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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Effects Of Assessment Preparation For The Improvement Of Course Placement And Student Satisfaction At Tacoma Community College, Kari Twogood Jan 2015

The Effects Of Assessment Preparation For The Improvement Of Course Placement And Student Satisfaction At Tacoma Community College, Kari Twogood

All Graduate Projects

There is significant focus on graduation rates and persistence of students in higher education. Lengthy sequences of developmental education have been shown to have detrimental effects on the persistence and graduation rates of students. This study reviewed the research that has been performed concerning persistence in developmental education. A survey of incoming or current students was conducted to study the effects of offering an ACCUPLACER® preparation workshop at Tacoma Community College. The survey collected 733 unduplicated responses. The data indicated that students feel more anxiety as a result of attending the workshop prior to taking the ACCUPLACER® assessment. The data …


Connecting With Families Of Poverty Handbook, Rebecca Christine Oren May 2014

Connecting With Families Of Poverty Handbook, Rebecca Christine Oren

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a handbook describing services available in the Sumner School District and researched based practices for elementary administrators and teachers to use when working with students and families of poverty. The McKinney-Vento Act in the United States protects families to ensure that all students have immediate access to school-linked services, including free breakfast and lunch, as well as transportation needs for getting to and from school. This handbook includes descriptions and contact information for local support organizations that administrators and teachers can additionally partner with to create supportive learning environments within their school …


Engaging Literacy Activities A Case Study, Tiffanie Dawn Meridth May 2013

Engaging Literacy Activities A Case Study, Tiffanie Dawn Meridth

All Graduate Projects

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington State has adopted Common Core Standards. The reading curriculum given to teachers most often reflects the appropriate grade level materials, but does not necessarily meet common core standards, engage students in learning, or prepare students to pass the end of year exams. In this study, engaging classroom literacy activities will be developed and aligned with learning targets associated with common core standards for sixth grade students. A variety of materials will be used for activities to include: novel sets, picture books, social studies curriculum, and additional teacher resources. It …


A Handbook Of Learner-Centered Projects To Suppliment Fifth Grade, Social Studies Curriculum, Charre Margaretha Burnum Jan 2013

A Handbook Of Learner-Centered Projects To Suppliment Fifth Grade, Social Studies Curriculum, Charre Margaretha Burnum

All Graduate Projects

This handbook has been created in an effort to assist teachers with establishing a hands-on, learner-centered environment. The purpose of this handbook is to assist educators with teaching fifth grade, Social Studies curriculum. This handbook will help teachers to organize fifth grade expectations into thematic, learner-centered, intrinsically motivated projects that will allow for a well-planned, teacher facilitated, and educational experience. This is more than just a how-to manual; it includes the theoretical and empirical basis thesis for using thematic, cross-curricular projects, to enhance student retention, motivation and independent learning.


Strengthening Student Achievement Through Family Learning Events, Jacquelin Ann Charlton Jan 2013

Strengthening Student Achievement Through Family Learning Events, Jacquelin Ann Charlton

All Graduate Projects

Families and educators both have a great influence on a student's academic success. When the relationship between home and school is strained, students miss out on some of that success (Harris & Goodall, 2008). Parental influence is an important factor in a child's education, but parental engagement in their learning is even more important (Ho Sui-Chu & Williams, 1996). However, some parents may feel unwelcome or unneeded at school (Williams, Williams, & Ullman, 2002), so it's the educator's responsibility to understand and encourage parents to become more engaged in student learning. Hosting family learning events at school can build a …


Kindergarten Diagnostic Toolkit, Mayra Yuridia Navarro Gomez Jun 2012

Kindergarten Diagnostic Toolkit, Mayra Yuridia Navarro Gomez

All Graduate Projects

This project was used for multiple purposes. The first was the identification of supplemental intervention activities in attempt to treat reading difficulties. The second was the creation of a Kindergarten Diagnostic Toolkit (KDT) as a means for early detection of learning deficits. Upon completion of beginning of the year assessments and use of the KDT checklist, instructional suggestions for remediation were made with a focus on explicit/systematic alphabetic, phonemic, and decoding skills. The need for such specific diagnostic assessment of early reading skills is further required with such high stakes testing requirements. Strategies specific to early literacy skills are connected …


Response To Intervention, Michelle Lynn Huguenin May 2012

Response To Intervention, Michelle Lynn Huguenin

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Response to Intervention (RTI) is a three-tiered program designed to deliver individualized intervention services early in a child's academic career. Prior to 2004, the education system had a "wait to fail" system in place for students. RTI is a model designed to change this by providing intervention before the child experiences academic failure. By providing students with this three-tiered intervention program, students may be less likely to be referred for special education services in the future (Boucher, n.d.). The goal of this project is to provide educators for grades K-4 with a manual of tips, tools, resources and strategies about …


A Toolkit For Including Students With Autism Into The General Education Classroom, Annika Winter Bibby May 2012

A Toolkit For Including Students With Autism Into The General Education Classroom, Annika Winter Bibby

All Graduate Projects

This project will benefit many teachers in the elementary setting, especially those working in a school classroom with students with autism. This toolkit is designed to inform teachers about autism, introduce resources about autism and effective teaching strategies and to provide tools to accommodate and support students with autism in the general education setting. Teachers need extra training and instruction in the area of inclusion. They often feel unprepared and under supported when dealing with students with autism in their classroom. In this toolkit, teachers will find resources, learning strategies and will acquire tools for successful integration in their classroom. …


A Substitute Teacher’S Guide: Helpful Resources And Information To Use In The Classroom, Kara Joanne Knutson Jan 2012

A Substitute Teacher’S Guide: Helpful Resources And Information To Use In The Classroom, Kara Joanne Knutson

All Graduate Projects

Teachers are absent from the classroom more often today than in the past, giving substitute teachers an essential part in the education system. Research shows that substitutes are not always adequately prepared to teach, and are sometimes left with inadequate lesson plans, or none at all (Damle, 2009). When the regular teacher is absent, it is beneficial to have a guide with strategies and activities to utilize if needed. This project contains a guide for substitutes to use for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, which includes valuable teaching techniques, first aid tips, and individualized educational activities geared towards each …


Rubrics In Use As An Assessment Tool For Elementary Physical Education, Megan Marie Brown Dec 2011

Rubrics In Use As An Assessment Tool For Elementary Physical Education, Megan Marie Brown

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There are many health related benefits of participating in regular physical activity. A well-designed elementary physical education program will promote lifetime physical activity that may reduce the risk of disease. In implementing a quality curriculum for physical education, educators need to take in to account the standards when deciding the direction for their curriculum (NASPE, 2005). According to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (2008), physical education includes curriculum, instruction and assessment all implemented together. This project addresses the need for meaningful and convenient assessment tools.


Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen May 2011

Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a guide for elementary teachers to improve writing strategies and motivation of boys. Nationally, boys are more likely than girls to struggle with writing in the elementary classroom. Teachers need to understand the differences that boys and girls bring to their classroom and develop strategies and lessons that make writing more inviting to boys. The project discusses current research about why boys are more likely to struggle than girls, because of innate differences in the brain, the classroom arrangement, and issues of motivation. It also provides a guide of activities and strategies …


K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters Jan 2011

K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters

All Graduate Projects

The American Library Association (ALA) has published standards of skills students need in the 21st century. Washington state librarians use these standards as a foundation for their curriculum. The Catholic School Librarian Association (CSLA) has adopted these standards to create grade level expectations. Using the standards published by the American Library Association and the Catholic School Librarians, this project is a curriculum map, outlining skills to be taught chronologically throughout the academic year for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Also included is a crosswalk identifying the local, state, and professional standards for each skill listed on the curriculum map. The …


Effective Professional Development Practices For Adult Educators, Jessica Lureen Mcgee Jan 2011

Effective Professional Development Practices For Adult Educators, Jessica Lureen Mcgee

All Graduate Projects

Professional development has evolved from a one day workshop that is isolated from the school setting, into a process that is on-going based at the school site. In order for professional development to be effective in the school environment, administrators need to take adult learners' needs into account when planning training. Professional development needs to be ongoing in the school setting, meeting the needs of the adult learners and evaluated by its effects on student achievement. The administrator is an instructional leader who provides support for staff to continue their growth. This handbook will provide administrators with resources to assist …


A Reading Comprehension Guide Book For Upper Elementary School Students, Kaley Repp Jul 2010

A Reading Comprehension Guide Book For Upper Elementary School Students, Kaley Repp

All Graduate Projects

This is an examination into the reading skills students need to help him/her comprehend reading. This project identifies 18 strategies students use when comprehending texts and then places those 18 strategies into a guide book. The 18 strategies are presented with lessons, teacher prompts, and literature for teachers to use with students who need additional reading support. This guide book has not been tested for effectiveness among elementary school students, however, the strategies are research based and have been identified as effective for student success in comprehension.


Technology In The Classroom An Educator’S Guide To Technology & Learning, Joseph Lawrence Bishop Jul 2010

Technology In The Classroom An Educator’S Guide To Technology & Learning, Joseph Lawrence Bishop

All Graduate Projects

The need for an educational technology manual was researched. Based on research a resource handbook for understanding and using technology in the classroom was in demand. In order to meet the demand for a technology training guide for teachers, a detailed handbook was created. The handbook includes information on the following aspects of educational technology; desktop computers, laptop computers, miniature computing, visual technologies, educational software, accessibility software, the Internet, video technology, and WebQuests. The handbook is intended to be used as a technology resource for teachers K-12 in any State/Country.


Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe Jun 2010

Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to help teachers integrate reading differentiation into the classroom and thus help students with their varied needs in learning to read. Differentiation of instruction is valuable in all areas, particularly in teaching reading. This project emphasizes that it is essential that teachers make reading skills and content accessible to all students. My purpose is to show the importance of differentiated reading instruction and to provide information and resources for teachers and parents.


A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa Jun 2010

A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa

All Graduate Projects

The need for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum for Washington State was researched. Based on research a resource workbook for CAD/CAM/CNC was in demand. In order to meet the demand for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum and bridge the gap between the state standards, drafting frameworks, STEM curriculum, increased focus on implementation within multiple disciplines, providing a starting point for teachers who want to use CNC machinery in their program, and prepare students for quality jobs and careers related to CAD/CAM/CNC, a workbook was created. The workbook includes 27 hands-on lessons and projects, student handouts, applied STEM problems and activities, tutorials, drafting standards, state math standards, …


A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel May 2010

A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a differentiated unit of instruction for eleventh grade United States History students as a pilot for the creation of a differentiated curriculum in U.S. History. This unit will examine the relationship between instructional strategies utilized and the impact upon student achievement. This unit will systematically plan instruction that meets the needs of an academically diverse group of students by honoring each student's learning needs and maximizing each student's learning capacity.


Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez May 2010

Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez

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The high population of English Language Learners (ELL) in the United States has impacted the educational system. Accountability for meeting high stakes tests and state standards has been a constant pressure for many schools that have a high concentration of ELL. School districts have adopted different programs to meet the needs of ELL. These programs focus on making academic content more relevant and comprehensible so students can meet state standards. One of the programs that has proven to be successful in meeting ELL needs is dual language. However, a challenge for many dual language programs that target English and Spanish …


Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth May 2010

Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to justify the author's job as an instructional coach. The author was motivated by her own need to discover what an instructional coach was and how an instructional coach positively affects teacher instruction and student achievement. This project includes ideas and tools that beginning instructional coaches can use with teachers in an elementary school setting. A review of the literature was included on the effects of coaching on teacher efficacy and the effects teachers and coaches have on student achievement. This project examined the roles of the instructional coach and it provides a guide …


The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson May 2010

The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson

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This project looks at obesity and undernourishment in American students. The project discusses the importance of physical education and nutrition education and the lack there of in the 21st Century. Research indicates current legislative mandates involving standardized testing and a stress on core academics, changing familial and societal structures and evolving food technology have helped lead to the obesity epidemic in the United States. The project also looks at different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and the impact nutrition and overall health plays in these groups. The project includes a nutrition curriculum that is designed to be used in a ninth …


“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart May 2010

“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart

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The purpose of the Prepared Jell Well Project is to create user friendly, one page templates that maintain fidelity to the "Read Well' reading program and follow the research based guidelines of the National Reading Panel, No child Left Behind, and Reading First. This intervention tool will enable teachers to teach target goals to mastery and therefore serve as a preventative model. The Prepared Jell Well tool will enhance teaching the "Read Well" curriculum using Direct Instruction methods. The Prepared Jell Well provides materials for pre-teaching and re-teaching the focus skills of the First grade reading program. The materials are …


Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino May 2010

Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a yearlong unit for social studies that any teacher could pick up and implement into their classroom. It was designed using second grade standards, but can be modified for use in other grade levels. The units are integrated into all subject areas with the goal of teaching students about the community in which they live. It also was designed to create in the classroom an understanding of cultures different from their own. This will create a deeper understanding and awareness of diverse populations and their differences. The instruction of social studies education …


Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell May 2010

Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell

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In 2009, Washington State issued a new set of science standards. These new standards focus on building scientific literacy. With the emphasis now on scientific literacy rather than the traditional emphasis on fact memorization, many teachers must now find new ways to teach their science programs that reinforce understanding in science concepts rather than simple fact recollection. A science program that focuses on the constructivist learning philosophy and that offers students "hands on" activities as well as teacher led demonstrations is offered here to fill the role as an example of one of these new programs.


Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar Apr 2010

Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar

All Graduate Projects

Looping is the practice of a teacher staying with the same group of students for two or three years. The paper discusses the effects that looping has on the relationships teachers form with students and families. An overview of the history of looping is followed by the benefits that looping provides for students, families and teachers. The project is a guide for teacher and schools that want to implement looping. The project includes ways to organize looping classrooms, student selection and areas to be mindful of.


Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter Mar 2010

Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter

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Peer coaching models were studied to see if they improved teachers' delivery of instruction, and if they had a significant impact on student achievement. The research showed that peer coaching programs were successful when they were tied to a school's overall vision and mission, led by a strong principal, and kept separate from evaluation. Peer coaching was found to increase the accurate use of skills that teachers learned through professional development; however there was no evidence to show that peer coaching alone significantly effects student achievement.


The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle Aug 2009

The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle

All Graduate Projects

In education, teachers are seeing more impoverished students than ever before. With that understanding, teachers need to know how to identify and assist these students so that they are successful in school. The War on Poverty has been going on for years, and with a failing economy, teachers are seeing more impoverished students in their classrooms. To counteract this situation, teachers will be shown a pamphlet, power point presentation, and a workshop on poverty which will help show teachers what their students may be experiencing when away from school. In addition, the pamphlet will provide information of what to look …


Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore Aug 2009

Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore

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The need for childhood education was studied and, based upon experiences garnered as a Kindergarten teacher, Cub Club was created and implemented in order to begin to reduce the achievement gap. The program was designed to educate parents about the importance of family involvement and the benefits, lasting into adulthood, of working with children at home during their early years of learning.


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

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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. …


Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens Jul 2009

Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens

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Current research shows phonological awareness plays an important role in a kindergarten student's ability to read. Phonological awareness (PA) is identifying and manipulating parts of spoken language, such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes, and rhyming. Recent research also indicates a kindergartener's level of phonological awareness is connected to his or her ability to decode words, recognize vocabulary and comprehend text. Students lacking a sense of phonological awareness struggle learning to read. The good news is that kindergarteners' phonological awareness can improve with 10-15 minutes of focused instruction each day. This project guides kindergarten teachers through phonological awareness listening activities, …