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Full-Text Articles in Curriculum and Instruction

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 Jan 2006

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.

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Instructional Writing Strategies For The Secondary Teacher: A Handbook To Guide Content Area Teachers Implementing Writing Into Curriculum, Cathy S. Thompson Jan 2006

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 …

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Motivating The Reluctant 9th Grade Reader In The English Classroom: An Educator's Guide, Christine Murphy Jan 2006

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

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Third Grade Library Power!, Kristen Joan Scott Jan 2006

Third Grade Library Power!, Kristen Joan Scott

All Graduate Projects

The process of curriculum design for a third grade information literacy skills unit was studied. Studies supporting the connection between a quality school library program and increased student achievement were examined for positive characteristics to be implemented into a third grade library program. State standards in reading, technology, and information skills were analyzed for integration into the design. The result is a third grade information literacy skills curriculum design for implementation into a library program. Implications for future third grade library curriculum improvements are discussed.

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Hands-On Activities To Be Implemented Within A Title I/Lap Math Program, Margaret Rae Hancock May 2005

Hands-On Activities To Be Implemented Within A Title I/Lap Math Program, Margaret Rae Hancock

All Graduate Projects

The project provides middle school math teachers who work with the lower quartile of the student population at the middle school level, a handbook of strategies, methods and activity ideas to implement into the classroom to enhance student learning. The handbook allows middle school math teachers the opportunity to explore alternative teaching practices. It contains student-centered activities, which will allow the lower quartile of the student population an opportunity to have a positive experience in math, as well as taking ownership of their learning. By connecting the students prior knowledge to situations in math that the students can make a …

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Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz Jan 2005

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 …

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Toolkit For Assistance With The Emergent Reader, Theresa Joanne Phelps Jan 2005

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 …

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Dual Language: It's Effectiveness And How It Impacts Learning With Regards To Science Taught Thematicly In Elementary, Elsa J. Gonzalez Jan 2005

Dual Language: It's Effectiveness And How It Impacts Learning With Regards To Science Taught Thematicly In Elementary, Elsa J. Gonzalez

All Graduate Projects

The primary purpose of this project is to develop a month long integrated thematic unit for 2nd graders in a dual language program that address research findings in the area of effective student learning in dual language programs. Incorporation of science methodology, ESL strategies, and thematic teaching are also researched for effectiveness and addressed in the project. Dual Language and its effectiveness will also be compared to other bilingual programs. Dual language with appropriate implementation increases student achievement in learning a second language (Kirk, 2002).

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Effective Reading Strategies That Enhance Reading Comprehension For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Angela Erin Hinkle Jan 2005

Effective Reading Strategies That Enhance Reading Comprehension For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Angela Erin Hinkle

All Graduate Projects

This curriculum project provides reading comprehension strategies for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). This project material can be used with either narrative texts or expository texts, that teach academic subjects. The use of graphic organizers, summarization techniques, strategic reading techniques, and vocabulary instruction techniques are described and examined. Lesson plans that may be used with current classroom curriculum guides and based on the researched reading comprehension strategies are described.

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Service Learning Manual For Coupeville High School, Kenneth J. Stange Jan 2005

Service Learning Manual For Coupeville High School, Kenneth J. Stange

Graduate Student Projects

This project examined the need for increased service learning in schools as well as current practices being used by educators who employ service learning as a regular part of curriculum. The review of literature found that service learning, when conducted properly, has shown benefits to students, educators, and communities. In addition, there were five main components of an effective service learning program: preparation, action, reflection, presentation, and recognition. Included is a service learning manual, specifically designed for Coupeville High School, focused on the five pa1is of a service learning program. The overall purpose of the manual was to ensure that …

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A Technology Integrated Curriculum For An 8th Grade History/Civics Class, Kathy Colleen Chavez Jan 2005

A Technology Integrated Curriculum For An 8th Grade History/Civics Class, Kathy Colleen Chavez

All Graduate Projects

To ensure educational technology is used effectively, educators must put together a curriculum that will encourage students to ask questions and think about what they need to learn (Schrum, 2003). Educators must value the exploration that technology lends itself to and realize it can be a vital teaching tool. They must seek out professional development in the use of appropriate technology and become models of life-long learning for their students. In using technology within the classroom, educators must become comfmiable with and then develop ways technology can enhance what they teach (Schrum, 2003). This project's goal was to develop a …

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Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz Jan 2005

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.

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The Critical Relationship Of Dramtic Play And Literacy Development: Primary Plays Handbook, Activity Packets And Dramatic Play Kits For The Primary Classrooms, Connie Lewellyn Jan 2005

The Critical Relationship Of Dramtic Play And Literacy Development: Primary Plays Handbook, Activity Packets And Dramatic Play Kits For The Primary Classrooms, Connie Lewellyn

All Graduate Projects

Dramatic play is a critical element of programs for young children as a means of acquiring literacy. Literacy-enriched play encourages children's exploration of reading and writing in the world around them. Although child-structured dramatic play is widely recognized as being important, few opportunities are provided for primary educators to incorporate this type of drama into their reading curriculums. This project provides a foundation to implement dramatic play activities in the preschool through third grade reading curriculums.

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Teaching Reading Effectively To Low Level Readers, Shawna Antonia Moore Jan 2005

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.

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Second Language Acquisition Through Reading, Comprehensible Input, Limited Grammar, And Cultural Study: A Handbook For The Secondary Language Teacher, Judith A. Willis-Nicolai Jan 2005

Second Language Acquisition Through Reading, Comprehensible Input, Limited Grammar, And Cultural Study: A Handbook For The Secondary Language Teacher, Judith A. Willis-Nicolai

All Graduate Projects

Second language practitioners share the goal that their students reach communicative competence in the target language. Recent research findings regarding learning, however, have spawned a debate that has driven teachers to rethink the efficacy of the traditional practice of direct instruction of language usage. The Standards for Foreign Language Learning, as well as research that examines second language acquisition, support content-based instructional strategies that employ sustained language use, cultural infusion, and contextual grammar instruction in a constructivist classroom. This project reviews that research, then synthesizes and applies the findings of the research through the development of units that implement strategies …

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Curriculum Design To Teach High School Students: How To Pull Evidence From Text, Karen Marie Hughes Bray Jan 2005

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 …

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Meaningful, Motivating Library Lessons That Matter To Students In Grade Four, Karen Louise-Bjorling Felch Jan 2005

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 …

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A Model Service-Learning Curriculum For Rainier Beach High School, Seattle, Washington, M. Karen Harrington Jan 2005

A Model Service-Learning Curriculum For Rainier Beach High School, Seattle, Washington, M. Karen Harrington

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a Service-Learning Curriculum for Rainier Beach High School, Seattle, Washington. To accomplish this purpose, a review ofrelated literature was conducted. Additionally, related information and materials from programs throughout the United States was obtained and analyzed, along with related materials from Seattle Public Schools.

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Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman Jan 2005

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 …

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Integrating Award Winning Literature Into A Constructivist Based Middle School Mathematics Curriculum, Michael Douglas Martone Jan 2005

Integrating Award Winning Literature Into A Constructivist Based Middle School Mathematics Curriculum, Michael Douglas Martone

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design three independent units that integrate award winning literature and mathematics to be used in middle school mathematics classrooms. Numerous educators have been linking mathematics and literature in their classrooms. Children's literature gives students context in mathematics that can lead to an increase in students understanding of concepts. This project includes three independent units that are aligned with the national standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Suggestions for further study on the connection between literature and mathematics are discussed.

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The Benefits Of Bibliotherapy: Textsets And Accompanying Guides For Students And Teachers, Angela Lee Maurina Jan 2005

The Benefits Of Bibliotherapy: Textsets And Accompanying Guides For Students And Teachers, Angela Lee Maurina

All Graduate Projects

In this project, bibliotherapy (the use of literature in helping children cope with emotional problems or change) was investigated. Its history, with a specific focus on past and current uses in professional clinical and educational practice, was researched and outlined. In addition, a review of the psychological social and emotional needs and development of fourth through eighth graders ( early adolescence) was conducted. A summative argument supporting the use of bibliotherapy as a tool to meet the specific needs of early adolescents in the classroom setting was put forward. Limitations were noted. Upon completion of the research, an implementation guide …

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Elementary Spanish Language Instruction, Norma Leticia Peralez Jan 2005

Elementary Spanish Language Instruction, Norma Leticia Peralez

All Graduate Projects

Foreign languages have always been taught in high school and in college. Students who are eager to learn a new language should not have to wait until they are older. This project will provide second grade teachers with three units that can be used to begin an elementary Spanish language instruction program. Teachers will be able to start their students with the basics and slowly move them into conversations. This project was selected due to high interest being shown from students and parents at a local second grade elementary classroom. The goal of this project is to have a second …

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"Make It Real": A Guide To Implementing And Connecting State Madated Classroom-Based Assessments With The National History Day Curriculum At The Middle School Level, Richard Reuther Jan 2005

"Make It Real": A Guide To Implementing And Connecting State Madated Classroom-Based Assessments With The National History Day Curriculum At The Middle School Level, Richard Reuther

All Graduate Projects

This manuscript is intended to provide a framework for teachers to use the National History Day curriculum as a qualifying classroom-based assessment which will be required for all Washington State gth Grade Social Studies classes in 2008. A review of the literature of National History Day as well as classroom-based assessments is included. A plan for a preliminary assessment of available resources is explored, as well as a sequential topic-bytopic plan for implementing National History Day. Possible variations of student-centered activities are included; student roles in the research process and self-assessment are discussed. Alignment with Washington State Essential Academic Learning …

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Preventing Plagiarism In The High School, Robin Brooke Rushing Jan 2005

Preventing Plagiarism In The High School, Robin Brooke Rushing

All Graduate Projects

The project provides high school teachers with a handbook to aid their effort in teaching summarization skills and MLA citation format. Because research articles have become easier to obtain over the internet, plagiarism among high school students has evolved and become a problem in American high schools. This handbook is not only a resource for teachers to utilize in their lesson plans, but provides various opportunities for students to practice key writing and research documentation skills.

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Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen Jan 2005

Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen

All Graduate Projects

This handbook was designed for teachers in a third-to-fourth grade looping classroom. The lessons integrate reading and writing, and the second year (fourth grade) builds upon skills and strategies introduced in the first year (third grade). The third grade set of lessons focuses study on animals while the fourth grade set of lessons focuses on biographies. The handbook contains a OLE/Lesson plan matrix, information for teachers before beginning both sets of lessons, twelve third grade lessons, thirteen fourth grade lessons, and extension activities for both animals and biographies. The final section in the handbook is an appendix that contains every …

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Integration Of Keyboarding With Fourth Grade Writing, Kevin Russell Jan 2004

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 …

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Aiding Non-Reading Spanish Speaking Adults With Worksource Orientation And Usage Through Low-Level Spanish Reading Workshops, Amy Claussen Jan 2004

Aiding Non-Reading Spanish Speaking Adults With Worksource Orientation And Usage Through Low-Level Spanish Reading Workshops, Amy Claussen

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to teach adult Hispanic low-level readers to utilize the Worksource of Kittitas County and to improve their reading in their language of origin. Research shows that the transfer of knowledge from the primary language to a new second language is not possible without mastery in the primary language first.

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Water Quality Assessment: A Hands-On Approach To Environmental Education, Tracy Lynn Royse Jan 2004

Water Quality Assessment: A Hands-On Approach To Environmental Education, Tracy Lynn Royse

All Graduate Projects

A water quality assessment lab manual has been created to assist secondary educators using the HACH water quality testing kits. It consists of ten chemical tests, a geological survey and a biological assessment largely based upon Washington State University's lab format and the Walla Walla County Conservation District's water study protocol. The lab manual also contains safety guidelines, a scoring rubric and an action plan research project. The environmental approach to science education used in the lab manual meets the Essential Academic Learning Requirements adopted by the Washington State Commission on Student Learning as well as the National Science Education …

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Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker Jan 2004

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.

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Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies For Native American Adolescents With Reading Difficulties, Mary C. La Velle Jan 2004

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 …

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