Education Commons^™

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.

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 …

Early Interventions In Learning To Read, Kathleen Duax

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review is to provide an insight into the world of creating readers; people who love to read and want to read. The review presents information about early interventions by parents and teachers that can increase a child's ability to learn to read. The intent is to help parents and teachers become more aware of the dimensions of literacy, to allow them to become more informed about literacy and the importance of early interventions, and to use this information in ways that can help children become readers.

The Unit Letter : A Strategy For Reconciling Explicit Instruction And Whole Language, Lucy Butin Ashby

Graduate Research Papers

Though differences between whole language and explicit instruction theories and research may seem irreconcilable, a growing body of research advocates an integration of the two. Combining the meaning-filled and student-empowering environment of whole language with needs-based explicit instruction is the solution most highly recommended. The unit letter activity is a teaching strategy for elementary-aged students which blends explicit instruction and whole language approaches. The activity involves student interaction with a thematic-related letter. The activity's purposes are two-fold : to convey information related to a theme chosen by the students, and to provide an authentic context for learning and practicing reading …

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 …

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.

The Home-School Partnership, Sue W. Mcdonald

Graduate Research Papers

This school-home literacy project reaffirms the notion that the school and home working together greatly benefits children. The parents in the project believed the partnership encouraged them to make time each day to be involved in their child's literacy experiences. From this consistent scheduling of experiences, the parents were able to observe the benefits of the partnership as their children grew in reading and writing abilities. Parents also commented on the difficulty of locating books that were appropriate for their children's reading level. A bibliography of predictable stories should be provided to the parents.

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. …

Family Storybook Reading, Judith L. Ray

Graduate Research Papers

The value of storybook reading in fostering emergent literacy is well documented. I am confident through this project that the amount and quality of storybook reading conducted in the homes will be increased and that it will have a positive effect on the students ' academic growth at school and their love of books and reading. I am also looking forward to the partnership between home and school this project will encourage. By working together as a team, we will be able to maximize the benefits in our efforts to meet the needs of each child in my class. My …

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 …

Factors That Influence Independent Reading Habits, Janice Rose Rosauer

Graduate Research Papers

As our society begins to look for ways to raise the literacy level in the United States the focus is centered on our schools and helping students become life long readers. Questions have arisen about why some students have developed an aversion to reading at early ages and why some students who have strong reading skills choose not to read on a regular basis. The purpose of this research was to explore upper elementary students' attitudes about reading and explore different factors that influence these students to develop the motivation to engage in independent reading.

Parents as well as the …

Backpacking To Reading Success : Parents And Teachers Working Together To Promote Literacy Development, Anita M. Ott

Graduate Research Papers

Literature has stressed the importance of reading at home to guide achievement in reading (Paul, 1996, Nichols, 1991, Anderson, Wilson & Fielding, 1988, Henderson, 1988, and Hewison and Tizard, 1980). However the pace of society in the United States today has made it difficult for families to make time for reading at home. In addition some families do not know the importance of reading at home, or have not made reading a priority.

This project provides a suggested home reading program to foster literacy development in elementary-aged students. Four major components are addressed: a) identifying a continuum of literacy development, …

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 …