Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Negotiating A Labyrinth: Uncovering Meaning Through Biography, Floretta Thornton-Reid

Perspectives In Learning

Biographical method is one of “several intellectual disciplines that make use of life writing” (Smith, 1994, p. 286). However, biographies are probably better described as an interdisciplinary methodology that incorporates several approaches to qualitative research including but not limited to life history, narrative analysis, case study, historical social science, grounded theory and ethnography (Marshall & Rossman, 1999; Riessman, 1993; Atkinson, 1998). In laymen’s terms, a biography can be understood as the written history of a person’s life. Thus the life history or narrative story of a person is a key biographical concept. Controversy has long surrounded life history. Runyan (1982a) …

Focus On Writing: Collaborative Action Research In The Classroom, Carol Marchel, Dianne Whitaker

Perspectives In Learning

In higher education, professors are expected to provide quality instruction, although rewards are often based on research activities. For those who value teaching for its own sake, it is difficult to balance the competing demands of life within academe with the demands of teaching. As teachers, we seek to understand student needs to improve our classroom practice. More importantly, we want to show students how to improve their own skills. This article describes how we combined both research and instruction to improve the quality of instruction while providing students with a way to improve their skills. We utilized this approach …

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.

A Model Reading And Writing Curriculum For Low-Achieving Eleventh And Twelfth Grade Students, Jeri Goebel

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a model reading and writing curriculum for low-achieving eleventh and twelfth grade students that would be named, English 11. To accomplish this purpose, a review of related literature and research was conducted. Additionally, related information and materials from selected secondary level English programs were obtained and analyzed.

Children And Writing: A Handbook Of Effective Writing Practices For A First Grade Classroom, Julie M. Lang

All Graduate Projects

A handbook has been developed to aid in the design of a first grade writing program and/or to be used as a supplement to any existing first grade writing curriculum. The handbook consists of four main content areas of discussion regarding current strategies used in a first grade writing curriculum: Writer's Workshop, journals, partner writing, and parent involvement. Each section consists of a brief definition of the term and five distinctive lesson plans implementing the aforementioned category. Current literature and research regarding the topic of children's development in writing were explored.

Authenticity In Language Arts For The Average Fouth Graders, Karen Ann Rossman

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated Language Arts program based on the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and which focuses on authentic experiential activities. Research was completed which supported the use of integration of the language arts as well as authenticity in learning. The concluding activity was the writing of an autobiographical story by each student.

Writing Across The Curriculum For Primary Grades, Jenneifer L. Perri

All Graduate Projects

Writing activities have been developed for the primary classroom to help in the teaching of science and social studies. Both research and observation have shown that writing is a thinking process which has a positive impact on all areas of the curriculum. The project included specific writing activities which can be taught during specific science and social studies themes. A list of writing prompts which can be used when using learning logs has been provided as a way to encourage reflection and interaction with curriculum content.

Effects Of Keyboarding Skills On The Quality Of Writing Using A Word Processor For Composing, Jon S. Kroeze

Master of Education Program Theses

This study investigated the influence of keyboarding proficiency on writing quality. The participants were seventeen fifth graders in a small private school. One sample group participated in formal keyboarding instruction for seven weeks. The other sample group used the computers for the same seven week period but with other programs not related to improving keyboarding proficiency. Keyboarding tests were taken as a pre-test and post-test. Writing samples were taken as a pre-test and post-test and scored holistically. An analysis of the keyboarding pre-test and post-tests suggested that a significant improvement in keyboarding skills had developed for the group given formal …

An Inservice Training Manual Of Selected Writing Techniques To Improve Reading Achievement In Primary Grades, Roni L. Rumsey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a manual of writing techniques that could be used in kindergarten and first grade classrooms, in order to increase reading achievement. To accomplish this, current research and literature on emergent literacy, reading, writing, and communication was reviewed. Additionally, information and selected materials from selected schools and school districts related to the utilization of writing techniques to improve reading skills was obtained and analyzed.

To Write With Skill: A Writing Program To Meet Washington State's Essential Academic Learnings In Writing, Doris L. Sjoquist

All Graduate Projects

A writing program has been developed for intermediate level students to prepare them to meet the benchmarks of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements in Writing for Washington State. Students need daily, meaningful writing practice to contribute to success in their academic and work lives. The project includes daily writing practices, lesson plans for writing experiences that will meet the benchmarks established by the Commission on Student Learning, and a portfolio system for organization and assessment.

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

Writing To Learn Writing, Dawn M. Williams

All Graduate Projects

The literature and research regarding writing to learn writing was explored. Data were presented to support teaching writing in a holistic process approach such as the Writing Workshop. Mini-lessons for use in sixth grade Writing Workshop were developed to use as models for additional lessons created by the author or others. Implications for using a Writing Workshop format were discussed.

Using Portfolio Reflections To Re-Form Instructional Programs And Build Curriculum, Sarah Robbins, Nancy Brandt, Susan Goering, Jeanette Nassif, Kathleen Wascha

Faculty Articles

An educator who finds merit in both content- and student-centered instruction may find it difficult to develop a classroom learning program with a firm theoretical base drawing on strengths from both perspectives. The implementation of a collaborative portfolio project as an ongoing curriculum reformation is described.

Writing Across Institutional Boundaries: A K-12 And University Collaboration, Rebecca Randolph, Sarah Robbins, Anne Ruggles Gere

Faculty Articles

A collaborative reading and writing project between eighth graders and college English education students is discussed. The students corresponded with one another, discussing shared readings.

Reinventing The University: Finding The Place For Basic Writers, Jane E. Hindman

Publications and Research

A poststructuralist critique of basic writing placement and pedagogy, this paper argues that our notions of good writing (i.e., the criteria by which we as English professors and compositionists authorize and "place" students) come not from some general or transcendent standards, but rather from the practices by which we self-authorize within our own discourse community. Using Bartholomae and Petrosky's curriculum presented in Facts, Artifacts, Counterfacts as a point of departure, I propose a language-centered curriculum which uses discourse itself as the subject of the semester-Jong project wherein students eventually learn to critique our practices and create their own discourse communities. …

An Integrated Program For Teaching Writing And Thinking Skills, Edmund James Ady

All Graduate Projects

The nature and development of thought, the connection between thinking and writing, teaching practices associated with the direct teaching of thinking and writing skills were researched and studied. An integrated program of writing and thinking skills was compiled. This program includes techniques for teaching thinking and writing activities and provides step by step procedures to accomplish the integration of thinking skills with writing skills targeted at producing contrast and comparison essays. A discussion and recommendations regarding the program are included.

In The Classroom: The Winter Tradition Project (Feb. '91), Michael P. French, Kathy Everts Danielson

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

In an effort to involve all students and to educate them about the cultures of other countries, I developed a "winter tradition" project. The project required that students write brief descriptions of things their families do during the holidays or winter months. These were compiled into a class booklet. The winter tradition project proved to an excellent activity for middle school students because it allowed them to learn about each other while increasing their writing, computer, and interpersonal skills. I introduced this five-day project to five language arts classes of 20-25 students each.

The Reading And Writing Connection, Leona G. Morton

All Graduate Projects

Many children are graduating from school lacking skills in writing. This project reviews the literature in order to establish a theoretical justification for improving writing through reading. Using materials from the classroom and library, activities are presented that emphasize writing as well as reading. Some writing activities will be presented before reading and some writing activities will be presented after reading. Thus each activity will reflect the reading/writing connection, and create a basis from which writing should improve.

Activities For Teaching Letter Identification, A. Kristin Seibel

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to compile and design research based letter identification activities. Emphasis was placed on the highly confusable letters "b-d", "p-q", and "n-u". The activities were for use in the first grade curriculum. Learning objectives were stated for each activity. The activities, utilizing a variety of materials, were chosen and designed for hands-on application. Needed materials were listed, directions and patterns for construction were included, directions for use were provided, and classroom management was suggested. Use of the activities was divided into three parts: whole group introduction, guided practice, and small group activities.

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.

Take Home Reading/Writing Activity Packets For Kindergartners, Jean Marie Czubin

All Graduate Projects

This project was developed to provide meaningful reading/writing activities which would involve the parents of kindergartners in the reading process. Research studies reviewed in literature supported the theory that kindergartners should be taught basic reading skills and parents need to be involved in the reading process. It is currently recognized that parents can do a great deal to develop reading and writing skills at home. Therefore, the role of the teacher is extended beyond the school into the home.

In The Classroom: Reading And Writing In The Content Areas (Dec. '89), Michael P. French, Kathy Everts Danielson, Maureen Conn, Willa Gale, Charlene Lueck, Mona Manley

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Students comprehend content material by reading, discussing, writing, questioning, investigating, exploring, and organizing. Reading and writing in the content areas relates prior knowledge, classroom interaction, cooperative learning, vocabulary instruction, and questioning techniques. Children practice research skills by organizing information in a meaningful and practical manner. This month's In the Classroom column presents ways in which teachers can enhance their students' comprehension of content area topics by involving them in various classroom activities. Additional resources for content area reading and writing activities follow :

Dupuis, M.M. (1983). Reading in the content areas: Research for teachers. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Graves, …

A Comparative Study Of Student Directed Dialogue Journal Writing And Teacher Directed Dialogue Journal Writing, Yolanda Paez Bailey

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare student directed dialogue journal writing with teacher directed dialogue journal writing. Eleven students in the student directed group wrote about self-generated topics while 12 students in the teacher directed group wrote on topics selected by the teacher. Data were analyzed in the areas of amount of writing generated, types of language functions, topics and the ability to stay on topic, level of technical improvement, types of questions posed by students and teacher, and attitudes towards writing. The results revealed that both student directed dialogue journal writing and teacher directed dialogue journal writing …

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.

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.

G85-770 An Introduction To Grain Options On Futures Contracts, Lynn H. Lutgen, Lynne A. Todd

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication, the third of six NebGuides on agricultural grain options, explains how to use futures options as a marketing tool.

A new agricultural marketing tool is available to farmers. A futures agricultural option is much like an insurance policy. It is a marketing alternative that gives farmers insurance against unfavorable price moves, but allows producers to take advantage of favorable price moves. To better understand terms used in this paper, please see NebGuide G85-768, Basic Terminology For Understanding Grain Options.

A Language Arts Based Curriculum Model For The Talented- Grade 6, Bruce Edward Holway

All Graduate Projects

An investigation into the cognitive and affective characteristics and needs of talented students has resulted in the creation of a working model for a language arts based curriculum for students in grade six. This project identifies the essential components of programs for the education of the academically talented and demonstrates how these ingredients interact in practice. The process for selecting concepts and related content in English, reading and social studies is explained. Suggestions for designing materials and for utilizing commercially prepared lessons are provided.

Development Of A Handbook For Remediation Of Handwriting Disabilities, Judy A. Dagnon

All Graduate Projects

This study presents the process used in the development of a handbook for remediation of handwriting disabilities. The paper presents views on the remediation of handwriting over the last decade and the procedures used in the development of a handbook. The project designed a handbook for use with children in grade three and on who possess handwriting disabilities.

A Curriculum Guide Based On Developmental Stages Of Second And Third Grade Writing, Dana J. Persson-Zora

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between the developmental stages of a child's written language acquisition and the achievement of written language efficiency was studied. Through research, developmental stages were identified, and used to suggest objectives for a second and third grade writing curriculum guide. Activities that would aid in the achievement of the given objectives are suggested.

English Language Program Proposal For The Instituto Mexicano De Commercio Exterior, Sharon L. Voss

MA TESOL Collection

No abstract provided.