Education Commons^™

Using Technology To Enhance Writing In Primary Grades, Lisa Butler

Graduate Research Papers

Computers in the primary classroom have been a controversial topic for many years. Many believe that computers do not benefit young children. In the past, very little research has been done in the primary classroom to prove or disprove the critics. Most of the studies focused on upper elementary, middle school, and high school. Three years ago, the federal government sought to validate the need for computers in the primary classroom. In doing so, the Natie (all names are pseudo names) Community Schools received a federal grant to study computers in the primary classroom. As a teacher in that school …

Literacy Instruction In First Grade Classrooms : Teachers Trained In Reading Recovery In Comparison With Teachers Who Have Not Been Trained, Trisha Fuelling

Graduate Research Papers

This investigation attempts to demonstrate the importance of having trained Reading Recovery teachers in first grade classrooms. Reading education has always been a vital part of curricula in school districts across America. Successful reading requires numerous basic processes, such as the identification of letters, the mapping of letters onto sounds, word decoding, the recognition of words, and the use of syntax and semantic cues. Several areas of learning such as emergent literacy also facilitate the process of reading. Reading involves recognition of visual patterns-groups of words, word parts, clusters of letters and single letters. Reading also involves knowledge of the …

Parents Join The Club : Inviting Parents And Children To Participate In A Family Book Club, Kimberly Gansen

Graduate Research Papers

A fifth grade elementary teacher who regularly uses book clubs as a part of her reading program offers the parents of her students the opportunity to learn about and participate in a book club with their children. The parents of the teacher's 24 students were invited to attend an informational meeting to learn how book clubs function in their child's classroom and to discover the value of discussion in developing and promoting reading comprehension. Eight parents and their children joined the Family Book Club. They all read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Betty Bao Lord …

The Effects Of Homogeneous Grouping Practices On Talented And Gifted Students, Angela Kurt-Sconsa

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine research findings about the effects of homogeneous grouping practices on gifted students. As school budgets have been cut, many gifted programs across the country have been impacted. Also, as tracking has become a political faux pas, many gifted programs have been eliminated.

The following are recommendations for education policy makers: realize that one teacher cannot do it all in a classroom with a wide range of abilities; know that content, in addition to grouping, is a main factor in students' advancement; remain flexible with grouping and programming; and try to overcome …

Home-School Reading Journals And Parental Involvement, Annalisa Marie Miner

Graduate Research Papers

"When schools encourage children to practice reading at home with parents, the children make significant gains in reading achievement compared to those who only practice at school" (Tizard, 1982).

Throughout my teaching career I have always worked with many students who are from homes that do not participate often in school and do not appear to have school-like literacy activities as a part of their family culture. I want to find a way to involve all families as collaborators in increasing their children's literacy achievement, because I feel this will benefit the children academically and also create a love of …

Cooperative Learning And Reading Strategies On The Secondary Level, Kathryn Magner Panoch

Graduate Research Papers

In order for students to become skilled readers, they need to become effective readers, which means rereading, drawing inferences, and relating new knowledge to existing knowledge (Tovani, 2000). Skilled readers know the purpose for which they are reading, and they are directly involved in their reading. This project demonstrates how to successfully incorporate cooperative learning and reading strategies into the classroom at the secondary level.

Using Technology To Support An Adult Constructivist Learning Environment, Regina A. Rankins

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to look at the connection between constructivist learning theories and the application of technology in an adult learning environment. The review examines five components consisting of constructivism, the purpose of constructivist learning environments, technologies in constructivist learning environments, adult learning, and the constructivist approach for using technology to support adult learning. This review addresses the question: how does the constructivist approach for using technology support adult learning in a technology-based environment?

Multiple Intelligences Of Young Adolescents, Kelly A. Schloss

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated how multiple intelligences related specifically to young adolescents. Self-perceptions of seventh and eighth graders, attending a large middle school and a moderately sized junior high in Iowa, were compared. Intelligence categories rated by students included intrapersonal, interpersonal, body/kinesthetic, mathematical/logical, verbal/linguistic, visual/spatial, and music/rhythmic.

Implications for this research include utilizing activity based instruction, promoting risk free learning opportunities for girls, implementing developmentally responsive practices at the middle level, providing educational support for low socio-economic students who may lack other resources often needed for success, and using visual, kinesthetic and musical approaches to learning for learning disabled students.

Creating And Using Wordless Picture Books To Stimulate Fictional Writing In First Grade Students, Kathryn Nicol Thompson

Graduate Research Papers

Beginning a written composition is a difficult task. Anyone who has ever , attempted to create a piece of writing can identify with this statement. Whether it is a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen, getting started on a piece of writing is often the hardest part. 1 The first sentence of this paper encompasses my own struggles as a writer, even with this composition. I tried to imagine how much greater this must be felt as I observed first graders wrestle with how to begin their own writing. Even for adults, thinking of the first sentence …

School Counseling And Confidentiality, Amy R. Usher

Graduate Research Papers

School counselors are continually challenged with legal and ethical issues. According to Remley (2002), school counselors seem to face more legal and ethical issues than counselors who practice in other settings. Numerous situations or topics can be placed under the term legal issue or ethical issue, however, this author has chosen to concentrate on the legal and ethical issue of confidentiality in counseling. There seems to be much confusion among school counselors dealing with confidentiality issues. According to Mitchell, Disque, and Robertson (2002) "Research indicates that counselors struggle when faced with issues surrounding confidentiality rights of minors and rights of …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Ellen M. Williams

Graduate Research Papers

This reflection paper affords the rare opportunity to sit back and think about this course of study and how I ended up at this particular juncture in life. I have completed many classes, and all I have taken away is a grade. This assignment has given rise to the discovery that there is a foundation and value system at the root of my professional life. That value system is mine, and I am building on an existing foundation that realizes the necessity of education and sound leadership.

A Preferred Vision For Leading The Secondary School : A Reflective Essay, Cory Williams

Graduate Research Papers

Why do I want to be a principal? When I started the UNI Educational Leadership program, I had no idea. I do now. I want every child to feel safe in my school. I want them to know they can come to school and learn without having to worry about being picked on. I want each student to be challenged and stimulated to learn with great teachers. I want the students to be healthy. I want to make a significant change in the lives of students. Teachers are not the only professionals who impact student's lives. Administrators can make an …

Methamphetamine Use And Adolescents : Treatment Options And Implications For Counselors, James J. Wilwerding

Graduate Research Papers

Over the past decade, methamphetamine use as reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has increased by 250% nationally and 841 % among adolescents admitted to treatment in the state of Iowa (SAMHSA, 2003). The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of treatment modalities and models which are in use within substance abuse settings and to provide recommendations for professional counselors. With the rising number of methamphetamine using adolescents in Iowa, it is important that effective treatment for abuse of this substance be developed. Substance abuse, community mental health and school counselors each …

Walk A Mile In Our Shoes: A Day In The Life Of A School Library Media Specialist, Melissa Kane

Graduate Research Papers

Some school staff may have an incomplete understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school library media specialist. This research project, designed for school staff to view shows the activities of school library media specialists. The project is set up in a thirteen minute video project. The research project also consists of a survey of three Iowa schools to see how the perceptions of school staff compared to what media specialists actually do in a day. Some of the survey results are included throughout the video project and in a pamphlet that is included with the video project. The …

Professional Development : The Missing Component In Education, Brett C. Ernst

Graduate Research Papers

Professional development addresses student needs and is based on researched teaching strategies that are proven to assist both the teacher and the student in meeting high achievement standards. Other indicators of effective professional development, as described by NCLB, include: ongoing support; data-driven decision making; and effective evaluation of the professional development. It has the potential to improve educators' attitudes, behaviors, knowledge and skills, so it benefits student learning. High quality professional development, when explicit about the results it is seeking to achieve, can assist both teachers and students to meet or exceed the desired outcomes they are being asked to …

Is Inclusion Working At One Middle School In Iowa?, Brett Alan Fischels

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated how the inclusive special education program was operating at Thompson Middle School in Southeast Iowa. Three conclusions were found. First, a majority of the teachers interviewed felt inclusive education was having a positive impact on all students. Second, most of interviewees felt the administrators needed to provide more resources to insure success. Finally, the more years teaching experience an educator possessed, the less they viewed inclusive education as having a positive impact. Recommendations are made to address these conclusions.

Measuring The Success Of Classworks Computer Instruction, Susan J. Boatwright

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to test the effectiveness of the computer program, ClassWorks Gold (CW) in improving student reading and writing scores. ClassWorks Gold is a computer program that merges parts of 150 commercially available language arts program with a built-in assessment and internal e-mail system.

Garfield Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a grant from the Iowa Department of Education for the purchase and implementation of CW as a supplement to regular language arts classroom instruction. The grant required action research for an assessment. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of CW with two third grade …

Plans For Progress Into The 21st Century: A Guide To Planning For School Library Media Programs, Becky Stover Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to school administrators, school boards, general faculty and library media staff in developing and maintaining strong library media programs in the state of Iowa.

The Transformation Of A Middle School Industrial Shop To A Modular Industrial Technology Lab And Communicating This Transformation To The Local Community, Lynn Figg

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this graduate project was to describe the transformation of a middle school industrial arts shop to a modular industrial technology lab and the subsequent public relations effort to communicate this transformation to the local community. This project facilitated a better understanding of what a modular industrial technology lab is, what it looks like, and how it meets the needs of the industrial technology curriculum.

A PowerPoint presentation was created to explain to the diverse audiences how the change from a traditional industrial arts "shop" class to a modular industrial technology lab at an intermediate school took place, …

Considerations In Counseling International Students, Michael L. Williams

Graduate Research Papers

Much has been written about the culture shock that international students experience while studying at a United States college or university. Sometimes adjustments to new living conditions, language, food and culture have exacerbated latent emotional issues in some international students or contributed to the development of emotional disturbances in others. While living in their home countries, many students from other cultures rely on sources such as older family members or spiritual, religious, or medical experts to discuss emotional conflicts. This population often views counseling as performing two primary services: one, to meet education or career goals; or, two, to deal …

Grandparents In Education Project, Kim Renee Freund

Graduate Research Papers

The research strongly suggests that family involvement in education is vital to a child's academic achievement (Epstein, 1987; Zill, 1996). The Grandparent in Education Project goes beyond the parents and into the previous generation of grandparents. In many families grandparents have played a key role in children's lives. Today the numbers of grandparents that help raise or are full-time guardians to children are on the rise (Bafile, 1999). It is a logical connection to include them in today's educational environment.

Another important component is technology and the current role it plays in society. Digital media is continuing to influence communication …

Phonemic Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Shelly Jelinek

Graduate Research Papers

There are two objectives that I hope to meet with the completion of this project. The first is to provide teachers with phonemic awareness activities to supplement the Marion Independent School District early childhood and/or elementary curriculum. The second objective is to provide activities that meet the requirements of my district's phonemic awareness assessment.

Reflections About My Second Year Of Teaching Reading, Molly Melloy Recker

Graduate Research Papers

On the second day of school, I realized that four students had entered my first grade classroom – reading. As that school day concluded, at the beginning of my second year of teaching, I remember sitting down at my desk, and thinking to myself, "Now what?" These were not the students I was expecting.

In this paper I explain how I adapted my reading beliefs and teaching practices to meet the challenge the four students posed to me. I describe each student, and their reading behaviors. Next, I discuss perspectives about early literacy, in order to examine my beliefs in …

Literature Response Journals And Students Entitled To Special Education Services, Andrea J. Safina

Graduate Research Papers

This article examined the types of responses students entitled to level 1 and level 2 special education services made in their journals when responding to books read aloud by a special education teacher. The books chosen to be read aloud were from different genres and about varying topics. The responses were also examined to see if the genre read had any impact on the students' responses.

The responses made by the students fell into eight categories and genre did not affect the response pattern when students were responding to books read aloud by the teacher. The students still made more …

Integrating Technology To Facilitate Math Instruction In The Elementary Classroom, Terri Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Integrating technology throughout the elementary curriculum is a topic that concerns educators. This paper informs educators as to why they should explore the implementation of technology into the math curriculum in the elementary classroom. This paper discusses brain-based learning, how to use brain-based learning techniques as well as the computer to integrate math and the benefits of using the computer in the math classroom throughout the day in the elementary classroom.

Writing As A New Component Of English As A Second Language Programs For Young Russian Children, Elena Voronina

Graduate Research Papers

This project is based on the fundamental idea that oral and written languages develop simultaneously and mutually support development of each other. Reading and writing are two language processes which are impossible to separate from each other, whether learning one's native language or a foreign language. However, in Russian English Foreign Language (EFL) programs this is not the case. The main focus for five and six year olds in these programs is oral communication, the ability to speak with your partner and comprehend what is being spoken. For young learners writing may facilitate language development. The language becomes not just …

Retrospective Miscue Analysis : A Positive Approach, Lisa Marlene Wright

Graduate Research Papers

Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA) is an assessment and instructional tool that can be used in strengthening reading strategies, comprehension development, and positive reader self-concept. This paper discusses RMA's theoretical background and ways it empowers teachers and students, raises reader self-esteem, and teaches reading strategies such as self-correcting, re-reading and listening for syntactical and semantic cues. Next, I discuss the RMA process, which includes recording the reading session, producing a type script with all of the participants' miscues, as well as a separate script that has only the miscues to be discussed with the reader, marking the miscue analysis sheet, recording …

Using A School-Wide Diversity Program To Promote Tolerance, Daniel J. Weichers

Graduate Research Papers

This paper synthesizes the existing literature on diversity programs that teach tolerance at the secondary school level. It presents a rational for school counselors to include a diversity program as part of their comprehensive guidance program. In short, schools and communities that were once homogenous are increasingly becoming more diverse. Through a successful diversity program, students will experience personal growth and learn to become citizens of changing local communities as well as the global community.

Developing State Guidelines For School Library Media Programs In Iowa: Plans For Progress Into The 21st Century, Becky Stover Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

This research project, designed for Iowa school library media specialists, principals, and state education and legislative decision-makers, provides quantitative guidelines for library media program budgets, collections, staffing and facilities in Iowa schools. Research repeatedly has shown a link between these elements of a quality school library program and higher student achievement scores. Historically, standards and guidelines have been used to improve school library media programs. Modeled after previous guidelines developed in Iowa, this project is entitled Plans for Progress into the 21st Century. The literature review of this research project also offers an extensive look at the impact of school …

Music That Teaches, Susan L. Carroll

Graduate Research Papers

Not many materials for librarians are available in a participatory form. Most materials are available for presentation. But research has shown that affective learning, which allows students to participate, has had a positive effect on young children learning their basic skills. This research project will be used for participation. The research project used the standards, benchmarks, and objectives found in library curricula for kindergarten through third graders. These standards were the basis of the lyrics to the songs. Music was composed to complement the lyrics and a songbook was designed which included these songs, illustrations, and suggestions for activities to …