Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Movement, Rhythms, And Music: Active Curriculums For Teaching Foreign Languages To Beginning Learners, Patricia Guillemin Gregory

MA TESOL Collection

Our task as educators is to fit our teaching methods to our learners. Middle school students have specific characteristics that can seem to interfere with learning. Among these characteristics are a bounty of energy and restlessness. The key for the teacher is to channel this energy into learning activities.

To understand a class and develop a teaching strategy for that class, the teacher should analyze the learning styles of the students. From the results of this analysis, the teacher can build effective lesson plans which match the trends that appear in the class.

With this data in hand, the teacher …

Activities For Integrating Reading And Writing In The Language Classroom, Leslie Giesen

MA TESOL Collection

This project aims to provide teachers with a selection of practical activities for integrating reading and writing in the language classroom. It first looks at the connections between reading and writing and discusses how their integration enhances learning. A compilation of before-reading, during-reading and after-reading activities with detailed lesson plans follows.

“Making Teaching Lexis And Structures To Adult Efl Learners More Effective Through Creating A Learning Community And Fostering Some Specific Learning Skills.” (A Curriculum For A Short-Term Development Course For Non-Native Speaker Efl Teachers), Oleksandr Klyevanov

MA TESOL Collection

Nowadays, EFL teachers are exposed to a large number of different approaches to teaching English. All of them, no matter how much they differ, focus on the objectives shared by all teachers regardless of their theoretical background, namely teaching lexis and structures. However, some approaches ignore what I have come to believe are necessities: creating a learning community, teaching strategies for retention and recycling lexical and structural items. By learning community I mean a group of learners who are focused on learning the target subject of knowledge, who expend their energies on learning, who feel secure being together and working …

Internet-Based Efl University Course Design: Humanistic Considerations, Options And Approaches, Russell Garafalo

MA TESOL Collection

This paper focuses on the developing field of internet-based education as it pertains to the EFL learning environment within the university context. Guidelines and suggestions for approaching EFL course design at the university level are presented in universal terms, with details from one specific Korean university context serving as the experiential touchstone. Humanistic education is the underlying theme of this paper which outlines ways of adapting humanistic learning principles to internet-based classrooms. The learning potential afforded by the internet is weighed against its potential drawbacks. The paper attends to considerations that need to be taken into account at all stages …

Well Begun Is Half Done: Preparing For The Start Of A New Class, Stephanie C. Downey

MA TESOL Collection

This paper explores the critical learning moment that occurs on the first day in a new language class as the individual students, group and teacher interact for the first time. It states that the first day can influence the entire direction a course takes and asserts that the learner, the group, the teacher and the cultural context are key variables that determine how the first day turns out. It argues that by being aware of the impact each of these variables has on learning, the teacher can direct the emotional, mental and social energy of the group positively and create …

Helping Students To Learn: Addressing Student Affect And The Four Skills In An English Communication Skills Course For Students Of Health Sciences, Nicholas Dimakides

MA TESOL Collection

This study in two cycles describes the development of an English oral communication skills course for students of health sciences at a Finnish university. In the first cycle attempts were made to increase students' positive affect by developing community, increasing student security, and providing choice, which was expected to facilitate and enhance the students' learning. In the second cycle the focus was on providing access for students to tasks and activities, and more fully integrating all four skills into the syllabus. This was expected to increase and improve the amount and quality of students' language production. The findings of this …

Esl Curriculum Guide For Seoul Foreign School, Brian Brumsickle

MA TESOL Collection

The ESL Curriculum Guide for Seoul Foreign School (SFS) was written as a map for ESL teachers to follow in order to organize and prioritize curriculum in a sequential manner for students. The guide can also be used for parents as well as other faculty at SFS to inform them of materials and content taught during the academic year. The first document in the Guides relates “Best Practices” which encapsulate the vision for the subject area and serve as the anchor document from which the second, the “Standards” document, was developed. Throughout “Best Practices,” there is linkage with SFS’s expected …

Southern Adventist University Catalog 2001-2002, Southern Adventist University

Catalog, Undergraduate

Southern Adventist University's undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2001-2002.

Lessons Learned From Special Education Leadership Development Knowledge Diffusion And Schools As Organization, Jason Earle Ph.D., Susan G. Clark Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Foundations and Leadership, recognized that to facilitate the successful implementation of IDEA provisions in local schools, educators need a sound conceptual understanding of congressional intent and best practice and opportunities to collaborate in new ways with school organization colleagues. To this end, the State Superintendent's Task Force for the Preparation of Special Education Personnel awarded UA a $25,000 grant to provide school teams, rather than individuals, with the needed skills to implement the IDEA in their organization. Six area school/districts were invited to send a four-person team to attend a series of four weekend workshops centered on the law and …

Inclusion: What Are Teachers Doing To Accommodate For Special Needs Students In The Classroom, Brenda Stevens Ph.D., Caroline Everington Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Elementary teachers (N=42) from a district implementing inclusive practice were surveyed to determine: a) if the frequency of curricular modifications made differ by type of student disability, b) if there is a difference in the frequency of curricular modifications made for special and typical students, and c) if a relationship exists between modifications made for special needs students and for typical students. Results indicate the frequency of teachers’ curricular modifications does not differ by type of disability; that they make significantly more frequent modifications for special needs students; and that there is a significant relationship between the frequency of modifications …

Preclusion: The Solution To The Inclusion Confusion, Terry L. Shepherd Ed.D., Randel D. Brown Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Many public schools in the United States are implementing inclusion programs; however, some research has shown that students with disabilities are not benefiting from inclusion. Part of the difficulty with inclusion lies with the implementation practices of the schools. Stigmatizing by labeling a child is another concern; even through inclusion, ownership of the child is questionable. It is also illogical to take children from the general education classroom, label them as having a disability, and then return them to the same classroom with modifications and support. Modification and support could easily be provided without referring children for special education services. …

Stages Of Preservice Development In A Professional Development School For Teachers Of Students With Emotional Disturbance, Suzanne Tochterman

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This study was designed to identify and describe the stages of preservice development in a Professional Development School (PDS) for teachers of students with emotional disturbance. This study investigated two questions: (a) How does a preservice teacher for students with serious emotional disturbance in a one year full time PDS progress through a series of developmental stages, and (b) what are the opportunities that contribute to the learning of the preservice teacher in a PDS?

This was a qualitative study in which seven data sources from preservice teachers were collected over a nine-month period. These included videotaped teaching episodes, informal …

Philosophy And Staff Editorial Board

Perspectives In Learning

n/a

E-Mail Response Journals As A Tool For Facilitating Critical Reflection Of Diversity Issues, Virginia E. Causey

Perspectives In Learning

Teacher educators face a daunting task. As school populations diversify (Hill, 1989; Protheroe and Barsdate, 1991), the demographic trend among preservice teachers is toward more homogeneity (Cuellar and Huling-Austin, 1991; Jordan, 1995; Zimpher and Ashbum, 1989). In addition, these predominantly White, middle-class college students enter teacher education with limited experiences with persons from another ethnicity or social class (Banks, 1991; Finney and Orr, 1995; Garcia, 1993; Grant, 1991; Irvine, 1990 and 1992; Jordan, 1995; Ladson-Billings, 1991; Zimpher and Ashburn, 1989). These largely monocultural prospective teachers need structured opportunities to confront and reflect upon critical issues related to diversity. Electronic mail …

Asynchronous Course Delivery: Instructor And Student Views, Polly Adams, J. Dugas, R. Fleck, T. Mcqueen

Perspectives In Learning

Accompanying the projected growth in computers, bandwidth improvements will make Internet use a more satisfying experience, leading to increased usage. It follows that faculty in higher education will explore strategies that increase student achievement and satisfaction in asynchronous teaching and learning. Use of the Internet for course and program delivery will increase. The potential of the Web as both a set of tools and a medium for course delivery offers limitless possibilities for creating innovative course design that can be more effective than some classroom experiences (Hafner & Oblinger, 1998). There is evidence that building an online community begins with …

Learning In Process: Forming Student/Teacher/Librarian Research Partnerships, Pamela Yuill

Perspectives In Learning

Librarians and teaching faculty recognize that research is more than the “necessary evil” many students consider it to be. Doing research provides an ideal opportunity to develop and apply creative, analytical and reflective thinking skills to a real problem originating in the need to know. By linking new information to what is already known, and engaging in a dialogic process with both the literature and the subject of inquiry, the student researcher constructs and articulates knowledge. While recognizing the learning potential of the research process, we are also aware that it often does not live up to its educative potential. …

Ec01-219 2001 Nebraska Swine Report, Duane Reese

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The 2001 Nebraska Swine Report was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating Departments for use in Extension, Teaching and Research programs. This publications deals with research on swine reproduction, breeding, health, nutrition, economics, and housing.

Nf01-460 Total Maximum Daily Loads, Tmdls, For Surface Water Pollutants: What They Mean To Nebraska Agriculture, Christopher G. Henry, Thomas G. Franti

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

What is the TMDL Process? A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a written plan specific to a pollutant and a body of water that incorporates water quality monitoring data, exceedence frequency, sample time flow conditions, and the sources that may be contributing to the water quality problem. Its purpose is to identify pollution sources and propose a plan that will help achieve water quality standards for the body of water. The Clean Water Act calls for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with state agencies which in turn work with interested parties in an effort to develop TMDLs …

Nf01-463 Turf Disease Fact Sheet No. 3: Management Program For Brown Patch, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is about managing Brown Patch turf disease.

Nf01-468 Turf Disease Fact Sheet No. 8: Management Program For Powdery Mildew, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is about turf disease and includes information dealing with the management of powdery mildew.

Nf01-482 "Banned Mammalian Protein" - What Does It Mean?, Rosie Nold, David R. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

For a number of years, 4-H members exhibiting livestock have signed an Ethics Affidavit and Statement of Disclosure. This disclosure has asked exhibitors to certify that they have not used any non-approved drugs on their animals and that if any approved drugs were used, the withdrawal time had passed. In 2001, an additional statement was added to the affidavits.

Nf01-475 Creating A Strong Family: "I Love You, Bill", John Defrain

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

We knew this would be difficult for people, especially in front of others. But we felt it was important to do for at least three reasons: so we could all get a better understanding of why human beings love each other; so we could get some good practice sharing these feelings; and so we could triple underline the importance of these feelings by sharing them with others. In human cultures, weddings are public events because they signify the sanctity of human connection for all who attend. A relationship enhancement workshop was another way of blessing humans' love for each other.

Using A Story As A Basis For Working With Language And Culture, Marie Finnigan Miyashi

MA TESOL Collection

The focus of this paper is the development of linguistic materials for adult ESL/EFL students based on the use of a story involving and ethical or moral dilemma. The story and follow-up activities which are presented can be utilized in a variety of settings. This paper will describe how this framework was originally used for intercultural seminars as well as how it can be used to teach linguistic aspects of language in the ESL/EFL classroom. I relate my personal history in learning to use stories with adult learners, and discuss my beliefs regarding their value in the classroom. A module …

University Students As Near Peer English Teachers In A Weekend English Camp For High School Students In Japan, Annie Marquez

MA TESOL Collection

This paper presents a way to use university students as near peer role models and student leaders for a weekend English camp experience for a small group of high school students. It explores the basic design for the project, and outlines the rationale for the syllabus for preparing the near peer role models in a semester conversation class at a Japanese university. It details each of the activities used during the English camp experience, and shares reflections from the participants on the community experience.

Dictation: What And How Students Learn From It, Marilyn C. Fisher

MA TESOL Collection

In the cycle of preferred English language teaching techniques, dictation is currently out of favor. Today, anything inviting the term “old-fashioned” is passed over without consideration as to what qualities made it popular in the past.

This paper reconsiders the merits of dictation use in the classroom, pedagogical theory, and supportive research, and the author’s experimental work with student group dynamics centered on dictation exercises.

My own classroom research shows interesting ways students catch or miss language clues and meaning in dictation exercises and how their minds are directed to analyze the incoming language both during the exercise and after, …

Using Guided Imagery As An Instructional Strategy For Developing Creativity, Learning And Relaxation With First Grade Students, Jennifer Lynn Kilpatrick

Theses Digitization Project

This project examines the theories of guided imagery as a basis for a teaching strategy for developing a student's creativity, promoting learning by increasing concentration techniques and relaxing students. This study discusses how one first grade teacher used guided imagery with her students. The strategy was first used as a morning practice and later incorporated into the language arts program. The topics addressed in this project include: (a) What is guidedimagery? (b) How can guided imagery be applied within a classroom setting? and (c) What guided imagery exercises are appropriate for first grade students? The project concludes that guided imagery …

Recipe For Reading: A Handbook For Parents In A First Grade Classroom, Katherine R. Anderson

All Graduate Projects

A handbook, supported by research on parent involvement and reading was developed to help promote literacy in beginning readers. The handbook incorporates both parents and students as they are encouraged to participate in pre-assigned activities together. Each activity involves a different type of strategy designed to help their child become a successful reader.

A Model Curriculum And Intructional Program For Native American Studies Grades 11-12, Terry Cosentino

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a model curriculum and instructional program for Native American Studies, grades 11 - 12 at Tenino High School, Tenino Washington. To accomplish this purpose a review of related literature was conducted. Additionally, information and materials from selected sources was obtained and analyzed.

The Importance Of Phonemic Awareness: Developing Phonemic Awareness In First Grade Students Through A Backpacking Program, Shannon Kaye Sanger

All Graduate Projects

The role of phonemic awareness in beginning reading acquisition was researched. Studies suggested that the presence of phonemic awareness in young children facilitates learning to read. Research also suggested a positive relationship between parental involvement and reading acquisition. A handbook containing activities designed for use in a backpacking program was created. The activities involve parents in developing phonemic awareness in their children. These activities are to be sent home with students and completed with the assistance of their parents. The handbook also contains assessments and instructions for teachers regarding the implementation of this backpacking program.

A Resource Guide For Bridging The Cultural Gap Between Hispanic Parents And Their Children's Teachers In An Elementary School Setting, Shawna D. Greene

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to increase the involvement of Hispanic parents to result in higher student achievement in the elementary school. Research on cultural barriers of Hispanic parent involvement and the programs that schools have implemented to overcome cultural barriers was examined. A resource guide for elementary school teachers was developed in order to help teachers find ways to overcome the cultural barriers of parent involvement in schools.