Education Commons^™

Vocabulary Instruction Correlation To Reading Comprehension, Kelly M. Vaughn

Graduate Research Papers

There is a direct relationship between word knowledge and comprehension-messages are composed of ideas, and ideas are expressed in words. Decades of research have resulted in significant best practices to support students' vocabulary development, yet very little has actually been implemented in the classroom. Teachers frequently rely on increasing student vocabulary through the incidental word-learning that results from sheer volume of reading. Research in this review will prove that incidental word acquisition is seriously inadequate. Effective vocabulary strategies include: hands-on activities or visuals, capitalizing on background knowledge or prior experiences, repeated exposure in meaningful contexts, and use of graphic organizers. …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathleen M. Walech

Graduate Research Papers

What do I believe about leadership and education? In order to answer that question, I must delve into my past experience with education, examine why I became an educator, and what I have come to believe about educational leadership. When I ask myself when it was that I knew I wanted to be an educator, I do not believe I can pinpoint an exact moment. In fact, I do not believe I ever gave any real consideration to any other career. For as long as I can remember, teachers were people I admired and education was something I valued. I …

Small Group Math Instruction : Is It Beneficial In A Seventh Grade Classroom?, Joellen A. Schwab

Graduate Research Papers

Is small group math instruction a beneficial practice in a regular seventh grade classroom? Two teachers and approximately 500 students were involved in a study to address that question. The study occurred from the fall of 2002 through the fall of 2004 at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa. Before small group math instruction was implemented, students averaged approximately 61 % on chapter tests, while after its implementation students were scoring an average of 76%. Procedures included both pre and post test data analysis.

Small groups were created based on student achievement. There were three main groups: low, middle, and …

Integrating Technology And Education, Jori L. Showalter

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review challenges the idea of integrating technology into the educational curriculum. It will reveal the value of integrating technology into the curriculum, along with possible problems that might occur. Some of the problems examined in the review relate to the overwhelming amount of information found on the Internet, problems with the Internet trying to replace the current curriculum, safety issues involved with Internet use, and staff development concerns. The review also identifies what a model school integrating technology might look like and the influence it plays in the core subject areas.

Implementation Of Reciprocal Teaching Strategies, Michael Sauer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to address the following research question: How effective are the Reciprocal Teaching Strategies in increasing reading comprehension? Peer observation and coaching were done to observe each other using the Reciprocal Teaching Strategies in the classroom. Two different observations were done, each time by a different peer coach. After each observation, the lesson which had been observed was briefly discussed. From this interaction, further suggestions for implementation could be made from our peers.

Using Reflection To Guide Literacy Instruction In The "Multi-Level" Classroom, Lori L. Weber

Graduate Research Papers

The article describes a teacher's use of reflective practice to guide the implementation of the literacy block in her "multi-level" classroom, which included instruction by grade level and by performance level. A reflective journal proved to be a valuable tool as the author struggled with planning for action, problem-solving, decision making, and confronting "living contradictions" (Whitehead, 2000) between theoretical beliefs and instructional practice. The personal reflection process included daily and weekly written reflection and collaborative reflection. Collaborative reflection occurred with colleagues, a mentor, and a university advisor. Schon's (1989, 1995) concepts of reflection-onaction, reflection-in-action and reflection-for-action were incorporated. The use …

Components Of Effective Peer Helper Programs, Aaron M. Cretin

Graduate Research Papers

Peer helper programs have increasingly been implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools, and must be developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Peers can serve as tutors, mentors, mediators, and support systems, and schools utilize peer helper programs in order to assist other students in these areas. Effective peer helper programs share common characteristics.

The purpose of this paper is to examine characteristics of effective peer helper programs. These programs incorporate peer helper roles, training considerations, developmental considerations, characteristics of peer helpers, screening and selection procedures, program service and delivery, supervision and evaluation needs, and school/community needs.

Peer Tutoring And Technology Integration : You Too Can Make It Happen!, Brandy Smith

Graduate Research Papers

Technology is motivating to students and brings with it a sense of empowerment. This article looks at a successful model of technology integration. This model comes in the form of an after-school club called the "Tech Club" built upon a peer tutoring model. A lead teacher trained third grade student leaders, or the "Tech Kids" to facilitate technology "how-to" sessions in their classrooms. After learning technology basics, this core group of Tech Kids visited different third grade classrooms to teach their peers this magic. This article explains how this peer tutoring model greatly empowered these third grade students and allowed …

Implementing Distributed Practice, Christi Sires

Graduate Research Papers

Distributed practice is a daily routine where students are exposed to a math problem, asked to solve it, and then explain how they solved it. The idea of short intervals of instruction over a period of time can have remarkable results. This instructional strategy has been cited in numerous research studies, an indication that it may be successful in helping students better understand how they can solve mathematical problems.

This study will try to determine the growth of Jewett Elementary's first grade students as they were exposed to distributed practice over a period of time from first to second quarter …

Cognitive, Emotive, And Behavioral Techniques For Depressed Children And Adolescents, Brianna G. Wilcox

Graduate Research Papers

Cognitive, emotive, and behavioral techniques for treating depression in children and adolescents are outlined. The importance of prevention and early intervention is stressed, with an emphasis on application to the school setting. Cognitive contributors to depression, disputation strategies, and behavioral interventions are explicated within the framework of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). The efficacy of REBT is cited in reference to numerous research studies.

The Impact Of Parental Involvement On Children's Literacy Development, Annette L. Wohlers

Graduate Research Papers

Reading is a growing concern in the United States. Many students are leaving the educational system not ready to deal with the literary demands of everyday life and/or higher education. Factors that support students' growth in reading were reviewed. One specific factor that has a significant impact on literacy, which was a focus, was involvement of parents. What parents can do to assist their children's literacy development and attainment were also reviewed. A parent pamphlet design on reading at home came about from obtained information from the reviews.

Effect Of Hardiness On Mental And Physical Health, Angela J. Ziesman

Graduate Research Papers

The impact hardiness had on mental and physical health was examined. Hardiness, a stress resistant personality construct, consists of three interrelated components: commitment, control, and challenge. Numerous studies revealed that hardiness significantly decreased one's disposition toward mental and physical illness. In addition, results indicated that hardy persons are more inclined to utilize transformational coping strategies. Some researchers argued that the hardiness-illness relationship may be confounded by one's level of neuroticism as well as by hardy individuals maintaining better health practices than their non-hardy counterparts. Overall, hardiness was found to serve as a buffer in the face of stressful circumstances, more …

English Language Learners In The Integrated Middle School Science Classroom, Julie A. Fee

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will answer three questions relating to limited English-proficiency students. First, what historical changes have occurred to improve education for the LEP student? Second, what information do teachers with adolescent LEP students, especially students who have recently immigrated, need in order to run a happy and successful class? Last, what strategies and philosophies should be used to help ESL students compete academically with their American born classmates?