Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

A Curricular Design For Integrating Writing With Science: A Benchmark Handbook Approach, Marci Jayne Gano

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to create an integrated science and writing benchmark handbook. Review of the literature, Washington State Academic Learning Requirements for science and writing, published scie.nce lessons, and teacher's guides were utilized. Classroom teachers, district and school science and writing goals were consulted in the creation of this project. The activities presented in all five units were designed to provide hands-on experience in both science and writing. Possible assessment options are also provided.

Phonological Awareness Activities For The Elementary Classroom, Susan Diane Au

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a manual for teachers to guide decision making about how and when to include phonological awareness instruction in the elementary classroom. The manual includes assessments and sample activities to facilitate acquisition of phonological awareness. Activities were designed based on research which suggests that phonological awareness be taught in the following order: rhymes & alliteration, oddity tasks, blend & split syllables, phonological segmentation, and phoneme manipulation. Many of the activities were field tested with a class of 19 first graders in the last quarter of the school year.

Effective Homework For Primary Students: A Handbook For Parents And Teachers, Gillian Buchanan

All Graduate Projects

After serving on a committee to create a homework policy for my school, I found that both teachers and parents need clarification about issues surrounding homework. I discovered many misconceptions about the effects of homework on student learning, and saw a need to explain these. I compiled research on the history of homework, and the main purpose of homework. As well, I gathered information to understand the positive and negative effects of homework, and homework at the elementary level compared to middle and high school. I found research on guidelines for parents, teachers, schools, and districts. Based on the research, …

A Model Continuous Learning Progress Program Designed For K-6 Students In Easton School District #28, Sara J. Mccoy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model continuous learning progress program, aligned with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements designed specifically for elementary students, grades kindergarten through sixth grade in Easton School District 28, Easton, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature concerning serving students in nongraded continuous progress learning programs were reviewed, and assisted in the development of student profiles, student learning plans, learning continuums, and student assessment portfolios.

A Model School Volunteer Program For Daniel Elementary School, Kent, Washington, School District, Scott Wells Abernathy

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a volunteer work force model for an elementary school serving preschool through sixth grade students. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research regarding school volunteer programs was examined; information and materials from selected existing elementary school volunteer programs was obtained and analyzed; additionally school staff, administrators, parents, and community members were polled regarding volunteerism. The model was designed for implementation at George T. Daniel Elementary in the Kent, Washington, School District.

Literature And Writing Connections With Mathematics In A First Grade Classroom, Linda Joan Sheeler Sorenson

All Graduate Projects

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standard #2, communication in mathematics, is addressed. The benefits of integrating writing and the use of children's literature in mathematics are studied. Writing strategies and an annotated bibliography of children's literature that address instruction of first grade mathematics outcomes prescribed by the Yakima (WA) School District are developed. Recommendations for implementing the project are given.

Regrouping For Instruction In Reading: Effective Practices, Leslie Jane Rogers

All Graduate Projects

It is the intent of this project to create a handbook providing information about a plan for regrouping for instruction in reading at Long Beach Elementary School. It will be presented to parents, teachers and administrators at workshops concerning regrouping for instruction in reading. The handbook will provide practical applications of curricular adaptation and instructional techniques that may be used to facilitate improvement in reading for students. The policies and procedures described in the manual will provide the following information:

• Assessment

• Placement

• Transitions

• Pace and Skill Levels

• Curricular Adaptations

• Teacher Collaboration and Consultation

• …

A Case Study: Effects Of Tutoring On The Sight Word Vocabulary Of A Nonreader, Paul L. Coppin

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide remedial instruction in reading to a ten year old nonreading student enrolled in the Ellensburg School District and to develop a case study that outlined the diagnostic and remedial procedures used with the subject. The case study approach was chosen as a way to document the progress of a single student whose initial diagnosis was as a nonreader. Because the initial diagnosis indicated a need to establish a sight word vocabulary, early instructional methods focused on this area.

A Model That Integrates Experimental Social Studies, English, And Reading Curriculum For Sixth Graders, Cecilia Ann Mahre

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a model integrated, experiential social studies, English, and reading curriculum that would help sixth grade students to relate and apply school studies to real-life/real-world situations. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature on experiential learning, integrated/interdisciplinary curriculum, the multiple intelligences, and service-learning were reviewed. Additionally, selected businesses throughout the greater Ellensburg area were invited to participate in a partnership to provide experiential learning sites for students. Finally, unit overviews, student learning objectives, performance criteria, learning activities, teaching strategies, and instructional materials were adapted and developed.

Inclusion: A Case Study At Coe Elementray School, Loretta L. Kimball

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to evaluate perceptions of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of inclusion on the achievement of special needs students and to use this information to increase effectiveness in inclusion programs through the design and implementation of specific teaching strategies. To accomplish this purpose, current literature and research related to inclusion was reviewed. The writer examined how special needs and regular education students are affected and analyzed the variables, strategies and programs which increase effectiveness. The project that follows is a case study of what has been done in the past, what attitudes and perceptions exist and …

A Study Skills Course For Sixth Grade Students, Joseph M. France

All Graduate Projects

This project was designed for the sixth grade classes at North Tapps Middle School in the Dieringer School district, Sumner Washington. It was designed as an exploratory class and will last one quarter or 45 school days. All sixth grade students will participate in this class during one quarter of the year. This course is broken into 7 units, with each unit being approximately five school days. The units are: 1) Time Management, 2) Study Habits Awareness, 3) SQ4R, 4) Skimming and Scanning, 5) Outlining and Note Taking, 6) Following Directions, Using Context Clues, and Dictionary Skills, and 7) Test …

Selected Attempts To Organize Elementary Schools For Individualizing Instruction, Edwin W. Morgan

Graduate Student Research Papers

Many programs, some old and some new, are finding their way into the elementary school for the purpose of individualizing instruction. As more research is completed in the areas of individual differences, more experimentation and change are the results. Attempts to individualize instruction seem to fall into two categories. The organization and structure of schools and school programs is one area where changes have been made, based on research, to better serve the individual. The methods used by teachers, working within certain organizational patterns is another attempt to promote the well being of the individual. It may be said that …

A Discussion Of The Merits Of Grouping Youngsters In The Elementary School, Irving Leo O'Grady

Graduate Student Research Papers

One of the major problems that confronts many teachers is the wide range of ability in any given classroom. How is a teacher going to meet the needs of all the children who are different in so many ways? For many years teachers have tried various means of educating the entire class to the satisfaction of the pupil, parent, teacher, and administrator. The principle that should be first in the minds of all educators is that optimum growth of the pupil is the schoolst primary objective. Schools are a place of learning where children may have success in their school …