Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Technology Integration : Comparing Technology Integration Kofu Middle School To Des Moines Public School, Catie Seeley

Graduate Research Papers

Based on two years of experience teaching in the Kofu middle schools and ten years teaching in Des Moines Public Schools, this paper compares technology integration between Kofu, Japan middle schools and Des Moines, Iowa middle schools. For over twenty years the two cities have enjoyed a strong sister city relationship, participating in many annual cultural exchanges including a teacher exchange. Five Des Moines educators teach English in all the Kofu middle schools for one school year. Over the years attempts to create web based or electronic cultural exchanges have met with limited success.

This paper examines the current technology …

Discussion To Promote Inference Making, Leah J. Muxfeldt

Graduate Research Papers

Using discussion as an integral part of the reading program is a natural outgrowth of real literature in the classroom. Children need opportunities to engage in conversations about their literature experiences in order to enrich and refine their understanding of them. Teachers can facilitate discussions that promote in-depth understandings of reading experiences by providing children with opportunities to make inferences. As a result, children become accustomed to bringing their prior knowledge to reading experiences to discover inferred meanings, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

Poetry Experiences Across The Fourth-Grade Curriculum, Linda M. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The genre of poetry can.foster children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities. Poetry offers much pleasure for children, insight into their lives' and those of others, and models for their expression.

When teachers understand children's poetry preferences and ways to present this genre, it can add another dimension across the curriculum. Poetry experiences reported m this article were presented incidentally and in the social studies program of a fourth-grade classroom. Webbing conducted to identify important concepts in a social studies unit supported the fourth-graders poetry writing. Poetry forms were taught for children to use as structures for their writing.

What Is The Significance Of Online Technology As A Training Tool, Thomas Clifton Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the current directions and future trends of using online sources and activities as a tool for learning. It concentrates on the developmental progress of the most powerful force shaping the evolution of this technology: the Internet. As we enter the 21st Century, online training is becoming the dominant educational technology. The Internet has succeeded in removing the time and space barriers to online multimedia instruction.

Teaching Spelling: An Integrated Developmental Approach Within The First Grade Reading And Writing Curriculum, Dorothy Bower

All Graduate Projects

There has been extensive research concerning various instructional procedures for the acquisition of spelling skills. Many research-based principles of effective spelling instruction have emerged from one of two contrasting models for the development of spelling competence. Traditionally, spelling has been taught with textbooks and workbooks. Students followed a structured program with the goal oflearning to spell the weekly list of words. According to the traditional model, spelling is taught as a separate curriculum. Advocates for spelling reform suggest spelling instruction should be based on the understanding of the developmental nature of the child. This project report provides guidelines and strategies …

Effective Homework For Primary Students: A Handbook For Parents And Teachers, Gillian Buchanan

All Graduate Projects

After serving on a committee to create a homework policy for my school, I found that both teachers and parents need clarification about issues surrounding homework. I discovered many misconceptions about the effects of homework on student learning, and saw a need to explain these. I compiled research on the history of homework, and the main purpose of homework. As well, I gathered information to understand the positive and negative effects of homework, and homework at the elementary level compared to middle and high school. I found research on guidelines for parents, teachers, schools, and districts. Based on the research, …

A Balanced Reading Approach To Teaching Reading In Kindergarten And First Grade, Leah Ann Bodeen

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create specific activities that teach children various tools that assist in learning how to read. The project implements a balanced reading curriculum with an emphasis in kindergarten and first grade. Throughout this project the students will be exploring a variety of ways to acquire the knowledge of reading. The project concentrates on two philosophies of how to teach reading; phonemic awareness and whole language. The final product encompasses both philosophies and creates a curriculum that links the two into a balanced approach to reading.

Balanced Reading In An Intermediate Classroom, Rochelle Marie Cramer

All Graduate Projects

Research in the process of balancing the reading curriculum was read, evaluated and summarized. This research showed the need for further study in the areas of shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and responding to literature; as combining these four components create a balanced reading program. In a balanced approach students receive skill and strategy instruction in addition to reading and responding to authentic literature. A yearlong balanced reading guide and ten sample supporting lessons were created for the intermediate grade teachers at Washington State Centennial Elementary in the Bethel School District.

Supporting Teachers Of Elementary English As A Second Language Students: A Facilitative Handbook Of Activities, Strategies, And Resources, Kathryn E. Getzinger

All Graduate Projects

Stanwood School District has seen an increase of second language students. Many teachers within the district have little or no training in second language acquisition and were having difficulty meeting the needs of these students. A facilitative handbook for supporting teachers of elementary second language students was created. In order to find the strategies that would best serve this student population current research on language development and teaching strategies for English as a Second Language students was examined. Teachers in the Stanwood School District will receive the handbook in the fall 2000.

Ways To Promote Literacy, Heidi Lynn Desteunder

All Graduate Projects

The process by which literacy develops in children and ways to promote literacy development were studied. The review of related literature showed support that children's literacy development begins in infancy, that it develops through a set of stages, and that active involvement of parents and caregivers does promote literacy development. A handbook for parents of children from preschool through elementary school was created. The handbook includes a continuum of literacy development and activities to encourage its growth.

Educational Math Games For First Grade, Shelly Christine Harberts

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project is to create appropriate educational math games for first grade. Thirty-six new games were generated to replace the math games used in the Everyday Math curriculum used in my classroom. The games were taught to twenty first graders. The results showed that using mathematical games relating to the concepts being taught, helped students better understand and master the concepts.

Daily Journal Writing In The Early Childhood Classroom, Kristin Fisher

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a handbook to assist teachers who wish to use daily writing journals as a part of the reading and writing curriculum in a preschool, kindergarten, first, or second grade classroom. The project describes procedures, materials, activities, and routines needed to institute such a program. The Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and assessment methods are addressed. Variations on the journal format that have been used in other early childhood classrooms are mentioned. Current literature and research on the topics of emergent literacy and journal writing is explored.

The Importance Of Phonemic Awareness In Initial Reading Acquisition And How You Can Support It In Your First Grade Classroom: A Handbook For Educators, Jan Pearson Golob

All Graduate Projects

The significance of phonemic awareness in initial reading acquisition was researched. The research suggests that those children without phonemic awareness will struggle with learning to read. A handbook for educators was created to compliment existing curriculum. This handbook contains songs and activities either extracted from or modeled after those that had already been field tested in many classrooms.

A Model Music Curriculum For Elementary-Level Students In Taiwan, Mei-Fang Ho

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model music curriculum for elementary-level students in Taiwan. With the current music curriculum utilized recently in Taiwan, this project will help the elementary-level students to develop their music potentials. In addition, teachers can educate students according to their level oflearning at different periods of time. To accomplish this purpose, a review ofrelated literature was conducted. Additionally, selected materials were obtained and adapted for use.

Infusing The Multiple Intelligences Into Fifth Grade Curriculum, Kelly Eugene Mattson

All Graduate Projects

Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences involves eight different ways to learn (linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, naturalistic, interpersonal and intrapersonal). These categories of intelligence, along with the guidelines of Washington State's Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, were applied to thirty lessons that were derived from the fifth grade curriculum at Tieton Middle School in Tieton, Washington. The lessons reflect the fields of reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and health/fitness.

Integration Of The Internet Into The Curriculum: A Model Application Exploring The Iditarod, Melanie Kingham

All Graduate Projects

This manuscript is intended to serve as a model and resource for elementary teachers seeking to incorporate use of the Internet into their curriculum. A central premise of the document is that the Internet can serve as a valuable learning tool when it is part of an integrated, project based instructional program. A discussion of the rationale supporting this position is provided, as well as a review of related literature and research. Issues and considerations for those developing Internet based curricula are addressed. A sample Internet based curriculum for primary students, "The Spirit of Adventure," is offered as an illustration …

A Balanced Reading Program For The Primary Grades, Hope Kranz Mcdonald

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create specific.activities that teach children various tools that assist in learning how to read. The project implements a balanced reading curriculum with an emphasis in kindergarten and first grade. Throughout this project the students will be exploring a variety of ways to acquire the knowledge of reading. The project concentrates on two philosophies of how to teach reading; phonemic awareness and whole language. The final product encompasses both philosophies and creates a curriculum that links the two into a balanced approach to reading.

Leadership Curriculum For The High School Student, Ruth Elaine Miller

All Graduate Projects

The need for a high school leadership curriculum for a small rural school district was studied. The review of literature showed that students should be provided the opportunity to learn leadership skills that focus on the individual, family, school and community. By working with peers and adults, leadership students will have the opportunity to work in real-life situations which address service-learning, character education, and school-to-work in aligmnent with the national and state standards.

Standards-Based Education: Lessons For The Essential Academic Learning Requirements In The Seventh-Grade Social Studies, Karl Anton Schelbert

All Graduate Projects

This project focuses on aligning seventh-grade social studies with Washington State's Essential Academic Leaming Requirements, the state's curriculum guide. In the last decade standards-based education has swept across the United States and the results in Washington have changed the face of education. The project itself presents a variety of lessons that are aligned with the seventh-grade standards for social studies. Lessons are separated into the four disciplines in social studies: history, geography, civics, and economics. Each lesson teaches some aspect of a selected social studies requirement. The review of literature examines the standards-based reform and its resulting affects in Washington …

Comprehension Strategy Lesson Plans For Third Grade Teachers Incorporating Informational Science Trade Books, Trinidad M. Rivera

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a set of lesson plans for teachers useful in teaching comprehension strategies to monolingual third grade students. Research on comprehension strategies and the effects they have on children's reading comprehension was explored. Effective comprehension strategies were defined. Lesson plans were created to aid educators as they teach comprehension of informational material to third grade students.

A Living Skills Curriculum For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Patricia Merz Ubelaker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a living skills curriculum for adults with developmental disabilities. It will present many of the necessary skills for succeeding at living independently in the community. This curriculum was designed to be taught in a community college setting, using the ten week quarter system. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research was conducted. The review found few curricula available for teaching living skills and none on the postsecondary level. The research established a need for a curriculum ofliving skills for adults and this project is offered in partial fulfillment …

An Integrated Fire Ecology Curriculum For The Eastern Slopes Of The Cascade Mountain Range For Grades 4-7, Amy E. Starkovich

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a curriculwn to increase the opportunity for young people in Central Washington to receive fire ecology education which will allow them to gain fundamental knowledge of how the Central Washington forest ecosystems work as well as develop a sense of stewardship toward our local forests. An integrated fire ecology curriculum aligned with the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements was created. The curriculum includes teacher and student information, lessons, activities, resources, and recommendations to increase student understanding of the wildfires which impact many communities in Central Washington every summer.

Incorporating Holistic Activities Into A First Grade Phonics-Based Basal Reading Program, Kristine Marie Williams

All Graduate Projects

This project reviews the literature on basal reading programs, the whole language approach, and phonics instruction. The related research was used to identify the need for a more balanced approach to elementary reading instruction. Holistic strategies, based on the whole language philosophy, were explained. These strategies were applied to a first grade phonics-based basal reading program. Lessons and activities were developed to integrate holistic strategies with the phonics-based basal reading program. Implications for further research and teacher training were discussed.

Honors Program For The 7th Grade Language Arts / Social Studies Block Classroom, Rachel Lewis Ulmer

All Graduate Projects

The focus for this project is to establish a curriculum outline as well as develop appropriate supplementary projects for a seventh-grade Language Arts/Social Studies Honors program. The rationale behind such a program is discussed, as well as outlining the program structure. This includes student selection, entry, and expulsion from the program. There are seven units outlined, each of which has unit goals, activity descriptions, and project information and materials.

Designing A United States History Curriculum: A Thematic Approach, David Paul Willecke

All Graduate Projects

A cun-iculum framework for a one-year eleventh grade United States History course was designed. The Framework included the development of nine themes at the unit level and one theme at the lesson level. Goals and objectives were developed at the course, unit, and lesson level. The potential for thematic instruction to improve history teaching was discussed, as well as the challenges of designing thematic curriculum.

Looping : An Old Idea Revisited, Steven J. Koester

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to examine the existing literature and research available on the topic of looping, and to synthesize the information into a comprehensive report. This paper includes the historical background of looping, an explanation of the basics of looping, the examination of the teacher-student relationship, and the advantages and disadvantages of looping.

Development Of Writing Through Journaling With Senior Educable Mentally Handicapped, Bonita M. Custer

Graduate Research Papers

Recognizing that many senior high school students who are labeled Educable Mentally Handicapped (the term used in Nebraska) have had few opportunities to have fulfilling experiences in school, a rich literature-based language arts program was developed for a class. This group had many opportunities to respond with their ideas and feelings, one of which was journaling.

As the school year progressed, I, as their teacher, found that I was modifying and changing my daily instructional plans because their reading and writing generated ideas and instructional needs. In their journals, they began to write more freely with more skill and creativity. …

Curricular And Instructional Adaptations For Special Needs Students In The General Education Setting, Kelly Bohning

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this article is to address when regular education teachers should make adaptations for students in the general education setting and to determine the kinds of adaptations that general education teachers can make for their students. This article also links curricular and instructional adaptations to the research on effective schools. Steps for setting up an inclusive science classroom are presented. Various adaptations in the science classroom are discussed. The findings of this research report indicate that there are a variety of instances where it is appropriate for teachers to make adaptations for students in the general education …

Invented Spelling : The Role Of Developmental Spelling In Early Childhood Classrooms, Cynthia L. Ford

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of literature relative to the importance of Invented Spelling in early childhood classrooms. The primary focus of this paper was to develop guidelines which should be used to implement a model program. The literature examined included the features of Invented Spelling and the stages of Invented Spelling. Also, the advantage and disadvantages of Invented Spelling were discussed.

The conclusion of this paper offers suggestions to educators on how to implement a model Invented Spelling program. Recommendations for further research in the area are stated.

From Idol To Add-On To Indispensable Tool : Iowa's One-Computer Classroom, Laura M. Mcdermott

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers who ponder over past experiences can examine the revisions made in order to offer the best possible education to the children entrusted to their care. With the advent of computers in the classrooms, undeniable problems arise and further revisions must be made. When both the teacher and students share one computer, issues that must be addressed include time management, curriculum integration, and effective use of the computer.

With everyday demands of the classroom, it is difficult for teachers to spend time adding to a curriculum already filled to the brim. Time is needed for the teacher to understand how …