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University Of Northern Iowa Today, V91n1, Winter 2007, University Of Northern Iowa Alumni Association

UNI Today

Inside This Issue:
-- New home, old tradition
-- Contents
-- A Teacher's Gift
-- A focus on positive impact
-- From history major to financial entrepreneur
-- Got butter?
-- On Ice
-- Helping others get "the good start"
-- A Season to Remember for Panther Volleyball
-- Teaching is doing in the Iowa Writing Project
-- Groundbreaking for HPC
-- Donors Set Records
-- John Deere helps fund master's startup
-- Cooperative Education & Internship Program a "certified" success for 30 years
-- Class Notes
-- UNIAA brings two new staffers on board
-- PBS to air Tallgrass …

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Weather Factors Influencing Winter Roosts Of American Crows In Central Iowa, Joshua D. Obrecht, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We investigated the effects of season and weather on the winter roosting behavior of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in central Iowa from January through March 2006. The peak number of birds recorded at a roost in Ames, Story County was 9,000+ in early February, and the number of individuals entering the roost decreased through February and March. Crows tended to enter the roost later in the day as winter neared completion. High wind speed and low light intensity caused individual to enter the roost earlier in the day. Temperature did not affect arrival time of crows. Wind speed, light intensity, …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Iowa Academy Of Science 119th Annual Meeting [2007]: Advance Program, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2007 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Panther Baseball 2007 Media Guide, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--Media Information
--Alphabetical Roster
--Numerical Roster
--Covering the Panthers
--The University
--UNI Coaching Staff
--2007 UNI Panthers
--2006 in Review
--Records
--Opponents
--UNI Baseball

Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (Siop) : A Model For English Language Learners, Edith L. Bakley

Graduate Research Papers

With so many second language learners entering our public schools, it is imperative that educators prepare themselves with training and strategies to best meet the needs of these students. The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, or SIOP Model, has been developed for the purpose of instructing English Language Learners (ELL) in mainstream classrooms and bestow effective methods for teaching all content areas, while promoting fluency of the English language. In this literature review, the components involved in the SIOP Model will be examined as well as the effects it has on second language learners and their ability with language fluency.

Unibusiness: The Alumni Magazine Of The College Of Business Administration University Of Northern Iowa, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Business Administration.

UNIBiz

Inside This Issue:
-- Message from the Dean ••• 1
-- The Team Behind the Team ••• 2
-- Security You Can Bank On ••• 4
-- Staying Safe Online ••• 5
-- An Entrepreneurial Spirit •• 6
-- Celebrating Student Excellence ••• 8
-- Faculty Awards and Service ••• 10
-- New Faculty ••• 12
-- Annual Report on Giving ••• 14
-- Donor Spotlights ••• 16
-- Focus on Alumni ••• 20
-- Alumni in Residence ••• 24
-- UNIBusiness International ••• 25
-- A World of Opportunities ••• 26
-- An Inside Look at Global Business ••• …

Excellence In Education, Winter 2007-08, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Education

Excellence in Education

Inside this issue:

-- Message from the Dean

-- UNI Services as Catalyst for Elite Training Center

-- Desire to Teach Motivates 2+2 Graduates

--$5.5 million request for Mathematics/Science Education initiative receives Regents' support

-- High School Student Math/Science Summit launched at UNI

-- Science/Math Summer Enrichment for K-5 students

-- NPPS marks 13 years of: Keeping Children Safe

-- CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System)

-- Faculty, students offer hands-on community engagement

-- UNI professor help write College Board Standards

-- Using non-fiction to develop elementary students' measurement sense

-- Stories to help citizen understanding

-- Iowa Writing Project format …

2007 Panther Football Media Guide, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--One of FCS's Best --1
--Quick Facts --2
--UNI Administrations --4
--Director of Athletics --5
--Athletic Department Staff --6
--Panther Head Coaches --7
--Traditions --8
--Academics --9
--Strength & Conditioning --10
--Sports Medicine --11
--Facilities --12-13
--UNI-Dome Quick Facts --14
--UNI-Dome Records --14
--Quick Look --16
--A Closer Look --16
--Preseason Depth Chart --17
--Alphabetical Roster --18
--Numerical Roster --19
--2007 Preview --20-22
--Head Coach Mark Farley --24-27
--The Farley File --25
--Farley vs. All Opponents --26
--What Others are Saying About Coach Farley --27
--Associate Head Coach Bill Salmon --28
--Assistant Coach Mario Verduzco --29
--Assistant Coach Rick …

Preservice Elementary Teachers Increase Descriptive Science Vocabulary By Making Descriptive Adjective Object Boxes, Audrey C. Rule, S. Crisafulli, H. Decare, T. Deleo, K. Eastman, E. Farrell, J. Geblein, C. Gioia, A. Joyce, Kaylea M. Killian, K. Knoop, A. Larocca, K. Meyer, J. Miller, V. Roth, J. Throo, J. Van Arsdale, M. Walker

Open Educational Resources

Descriptive vocabulary is needed for communication and mental processing of science observations. Elementary preservice teachers in a science methods class at a mid-sized public college in central New York State increased their descriptive vocabularies through a course assignment of making a descriptive adjective object box. This teaching material consists of a set of theme-related objects with corresponding cards housed in a box. The front of each card lists four descriptive adjectives that describe physical observations of one of the objects, with an image of the object on the reverse for self-checking. The student reads these descriptive words and attempts to …

Counting Pill Combinations, David R. Duncan, Bonnie H. Litwiller

Faculty Work

Teachers are always on the lookout for problems which combine simple computation and related analyses. We shall present a medication setting which involves these elements.

Playing Games To Build Understanding, Michele Carnahan, Bridgette Stevens

Faculty Work

I am fortunate. I teach from Investigations in Number, Data, and Space [TERC] (1996), a standards-based elementary mathematics curriculum. My evolution from teaching in a traditional teacher-centered approach to one that supports a student-centered community of learners has been a slow and gradual process during the past six years of teaching. Fortunately, through experience, professional development, and graduate level courses, I have come to appreciate the conceptual understanding students acquire from learning mathematics via a student-centered approach and how playing games is an effective instructional strategy for learning mathematics. As intended by the authors of Investigations and envisioned by the …

Assessment Of The Source And Transformation Of Nitrate In The Cedar River Watershed By Using Stable Isotopes Of Nitrogen, Sushil Gautam

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Stable isotopes of nitrogen were used to assess the source and fate of nitrate in the Cedar River Watershed, Iowa. Ground water samples from 20 private wells and surface water samples from 10 sites in the Cedar River and its tributaries were collected. A total of 90 samples were collected during the growing season from May through September 2006. In 35% of the wells, nitrate concentration exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 45 mg/1 (as NO3-) for drinking purposes. Eight (8) out of 10 samples exceeded MCL for nitrate in the first set of …

Practice What You Preach : A Look At Retention Research And Classroom Practice, Angela R. Carpenter

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examines the subject of grade level retention. A comprehensive overview of the history, trends, and current practices involving retention will provide the background to the research base. Looking at the common reasons students are retained and the short and long-term effects of retention decisions will help answer the question of whether retention research guides school practice. Alternative solutions that can be implemented in lieu of grade level retention or social promotion practices will also be addressed. The majority of grade level retention and social promotion researchers found the practices of retention and social promotion to be unfavorable. …

Motivation For Leisure Reading : A Model Camp Adventure Curriculum, Nicole Beth Geopfert

Graduate Research Papers

Much research has consistently revealed that the percentage of young children choosing to engage in leisure reading is declining. Instead, potential young readers are consumed many other forms of leisure activity such as video games, Internet, computer games, movies, and more. To become lifelong learners, children ought to be motivated to read. The questions explored in this paper are: what are the obstacles to developing avid independent readers and how can we help young children become engaged, recreational readers? This paper presents a review of the literature on reading motivation, reading attitude, and the gender gap in reading.

The information …

Building Relationships To Support Self-Regulation, Sherice Hetrick-Ortman

Graduate Research Papers

Discouraged students come to school unable to learn. Emotional and social factors affect their intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness and place them at high risk for school failure. This paper discusses the application of strategies influenced by; sociomoral atmosphere, trust development, self regulation, emotional intelligence, attachment theory, and cultural awareness.

The research addresses the question: Will emotionally discouraged children be able to regulate their emotions through positive relationship building with the classroom teacher? The results contribute to our knowledge of how to support children's ability to regulate themselves in the absence of external devices.

An Evaluation Of The Relationship Between Physical Fitness Measures And Academic Achievement, George Victor Harnick

Graduate Research Papers

Over the past several years, physical education has often been forced aside in the wake of increased emphasis on improvements to academic performance in the core areas of study such as science, math, and reading. This stems from the implementation of the Title II Elementary and Secondary Education Act (a.k.a. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) and the expectation that all students in schools funded by the federal government will be "proficient" in these core subjects by the year 2014 (United States Department of Education, 2007). With this law in effect, many school districts are being forced to increase …

Incorporating Readings Outside Of The Textbook Into A High School Science Curriculum, Melissa Hesner

Graduate Research Papers

The use of trade books, such as nonfiction and storybooks, is often used in elementary classrooms as instructional tools for learning content. For many reasons. this strategy is neglected at the secondary level where textbooks remain the dominant, if only reading resource for students. The need to incorporate into instruction meaningful reading experiences beyond the textbook is important for developing students' scientific literacy and reading skills. This project explains the introduction of reading resources outside of the textbook, perceived results of the implementation, and selections for future reading in a high school physical science curriculum.

National Board Of Teaching Standards Portfolio Option, Nathan Oswald

Graduate Research Papers

Next March, I am planning to send in a completed portfolio to demonstrate that I am a Nationally Board Certified teacher. So far, I have completed three of the four entries that are required to become certified. This process has been challenging and taken a considerable amount of time, but it has given me the opportunity to reflect on my teaching practice. And therefore it has helped to make me a better teacher, whom is looked up to by students and colleagues.

Discovering Dna, Melisa Reilly

Graduate Research Papers

Three years ago I was approached by a member of the Upward Bound Staff informing me that they needed a Biology teacher for there summer program. At that time I was a substitute teacher and needed a pay check for the summer. Since I had wonderful prior experience tutoring and mentoring for the program I applied and got the job. The problem I faced was that there was no set curriculum. Although it allows for a lot of freedom, it was overwhelming to me as a new teacher.

The Effects Of Using Music And Movement To Enhance Learning, Lisa L. Snitker

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reviews the effects of using music and movement to enhance learning in early childhood years and in the elementary classroom. Information includes Howard Gardner's musical and bodily-kinesthetic intelligences, the effects of music on brain development in infants and children, studies in the effects of music on spatial-temporal reasoning, how music affects learning in the early childhood and primary years, and the effects of music on special learners. Appropriate for parents, caregivers, and educators, this review provides the basis for incorporating music into everyday early childhood and classroom experiences.

Using Distance Education To Deliver English Instruction In Indonesia, Muhammad Yaumi

Graduate Research Papers

This paper highlights using distance education to support students in learning English in· Indonesia. The purpose is to discuss using distance education for English instruction in Indonesia, the cultural uniqueness of Indonesian students' learning styles, and a model of distance education to deliver English instruction in Indonesia. Library research involved resources relating to distance education and teaching English in the Indonesian culture. This research involved a variety of print references, electronic databases and a variety of Web resources. Research indicated that distance educat10n in Indonesia has been implemented since the 1950s. The developmental history of distance education in Indonesia was …

Year Round Schooling, Rita Danielle Fiala

Graduate Research Papers

Research investigating the.effects of year-round schooling on student academic achievement is reviewed in this paper. Traditional, balanced and multi-track calendars are explored and compared. Benefits and drawbacks of a balanced calendar and multi-track calendars are discussed. It is recommended that more long-term research should be conducted on alternative calendars. However, the data that is present suggests that the benefits of a balanced calendar are more prevalent than the traditional calendar.

Quartz Grain Surface Textures As Indicators Of Infilling Processes And Depositional Environments Associated With Ice-Wedge Casts In Northeast Iowa, Michael Loux

Honors Program Theses

Ice-wedge casts and polygonal patterned ground are common features of the Iowan Surface of Northeast Iowa. Paleoenvironmental studies in Iowa and adjacent states indicate that tundra conditions existed in Northeast Iowa between 21,000 and 16,500 years BP, the coldest part of late \\'.'isconsinan time. Degradation of permafrost and formation of ice-wedge casts must have occurred near the end of this cold climate episode, which also promoted extreme erosion of the landscape in Northeast Iowa. The sediment-filled wedges in Northeast Iowa occur in pre-Illinoian till with the infilling material consisting mostly of sand. The details of the infilling history of the …

Mathematics Education: An International Perspective, Lisa Roose

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of my thesis/project is to research mathematics education in the United States, Japan, and South Africa. Japan and South Africa were chosen as countries ranking significantly above and below the United States respectively on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study in recent years. The roles and value of education of each country's culture throughout history will be investigated. After gaining a historical perspective of each country, the current education systems, including the school organization, equity, curriculum, students, staff, and reasons for recent reform, will be explored. Finally, mathematics education will be studied along with each country's strengths …

Mathematics And Spanish: A Comparative Approach Of Teaching Methods, Emily R. Borcherding

Honors Program Theses

Teaching methods in various academic disciplines are all connected. Whether one looks at various content areas, grade levels, or ability levels, teaching methods all share important similarities, as well as sharp contrasts. The meta-analysis and case study address the comparisons between teaching mathematics and Spanish at the secondary education level. In the study, a review of literature is conducted and case studies are analyzed in order to see the role of written and oral communication in mathematics and Spanish education. Throughout the study, written and oral communication, through teacher-student and student-student communication methods, show a strong overlap and supporting role …

Instructional Recommendations For The Teaching Of Writing, Bridgette Wagoner

Graduate Research Papers

Clearly, writing is an essential life, work, and educational skill, and far too many students without essential writing skills are receiving high school diplomas. These realities put many recent high school graduates at a disadvantage in personal, professional, and educational arenas. Writing skills are simply too important to be ignored. This reality begs an important question: Which instructional approaches are likely to lead to improved student writing? For the purposes of this paper, research will center mainly on controlled studies, though much insight also stands to be gained from studies of what writers and teachers of writing have to say …

Reading Strategies For Struggling Readers In The Middle School, Kathleen Claeys

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review focuses on several strategies good readers use to understand and interpret different types of text, such as fiction, non-fiction, and expository. These strategies are ones that struggling readers are not aware of, or these readers do not have the knowledge and experience to utilize the strategies. Teachers need to provide direct instruction of these strategies, generate models of what they look like, demonstrate what the thought process is behind the strategies, and offer students practice in using them with the idea that students will add them to their repertoire of strategies and use them throughout the learning …