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Full-Text Articles in Education

Chemistry Spanish Supplemental Resources For English Language Learners In A 9th Grade Bilingual Physical Science Class, Rebecca Minerva Guerrero Jun 2010

Chemistry Spanish Supplemental Resources For English Language Learners In A 9th Grade Bilingual Physical Science Class, Rebecca Minerva Guerrero

All Graduate Projects

Minority high school students in the state of Washington find themselves under a variety of intense pressures: the pressure to learn English quickly, the pressure to pass the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in order to graduate, and lastly the pressure to be an academic leader for that minority. In 2013, the state will add the science portion to the HSPE. The challenges that teachers face when working with English language learners (ELL) is having the adequate training, necessary tools, and resources needed to increase student achievement. This project is designed to provide Spanish supplemental resources for ELL students in …


Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe Jun 2010

Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to help teachers integrate reading differentiation into the classroom and thus help students with their varied needs in learning to read. Differentiation of instruction is valuable in all areas, particularly in teaching reading. This project emphasizes that it is essential that teachers make reading skills and content accessible to all students. My purpose is to show the importance of differentiated reading instruction and to provide information and resources for teachers and parents.


A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa Jun 2010

A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa

All Graduate Projects

The need for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum for Washington State was researched. Based on research a resource workbook for CAD/CAM/CNC was in demand. In order to meet the demand for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum and bridge the gap between the state standards, drafting frameworks, STEM curriculum, increased focus on implementation within multiple disciplines, providing a starting point for teachers who want to use CNC machinery in their program, and prepare students for quality jobs and careers related to CAD/CAM/CNC, a workbook was created. The workbook includes 27 hands-on lessons and projects, student handouts, applied STEM problems and activities, tutorials, drafting standards, state math standards, …


A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel May 2010

A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a differentiated unit of instruction for eleventh grade United States History students as a pilot for the creation of a differentiated curriculum in U.S. History. This unit will examine the relationship between instructional strategies utilized and the impact upon student achievement. This unit will systematically plan instruction that meets the needs of an academically diverse group of students by honoring each student's learning needs and maximizing each student's learning capacity.


Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez May 2010

Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez

All Graduate Projects

The high population of English Language Learners (ELL) in the United States has impacted the educational system. Accountability for meeting high stakes tests and state standards has been a constant pressure for many schools that have a high concentration of ELL. School districts have adopted different programs to meet the needs of ELL. These programs focus on making academic content more relevant and comprehensible so students can meet state standards. One of the programs that has proven to be successful in meeting ELL needs is dual language. However, a challenge for many dual language programs that target English and Spanish …


Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth May 2010

Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to justify the author's job as an instructional coach. The author was motivated by her own need to discover what an instructional coach was and how an instructional coach positively affects teacher instruction and student achievement. This project includes ideas and tools that beginning instructional coaches can use with teachers in an elementary school setting. A review of the literature was included on the effects of coaching on teacher efficacy and the effects teachers and coaches have on student achievement. This project examined the roles of the instructional coach and it provides a guide …


Using Homework To Support Standards, Socorro Yanez-Garcia May 2010

Using Homework To Support Standards, Socorro Yanez-Garcia

All Graduate Projects

Historically, homework has been a controversial issue that has impacted teachers, students, and parents (Gill & Schlossman, 1996, 2004). Opponents of homework are quick to talk about the hours of meaningless homework that students are required to complete and how homework detracts from family time (Kralovec & Buell, 2000). However, this is no reason to completely do away with homework. Teachers may lack access to meaningful homework that is aligned with what students are expected to know. Homework is an important part of a student's education (Cooper, 1989). Homework that has a defined purpose before it is assigned has been …


The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson May 2010

The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson

All Graduate Projects

This project looks at obesity and undernourishment in American students. The project discusses the importance of physical education and nutrition education and the lack there of in the 21st Century. Research indicates current legislative mandates involving standardized testing and a stress on core academics, changing familial and societal structures and evolving food technology have helped lead to the obesity epidemic in the United States. The project also looks at different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and the impact nutrition and overall health plays in these groups. The project includes a nutrition curriculum that is designed to be used in a ninth …


Creating A Schedule That Increases Instructional Time, Heather Macey May 2010

Creating A Schedule That Increases Instructional Time, Heather Macey

All Graduate Projects

This project was designed to help elementary schools create a master schedule that increases direct instructional time by forming large blocks of uninterrupted time for all classroom teachers. Many teachers struggle with how to structure their daily schedule. Often times there are things other than good quality instruction driving the decision of the structure of school schedules that create very choppy and ineffective schedules that do not support the best learning environment for the children. This project will combine several different approaches in scheduling taken by others that were researched and found to be effective in increasing instructional time and …


“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart May 2010

“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the Prepared Jell Well Project is to create user friendly, one page templates that maintain fidelity to the "Read Well' reading program and follow the research based guidelines of the National Reading Panel, No child Left Behind, and Reading First. This intervention tool will enable teachers to teach target goals to mastery and therefore serve as a preventative model. The Prepared Jell Well tool will enhance teaching the "Read Well" curriculum using Direct Instruction methods. The Prepared Jell Well provides materials for pre-teaching and re-teaching the focus skills of the First grade reading program. The materials are …


Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino May 2010

Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a yearlong unit for social studies that any teacher could pick up and implement into their classroom. It was designed using second grade standards, but can be modified for use in other grade levels. The units are integrated into all subject areas with the goal of teaching students about the community in which they live. It also was designed to create in the classroom an understanding of cultures different from their own. This will create a deeper understanding and awareness of diverse populations and their differences. The instruction of social studies education …


Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell May 2010

Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell

All Graduate Projects

In 2009, Washington State issued a new set of science standards. These new standards focus on building scientific literacy. With the emphasis now on scientific literacy rather than the traditional emphasis on fact memorization, many teachers must now find new ways to teach their science programs that reinforce understanding in science concepts rather than simple fact recollection. A science program that focuses on the constructivist learning philosophy and that offers students "hands on" activities as well as teacher led demonstrations is offered here to fill the role as an example of one of these new programs.


Teaching Strategies For Increasing Computational Fluency In Middle School Students, Alejandra Rios Blakeslee May 2010

Teaching Strategies For Increasing Computational Fluency In Middle School Students, Alejandra Rios Blakeslee

All Graduate Projects

In light of the new Washington State K-12 Mathematics Learning Standards, it has become a priority to help struggling students close the gap in academic achievement. Therefore, in an effort to remediate the lack of computation and rigor currently being taught in middle school mathematics using an investigational approach curriculum a complimentary curriculum has been evaluated, compiled, and aligned to supplement the curriculum. The purpose of this project is to compile a set of Groundworks mini-lessons, a series of tiered lessons that targets specific mathematical skills, to be used with correlating parts of the CMP2 curriculum with the aim of …


Impact Of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol On Students Spanish Vocabulary Development, Janelle J. Hoff May 2010

Impact Of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol On Students Spanish Vocabulary Development, Janelle J. Hoff

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this research project was to determine if the use of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model would impact native Spanish speaking first grade student's Spanish vocabulary. To accomplish this purpose, a review of selected literature was accomplished. Additionally, essential data was obtained and analyzed from which related generalizations, conclusions, and recommendations were formed. Forty-one native Spanish speaking students in a bilingual Spanish classroom attending the Marlow School District participated in this study. These students were both male and female children between the ages of six and seven years old. In the treatment group the teacher instructed …


Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar Apr 2010

Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar

All Graduate Projects

Looping is the practice of a teacher staying with the same group of students for two or three years. The paper discusses the effects that looping has on the relationships teachers form with students and families. An overview of the history of looping is followed by the benefits that looping provides for students, families and teachers. The project is a guide for teacher and schools that want to implement looping. The project includes ways to organize looping classrooms, student selection and areas to be mindful of.


Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter Mar 2010

Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter

All Graduate Projects

Peer coaching models were studied to see if they improved teachers' delivery of instruction, and if they had a significant impact on student achievement. The research showed that peer coaching programs were successful when they were tied to a school's overall vision and mission, led by a strong principal, and kept separate from evaluation. Peer coaching was found to increase the accurate use of skills that teachers learned through professional development; however there was no evidence to show that peer coaching alone significantly effects student achievement.


Nonfiction Text Usage In The Primary Grades, Shanna Marie Carlson Jan 2010

Nonfiction Text Usage In The Primary Grades, Shanna Marie Carlson

All Graduate Projects

The past and current role of nonfiction text, also referred to as informational text, in the elementary classroom setting was studied. The educational benefits of nonfiction use was examined and found to have a significant impact on the learning and success of students. Effective uses for nonfiction books were compiled into a handbook for the use of primary teachers.


A Curriculum Guide For The Inclusion Of Ecopsychology In An Alternative Education Setting, Sara Leroux Jan 2010

A Curriculum Guide For The Inclusion Of Ecopsychology In An Alternative Education Setting, Sara Leroux

All Graduate Projects

Ecopsychology is a relatively new field. It is a hybrid of environmentalism and psychology. The study of ecopsychology and nature awareness emphasizes that people, chiefly children, need nature in order to maintain brain health. This study examines the impact that nature has on humans, and focuses on the positive impact nature has on students with ADHD, ADD, autism, learning disabilities, students at-risk, and students at large. The author lobbies for a paradigm shift in traditional curriculum to accept and honor the extensive potential for students' emotional and psychical health. The proposed project focuses on creating approaches to integrate and implement …


Second Language Teaching Strategies For Teaching The Human Body To Fourth Graders, Maria L. Vela Aug 2009

Second Language Teaching Strategies For Teaching The Human Body To Fourth Graders, Maria L. Vela

All Graduate Projects

In a country filled with pressure for high academic achievement at the state and federal levels, it is necessary to implement "best practice" teaching strategies for student success. "Best practice" teaching strategies are strategies that are research based and have proven to be essential in increasing academic achievement. Among using "best practices," there are a variety of programs that focus on teaching second language learners English, one of them being dual language. Dual language is an additive bilingual program in which the second language is taught through the content areas as the native language continues to be developed. However, the …


The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle Aug 2009

The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle

All Graduate Projects

In education, teachers are seeing more impoverished students than ever before. With that understanding, teachers need to know how to identify and assist these students so that they are successful in school. The War on Poverty has been going on for years, and with a failing economy, teachers are seeing more impoverished students in their classrooms. To counteract this situation, teachers will be shown a pamphlet, power point presentation, and a workshop on poverty which will help show teachers what their students may be experiencing when away from school. In addition, the pamphlet will provide information of what to look …


Improving Second Graders’ Understanding And Use Of Genre Through The Classroom Library, Melissa Kristene Arquette Aug 2009

Improving Second Graders’ Understanding And Use Of Genre Through The Classroom Library, Melissa Kristene Arquette

All Graduate Projects

The research supports the importance of the classroom library, using the classroom library to introduce non-fiction text, and developing students' understanding of genre using the classroom library as a tool. The purpose of this project is to improve second graders' understanding and use of genre through the classroom library. The project includes eight units focused on realistic fiction, poetry, fantasy, folktales, myths and legends, non-fiction (information books), biographies, and fairytales. Each unit combines student focused group book sorting, book browsing, reading log entries, whole group activities, and a genre review form. Pre- and post- unit assessment, in the form of …


Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore Aug 2009

Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore

All Graduate Projects

The need for childhood education was studied and, based upon experiences garnered as a Kindergarten teacher, Cub Club was created and implemented in order to begin to reduce the achievement gap. The program was designed to educate parents about the importance of family involvement and the benefits, lasting into adulthood, of working with children at home during their early years of learning.


Dual Language Education In The Elementary Grades: What Are Some Constraints Or Limitations Of Dual Language In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade., Anna Alvarez Aug 2009

Dual Language Education In The Elementary Grades: What Are Some Constraints Or Limitations Of Dual Language In Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade., Anna Alvarez

All Graduate Projects

This study examined the dual language model of bilingual education available to students at Pioneer Elementary in Sunnyside, Washington. There are a variety of bilingual education, Spanish and English, programs currently used throughout the United States. The effectiveness of student's academic success is based on the bilingual education program they participate in, which has been a long-standing debated topic. Recently new and innovative bilingual education programs such as dual-language models have been introduced and implemented into many classrooms. There is significant scholarly debate regarding the efficacy of dual language education programs. It is possible that the debate is centered on …


A Guidebook, Based On One School’S Journey In Implementing Response To Intervention, Pearl Mckenzie Aug 2009

A Guidebook, Based On One School’S Journey In Implementing Response To Intervention, Pearl Mckenzie

All Graduate Projects

Many districts across the United States are considering, or have already implemented a system called Response to Intervention (RTI). This is a research-proven instructional method that will benefit many children who are challenged by the academic content. RTI uses a schoolwide structural system to support students and staff. This project documents steps taken by one school during an academic year in the form of a guidebook.


Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley Aug 2009

Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley

All Graduate Projects

Students most at-risk for academic failure are the populations of students classified as English Language Learners; migrant students; special education students; children of poverty; homeless students; students in foster care; children of abuse or neglect; and children with social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. The number of students falling within the at-risk population of students has continued to increase over the years. A program and curriculum called Kindergarten Connection attempts to address these barriers to learning by identifying family, societal and academic concerns prior to kindergarten and connecting families to the school and community resources that will provide the needed support. …


Microsoft Word 2007 And Powerpoint 2007 Units For Ell Students In Introduction To Information Technology, Janel Jo Lemieux Aug 2009

Microsoft Word 2007 And Powerpoint 2007 Units For Ell Students In Introduction To Information Technology, Janel Jo Lemieux

All Graduate Projects

Trying to settle in a country whose language a person does not speak is challenging in itself. Attending a computer class when a person has never touched a computer is just another hurdle to overcome. The current curriculum is not conducive to English Language Learners in Introduction to Information Technology. Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 are two of the most widely used computer programs in the school. For this reason more effective curriculum was created for ELL students enrolled in the Introduction to Information Technology class.


Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens Jul 2009

Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens

All Graduate Projects

Current research shows phonological awareness plays an important role in a kindergarten student's ability to read. Phonological awareness (PA) is identifying and manipulating parts of spoken language, such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes, and rhyming. Recent research also indicates a kindergartener's level of phonological awareness is connected to his or her ability to decode words, recognize vocabulary and comprehend text. Students lacking a sense of phonological awareness struggle learning to read. The good news is that kindergarteners' phonological awareness can improve with 10-15 minutes of focused instruction each day. This project guides kindergarten teachers through phonological awareness listening activities, …


Comprehensive Survival Guide For Substitute Teachers, Angela Jeanne Satterfield Jul 2009

Comprehensive Survival Guide For Substitute Teachers, Angela Jeanne Satterfield

All Graduate Projects

The struggles and challenges of substitute teaching were looked at as well as the rationale for supporting substitute teachers. Existing school district handbooks were examined and the limitations and advantages of these handbooks were given. As a result, a handbook was created with a list of suggestions, ideas, tips, and tools. These are all meant to support substitute teachers in their teaching and the students that they work with in experiencing an educationally productive school day.


Creating A Math Wall In An Elementary School, Lindsey Moorhouse Jul 2009

Creating A Math Wall In An Elementary School, Lindsey Moorhouse

All Graduate Projects

Creating a Math Data Wall in an elementary school is a way to track students' progress in mathematics, guide instruction and provide strategic interventions to students who are at risk. A Math Data Wall is a visual representation of the students' progress across grade levels. Assessments have been used in schools for many years. Assessments are used to provide a variety of information to the teacher, school and district. Using assessments in the classroom is a necessary step to track students' progress and guide teacher instruction. A Math Data Wall will give teachers a visual representation of their students' progress …


A Manual For Improving The Working Relationship Of Teachers Through The Implementation Of A Peer Coaching Model, Mitchell Bennett Richards Jul 2009

A Manual For Improving The Working Relationship Of Teachers Through The Implementation Of A Peer Coaching Model, Mitchell Bennett Richards

All Graduate Projects

The challenges that teachers face today with educational standards are daunting. Many teaching practices have evolved over the last several years due to the constraints of standardized testing. These constraints require students and teachers to be held accountable for their performance. Teachers are now required to do more than simply educate students based on their beliefs of best practices. Teacher professional development is paramount to provide teachers with the tools needed to face the challenges in education today. This project presents a peer coaching model to foster teacher development, reviews the related research in the field of peer coaching, and …