Digital Commons Network^™

Year-Round Education : A Continuing Debate, Heather D. Schultz

Graduate Research Papers

Year-round education has been a common debate in recent decades. The studies and analyses that are discussed in this paper will give insight to what is being debated surrounding year-round schooling. While many studies have shown a positive relationship between a year-round calendar and academic achievement, others have shown no relationship between the two. This paper sets out to answer several questions regarding year-round calendars and academic achievement. Besides academic achievement, there are several other factors and steps to consider before a district and/or school decides to modify their calendar(s). In order for districts/schools to make a just decision involving …

The Impact Of Oral Language Activities In Preschool On Reading Competence In Kindergarten And Beyond, Melissa Sifert

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review examined the impact of oral language activities in preschool concerning literacy competence in kindergarten and beyond. Four questions were addressed: (1) What is the role of oral language on reading achievement? (2) What instructional activities are important in promoting oral language skills crucial for later reading development? (3) What challenges do educators face when incorporating oral language activities in the preschool classroom? and (4) What are guidelines for integrating oral language activities in preschool? Recommendations for the advancement of oral language instruction in the education system were presented.

Co-Teaching And Inclusion: A Model For Effective Implementation, Sara A. Straw

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers with training in special education are found in most schools. Why are some special education teachers teaching students in a 'pull-out'. model while others are teaching in a 'push-in' model? For those students who are "pushed in", are they supported in the classroom? And if so, how? If it is by a co-teaching model, what is the most beneficial way of teaching special education students in a general education classroom? What are some of the attitudes of special education students who are pushed into a co-teaching classroom?

Problem-Based Learning In The Middle School Science Classroom, Lesley Taylorson

Graduate Research Papers

In 1995, US 12th graders performed below the international average for 21 countries on a test of general knowledge in mathematics and science. (National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 1998). In 2000, 93% of students in grades '5-9 were taught physical science by a teacher lacking a major or certification in the physical sciences (National Center for Education Statistics, 2002). U.S. 15-year-olds ranked 24th out of 40 countries that participated in a 2003 administration of the Program for International Student assessment (PISA) examination, which assessed students' ability to apply mathematical concepts to real world problems (National Center for Education Statistics, …

Instructing For Fluency In The First Grade, Kim Vierkant

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review inquired as to how fluency relates to comprehension, what sub-skills are necessary to ensure the development of a fluent reader, and what the top two fluency intervention programs available were according to the What Works Clearinghouse. The author of this literature review used peer-reviewed literature, personal communications, and observations from her first grade classroom to come to the conclusion that beginning readers' fluency led to comprehension. But, when readers have a command over accuracy and fluency then comprehension and fluency were reciprocal skills. The author of this literature review goes on to depict the sub-skills needed to …

The Impact Of Instructional Materials On The Motivational Of Struggling Readers, Kimberly Weeks

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the impact that instructional materials have on the motivation and literacy engagement of struggling readers. Its purpose was to determine the influence instructional materials have on struggling readers' engagement with text, which instructional materials have a positive effect on struggling readers, the influence that informational text has on students' reading motivation, the impact of gender on the selection of effective instructional materials, and what instructional materials have a positive impact on struggling male readers. Through this review, instructional materials were found to have a positive effect on literacy engagement when they are at an appropriate level, …

Best Grouping Practices For Reading Instruction, Stacia Ann Weisskopf

Graduate Research Papers

In this project, teachers learned about the most effective type of grouping for reading instruction through a year long series of inservices. The purpose of this project was to focus in on the impact of flexible grouping and how to keep students engaged during small group reading time. Research for this project was gathered from professional articles and books about literacy and the role of a literacy coach. Flexible grouping was found to be the most effective type of reading instruction when used correctly. Flood, Lapp, Flood, and Nagel (1992) stated that flexible groups are flexible if: (a) you choose …

Effects Of Applied Behavior Analysis On Teaching Social Skills To Young Children With Autism, Michelle Yeggy

Graduate Research Papers

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 166 children are born with autism (Falco, 2008). With this continual increase of children being diagnosed there is a lot of pressure put on schools to provide the quality programming for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD have delays with their language and communication skills, social skills and theory of mind, and also these children have challenges with sensory processing. Rogers (2000) wrote that social dysfunction is the single most defining characteristic of autism, and it is also one of the most important to overcome. …

Shooting Under Pressure: How Pressure Affects The Shooting Percentage Of Men’S College Basketball Players, Brooks Joseph Mckowen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this purposed study is to examine the effects of pressure on the shooting percentages of men's college basketball players in the Missouri Valley Conference. The correlation between the teams shooting percentage ( field goal percentage, three point percentage, and free throw percentage) and the following will be investigated: the score and time of game, game site (whether a team is home, away, or neutral), attendance, point in the season (first or second half of conference play), and conference standings (how far off the lead or close to the play in game in the conference tournament a team …

Donor Intent: An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Between Donors And Charities And The Legalities Of Complying With The Donor’S Restrictions On Gifts, Sherry Kluender

Graduate Research Papers

Foundations and non profit organizations have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to honor the donor's original intent with their gift. Unfortunately, there are several instances in the past few years that have shown charities in the public eye where they have intentionally broke the agreements with their donors, thus causing donor mistrust and creating legal battles that affect all organizations. This paper outlines what donor intent entails, the legal boundaries which organizations need to abide and their legal rights to break donor intent. Lastly, this literature review will cover ethical behavior and how to combat this growing trend. Ultimately, …

Are Paralympics Athletes Experiencing Serious Leisure?, Janet Thi Ho

Graduate Research Papers

According to Stebbins (2008), Serious leisure is the systematic pursuit of an amateur, hobbyist, or volunteer core activity that people find so substantial, interesting, and fulfilling that, in the typical case, they launch themselves on a (leisure) career centered on acquiring and expression a combination of its special skills, knowledge, and experience (p.5). Stebbins notes, serious leisure involves pursuing an amateur activity.

Amateurism involving sports is defined by Allison (2001), as "doing things for the love of them, doing them without reward or material gain or doing them unprofessionally" (p. 3). Allison also states "a human activity is amateur in …

Utility Of A Non-Exercise Method Of Estimating Aerobic Capacity, Meghan Phillips

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Benefits Of Soccer Within Diverse Soccer Programs And Their Cultural Differences, Aldin Muhamedagic

Graduate Research Papers

Physical inactivity is one of the leading concerns in today's society. Current research shows that today's children are most definitely less fit than children 20 years ago. According to the research, today's children seem to be heavier and over weight. Plus there is more overall health concern for the children then ever before. The focus of this study is to examine the benefits of soccer in diverse soccer programs and their cultural differences and to examine how soccer can help the youth to live better and healthier lives.

In this study we examined a different aspect of youth development and …

Rural Philanthropy: An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Of The Current State And Evolution Of Rural Philanthropy In This Country, Barbara J. Keninger

Graduate Research Papers

While the social needs of rural America continues to grow, the philanthropic funding of these rural communities has not kept pace. This study looks at evidence that rural communities are not receiving the fair share of philanthropic funding despite these increasing needs and investigates the barriers faced by rural organizations that prevent the grant makers from focusing on the needs of rural America. Numerous authors of the literature reviewed support the importance of philanthropic funding for rural America to help fulfill the growing social needs.

This study examined the literature regarding the possible growth of rural philanthropy and how rural …

The Effects Of Exercise-Induced Amenorrhea On The Fertility Of Female Athletes, Kara Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

It is well documented that a high number of female athletes experience detrimental health effects as a result of the "female athlete triad"-a set of conditions including osteoporosis, disordered eating, and amenorrhea. While the health effects of disordered eating and osteoporosis are heavily studied and well-known, even to the general population, the long-term consequences of amenorrhea are relatively unknown.

There is much evidence and documentation that women who engage in exercise and sport are likely to experience amenorrhea. Research has also shown that exerciseinduced amenorrhea can lead to a host of reproductive problems, including luteal phase defects, hormonal disruptions, and …

Postpartum Depression And Universal Screening: Consequences, Benefits, And Barriers, Jennifer Setzer Trumbull

Graduate Research Papers

In the United States our society has a perception that after a mother has given birth she should be overjoyed and the happiest she has ever been in her life as well as in love with her baby the instant the first breath is taken. As all parents know, having a child is a stressful, life-changing event (Brewer, 2001). No one wants to believe a mother is not happy or may be unable to care for the new baby much, less that she might be able to harm the child (Brewer, 2001). Unfortunately, the reality is many women suffer from …

Differentiated Instruction In The Secondary Social Studies Classroom, Chad A. Christopher

Graduate Research Papers

As an educator with fifteen years of experience, this author has experienced the frustrations of having to teach a wide range of student abilities at the secondary social studies level. There is a lot of support for differentiated instruction for special education, TAG, and elementary students, but there seems to be questions about the practicality and effectiveness of it in a secondary classroom.

The issues discussed in this paper will focus on the following questions: 1) Does Differentiated Instruction affect student learning? 2) Can Differentiated Instruction be implemented with secondary teachers in a practical way to help student learning and …

Phonemic Awareness : One Piece Of The "Learning To Read" Puzzle, Michelle S. Carradus

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper focuses on a review of current literature regarding the role of phonemic awareness within reading instruction for elementary students. Phonemic awareness studies and results will be shared. This paper will define phonemic awareness and relative terms, and contrast it with phonics instruction. Phonemic awareness instruction and intervention strategies will be discussed, including supplemental and intense instruction for at-risk readers. A possible sequence for teaching phonemic awareness, teaching applications, and professional book titles are offered as resources for educators of early elementary children.

Autism Spectrum Disorder : Characteristics Seen With Asd And Interventions Used In And Outside The Inclusion Classroom, Monica K. Dircks

Graduate Research Papers

The number of children in our country diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is sharply increasing and does not seem to be slowing down in the near future. It is becoming increasingly more common to see schools implementing inclusion classrooms. These programs range from partial inclusion, where children with special needs spend various numbers of hours in a general education classroom each day, to full-inclusion classrooms. Still others use reverse inclusion, which entails general education students coming into a more self-contained special education classroom for part of the school day.

It is critical that general education teachers learn how …

Graphic Practice : A Strategy For Developing Fine Motor Skills In The Early Childhood Setting, Kathleen A. Eichelberger

Graduate Research Papers

Graphic practice provides children with an opportunity to develop, not only fine motor skills, but also self-regulatory and alphabet knowledge skills. Research has indicated that a child's fine motor development can predict his or her educational achievement, specifically in the areas of reading, math, and attention. The purpose of this project is to organize thirty weekly lessons that will familiarize teachers with the components necessary to introduce, integrate, and extend graphic practice strategies within their early childhood classrooms. These lessons will be compiled into a step-by-step guide for teachers. An outline for professional development is included.

Approaches To Differentiated Instruction That Serve The Needs Of Struggling Readers, Dawn Even

Graduate Research Papers

Educators have long grappled with the dilemma of how to deal effectively with students who are not performing successfully in classrooms, in particular with students having difficulty learning to read. In elementary classrooms we group students according to their reading ability. We put low performing students together, thereby slowing down the pace of instruction; which in the long run pulls the students even further behind. We need to discover ways to meet the needs of all of our students without leaving behind or "boring" them.

Listening To Learn : The Academic Achievement Of Auditory Learners, Rae Ann Mclean-Dickinson

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers present lessons in a variety of modalities to engage students with different strengths in processing within the classroom. Using literature from a variety of educational specialists focused on how the brain processes oral and auditory information, this paper reviews how students translate learning while engaging in reading and writing tasks. It explores the different learning problems some children face, and gives suggestions about how teachers may recognize them and offer an environment where all learners become successful.

The Portrayal Of Teenage Sexuality In Young Adult Literature, Carolyn Marie Carr

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this study was an investigation in to how teenage sexuality is portrayed in young adult literature. The purpose of this research was to investigate the portrayal of teenage sexuality within young adult literature in the United States. The methodology of this study was a quantitative content analysis of literature intended for young adult readers. Twenty young-adult books with teenage sexuality as a theme and a publication date within the last ten years were randomly selected from the following lists: 2009 Young Adult Library Services Association (Y ALSA): Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, Best Books for Young Adults, …

The 4-1-1 On Adolescents' Attitudes Toward The 5-0 And The Portrayal Of Law Enforcement Officials In Young Adult Literature, Amy Chopard

Graduate Research Papers

For this content analysis, the portrayal of law enforcement officials in young adult fiction was examined. This researcher read and analyzed 15 young adult fiction titles portraying a law enforcement official in either a primary or secondary character role. The main research question this researcher sought to answer was: How are law enforcement officials portrayed in young adult fiction? Based on the findings of her study, this researcher concluded that law enforcement officials in the examined titles are portrayed as having indifferent attitudes toward adolescents in general. In addition, this researcher found that law enforcement officials portrayed in the examined …

A Portrayal Of The Modern Day Dairy Farm In Children's Literature, Bridget Donlon

Graduate Research Papers

Children's books may be the only views of farming urban students experience, yet books depicting farms with one or two cows are outdated. There is a lack of information available for children to learn about modem dairy farming practices. The dairy industry has experienced substantial changes in its history, including the introduction of many technologies. Modem dairy farms have incorporated technologies into everyday tasks, yet few children's books show farmers working at computers or even milking machines. At a time when most families are removed from farming, students create understanding of dairy farming through secondary sources such as children's literature. …

A Content Analysis Of Holocaust Fiction For Young People, Teresa Ann Evans-Winfield

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to examine Holocaust literature for young adults to determine if the books in this sample are historically accurate, have themes of survival and resistance, and portray characters who model positive attributes of citizenship. This researcher read 24 books copyrighted between 1992-2008 that were selected from H. W. Wilson's Junior High and Middle School Core Collection and Senior High School Core Collection. Nineteen of the twenty-four books read by this researcher were copyrighted after the year 2000. The data gathered provided evidence that 15 (63%) of the books sampled were historically accurate and were fictionalized …

Timecourse Analysis Of The Effect Of Atrazine On Human Hepg2 Cells, Erin M. Schrunk

Honors Program Theses

Atrazine is one of the most abundantly used herbicides in the United States. It works by inhibiting photosynthesis in broad leaf and grassy weeds. Consequently, with its frequent use, atrazine can contaminate many drinking water sources due to run-off from treated fields. While many studies have shown detrimental effects occur in various model organisms using very high levels of atrazine, not much is known about what effects occur due to lower levels of atrazine exposure. The current research project analyzed the effects of atrazine on human liver cells (HepG2). Specifically, we focused on the proteins that regulate cell cycle progression …

Study Abroad: Products, Practices, And Perspectives Of A New Culture, Molly Marie Juza

Honors Program Theses

How does one adapt him/herself to an environment that is so different in almost every way? Noticing exactly how one is forming their gestures and body movements so as not to offend anyone, modifying one’s point-of-view on issues that seem so straightforward like cutting in line, and realizing that even facial expressions are partially culturally determined are among countless other topics within the situations that sojourners voluntarily place themselves for months at a time. How do they adapt to these strange new situations? What are some of the difficulties in adapting? What aspects of their home culture do they maintain? …

The Effects Of Epigallocatechin Gallate On The Structure And Dynamics Of Podosomes In Human Macrophages, Vinay Bajaj

Honors Program Theses

Podosomes are actin rich structures found in cancer cells and cells derived from monocytes in the human body. They help these cells be motile through the body and invade through tissues. We found the number of podosomes observed in the cells increased, with a simultaneous increase in motility, corresponding to an increase in the concentration of Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) used in a dose-dependent fashion. We also found that the actin molecules in the podosomes are arranged in columns with frequent breaks in its structure. We also found myosin llb to be an integral part of the podosome, providing the podosome with …

Childhood Grief: The Resilience Of Loss, Brenda A. Haskin

Graduate Research Papers

Children who have lost a parent will benefit from reading a story that helps them cope with the loss of a parent and the emotions they feel during the grieving process. The focus of this research project is a child's resiliency to the loss of her father. It is during the grieving process that the book created as a part of this research project will help children understand that what they are feeling is normal and that life goes on after loss.

This research project is a realistic fiction, free-verse novel that captures the emotions, feelings, and thoughts of an …