Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

A Resource Manual For Mainstreaming Students With Behavioral Disabilities In The Middle School, Matthew L. Cobb

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a resource manual to facilitate the use of effective components for mainstreamed or included Behavior Disabled (BD) students in the regular classroom. The manual will be used by Wapato Middle School, Wapato, Washington, to enhance the current mainstream/ inclusion program. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature related to BD student characteristics, legal issues, instructional strategies and policies were reviewed.

Supporting Emergent Writing In Kindergarten, Lynne L. Dufault

All Graduate Projects

The development of emergent writing and the factors which support writing were studied. Five ways that teachers support emergent writing in the classroom were identified and used as the foundation for the developed activities in this project. The activities were designed by the author for use in kindergarten and can be adapted to fit other primary levels. Recommendations for supporting emergent writing in classrooms were given. iii

At-Risk Fourth Grade Students: Teaching Strategies For Developing Effective Interpersonal And Intrapersonal Skills, Robert Paul Griffith

All Graduate Projects

A representative sample of social skills and teaching strategies was developed for use by classroom teachers of students at-risk in the fourth grade. A literature search was conducted regarding characteristics of students at-risk, effective strategies for teaching social skills, and effective social skills programs. The strategies developed can be used by elementary classroom teachers to help improve prosocial skills of students at-risk.

Study Skills Handbook For Elementary Students Transitioning Into Middle School, Kristina Elise Riggs

All Graduate Projects

Students transitioning from elementary to middle school face a unique set of challenges. These students are coming from the comfort of having one teacher and one classroom, to the departmentalized setting of the middle school There they may have up to seven different teachers, classes and classrooms. This new situation forces them to call upon certain organizational skills which may be different from those utilized in past learning situations. The Study Skills Handbook was designed to aid students with this unique transition. It provides students with an overview of basic skills practicing teachers deemed important for success in their classroom. …

A Model Third Grade Science Curriculum For Use In A Magnet School, Tracy E. Schroder

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a model third grade magnet school science curriculum that would give students an opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning. To accomplish this purpose, current research and literature on magnet schools, magnet science curricula, elementary science curricula, experiential learning and multiple intelligences were reviewed. Additionally, information and materials from selected magnet elementary schools around the Yakima Valley were obtained and analyzed. Finally, student learning objectives, performance criteria, learning activities, teaching strategies and instructional materials were adapted and developed.

Whole Language Based Strategies For Teaching Reading In The Content Areas, Ingrid Annemarie Spencer

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a thematic unit for use in a sixth grade classroom. The unit provides a whole language, integrated curriculum concentrating on ancient Greece. Fifteen lessons were developed for use with a social studies text to teach reading strategies to a class of sixth graders. The project includes a review of selected literature related to the topics of whole language instruction, thematic units, integration, and an explanation of how to utilize the project in a sixth grade classroom. A summary with conclusions and recommendations was included.

Teachnig Musicianship In High School Band Within The Four-Period Day Format, Rebecca Kay Mccoy

All Graduate Projects

New innovations in scheduling at the secondary level in many high schools have resulted in "block scheduling", whereby, students meet in classes for a longer time period than the norm (50-55 minutes). In the area of performing arts, this expanded schedule presents new opportunities for the inclusion of musicianship skills. This study will provide guidelines and resources for strengthening the musicianship of students currently participating in block scheduling within their performance classes. The exercises and lessons included will reflect the guidelines of the National Standards for the Arts.

The Use Of Visual Arts For The Development Of Learning Activities For Teaching And As Model For Future Testing Of Four Areas Of Reading Comprehension, Thomas S. Wright

All Graduate Projects

The use of visual arts as a method for teaching vocabulary comprehension, literal comprehension, interpretive comprehension, and evaluative comprehension was investigated. Literature was cited on individuals and programs using visual arts as a method of teaching reading. Visual art related learning activities were developed from this information for use by classroom teachers and for future testing.

Globalizing The Curriculum: A Workshop, Eugenia Allen-Schmid

All Graduate Projects

Globalizing the Curriculum is the design for a workshop for high school history and social studies teachers. The written project includes a description of how the workshop has actually been presented and a discussion of how it may be presented again. This workshop focuses on the following:

1. Why a global approach is important and the goals for taking this approach.

2. Problems and concerns teachers have incorporating a global approach and how these can be overcome.

3. Specific teaching strategies for globalizing the curriculum.

4. Resources available for global studies and how to access them.

A Study Skills Course For Sixth Grade Students, Joseph M. France

All Graduate Projects

This project was designed for the sixth grade classes at North Tapps Middle School in the Dieringer School district, Sumner Washington. It was designed as an exploratory class and will last one quarter or 45 school days. All sixth grade students will participate in this class during one quarter of the year. This course is broken into 7 units, with each unit being approximately five school days. The units are: 1) Time Management, 2) Study Habits Awareness, 3) SQ4R, 4) Skimming and Scanning, 5) Outlining and Note Taking, 6) Following Directions, Using Context Clues, and Dictionary Skills, and 7) Test …

Enhancement Of Classroom Activities For The Improvement Of Giving And Following Directions For The Business Communication Student, Marcella Matthews

All Graduate Projects

Students in Business Communication at Ellensburg High School may not receive adequate instruction in giving and following written and oral directions. This project was developed to provide additional and/or alternative activities that support the presentation and instruction of giving and following directions. The eight activities presented were developed to build students' skills in giving and following written and oral directions. These activities are to be used in conjunction with applied communication materials which were adopted by Ellensburg High School.

Development Of A Third Grade Magnet Curriculum Integrated Through The Fine And Performing Arts And Science, Lorna Marie Walker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a third grade magnet curriculum that was integrated through the fine and performing arts and sciences in the Yakima, Washington, school district. To accomplish this purpose, units comprised of selected lesson plans were developed to integrate the curriculum through the fine and performing arts and sciences.

Global Decisions: A Curriculum For Enrichment In Health Education Using Kohlberg's Discussion Of Moral Dilemmas, Leanne Bond Lacey

All Graduate Projects

Using Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development and Discussion of Moral Dilemmas, an enrichment curriculum was created for use in the senior high school Health Education classroom or the Gifted Education classroom. The student is first introduced to the six stages of moral development as outlined by Kohlberg's theory. The instructional theories of Taba, Simon and Raths are also integrated with Kohlberg's theory through both individual and group discussion activities. First, the student solves one of eighteen Health Education-related moral dilemmas. After solving the dilemmas, the student asks questions of the others in a group discussion setting, and is in …

Teaching Learning Strategies In Sixth Grade Social Studies Classrooms, Kristine Rae Bowen

All Graduate Projects

This project introduced four learning strategies using the sixth grade social studies textbook, The World (Cangemi, 1986) as a framework to enhance reading comprehension. The strategies were selected because they: activated background knowledge, set a purpose, and encouraged active thinking while reading. The project explained each strategy, demonstrated how each could be implemented to promote active comprehension in a content area text, and developed lessons to teach students to incorporate the strategy while reading a social studies textbook.

Incorporating Cooperative Learning Teams And Whole Language In The First Grade, Mary Elizabeth Berdine

All Graduate Projects

The first purpose of this project was to review current literature regarding whole language and cooperative learning. The second purpose of this project was the development of whole language, cooperative learning strategies and accompanying application lessons for use at the first grade level. Ten cooperative learning strategies and application lessons were developed utilizing a whole language approach. The lessons were centered around children's literature and focused on reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that were whole, purposeful, and meaningful.

Integrated Social Studies Curriculum For The Combined Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Classroom, Kenneth Irwin Ecker

All Graduate Projects

A social studies curriculum was developed for use in a multi-grade classroom. The curriculum incorporates the learning objectives from each of the three grade levels in a format which can be presented simultaneously to students in all three grades, while directing a separate focus for each grade. The unique qualities and limitations of the multi-grade classroom were considered, and implications for the teacher are discussed. An informal pilot study assessed the useability and effectiveness of the curriculum.

"Night Writers": A Voluntary Creative Writing Program, Wendy Arline Alexander

All Graduate Projects

"Night Writers", a voluntary creative writing program that utilizes parent volunteers, was designed to encourage more writing in a positive way. Writing supports the aquisition of reading skills and enables one to communicate more effectively. As "Night Writers" encourages the students to write at home, with parent involvement encouraged, a close home-school relationship is being fostered to the benefit of all parties concerned.

Games And Activities For The English As A Second Language Classroom, Mary T. Brunelle

All Graduate Projects

A study has been made to select activities and games that promote language use in the second language classroom. Low classroom and personal anxiety promote language learning; games and activities are a method of focusing the language on its message rather than its structural form. Ways for teachers to help decrease classroom pressure and encourage learning are discussed. Language games for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students are presented in the project portion of this paper and will be used as a handbook of games for English as a second language teachers.

A Parent Handbook For Primary Students With Learning Disabilities, Susan K. Busey

All Graduate Projects

Parents play an important role in the educational process, especially with Special Education students. When a child is identified as Learning Disabled, parents often ask, "What can we do at home to help?" When there is parent-school cooperation and coordination all will benefit, particularly the child. This project provides parents of the Selah School District in Washington State with information and activities in the academic areas of reading, mathematics, and written language, that will reinforce and strengthen those skills taught at school.

Simulated Business Curriculum For Business Communications High School Classes, Kathy J. Rody

All Graduate Projects

Current methods of teaching business communications in the high school classroom are very traditional. By developing a business communications simulation, the traditional classroom has an additional dimension for practicing letter writing skills, as well as oral communications and human relations skills. The goal in this project was to change the traditionally taught business communication course into a more practical hands-on experience of what is done in an actual employment situation.

Ninth Grade Remedial Writing Project, Kurt Dean Clemmens

All Graduate Projects

The specific challenge I face in my ninth grade remedial English class is that of developing each student's skill in writing. This should be simple enough, but there is a diversity of obstacles that interferes with acceptable development.

Linear Measurement: A Prevocational Skills Curriculum Based On The Brigance Inventory Of Essential Skills, Linda Jane Kittle

All Graduate Projects

Student progress toward an educational goal can be enhanced by the use of a curriculum containing both assessment and instruction. This project is such a curriculum based on the linear measurement items of the Brigance Inventory of Essential Skills. The careful sequencing and prevocational nature of this curriculum, along with its record-keeping forms, make it especially useful for special education. It is also available as a data disk for use with Apple microcomputers.

A Program For Teaching Composition In The Elementary School, Sharon Maxine Mcconnell

All Graduate Projects

Methods and procedures for teaching composition in the elementary school were developed. Current methods of teaching writing were combined with classical rhetorical modes to provide integrated and comprehensive writing experiences for elementary students. Step-by-step directions are provided for the teacher, from prewriting activities to publication of student writing. Each procedure contains a writing experience in the narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive mode, each using the writing "process'' to reach a final product.

Cooking… Organized Opportunities For Kids, Jennifer H. Quesnell

All Graduate Projects

The utilization of cooking experiences in the elementary school can increase student involvement and participation. In addition, when carefully planned cooking experiences are presented, a wide variety of learning opportunities is possible. This project is intended to assist teachers wishing to incorporate cooking experiences into the classroom. Cooking lessons, teaching suggestions, additional recipes, and enrichment ideas are included. A list of cooking terms and definitions and additional sources of information are also given.

Self-Instructional Units For Mastery Learning In Drafting, Grant J. Quesnell

All Graduate Projects

Most teachers would like to provide more help and individualized instruction for their students. The implementation of mastery learning in the classroom can help accomplish this. Use of the mastery learning technique may also reduce the high level of predictability in student achievement, All students should be able to experience some degree of success. The materials in this project are designed to allow students to progress at a pace they set for themselves, and to achieve mastery of all units covered.

A Supplementary Unit For The Average Level High School Geometry Course, Theresa Lynn Hulbert

All Graduate Projects

A set of worksheets were created to supplement high school geometry textbooks. The worksheet~ focus on the needs and abilities of the average or below average high school geometry students. The supplement consists of additional problems in areas where books are lacking, proofs with some of the statements or reasons filled in, and review problems.

Simulations For Teaching Concepts On Washington State, Cynthia Louise Buettgenbach

All Graduate Projects

Simulation lessons and materials were developed to teach concepts on Washington State to a classroom of fourth grade students. The activities in which the students participated were the following:

1) planned trips to the five geographic regions of Washington State;

2) became part of an Indian tribe and held a meeting with other tribes at Sacajawea Park;

3) played a board game, traveling with Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean;

4) held mock state elections and one legislative session.

Students showed an increased interest in social studies through the simulations.

A Teaching Strategy Using Visual Literacy Skills In Grades Four Through Six, Mark Truman Collins

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a brief curriculum which would provide classroom activities related to visual literacy. The project was focused on grades four, five, and six. Visual literacy activities were developed to be used as learning experiences to develop specific visual skills. Other activities were also developed to be used as teaching aids in the subject areas of language arts and reading. The lessons were then tested on a limited basis in classroom situations. The results of the tests showed the activities to be functional and motivational.

A Program For Teaching Media Research Skills To Sixth And Seventh Grade Students In The Eastmont Middle School, Sally Hawkins Cooper

All Graduate Projects

This paper presents a program for teaching media/research skills by integrating them with study assignments in curricular areas developed by classroom teachers. It is planned to be carried out in the Instructional Resource Center with both the classroom teacher and the librarian present. Evaluation is provided for student diagnosis and program improvement. Recommendations include the adoption of this program for the Eastmont Middle School.

Enrichment Materials In Reading Designed For The Gifted First Grade Child, Virginia Ann Burke

All Graduate Projects

This project provides enrichment reading materials for the first grade child who is designated as gifted and is reading beyond the preprimer and primer levels at the beginning of the school year. The materials are divided into four areas; (1) word recognition, (2) comprehension, (3) vocabulary, and (4) study skills. In each of these areas, enrichment activities have been prepared with the most emphasis given to comprehension. Although originally designed to be used independently, the materials can be used as skill teaching devices. The difficulty of the materials varies; therefore, the materials have been sequenced according to difficulty.