Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Critical Literacy And Postcolonial Praxis: A Freirian Perspective, Peter Mclaren

Education Faculty Articles and Research

"This essay examines the relationship among language, experience, and historical agency. It does so in the context of recent work in critical literacy and critical pedagogy. My discussion takes its bearings from the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, described in a recent interview with Carlos Alberto Torres as "the prime 'animateur' for pedagogical innovation and change in the second half of this century" (12). In part this essay stands as a poststructuralist and postcolonialist rereading of Freire that, while to a certain extent "reinventing" his work in light of perspectives selectively culled from contemporary social theory, attempts to remain …

Literacy Through Literature, Tammy Joy Cartwright

All Graduate Projects

Research on literature based and skills based reading programs was reviewed. Results showed that traditional basal programs, which are heavily skill oriented, do not meet the reading styles of all students. Integrated instruction which allows for a variety of learning activities can alleviate this problem. Research also indicated that the reading experience must be meaningful and motivating and that literature is an excellent means of providing this component. Integrated units were developed based upon this research evidence. Conclusions and recommendations are discussed.

A Phonics And Whole Language Synthesis, Anne I. Allsworth

All Graduate Projects

The debate among phonics instruction and the whole language approach and the research supporting a balanced approach were examined. High utility phonics generalizations were identified from the literature. Those high utility phonics generalizations that were appropriate for the primary grades were applied to the vocabulary of a set of whole language readers. Lessons and activities were developed to integrate phonics instruction with the whole language materials for first grade students. Implications for further research and teacher training were discussed.

Who Is Teaching Our Children To Spell? The Literacy Crisis In Teacher Education., Owen F. Watts

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Anyone engaged in marking student essays at tertiary level today cannot fail but to be aware of the increasing inability of students to express themselves in grammatically correct and cogent argument. The problem is even more serious when is prevalent among those students who are studying to become teachers. Lists of "school-boy howlers" derived from the students' essays are no longer funny, rather they are symptomatic of a crisis in literacy that is facing the educational systems of the nation. Testing of students within the Faculty of Education at Curtin University has shown that passes in Year 12 English examinations …

A Handbook For Teaching Journal Writing, Kindergarten Through Third Grade, Linda Rae Donofrio

All Graduate Projects

This masters project provided a teachers' manual for use by teachers who want to establish a journal writing program. It was intended for teachers of grades kindergarten through third grade. In addition to the teachers' manual, this project also provided an overview of the literature of journal writing as part of a language arts program. Examples of students' journal entries were also included. The manual itself was prepared for use in a suburban, middle class school district and it contains a step-by-step approach to establishing a journal program.

The Use Of Volunteers In The Implementation Of A Primary Reading Program, Lynnaie Wright

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to supply activities and materials to classroom teachers in a practical and useful manner that will help in utilizing volunteers as reading tutors in the classroom. This project is a compilation of Information gathered from a review of literature based on volunteer tutoring. Programs that have utilized volunteers are studied. Sources for recruiting volunteers, management strategies for supervising volunteers, training of volunteers, and suggestions for retaining volunteers are included in this project.

An Overview Of Bibliotherapy And Its Applications In The Elementary Classroom, Kerry Sue Abernathy

All Graduate Projects

Bibliotherapy has been used for many years as an aid to the healing process. The concept of using literature to promote mental health has been increasingly accepted as a valid therapeutic method in recent years. Bibliotherapy has, in the past, been used primarily with adults. This study will focus on recent developments to help children grow and develop a positive self-concept through literature. Book lists have been compiled from the many children's books available on the subjects of death and dying, illness, divorce, fears, handicaps, blended families, single parents, friendship, physical development, family relationships, attitudes and values, emotions and feelings, …

The Recruitment, Training, And Retention Of Volunteer Tutors For Elementary Reading Programs, Emilee Kay Solomon

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of: a) an overview of four exemplary volunteer tutorial programs, b) a review of the literature regarding recruitment, training, and retention of volunteer tutors, c) a review of a questionnaire surveying reading teachers and volunteer coordinators about their recruitment, training, and retention methods, and d) a guide for the recruitment, training, and retention/recognition of volunteer tutors in elementary reading programs.

"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.

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.

An Esl Program With Laotian Refugees, Patricia A. Ryan-Croes

MA TESOL Collection

This project is a report on an ESL program developed for and taught to a Laotian couple who arrived in Brattleboro, Vermont in December 1979. The program took place from January to March 1980. The purpose of this report is to present and discuss issues, incidents, suggestions and conclusions regarding the teaching of ESL to Laotian refugees which may be helpful to program organizers and teachers.

The first part of the report details the refugee couple's background before their arrival in Brattleboro. Next is a description of the process of organizing the program and establishing the classroom procedure. This is …

Methods And Materials For Esl Literacy, Ann Ebersole Strauch

MA TESOL Collection

Literacy education for adolescents and adults has been a perplexing problem for ESL teachers, who are generally unprepared for this specific type of instruction. Materials designed for native-English speakers are not suitable for ESL literacy instruction, and teacher-training institutions are not providing preparation for ESL literacy for prospective ESL teachers. Furthemore, very little research has been done on ESL literacy. In spite of this dearth of information and lack of suitable didactic materials available, substantial numbers of nonliterate students are seeking ESL instruction. This thesis addresses the need for methods and materials specifically intended for ESL literacy instruction.

Library research …

A Language Arts Curriculum For The Seventh Grade At Morgan Junior High School, Lois A. Fisher, Marianne Mcafee

All Graduate Projects

The goal of this project is to develop a meaningful program for Seventh Grade Language Arts. The factors to consider are the following: (1) handling large numbers of students, (2) meeting varied interests and abilities, (3) using available materials profitably and efficiently, (4) selecting specific skills and determining the amount of emphasis given the skills, (5) utilizing the physical setting.