Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

Increasing Third Grade Student Success By The Implementation Of Effective Writing Programs, Jill Evone Mansfield

All Graduate Projects

To increase student success in writing, different writing curriculums were explored. The purpose was to find a writing curriculum that will benefit students and increase test scores to meet district requirements. Three writing curriculums were researched, Interactive Writing, Writer's Workshop, and Conferencing. Lesson plans were developed for all three areas to implement in a classroom setting.

Language Acquisition In A Natural Environment, Lisa Marie Muchlinski

All Graduate Projects

The search for early childhood curricula to prepare children from lowincome families for success in school began with the opening of Head Start in 1965 and Project Follow Through in 1967. Since then, interest in Early Childhood Curriculum Models has come and gone as the result of shifting trends in society. The nation is currently experiencing a renewed awareness in this area. The examination of the natural environment in relation to language acquisition is of increasing interest, as language acquisition is the precursor to pre-literacy skills. The natural environment is explored and an examination of several Early Childhood Curricula is …

Recipe For Reading: A Handbook For Parents In A First Grade Classroom, Katherine R. Anderson

All Graduate Projects

A handbook, supported by research on parent involvement and reading was developed to help promote literacy in beginning readers. The handbook incorporates both parents and students as they are encouraged to participate in pre-assigned activities together. Each activity involves a different type of strategy designed to help their child become a successful reader.

The Importance Of Phonemic Awareness: Developing Phonemic Awareness In First Grade Students Through A Backpacking Program, Shannon Kaye Sanger

All Graduate Projects

The role of phonemic awareness in beginning reading acquisition was researched. Studies suggested that the presence of phonemic awareness in young children facilitates learning to read. Research also suggested a positive relationship between parental involvement and reading acquisition. A handbook containing activities designed for use in a backpacking program was created. The activities involve parents in developing phonemic awareness in their children. These activities are to be sent home with students and completed with the assistance of their parents. The handbook also contains assessments and instructions for teachers regarding the implementation of this backpacking program.

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.

An Individualized Spelling Program, Rashelle Noreen Pratz

All Graduate Projects

Spelling is a subject taught in school that is often in debate about the most effective way to teach it. There has been vast research about the correct way to teach spelling. Traditionally, spelling has been taught with word lists compiled of isolated words that students don't often use in everyday writing. Advocates for new ways to teach spelling suggest the use of high frequency words and words students will most often use in their writing experiences. This project report provides an individualized spelling program to fit the needs of each student, in which learning to spell plays a significant …

Identifying Phonological Awareness ?Outcomes In A Personal Setting, Julie A. Taylor

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create a procedures guide containing research-supported lessons that facilitate the acquisition of phonological awareness by students in a preschool or kindergarten classroom. An investigation of the related literature revealed aspects of phonological awareness that can be taught to preliterate children before the onset of formal training. The product of this investigation is a guide containing lessons and activities either extracted from or modeled after those field tested in many classrooms.

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

• …

Student Lessons To Enhance Reading Comprehension In The Social Studies Content Area, Dianne Marie Daily

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of lessons designed to increase reading comprehension of fifth grade students in the social studies content area. The lessons are developed based upon a review of research which indicates improved reading comprehension of expository text among students who are taught to use comprehension enhancing strategies. The activities include vocabulary development, text structure awareness, advance organizer usage, and study and reading guide strategy lessons. Additionally, a teacher's guide accompanies the lessons. These lessons are created specifically for use with the Civil War Unit entitled, "A Nation Divided," as found in Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill's 5th grade social studies text entitled, United …

Enhancing Oral Language Experiences In The Pre-Kindergarten Setting, Anna Kearny

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate how an oral language emphasis benefits pre-kindergarten children in preparation for entry into kindergarten. This study investigated the concept of enhancing oral language activities in the classroom. Growth in the cognitive, social, and emotional areas in pre-kindergarten children was noted.

Metacognitive Prereading Activities To Enhance Reading Comprehension, Katherine Laws

All Graduate Projects

This study investigated metacognitive prereading strategies content area teachers might utilize for process emphasis reading comprehension. The literature review showed the shift in reading comprehension instruction from a word based emphasis to an interactive process emphasis, described content area reading instruction and metacognition. A selection of metacognitive prereading activities was included for use by teachers in content area classrooms. Implications of using the activities were discussed.

Reluctant Readers: How To Motivate Them, Linda Adell Thomson

All Graduate Projects

Elementary age children without a desire to read may be reluctant readers. Many factors may contribute to this condition, and research indicates that parents and teachers need to provide ideas and activities to motivate the reluctant reader to enjoy pleasure reading. Reading activities and ideas are compiled to be used by parents and teachers to spark an interest in books in the reluctant reader.

The Benefits Of Reading Aloud To Children, Lori Ann Prince

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of reading aloud to children are studied. Observations indicate that the more young children are read to, the more they are motivated to become readers themselves. When young children are participating in the dialogue of a story that is being read aloud, their interest in that story increases dramatically. Using a variety of children's literature is an excellent supplement to the first grade curriculum and language activity lessons. Recommendations from the conclusions are presented.

Easing Into The Whole Language Approach, Katrina Lynn Qualls

All Graduate Projects

Literature about the basal reader approach and the whole language approach to teach reading was reviewed. The reviewed literature for this project supports using the best of both teaching methods with the goal being to teach more whole language-like. This could be done by starting with the basal series required by the school district and then easing into a more whole language approach as the individual teacher feels comfortable with it. The goal of the teacher should be to make language learning whole, purposeful, and meaningful. Activities based on these assertions about language were compiled.