Education Commons^™

Looking Toward The Future For Suicide Prevention, Stacy L. Staton

Graduate Research Papers

Michael was the first born of two sons. His father expected great things from Michael, nothing short of perfection. Michael tried hard to please his father, but his father was never fully satisfied. His father thought if he yelled at Michael enough and was tough on him that Michael would eventually do things right and be molded into a "fine young man." Michael began to feel hopeless. He believed that he would never please his father. He started doing exactly the opposite of what his father told him to do because he knew he could not live up to his …

What Is Technology Planning?, Melva Ann Starr

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

The Power Of Discussion: One Teacher's Strategies With Children In Content Classes, Larry J. Wolfe

Graduate Research Papers

The use of discussion has been a practice commonly used by teachers. Over the years, how discussion is defined and used in the classroom has changed. These new definitions and rationales for discussion in classrooms creates new roles for the teacher. Once a teacher assumes these roles and is able to use discussion in the classroom effectively, students' understandings of meaning will begin to improve (Leal, 1993). It is through talk that students negotiate the meaning of text (Vygotsky, 1978) and review and master subject matter (Gall & Gall, 1976).

A Vision For Elementary Administration: A Reflective Essay, Beth Wright

Graduate Research Papers

As a high school student I would have never dreamt that I would be in a profession as an educator. I had my life mapped out, nursing school and then gaining specialized training in the area of pediatrics. l should have known that college would open doors. In my sophomore year of college, I stood in front of the mirror in my dorm room and asked myself, "What do you really want to do with your life?" It was then when my heart answered me, a teacher. From that point forward, education has been my passion and life blood. It …

Job Satisfaction Among Principals, Irene Tan Ai Lian

Graduate Research Papers

Early studies by corporate organizations related the concept of job satisfaction to work performance. Subsequently, studies in educational research began to focus on job satisfaction among teachers with little attention paid to school administrators such as principals. In the organizational hierarchy of schools, principals hold the highest position. Consequently, it is important to study the influence of job satisfaction among these administrators because of their leadership roles. This paper focuses on the sources of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction among principals. Studies reviewed cited various sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. These included the job itself, the work expectations of …

The Effects Of An Individualized Reading Program On Recreational Reading, Kim Aneweer

Graduate Research Papers

We are creating a nation of alliterates. The vast majority of our population can read and write, but choose not to. The researcher intended to investigate this problem by creating an individualized reading program for a group of fifth grade students. The reading program was designed according to the students· reading levels and interests. The researcher monitored the amount of time the students spent reading for pleasure. The study consisted of three phases. During the first phase, the students chose their reading materials. A computer program assisted the students in choosing their books in phase two of the study. The …

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Adolescent Girls, Marcia Schrader Hoffman

Graduate Research Papers

Guiding high ability girls during their middle school and high school years has been as complex and enigmatic as the subjects themselves. This review attempted to synthesize information concerning characteristics and needs of adolescent girls, gifted adolescents, and gifted adolescent girls. Those specific needs would help determine what programming options could be implemented in the secondary schools to help gifted females reach their potential. The conclusions drawn from the literature point to a smorgasbord of programming options that can be implemented through collaboration among talented and gifted programs, school-wide efforts, and community-wide strategies.

Environments that provide encouragement and opportunities may …

Inclusion And Inclusive Classrooms At The Preschool Level, Michele Keefer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of literature is to examine previous research concerning inclusive classrooms at the preschool level and to determine the most appropriate guidelines for inclusion. Benefits and problems of inclusion were discussed. Guidelines for developing and implementing inclusive programs were suggested. Also, a summary, conclusions, and recommendations are included in the last chapter.

The Benefits Of Using "Community" In The Elementary Classroom, Rodney Edgerton Lyons

Graduate Research Papers

The traditional teaching approach used in most American elementary schools, where the classroom teacher makes all the decisions and the conventional student is instructed to focus individual energies on assigned seatwork and ignore those who are around him or her, has become an ineffective model.

Researchers and certain educators believe that the use of "community" in the classroom will create environments where children care about one another and about learning, where students work harder, achieve more, where warm, supportive relationships are given birth -- enabling students to risk the new ideas and mistakes so critical to intellectual growth. As a …

Do Or Die : A Survival Guide For New Teachers, Peggy A. Martin

Graduate Research Papers

This article is written in an effort to help new middle school teachers with classroom management. Beginning teachers are well prepared in terms of curriculum, theology, and strategies, but until one actually experiences the myriad of personalities and situations in a classroom, there is little they can do except hang on for the ride. The author hopes to encourage new teachers to adopt attitudes which will foster a learning environment for students and create confidence in the teacher which will result in a classroom that is amicable and filled with students eager to learn.

Book Discussions : Guiding Students In Creating Their Own Questioning, Christine Matthew

Graduate Research Papers

Book discussions increase the understanding and personal meaning of books through the students' active participation during the reading process. Previous to book discussions the students would give a statement from the book or paraphrase the book. With the new format students are able to talk about the character's feelings, predict the happenings in the story, discuss the circumstances in the story and how the story could have been written differently.

The success of the book discussions makes it an easy decision to continue the program. This process is very enjoyable and can be adapted for any classroom and teacher. The …

Multiage Education, Wendy S. Matson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature relative to multiage practices in education. The primary focus of this paper is to review the benefits and problems of multiage practices in today's elementary classroom. The intent of this paper is to present a balanced view of the pros and cons concerning the education of children in a multiage environment. This discussion focused on some of the problems educators face in trying to do so.

The conclusion of this study found the teacher, the parent, and the administration are vital as a cooperative unit in educating a child, as each teaching …

Providing A Rich Learning Environment Through A Literature-Based Unit Across The Curriculum : Gardens And Gardening, Glenda G. Moleski

Graduate Research Papers

A literature base with related expressive activities from the language arts and graphic and performing arts can support an integrated instructional study. As a result, personal-social and thinking-language abilities can be nurtured. This specific literature base on gardens and gardening was developed for at-risk children in a multi-age classroom (grades 2-3).

Technology, At-Risk Intervention & The Music Classroom, Kurt M.J. Devore

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper will provide an overview of the music technologies available for students, address how the National Standards for music education are fulfilled by utilizing technology in the music classroom, and discuss how technology applications can aid learning in the music classroom. There will also be a description of several technology based workstations for the music classroom.

Technology Staff Development : Key To Technology Integration, Joanne G. Dorhout

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper will examine six areas. First, it will review several successful technology staff programs to support the concept that staff development does make an impact on the students' learning. Next, the principles that comprise a good staff development program will be examined, followed by an examination of the needs of an adult as a learner. Fourth, after. the teacher has acquired new skills, what insures the transfer of those skills into the classroom integrating technology into the curriculum? The concepts that research has found to be successful in the knowledge transfer will be examined. Fifth, to ensure the …

The Writing Portfolio : An Authentic Assessment Tool, Sondra L. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

Using writing portfolios as an ongoing assessment technique in the second grade classroom was a rewarding experience for my students and me. Our collaboration through conferences provided many connections between instruction and assessment. The students even though they represented a range of abilities were able to assess their own work and grow from their own reflections. Their writing abilities emerged and were captured in their portfolios. Authentic assessments were displayed with pride as each of the students shared their portfolios with their parents.

Providing A Print-Rich Environment For Young Writers, Rita S. Nierling

Graduate Research Papers

A print-rich environment can provide many experiences to nurture young children's writing abilities. Cambourne's instructional elements for promoting literacy have been related to a literature-based program. Literature experiences and related writing activities extended to the science area of an elementary instructional program, specially to the concept of air, are developed.

Inclusion Of An Autistic Child Into A Self-Contained Third Grade Classroom, Arlene M. Belt

Graduate Research Papers

This article describes the disorder of autism in the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders, the challenges that the autistic child faces, and the inclusion of an autistic child, a nine-year old boy, into a self-contained third grade classroom. Through details of his life, the reader is given an intimate look at the personal and educational issues he faces as he struggles to cope with his disability. In addition to focusing on how the disorder affects an individual, the paper stresses the importance of parents and professionals working together to develop and implement teaching strategies that will assist such a child …

Assessing Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Stuents : A Discussion For Professionals In The Schools, Candace Kist-Tahmasian

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is intended for professional school psychologists, school social workers, consultants in special education and other professionals involved in assessment issues in the schools. It is necessary for school professionals to have an understanding of the general socio-political context which surrounds the issues involved in language and culture to better assess the mental/cognitive abilities of language minority students through the dominant language and culture.

It is beyond the scope of this paper to present such issues in their entirety. Therefore, the focus of this paper will center on "voluntary minorities", specifically those who are learning English as a second …

Reading Recovery In The Classroom : A Literacy Team Approach, Nancy Strunk Larsen

Graduate Research Papers

A recent remedy for the concern over continued progress and over communication between Reading Recovery and the classroom is to adapt Reading Recovery practices in the regular classroom. A Title I Reading Recovery program in a Midwestern school adopted this very remedy. The program initiated in this elementary school has two Reading Recovery teachers, three first-grade teachers, and two second-grade teachers who work collaboratively as a literacy team. The goal of the program is to use a teamwork approach to teach reading both with the idea of meeting the instructional needs of the student and also of teaching the classroom …

Retention In The Schools, Sandy Barry

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to examine grade retention. It looks at the advantages, disadvantages, and the alternatives to retention. This paper discusses factors that increases a child's chance of being retained. Aspects in education that have affected retention are also discussed. In addition, this paper looks at teachers' beliefs and why they hold these beliefs concerning_retention. Finally, the last chapter summarizes this study and draws conclusions from the literature and suggests recommendations for further study.