Education Commons^™

Exploring Patterns In Teachers’ Conceptions Of Citizenship And Political Participation: A Survey Of Secondary School Teachers In Karachi, Pakistan, Karim Panah

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This paper examines patterns in teachers’ understanding of conceptual and practical aspects of citizenship by analyzing survey data obtained from 320 teachers of public and private sector secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was conducted using a five-point-Likert scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree through ‘neutral’ to ‘strongly-agree’ and openended questions on citizen participation in politics. The survey questionnaire included 28 items that reflected various aspects of citizen rights and responsibilities. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)) showed several patterns in teacher’s conceptions of citizenship with reference to democratization. The analysis demonstrates that teachers’ conception of citizenship is shaped by confusions and …

After-School Programs And Reading Achievement, Jamie M. Mack

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels was studied. Seventy-three fifth-grade students were pre- and posttested using the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test to determine reading levels. Thirty-six of the 73 students participated in an on-going 21" Century Academic After-School Program. The other 37 did not. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between participating in an after-school program and accelerating reading levels. The study also broke down the data by gender. These results showed that there was no statistical difference between males who participated and males who did not; however, there was a significant …

Understanding Self-Determination And Families Of Young Children With Disabilities In Home Environments, Mary Jane Brotherson, Christine C. Cook, Elizabeth Erwin, Cindy J. Weigel

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

This article is about emergent self-determination for young children with disabilities in their home environments. The purpose of this study was to better understand family and home characteristics and how they influence the ways in which families can support the development of self-determination for their children with disabilities. Thirty families of young children with disabilities were interviewed, and their homes were systematically observed. Using a grounded theory design, an emergent model was developed that examined family and home context and the influence of context on the strategies that families used to support self-determination. Future research and practice implications of this …

'I Connected': Reflection And Biography In Teacher Learning Toward Inclusion, Susan Baglieri

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

In this paper I examine the ways that prospective teachers studying in a university-based, graduate-level teacher education programme engage in reflection toward making meaning of disability. I focus on the background experiences, identities, and knowledge that teachers draw from to make meaning of social and cultural models of disability, and which relate to their developing ideas about inclusive teaching practices. Providing prospective teachers a forum to reflect and find connections between their experiences more often as persons who do not identify as disabled and persons with disabilities suggests one way that teacher educators can build curriculum that counters a perception …

Making The Grade: Authentic Assessment Through Music Portfolios, Kendra June S. Aylor

Theses & Honors Papers

Research shows assessment is an important part of education. However, information on assessment in music is often limited to secondary education leaving elementary music teachers to devise their own systems of evaluation students. This teacher research addresses elementary music assessment by examining the implementation of student portfolios as a way to manage the data that is created in the music classroom. The portfolios were compiled using fourth grade student work which was divided into section that mirror the MENC National Standards. This research shows that student portfolios provide tangible evidence of student understanding to be shared with teachers, parents, and …

Relationship Among Essential Leadership Preparation Practices And Leader, School, And Student Outcomes In K-8 Schools, Donna Braun, Robert K. Gable, Stacey L. Kite

K-12 Education

A questionnaire was administered to school principals (N=88). The questionnaire data, along with student data, were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression to investigate the relationships among leadership preparation practices, self rated leader behavior, the school learning environment, and student achievement. After controlling for demographic variables, the amount of variance explained was incremented a statistically significant degree between: preparation practices and leader behaviors ( R2 = 5%); preparation practices and student achievement ( R2 = 5%); preparation practices and leaders’ instructional knowledge ( R2 = 6%); and leaders’ instructional knowledge and instructional practices in schools ( R2 = 5%).

Relationship Among Essential Leadership Preparation Practices And Leader, School, And Student Outcomes In K-8 Schools, Donna Braun, Robert K. Gable, Stacey L. Kite

Teacher Education

A questionnaire was administered to school principals (N=88). The questionnaire data, along with student data, were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression to investigate the relationships among leadership preparation practices, self rated leader behavior, the school learning environment, and student achievement. After controlling for demographic variables, the amount of variance explained was incremented a statistically significant degree between: preparation practices and leader behaviors (R2 = 5%); preparation practices and student achievement (R2 = 5%); preparation practices and leaders’ instructional knowledge (R2 = 6%); and leaders’ instructional knowledge and instructional practices in schools (R2 = 5%).

Using Poetry To Improve Fluency And Comprehension In Third-Grade Students, Karen E. Newsome

Georgia Educational Researcher

This study examined the effects of repeated choral reading of poetry on fluency and comprehension of third-grade students (N = 76) in the southeastern United States. Student attitudes toward poetry were also measured. Students served in regular, remedial, and special education were taught reading using the school’s basal series for four weeks. Choral repeated reading of poetry was then added to the curriculum. The DIBELS ORF test, STAR reading assessment, and an attitude survey were used to assess student performance. Statistically significant gains were made during the poetry intervention in fluency (M = 18.78, p < .01) and comprehension (M = 0.33, p < .05). Slight improvements in students’ attitudes toward poetry were also observed.

Exposure To Media Violence And Young Children With And Without Disabilities: Powerful Opportunities For Family-Professional Partnerships, Elizabeth Erwin, Naomi Morton

Department of Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Works

There is growing concern regarding the amount and type of violence that young children are exposed to on a daily basis. Through media, popular toys and video games violent images are consistently present in children's lives starting at a very young age. This paper discusses (a) the growing presence of young children's exposure to media violence, (b) the influence of media violence on early childhood development and well-being, (c) the impact of media violence on young children with disabilities, and (d) recommendations for addressing this national dilemma within the context of family-professional partnerships. A list of related web resources is …

E-Learning Pedagogy In The Primary School Classroom: The Mcdonaldization Of Education, Matthew Etherington

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper begins as an initial rejoinder to the ideas expressed by Ross (2000) in The Promise and Perils of E-Learning: A critical look at the new technology. In his article, Ross supports the traditional practices of pedagogy at the primary school level—face-to-face pedagogy— and then critiques what he describes as a ‘fetishisation’ of technological pedagogy—a fetishisation seen in the increase of E-learning pedagogy at the primary school level. The ideas expressed in this article gain their structure and momentum from Ross’s (2000) arguments against E-learning and extends a more cautious approach to the widespread belief in the success of …

What Are Students' And Teachers' Perspectives Of Differentiated Instruction In A Fourth Grade Inclusive Classroom?, Kellilyn E. Casey

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative teacher research study investigated the question: what are students' and teachers' perspectives of differentiated instruction in a fourth grade inclusive classroom? Data was collected in the forms of open-ended student interviews, open-ended teacher interviews, and through frequent entries in a teacher research journal. The study concluded that student opinions varied on an individual basis, but that most students liked it when their teachers used differentiated practices and would like it if they used even more. It also found that teachers held a high opinion of differentiated instruction and used it frequently as a means to meet the requirements …

Traders And Raiders : A Learning Journey Through Time [3rd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

No abstract provided.

Tell Me A Story! Tales From Africa & Other Cultures [4th Grade], Carrie Susong

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

No abstract provided.

Forces And Motion [2nd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • All machines are forms or combinations of six simple machines (inclined plane, lever, pulley, screw, wedge, wheel and axle). • Simple machines are tools that make work easier and have greatly affected how we live today.

Inherited Traits Versus Learned Behaviors [4th Grade], Kathryn Morrow

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will learn the about innate and learned characteristics in animals and humans through a series of teacher- and student-led discussions, readings, reflections, learning activities, and demonstrations. They will learn that most animal behavior is directly related to survival needs, and that the environment influences what an animal learns. Students will consider how and why behaviors are learned and determine what kinds of animals are capable of learning. They will debate how we know whether a trait is inherited or learned, and they will learn that the fields of genetics and behavioral science still hold many mysteries …

Natural World [5th Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • forces change land • the same force can be both destructive and constructive • you can learn the history of the earth by reading things like tree rings and sedimentary layers.

Water Cycle [2nd Grade], Anna Bley

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit will help students to discover how the water cycle works and the implications it has on our planet and in our lives. They will conduct a series of experiments and activities to investigate the physical explanations behind each of the processes that make up the water cycle including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. They will use their knowledge of the scientific method to plan, predict, conduct, and analyze these investigations to examine how water changes physical state to be recycled on Earth. Additionally, they will relate their knowledge of the properties of physical matter to identify how water …

Earth And Moon [5th Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… -there are similarities and differences in physical characteristics between the earth and moon -force of gravity keeps planets and moon in orbit -difference between revolution and rotation - the sun has specific features -moon phases.

Matter [2nd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • Everything is made of matter, and all matter occupies space. • Matter is neither created nor destroyed but can change state. • Each type of matter has it’s own specific physical properties.

Animals [2nd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • All living things are producers or consumers. • Animals have different external characteristics (structures) that allow their basic needs to be met. • All animals depend upon each other and their environment to survive. o Animals are either carnivore, herbivore, omniivore o Know temperature and rainfall of desert, oceans, woodlands, plains or prairie, rain forest • Animals develop and change over time in different ways such as in: color, size, mass, creating sounds, and movement. • Animals usually grow in a predictable way and usually grow to look like their parents. Possible misunderstandings or confusions: …

Greece (Civilizations) [2nd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • Civilizations’ governments, religion, geography, and theatre affect their development. • The Greek Civilization left a legacy.

What Is A "Good" Reader? - Part 2: Word Patterns [1st Grade], Elizabeth Cambray

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, the students will learn to identify word patterns in texts and understand that word patterns can help them recognize, decode, and comprehend unknown words in an unfamiliar text. In order to reach these goals, the students will complete various word pattern activities, read and explore a variety of poetry, and then participate in a Poetry Slam.

Economics [3rd Grade], Jennifer Mahler

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

No abstract provided.

China (Civilizations) [2nd Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… • The Ancient Chinese Civilization left a legacy.

Aztec, Inca, And Maya [5th Grade], Trinity University, Canyon Ridge Elementary School (San Antonio, Tex.)

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will understand that… -geographical factors influence civilizations through environment, economy, growth, and communication. - -civilizations have a rise and fall -understand civilization as a system.

Benefits Of A Parent Involvement Plan For Second Grade Students, Mila Hart

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of a parent involvement plan for second grade students were researched. Students, whose parents were actively involved in their education, did better in school (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). Most parents want what is best for their child and will provide the support needed when encouraged and shown how to be involved with their child in school. Active parent involvement can be facilitated by a parent handbook combined with an open house, follow-up workshops that provide helpful information to parents, and frequent and regular communication via phone, progress reports, e-mail, home visits, and formal or informal conferences (Epstein et …

Morning Meetings And How They Create A Community In The Classroom, Kelly Mcknight

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine how morning meetings create a community in the classroom, particularly which activities are most effective and how students respond to daily morning meetings. For the first twenty minutes of the morning, the students participated in a daily morning meeting. The students greeted one another, had the opportunity to share, participated in whole group activities, and read a daily news and announcements letter. The greeting, whole group activities, and daily news and announcements letters changed daily. The students all had the opportunity to run different parts of the morning meetings. The data was …

Integrating Children's Literature And Mathematics, Karen E. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative study that explores what happens when children's literature is integrated into the teaching of mathematics. The subjects for this study are five fourth and fifth grade students in a resource room located in a southern New Jersey elementary school. For this study, students participated in a math unit using children's literature to teach fractions and probability. Data collected includes student response journals, observations of students, student work, and my teacher research journal. This data is analyzed utilizing the qualitative approach, where themes are identified and linked back to the initial question. The findings reveal many …

Implementing Literature Circles In A Fourth Grade Classroom, Melinda B. Egan

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project looked at the effects on twenty-one fourth grade students' levels of comprehension, engagement, and writing when literature circles were implemented while reading the novel Jacob's Rescue, by Malka Drucker and Michael Halperin. The participants, twelve female and nine male, live in a lower-middle class suburban community. While reading this novel about a Jewish boy growing up during the Holocaust, students performed literature circles in combination with a balanced literacy program.

The effects on students were examined through student work samples, including role sheets, comprehension questions, subject integration and writer's workshop worksheets, self-evaluations and observational notes …

Helping Struggling Writers Through Self-Regulated Strategy Development, Rajvi Kamdar

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this action research was to determine the effectiveness of implementing a self-regulated strategy development model to teach a story writing strategy to three 3^rd grade students at a New Jersey Elementary School. This study involved a comparison of stories written by students before and after self-regulated strategy development instruction. Students chosen to participate in the study lacked proficiency in story writing and held negative beliefs towards writing in general. All participants completed a Pre-SRSD Story Writing task, which was holistically scored to determine student ability in story writing. The Pre-SRSD Story Writing task was submitted prior …