, practicing various literacy skills, responding to print daily, and interacting with text and other students. These activities will help foster their attitude and ability to read independently.


Effective Reading Strategies That Enhance Reading Comprehension For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Angela Erin Hinkle Jan 2005

Effective Reading Strategies That Enhance Reading Comprehension For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Angela Erin Hinkle

All Graduate Projects

This curriculum project provides reading comprehension strategies for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). This project material can be used with either narrative texts or expository texts, that teach academic subjects. The use of graphic organizers, summarization techniques, strategic reading techniques, and vocabulary instruction techniques are described and examined. Lesson plans that may be used with current classroom curriculum guides and based on the researched reading comprehension strategies are described.


The Critical Relationship Of Dramtic Play And Literacy Development: Primary Plays Handbook, Activity Packets And Dramatic Play Kits For The Primary Classrooms, Connie Lewellyn Jan 2005

The Critical Relationship Of Dramtic Play And Literacy Development: Primary Plays Handbook, Activity Packets And Dramatic Play Kits For The Primary Classrooms, Connie Lewellyn

All Graduate Projects

Dramatic play is a critical element of programs for young children as a means of acquiring literacy. Literacy-enriched play encourages children's exploration of reading and writing in the world around them. Although child-structured dramatic play is widely recognized as being important, few opportunities are provided for primary educators to incorporate this type of drama into their reading curriculums. This project provides a foundation to implement dramatic play activities in the preschool through third grade reading curriculums.


Teaching Reading Effectively To Low Level Readers, Shawna Antonia Moore Jan 2005

Teaching Reading Effectively To Low Level Readers, Shawna Antonia Moore

All Graduate Projects

This project is the creation of a reading curriculum that has been developed for teaching reading effectively to low level readers. This curriculum provides explicit supplemental literacy instruction to accelerate students functioning below grade level. The curriculum was designed to supplement an already existing reading program. The main focus or theme, low-level readers becoming proficient at their appropriate level. To achieve success it is subdivided into the sections independent reading, read aloud, shared read, literature circles, guided reading instruction and family involvement.


Second Language Acquisition Through Reading, Comprehensible Input, Limited Grammar, And Cultural Study: A Handbook For The Secondary Language Teacher, Judith A. Willis-Nicolai Jan 2005

Second Language Acquisition Through Reading, Comprehensible Input, Limited Grammar, And Cultural Study: A Handbook For The Secondary Language Teacher, Judith A. Willis-Nicolai

All Graduate Projects

Second language practitioners share the goal that their students reach communicative competence in the target language. Recent research findings regarding learning, however, have spawned a debate that has driven teachers to rethink the efficacy of the traditional practice of direct instruction of language usage. The Standards for Foreign Language Learning, as well as research that examines second language acquisition, support content-based instructional strategies that employ sustained language use, cultural infusion, and contextual grammar instruction in a constructivist classroom. This project reviews that research, then synthesizes and applies the findings of the research through the development of units that implement strategies …


Toolkit For Assistance With The Emergent Reader, Theresa Joanne Phelps Jan 2005

Toolkit For Assistance With The Emergent Reader, Theresa Joanne Phelps

All Graduate Projects

Following the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Initiative in 2002, educators were faced with new obstacles never before experienced. Reading levels were at an all time low with nearly 70% of inner city fourth graders unable to read at a basic level on national reading tests. Because reading is the backbone of all academic areas, struggling readers need much more consideration and attention than they have needed before. The five main components of an effective reading program that are focused on in this project are vocabulary, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension and fluency. This toolkit contains assessments and strategies …


Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman Jan 2005

Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman

All Graduate Projects

The main focus of the project was to develop resources that will use music as a tool to improve literacy and support learning in third grade self contained classrooms. Research provides strong data connecting the relationship of music to academic achievement, language arts and improved test scores. This project provides prototype lesson plans that support grade level expectations and uses t4e Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements as a basis for the concepts being taught. A unit of lesson plans was developed that integrates music into the language arts. Worksheets, graphic organizers and a music book list were developed as …


Aiding Non-Reading Spanish Speaking Adults With Worksource Orientation And Usage Through Low-Level Spanish Reading Workshops, Amy Claussen Jan 2004

Aiding Non-Reading Spanish Speaking Adults With Worksource Orientation And Usage Through Low-Level Spanish Reading Workshops, Amy Claussen

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to teach adult Hispanic low-level readers to utilize the Worksource of Kittitas County and to improve their reading in their language of origin. Research shows that the transfer of knowledge from the primary language to a new second language is not possible without mastery in the primary language first.


Resources To Support And Expand Native American Kindergarteners Shared Reading Experiences Integrated With Open Court Unit 6, Stephanie Lynn Hull Jan 2004

Resources To Support And Expand Native American Kindergarteners Shared Reading Experiences Integrated With Open Court Unit 6, Stephanie Lynn Hull

All Graduate Projects

Relevant literature pertaining to shared reading, the benefits of shared reading, shared reading and the diverse learner and recommendations for the Native American learner was studied. The need for using culturally relevant material in the classroom and creating a positive learning environment for Native American students was discussed. A project utilizing shared reading strategies in the kindergarten classroom was created for teacher use in the Mount Adams School District. The project included the integration of culturally relevant stories with the objectives of Open Court Unit 6. The project also included a list of resources available from the Harrah Elementary School …


Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker Jan 2004

Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker

All Graduate Projects

The professional literature on the configuration of flexible reading groups for reading instrnction in a regular first grade classroom was examined to determine if flexible grouping yields any benefit to students who have been assessed to be below grade level in reading. The research showed support for the idea that flexible, fluid grouping is an accelerant to producing higher levels of reading improvement. As a result, an instructional handbook was created to aid educators in the implementation of flexible reading group instruction.


Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies For Native American Adolescents With Reading Difficulties, Mary C. La Velle Jan 2004

Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies For Native American Adolescents With Reading Difficulties, Mary C. La Velle

All Graduate Projects

The need for culturally appropriate reading comprehension pedagogy for Native American Adolescents was studied in light of multicultural philosophies. The historical trend to assimilate this group of students rather than acknowledge their unique contributions was an area targeted for improvement in this project. A need was established to target reading comprehension since the evidence points to a lack of explicit instruction in this area for middle school students. Strategies for promoting reading comprehension were identified in a teacher's manual that will be used in conjunction with the novel, Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech. Colville Tribal Elders discussed the comprehension …


Integration Of Keyboarding With Fourth Grade Writing, Kevin Russell Jan 2004

Integration Of Keyboarding With Fourth Grade Writing, Kevin Russell

All Graduate Projects

Keyboarding is an enhancing tool in the writing process of elementary school children in grades one through four. Studies show that learning computer keyboarding with appropriate software and instruction in the elementary grade level is a skill that is proactive towards student growth in their own writing skills. The development of supplemental keyboarding and writing activities and assessment rubrics are presented. A total of ten different technologically enhanced writing activities are presented for use in the classroom or a lab setting. The activities are complete with lesson plans, design templates, overviews of materials and assessments. The activities are designed to …


Beginning A Book Swap Room: A Quantitative And Qualitative Study, Mari Lynn Stangland Jan 2004

Beginning A Book Swap Room: A Quantitative And Qualitative Study, Mari Lynn Stangland

All Graduate Projects

Many children do not have adequate access to print. To rectify this in her school, the author created an ongoing Book Swap Room. The author documented the reading growth of students by looking at their reading test data in conjunction with records of the number of books traded in the Room. A family survey was used on three occasions to determine book ownership in the home of students, and a student survey was used to determine whether the Book Swap Room was achieving its desired goal of reinforcing book ownership. Though results were mixed and inconclusive, the author has seen …