Education Commons^™

Writing Portfolios In Grades Three And Four, Debra A. Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The concept of assessment is broadening in some exciting ways. Assessment may include descriptive or qualitative techniques, such as portfolios. Portfolios have the potential to relate instruction and assessment more closely.

Writing portfolio implementation in a third and fourth grade classroom is discussed.Three children with different abilities were focused on as they. developed their portfolios with the support of their teacher. Through conferences with their teacher, the students selected writing exhibits for their portfolios, discussed their progress and instructional needs, and then set future goals for writing.

An Integrated Science Unit : Ants, Julia Dillehay

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrated language arts and the science areas. A print-rich environment extended content and offered models of language, thus energizing children to become actively involved in the study. Many literature genres and.related expressive activities provided children with many options for learning experiences. The focus for this science unit for grade two was on ants. A print-rich environment was provided along with computer software and access to information on the internet.

A Literature-Based Thematic Unit For A Multi-Age Classroom : Friendship, Leslie Baxter

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based thematic unit, friendship, has been developed for a multi-age classroom (grades three and four). This thematic unit can contribute to a major goal of a multi-age classroom: to provide students with a learning community in which they can find meaningful learning experiences, thus strengthening their personal-social and thinking-language abilities. The strands for the unit not only included friendship among peers, but also they extended the horizons of friendship to young children through mentoring, to peers at a distance through pen pals, and to the elderly through visitations to a retirement home.

In developing a print-rich learning environment for …

Implementing A Writing Program In Grade Two, Denise A. Sasse

Graduate Research Papers

Writing is a process to create meaning. This process consists of many components: prewriting, drafting, redrafting, editing, and publishing. Children need the following support measures: oral storytelling, genuine audiences, teacher modeling, literature experiences, the reading-writing connection, time to write, and emphasis on the use of one's own voice. The connection of instruction and assessment is another important aspect of a children's writing program. The following qualitative assessment techniques provide this connection: journaling, student-teacher conferences, checklists, and portfolios.

A Literature Base To Promote Peer Discussion Groups In A Third-Grade Reading Program, Angela L. Seifert

Graduate Research Papers

A decided trend in the literature-based reading program movement in the elementary school is the discussion of ideas that have been generated during the reading process. These interactions with peers and teachers can assist children in constructing meaning from the text and in considering alternative interpretations of the text, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

To extend discussion in a third-grade classroom, an annotated list of picture books to accompany some of the designated themes of the reading program have been developed. An example teacher-directed lesson to promote inference-making through discussion is also included.

Mentoring To Foster Children's Emerging Literacy, Janet K. Archer

Graduate Research Papers

Many children benefit from additional association with supportive adults at school. Mentoring programs are one way of providing support. Mentors can assist in fostering children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities.

A brochure with basic guidelines for mentors has been developed. It is intended as a reference source with suggestions for mentoring procedures and language activities.

Poetry Experiences Across The Fourth-Grade Curriculum, Linda M. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The genre of poetry can.foster children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities. Poetry offers much pleasure for children, insight into their lives' and those of others, and models for their expression.

When teachers understand children's poetry preferences and ways to present this genre, it can add another dimension across the curriculum. Poetry experiences reported m this article were presented incidentally and in the social studies program of a fourth-grade classroom. Webbing conducted to identify important concepts in a social studies unit supported the fourth-graders poetry writing. Poetry forms were taught for children to use as structures for their writing.

Writers Workshops In A Second Grade Classroom, Marilyn M. Brown

Graduate Research Papers

A writers workshop is a community of writers who work together to promote the thinking, language, and specifically writing abilities of its members. Writers are encouraged to take risks and engage in print in purposeful ways. The emphasis of writers workshop is creating meaning. When writers realize that they are in charge of their writing, it becomes meaningful and authentic.

This discussion describes the implementation of writers workshops in a second grade classroom. The writing development of three students was focused on in this implementation stage. The students chosen represented a range of abilities and backgrounds.