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Full-Text Articles in Education
Reading Comprehension Strategy Handbook For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Reluctant Readers, Cheryl Jordan
Reading Comprehension Strategy Handbook For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Reluctant Readers, Cheryl Jordan
All Graduate Projects
The focus of this project is to provide a variety ofreading comprehension strategies for reluctant readers at Adams Elementary and also to demonstrate the need for a supplemental handbook that addresses the "gaps" with the Walk to Read program (spiral curriculum). This research will reveal that teacher guidance facilitates student learning, motivates students, and provides opportunities to dialog with classmates in a context of creating connections. The project includes a discussion related to the rationale supporting this project, along with a review of related literature. The repertoire of reading strategies in this project is designed to encourage the student to …
Methods For Encouraging Economic Diversity In Academically Rigorous Courses, Karen Patricia Kraabel
Methods For Encouraging Economic Diversity In Academically Rigorous Courses, Karen Patricia Kraabel
All Graduate Projects
In International Baccalaureate (IB) classes at Thomas Jefferson High School, the economic status of students in honors classes does not reflect that of the school as a whole. The author sought ways to bring more students from impoverished backgrounds into rigorous courses. In this school, there is a strong coincidence between etlmic minority status and socioeconomic status. The author believed that in addressing the economic issue the ethnicity issue would also be addressed. This is a practical issue as well as a pedagogical one, because the school's scores on state-wide standardized tests are lower for economically disadvantaged students than for …
A Handbook For Developing And Implementing A High School At-Risk Reading Program, Tamara A. Deford
A Handbook For Developing And Implementing A High School At-Risk Reading Program, Tamara A. Deford
All Graduate Projects
This project is intended to serve as a guide and resource for the development of a reading intervention program for at-risk secondary students. The project consisted of the following three foci: 1) an initial review of the literature in the areas of adolescent literacy, the Washington State Three-Tier Reading Model, the reading intervention program Literacy First, and school environmental and cultural traits that foster success among adolescent students-specifically struggling adolescent readers, 2) a discussion of Othello High School's process of the selection of a secondary reading intervention program, and 3) a resource handbook, which included methods and processes that supported …
A Guide To Balanced Literacy—Pertaining To Reading—For The Intermediate Elementary Teacher, Meghann Finn Mcdonald Martin
A Guide To Balanced Literacy—Pertaining To Reading—For The Intermediate Elementary Teacher, Meghann Finn Mcdonald Martin
All Graduate Projects
This project is a resource that offers information on how to implement, plan, and assess reading using the instructional strategies of balanced literacy. A review of the literature on all four instructional strategies of balance literacy is included. This guide will aid intermediate elementary teachers in planning effective instruction. The intent of this project is to provide a realistic and useful source for classroom teachers to utilize when planning and assessing reading instruction. Finally in addition to the sample lesson plans are examples of texts used for each lesson.
A Model For The Integration Of Writing Across Fourth Reading Curriculum, Barbara Mae Truchon
A Model For The Integration Of Writing Across Fourth Reading Curriculum, Barbara Mae Truchon
All Graduate Projects
The evidence from the literature review points to the challenge students of Washington State face today. Reading and writing are the key components in all content areas students are required to learn in today's schools. The challenge for educators is to provide reading and writing instruction that will enable our students to become proficient in the skills they need to pass high stakes assessments like the WASL and become productive members of our ever changing global society. This project presents a model of integrating writing to learn strategies into the reading curriculum. A discussion of the rationale supporting this model …
Leaving Home: A Handbook For Teachers To Promote Critical Thinking, Leanne Molly Luehrs
Leaving Home: A Handbook For Teachers To Promote Critical Thinking, Leanne Molly Luehrs
All Graduate Projects
A handbook of instructional strategies connected to a text set theme for fourth grade teachers to promote critical thinking was developed. The handbook is intended for fourth grade teachers interested in promoting critical thinking through the use of children's literature. The text set theme, leaving home, was chosen and children's literature and curriculum was developed around this thematic focus. Library research, books, and the Internet aided in the development of this project. The studies showed the importance of developing critical thinking skills in elementary students. The studies also review theories pertinent to promote critical thinking and best practice.
Motivating The Reluctant 9th Grade Reader In The English Classroom: An Educator's Guide, Christine Murphy
Motivating The Reluctant 9th Grade Reader In The English Classroom: An Educator's Guide, Christine Murphy
All Graduate Projects
Reluctant readers need support from all levels of government as well as from the community, parents and educators. Motivating reluctant readers and changing their attitude toward reading in order for students to be successful requires educators to discover the interests, dreams, and goals, of their students. Educators must invest the time and energy needed to view students as whole individuals in order to understand their reading needs, and to utilize best practices in an effort to improve student reading ability. ll1
Instructional Writing Strategies For The Secondary Teacher: A Handbook To Guide Content Area Teachers Implementing Writing Into Curriculum, Cathy S. Thompson
Instructional Writing Strategies For The Secondary Teacher: A Handbook To Guide Content Area Teachers Implementing Writing Into Curriculum, Cathy S. Thompson
All Graduate Projects
Secondary teachers are concerned that their students are having difficulties learning and retaining difficult concepts present in secondary curricula. Additionally, students may not be learning the content at a deep enough knowledge level to pass stringent high-stakes standardized tests required for graduation in the state of Washington. For students to succeed in the competitive global economy they must become self-monitoring critical thinkers. Research supports the use of writing-to-learn and content area writing strategies to facilitate metacognition and boost student learning. This project reviews the research in writing and metacognition, synthesizes the findings, and applies the results in a series of …
Using Pop Culture And Media Together With Effective Literacy Instruction: A Teacher's Tool Kit For Selah H.S. Read Write Class, Stephanie Marie Sevigny
Using Pop Culture And Media Together With Effective Literacy Instruction: A Teacher's Tool Kit For Selah H.S. Read Write Class, Stephanie Marie Sevigny
All Graduate Projects
A toolkit has been created to assist secondary teachers in using popular culture and the media in conjunction with explicit comprehension strategy instruction in the classroom in an effort to improve struggling students' comprehension. The toolkit consists of an introduction, examples and suggestions for using popular culture and media in the classroom, examples and guidelines for strategic comprehension instruction. CutTent literature and research regarding the use of popular culture and media in the classroom and effective comprehension strategy instruction were reviewed.
Curriculum Design To Teach High School Students: How To Pull Evidence From Text, Karen Marie Hughes Bray
Curriculum Design To Teach High School Students: How To Pull Evidence From Text, Karen Marie Hughes Bray
All Graduate Projects
Inadequate pe1formance of Washington State's public school students on national exams motivated the state legislature to pass the Basic Education Act in 1993. Graduation requirements were changed and expectations increased to specific skill levels in reading, writing, and several other subjects. The problem is that48% of North Central High School IO'" graders have averaged below standard in reading and 56% have averaged below standard in writing for the last six years. The project is designed to increase reading and writing skills at the high school level in classes outside of the academic arena by direct instruction. Washington State's Commission on …
Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz
Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz
All Graduate Projects
The focus of this project was to review the available literature on the topic of literature circles from the framework of a balanced literacy program and to create materials to be used by intem1ediate elementary teachers for implementing student led literature circles into their reading curriculum. The results of the research show that through specific teacher guidance, children are empowered with choices and are provided with opportunities to dialog with classmates in a context of creating connections. The project includes an instrnctional framework to establish literature circles, a progression of teacher led to student led applications, and intermediate literature book …
Meaningful, Motivating Library Lessons That Matter To Students In Grade Four, Karen Louise-Bjorling Felch
Meaningful, Motivating Library Lessons That Matter To Students In Grade Four, Karen Louise-Bjorling Felch
All Graduate Projects
The purpose of this project was to develop a meaningful, motivating library curriculum to increase student learning in literacy for students in grade four. Current literature and research on the roles of the teacher-librarian, information literacy instruction, reading advocacy, specifically literature guidance and appreciation, and motivation were explored. A yearlong library curriculum map was created addressing topics and methods found to be effective in the review of current research. The library curriculum was aligned with the Marysville School District Elementary Library Curriculum Guide for Grade Four, the Washington State Grade Level Expectations in Reading, the Washington State Essential Learnings in …
Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz
Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz
All Graduate Projects
The focus of this project was to review available literature on using a daily message within the framework of a balanced literacy program, and create specific lessons and activities to use in a kindergarten classroom that help students become successful readers and writers. Throughout this project the students will be experiencing powerful communication between teacher and students, and student to student, practicing various literacy skills, responding to print daily, and interacting with text and other students. These activities will help foster their attitude and ability to read independently.
Teaching Reading Effectively To Low Level Readers, Shawna Antonia Moore
Teaching Reading Effectively To Low Level Readers, Shawna Antonia Moore
All Graduate Projects
This project is the creation of a reading curriculum that has been developed for teaching reading effectively to low level readers. This curriculum provides explicit supplemental literacy instruction to accelerate students functioning below grade level. The curriculum was designed to supplement an already existing reading program. The main focus or theme, low-level readers becoming proficient at their appropriate level. To achieve success it is subdivided into the sections independent reading, read aloud, shared read, literature circles, guided reading instruction and family involvement.
Toolkit For Assistance With The Emergent Reader, Theresa Joanne Phelps
Toolkit For Assistance With The Emergent Reader, Theresa Joanne Phelps
All Graduate Projects
Following the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Initiative in 2002, educators were faced with new obstacles never before experienced. Reading levels were at an all time low with nearly 70% of inner city fourth graders unable to read at a basic level on national reading tests. Because reading is the backbone of all academic areas, struggling readers need much more consideration and attention than they have needed before. The five main components of an effective reading program that are focused on in this project are vocabulary, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension and fluency. This toolkit contains assessments and strategies …
Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman
Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman
All Graduate Projects
The main focus of the project was to develop resources that will use music as a tool to improve literacy and support learning in third grade self contained classrooms. Research provides strong data connecting the relationship of music to academic achievement, language arts and improved test scores. This project provides prototype lesson plans that support grade level expectations and uses t4e Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements as a basis for the concepts being taught. A unit of lesson plans was developed that integrates music into the language arts. Worksheets, graphic organizers and a music book list were developed as …
Resources To Support And Expand Native American Kindergarteners Shared Reading Experiences Integrated With Open Court Unit 6, Stephanie Lynn Hull
Resources To Support And Expand Native American Kindergarteners Shared Reading Experiences Integrated With Open Court Unit 6, Stephanie Lynn Hull
All Graduate Projects
Relevant literature pertaining to shared reading, the benefits of shared reading, shared reading and the diverse learner and recommendations for the Native American learner was studied. The need for using culturally relevant material in the classroom and creating a positive learning environment for Native American students was discussed. A project utilizing shared reading strategies in the kindergarten classroom was created for teacher use in the Mount Adams School District. The project included the integration of culturally relevant stories with the objectives of Open Court Unit 6. The project also included a list of resources available from the Harrah Elementary School …
Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker
Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker
All Graduate Projects
The professional literature on the configuration of flexible reading groups for reading instrnction in a regular first grade classroom was examined to determine if flexible grouping yields any benefit to students who have been assessed to be below grade level in reading. The research showed support for the idea that flexible, fluid grouping is an accelerant to producing higher levels of reading improvement. As a result, an instructional handbook was created to aid educators in the implementation of flexible reading group instruction.
Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies For Native American Adolescents With Reading Difficulties, Mary C. La Velle
Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies For Native American Adolescents With Reading Difficulties, Mary C. La Velle
All Graduate Projects
The need for culturally appropriate reading comprehension pedagogy for Native American Adolescents was studied in light of multicultural philosophies. The historical trend to assimilate this group of students rather than acknowledge their unique contributions was an area targeted for improvement in this project. A need was established to target reading comprehension since the evidence points to a lack of explicit instruction in this area for middle school students. Strategies for promoting reading comprehension were identified in a teacher's manual that will be used in conjunction with the novel, Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech. Colville Tribal Elders discussed the comprehension …
Integration Of Keyboarding With Fourth Grade Writing, Kevin Russell
Integration Of Keyboarding With Fourth Grade Writing, Kevin Russell
All Graduate Projects
Keyboarding is an enhancing tool in the writing process of elementary school children in grades one through four. Studies show that learning computer keyboarding with appropriate software and instruction in the elementary grade level is a skill that is proactive towards student growth in their own writing skills. The development of supplemental keyboarding and writing activities and assessment rubrics are presented. A total of ten different technologically enhanced writing activities are presented for use in the classroom or a lab setting. The activities are complete with lesson plans, design templates, overviews of materials and assessments. The activities are designed to …
"Through The Looking Glass:" Teaching Literary Theory In The High School English Classroom, Alethea Young
"Through The Looking Glass:" Teaching Literary Theory In The High School English Classroom, Alethea Young
All Graduate Projects
The project examines the historical context of Contemporary Literary Theories: Deconstruction, Marxist Literary Theory, Althusser's Theory ofldeology, and Feminist Literary Theory, through a review ofliterature. The project culminates in a 4-6 week unit on teaching Feminist Literary Theory, Marxist Literary Theory, and Deconstruction in connection with a unit on Rudolfo Anaya's award-winning novel, Bless Me, Wtima. The unit is designed for 10th grade Honors Language Arts classes.
Emergent Writing Practices For A Kindergarten Classroom: A Handbook For Kidergarten Teachers, Tori Lyn Bennan
Emergent Writing Practices For A Kindergarten Classroom: A Handbook For Kidergarten Teachers, Tori Lyn Bennan
All Graduate Projects
A handbook has been developed to aid in the design of a kindergarten writing program and/or to be used as a supplement to any existing kindergarten writing curriculum. The handbook consists of four main content areas of discussion regarding current writing practices used in a kindergarten writing curriculum: Writer's Workshop, journals, partner writing, and parent involvement. Each section consists of a brief definition of the term and five distinctive lesson plans implementing the above practices. Current literature and research regarding the topic of young children's development in writing were explored.
A Practical Guide Using A Variety Of Instructional Methods For Teaching Reading To Gifted Students, Melissa Caveness
A Practical Guide Using A Variety Of Instructional Methods For Teaching Reading To Gifted Students, Melissa Caveness
All Graduate Projects
Gifted students spend most of their school day, if not all, learning in the regular classroom. Often, this environment is not conducive to their learning needs, and there is a lack of readily available supplemental materials that teachers can use to meet the needs of the gifted students. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to create a handbook that provides different strategies for teachers to use when teaching gifted students in the regular classroom. The project contains five thematic units that incorporate and utilize literature and comprehension strategies. This project first focuses definitions and identifiers of gifted students academically …
Teaching Children To Be Storytellers: A Handbook For Educators, April Nicole Cross
Teaching Children To Be Storytellers: A Handbook For Educators, April Nicole Cross
All Graduate Projects
The purpose of this project was to design a handbook for second grade teachers interested in teaching storytelling. By introducing children to the world of storytelling, teachers can bring the true nature of storytelling into the classroom and take full advantage of its educational benefits. Through the storytelling process, children's listening, reading, and oral language skills are enhanced. Although storytelling is only one part of a literacy program, it is the means to a very important literacy goal: the development of independent, lifelong readers. The handbook includes a five-week storytelling unit that gives an explanation of how to realize and …
Incorporating Literature Circles Into A Fifth Grade Classroom, Kenneth Michael Kron
Incorporating Literature Circles Into A Fifth Grade Classroom, Kenneth Michael Kron
All Graduate Projects
The focus of this project was to review available literature on literature circles within the framework of a balanced literacy program, and create materials to be used by fifth grade teachers as they work toward improving their language arts curricula. The results of the research review show that students are motivated to read when they choose their own reading material and can comprehend the material after engaging in collaborative, meaningful discussion of the text with peers. The project includes instructional frameworks, lesson plans for after-reading activities, and book selections for three rounds ofliterature circles.
Creating Motivation And Oral Reading Fluency Through Readers' Theatre, Kelly Leaverton
Creating Motivation And Oral Reading Fluency Through Readers' Theatre, Kelly Leaverton
All Graduate Projects
Readers' Theatre is a wonderful teaching tool in which students practice and rehearse scripts in order to put on plays in front of an audience. The focus is on word accuracy and expression in reading without having to memorize lines. Studies have shown that Readers' Theatre can strengthen oral reading fluency by repeated readings, and increase confidence and motivation to read as students learn to read their parts with fluency and precision. Unfortunately, due to lack of availability and training, Readers' Theatre is not used in the classroom to the extent it should be, and many educators are uncomfortable with …
Reading With Your Preadolescent Children At Home: A Workshop For Parents, Elizabeth Jane Keefe
Reading With Your Preadolescent Children At Home: A Workshop For Parents, Elizabeth Jane Keefe
All Graduate Projects
Reading comprehension is a continuous process of evolving thinking. When readers read, they carry on an inner conversation with the text. Readers respond with wonder, delight, and even outrage. They question the text, argue with the author, and nod their heads in agreement. They make connections, ask questions, and draw inferences to better understand and learn from what they read. Programs that involve parents in their children's education have been found to have a positive influence on a child's academic performance and cognitive development. Secondly, book-reading experiences have correlated strongly with success in reading, leading experts to conclude that preparing …
A Handbook Of Strategies For Making Intertextual Connections During Read-Alouds To Build Schema For Elementary School Students, Andrea Kay Manion
A Handbook Of Strategies For Making Intertextual Connections During Read-Alouds To Build Schema For Elementary School Students, Andrea Kay Manion
All Graduate Projects
A handbook has been created to give primary teachers strategies for building valuable schema and an awareness of text connections during their read-aloud time. The handbook consists of an introduction, ten read-aloud lessons which include some student responses, reviews and classroom activities for twenty read-aloud books, as well as a critique of popular web sites for quality children's literature. Current literature and research regarding schema theory, intertextuality, and reading aloud were reviewed.
Creating A Balanced Literacy Program For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Students, Shayne T. Wrzesinski
Creating A Balanced Literacy Program For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Students, Shayne T. Wrzesinski
All Graduate Projects
Balanced literacy instruction can be defined in a variety of ways. The important characteristic about a balanced literacy program is that it is neither phonics nor whole language. Creating a balanced literacy program within a classroom encompasses both phonics and whole language in a literature rich environment. Students who participate in a balanced program have opportunities to read and write daily through a variety of meaningful approaches including shared, guided, independent and direct instruction. The literature rich environment provides growth for all students, by teaching skills and strategies through literacy in a natural setting not in isolation. Teachers in the …
Promoting Literacy Through Literature And Content-Based Radings In The Secondary English-As-A-Second-Language Classroom In Conjunction With The In Contact 1 Curriculum: A Handbook For Educators, Tanya Lynn Adamson
All Graduate Projects
The use of literature and content-based readings in the secondary ESL classroom was researched. The research suggests that providing second language learners with meaningful readings that provide for comprehensible input will build schema and background knowledge that will help them to be successful in their content area classes. A handbook for educators was created to supplement the existing curriculum, as well as to show readers that this type of supplemental reading handbook can be created by anyone to be used with any type of ESL curriculum. This handbook contains both literature and content-based resources that coincide with the themes and …