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Full-Text Articles in Educational Methods

Integrating The Wasl Into The High School Algebra Curriculum, Kent Stafford Pearsons Nov 2007

Integrating The Wasl Into The High School Algebra Curriculum, Kent Stafford Pearsons

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Most Algebra courses in Washington are supplemented with Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) material. However, in the last two years, little more than half of Washington sophomores passed the math portion of the WASL; for about half of tenth graders the extra worksheets did little to no good. Students need relevant WASL material that correlates with the current math they are studying. In this manner, even though questions may be phrased differently, the material is familiar and so answering questions are more possible. Also, since new worksheets have multiple choice, teachers can discuss how most wisely to answer this …


A Guidebook Of Resources And Interactive Literacy Activities For Use By Parents With Primary Students, Cheryl Ann Youngblood Jul 2007

A Guidebook Of Resources And Interactive Literacy Activities For Use By Parents With Primary Students, Cheryl Ann Youngblood

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The purpose of this project was to create a home Literacy Guidebook to increase children's reading and writing skills. By encouraging parental support at home through the use of children's literature and relevant activities, the lessons are intended to make learning fun and meaningful for children and their parents. Research reviewed supported the significance of the parents' role in literacy development at home and at school. Parents who read to their children and practice related activities contribute to their children's success in school. The guidebook includes children's literature selections, book lists for future readings, step-by-step instructions to guide parents through …


Phonemic Awareness: The Nature And Role In Reading Acquisition, Toni Michelle Paganelli Jul 2007

Phonemic Awareness: The Nature And Role In Reading Acquisition, Toni Michelle Paganelli

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Phonemic awareness and its link to reading are a current topic in education. Research has shown that the two are interrelated and those students lacking in phonemic awareness are at a higher risk for reading failure. The terms phonemic awareness and phonics tend to be used simultaneously, but phonemic awareness is not the same as phonics. Children can naturally acquire phonemic awareness through their environment. However, children who are lacking phonemic awareness can be taught using many different methods and materials in the classroom. Within phonemic awareness there are many different skills. These skills can be tested using commercially produced …


A Poetry Unit For Middle School Students, Dana Louise Longmire Jul 2007

A Poetry Unit For Middle School Students, Dana Louise Longmire

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The focus of this project was to review the available research on using poetry as a method for teaching literary terms, enhancing comprehension, and developing creative writing skills. The results of the research show that there is a need for poetry instruction and that including this instruction in the middle school provides remarkable benefits for students. Poetry is suitable for the varying levels of ability found within the classroom. The project includes a guide providing teachers with activities to implement a poetry unit.


A Student Teaching Manual For The Preservice Student Teacher, Alecia L. Rochelle Jun 2007

A Student Teaching Manual For The Preservice Student Teacher, Alecia L. Rochelle

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This project is designed to assist and support student teachers and first-year teachers who feel unprepared during their preservice training, and novice teachers who are teaching out of their certificated field. The review of related literature and personal research shows that there is an essential need for additional direction, encouragement, collaboration, and guidance among student and first year teachers. This project contains a student teaching manual designed for Parkside Elementary School that provides specific tips on how to be an effective student/first year teacher. The purpose of this project is to design a manual that would assist student and first …


A Personalized Art Curriculum That Promotes Art Advocacy, Nicole Marie Walters Jun 2007

A Personalized Art Curriculum That Promotes Art Advocacy, Nicole Marie Walters

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The following project shows the development of a personalized drawing curriculum that will encourage students to become art advocates. The curriculum is based upon art history and is designed for students to relate historical ideas to their own lives. This personalization will help students learn more about art as a form of communication. Through this art experience, students will see the value of art in their own education and it is hoped that in the future, when these students are adults they will be advocates for the arts.


Effect Of Movement Activities On Student Engagement: A Handbook Of Movement Activities For Elementary Teachers, Leanne Kaye Procter May 2007

Effect Of Movement Activities On Student Engagement: A Handbook Of Movement Activities For Elementary Teachers, Leanne Kaye Procter

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A handbook has been developed to aid teachers in the incorporation of movement activities in the elementary classroom. The activities can be done between lessons or between long periods of focus. The activities will help to gain attention and engagement of students. The activities in the handbook are to be used as a supplement to any existing elementary curriculum. The handbook consists of seventy-eight activities that may be used in a variety of classroom settings. Current literature and research surrounding the topics of engagement, stimulation, retention, and the importance of movement for adolescents were explored.


Repeated Reading To Improve Oral Reading Fluency, Loretta Lynn Powers Feb 2007

Repeated Reading To Improve Oral Reading Fluency, Loretta Lynn Powers

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The focus of this project was to review the available research on repeated reading as a method of improving a student's oral reading fluency (ORF), to determine its contribution to the reading process, and to create an implementation guide for middle school teachers to use in their language arts classroom. The results of the research show that there is a need for effective repeated reading instruction. Including this instruction at the middle school level will provide tremendous benefits for students. Repeated reading is an effective way to expose students to short, interesting, fictional and non-fictional texts. The project includes a …


Once Upon A Time: A Model Literature Based Approach To Teaching Social Studies In Early Childhood, Kristi Louisa Martone Jan 2007

Once Upon A Time: A Model Literature Based Approach To Teaching Social Studies In Early Childhood, Kristi Louisa Martone

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The purpose of this project was to design an early childhood social studies curriculum that integrated the use of children's literature, to be used in early childhood classrooms. Listening to and reading stories about social studies topics helps students to see the importance of various social studies issues and will allow them to connect personally with the theme by completing a wide range of related activities. National and state standards require students to understand many social studies concepts and using children's literature as a vehicle for learning the required standards can help students see the idea that social studies relates …


Implementing Reading Response Logs In An Intermediate Classroom To Increase Student Interest And Comprehension, Carrie Winegar Risley Nov 2006

Implementing Reading Response Logs In An Intermediate Classroom To Increase Student Interest And Comprehension, Carrie Winegar Risley

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This study includes a brief explanation of the history of reader response and the purpose behind the theory as well as how to apply the theory to classroom practices when teaching literature and reading. Reader response is the reader's reaction to what he/she has read. This can include making connections, asking questions, clarifying information, evaluating the author's craft and making predictions. The reader's response can be oral or in written form. The study includes examples of the application of reader response in classrooms ranging from the primary level through the high school level and an explanation of why it can …


English Language Learners And Technology: Applying Universal Design For Learning And The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol In The Evaluation Of Literacy Support Software, Susan M. Connolly Nov 2006

English Language Learners And Technology: Applying Universal Design For Learning And The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol In The Evaluation Of Literacy Support Software, Susan M. Connolly

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The population of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in U.S. schools has been steadily increasing. These students do not experience equal educational opportunity in U.S. secondary schools. CLD students need to develop English literacy as well as content knowledge to attain equal educational opportunity. Teachers of CLD students need techniques and tools which support CLD students in mastering the content expected of secondary school students while acquiring English literacy. The criteria for effective lesson design and delivery inherent in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and the criteria for designing curriculum without barriers to access inherent in Universal Design …


The Effectiveness Of Student Led Conferencing In An Intermediate Setting, Mindy Fitterer Jul 2006

The Effectiveness Of Student Led Conferencing In An Intermediate Setting, Mindy Fitterer

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The studied focused on the communication between parents, teachers and students and the student self-reflection of strengths, weaknesses, and goals during Student Led Conferencing. Twenty-five students in a sixth grade classroom created student led conference portfolios and participated in fall and spring conferences with their teacher and parents. The specific parts of each of the pieces of the portfolio and conferences are examined. The results showed a highly effective rate in the desired areas.


Effective Letter Identification Activities For K-1 Children: A Handbook For Teachers, Luann Nicole Jensen Jun 2006

Effective Letter Identification Activities For K-1 Children: A Handbook For Teachers, Luann Nicole Jensen

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The purpose of this project is to provide K-1 teachers with a handbook of effective letter identification activities. Letter identification is a pre-requisite reading skill that students must have in order to be successful readers and to prevent reading difficulties later on. This handbook can be implemented by teachers of kindergarten or first grade children who need a letter identification intervention. The lessons in this project were developed to be paired with explicit, intensive teaching during the intervention to help remediate a child's weakness in identifying letters.


Incorporating Nonfiction Into The Primary Grades: A Handbook For K-2 Teachers, Mandee D. Burton May 2006

Incorporating Nonfiction Into The Primary Grades: A Handbook For K-2 Teachers, Mandee D. Burton

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The majority of reading done outside the school setting is primarily nonfiction in nature; however primary teachers continue to emphasize fictional texts in the classroom. Therefore, many students are unprepared for the increase in the use of nonfiction text which begins in the intermediate grades and continues on up through the college years. Students as young as kindergarten benefit from the early exposure to nonfiction in numerous ways including increased background knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension. A handbook was created to assist teachers (K-2) in incorporating nonfiction into the primary grades. Eight strategies effective in improving students' comprehension of nonfiction as …


Standards Based Interactive Bilingual Math Centers For The Kindergarten Classroom, Laura Berge Jan 2006

Standards Based Interactive Bilingual Math Centers For The Kindergarten Classroom, Laura Berge

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Statistical data from various research sources indicate a large discrepancy between mathematical achievement levels of Hispanic students. The project is significant in that it integrates current research on early learners, educational pedagogy, ELL teaching strategies, and mathematical learning to ensure success in mathematics for young Hispanic students. Toward this end, the purpose of this project was to develop bilingual math centers using a constructivist approach and the latest research on second language acquisition and teaching for the early childhood classroom. This project is also unique because it supplements current math curriculums used throughout the state while providing the necessary scaffolds …


Using Literature Circles To Engage Students With Informational Texts, Theresa Marie Anderson Jan 2006

Using Literature Circles To Engage Students With Informational Texts, Theresa Marie Anderson

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The focus of this project was to review the available research on literature circles as a method of engaging students with informational texts and to create an implementation guide for teachers. The results of the research show that there is a need for effective nonfiction instruction and that including this instruction at the elementary level provides tremendous benefits for students. Literature circles are an effective way to engage students with these informational texts, because they offer an authentic literacy experience and provide students with the kinds of informational text interactions they will encounter in the real world. The project includes …


A Motivational Strategy That Accommodates Middle School Special Education Students: Achieving Academic Success, Susan J. Koempel Aug 2005

A Motivational Strategy That Accommodates Middle School Special Education Students: Achieving Academic Success, Susan J. Koempel

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The project provides middle school teachers with a handbook for clarifying academic targets in the general education U. S. history classroom. This strategy clearly defines, in a pictorial manner, the interconnectedness that exists between report cards, progress reports, and quarterly curriculum assignments. The intervention of this organizational strategy will assist students in decisions, regarding the timely completion and turn in of assignments, by creating an overall awareness of the progress of time and assignment due dates during the quarter. Originally, the production of the intervention was done by the special education staff so that there would be minimal time energy …


Hands-On Activities To Be Implemented Within A Title I/Lap Math Program, Margaret Rae Hancock May 2005

Hands-On Activities To Be Implemented Within A Title I/Lap Math Program, Margaret Rae Hancock

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The project provides middle school math teachers who work with the lower quartile of the student population at the middle school level, a handbook of strategies, methods and activity ideas to implement into the classroom to enhance student learning. The handbook allows middle school math teachers the opportunity to explore alternative teaching practices. It contains student-centered activities, which will allow the lower quartile of the student population an opportunity to have a positive experience in math, as well as taking ownership of their learning. By connecting the students prior knowledge to situations in math that the students can make a …


Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz Jan 2005

Development Of An Implementation Guide For Literature Circles From Teacher Led To Student Led In An Upper Elementary Classroom, Brandon C. Debritz

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The focus of this project was to review the available literature on the topic of literature circles from the framework of a balanced literacy program and to create materials to be used by intem1ediate elementary teachers for implementing student led literature circles into their reading curriculum. The results of the research show that through specific teacher guidance, children are empowered with choices and are provided with opportunities to dialog with classmates in a context of creating connections. The project includes an instrnctional framework to establish literature circles, a progression of teacher led to student led applications, and intermediate literature book …


Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz Jan 2005

Balanced Literacy Through The Use Of A Progressive Daily Message In A Kindergarten Classroom, N. Elizabeth Debritz

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The focus of this project was to review available literature on using a daily message within the framework of a balanced literacy program, and create specific lessons and activities to use in a kindergarten classroom that help students become successful readers and writers. Throughout this project the students will be experiencing powerful communication between teacher and students, and student to student, practicing various literacy skills, responding to print daily, and interacting with text and other students. These activities will help foster their attitude and ability to read independently.


Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman Jan 2005

Using Music As A Classroom Tool, Gail Foreman

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The main focus of the project was to develop resources that will use music as a tool to improve literacy and support learning in third grade self contained classrooms. Research provides strong data connecting the relationship of music to academic achievement, language arts and improved test scores. This project provides prototype lesson plans that support grade level expectations and uses t4e Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements as a basis for the concepts being taught. A unit of lesson plans was developed that integrates music into the language arts. Worksheets, graphic organizers and a music book list were developed as …


Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen Jan 2005

Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen

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This handbook was designed for teachers in a third-to-fourth grade looping classroom. The lessons integrate reading and writing, and the second year (fourth grade) builds upon skills and strategies introduced in the first year (third grade). The third grade set of lessons focuses study on animals while the fourth grade set of lessons focuses on biographies. The handbook contains a OLE/Lesson plan matrix, information for teachers before beginning both sets of lessons, twelve third grade lessons, thirteen fourth grade lessons, and extension activities for both animals and biographies. The final section in the handbook is an appendix that contains every …


Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg Jul 2004

Academic Remediation Of Non-Disability, Middle School Students, Merilee Ann Redberg

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Strategies were developed to address perceived teacher practitioner concerns regarding three areas considered to be negatively impacting student academic performance and three skills perceived to be crucial to student academic success. The six categories addressed were identified through the author's development and implementation of a survey used among middle school teachers.


Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker Jan 2004

Flexible Reading Groups For Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Sharon Ann Parker

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The professional literature on the configuration of flexible reading groups for reading instrnction in a regular first grade classroom was examined to determine if flexible grouping yields any benefit to students who have been assessed to be below grade level in reading. The research showed support for the idea that flexible, fluid grouping is an accelerant to producing higher levels of reading improvement. As a result, an instructional handbook was created to aid educators in the implementation of flexible reading group instruction.


An Interconnected Foundational Art Curriculum, Jessica Ann Knapp Jan 2004

An Interconnected Foundational Art Curriculum, Jessica Ann Knapp

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This project shows the development of an interconnected foundational art curriculum which combines the concepts of organization, studentinvolved classroom assessment, Discipline-Based Art Education, and the elements and principles of design. This project was developed to provide art teachers with a curriculum that would give beginning art students foundational knowledge in art. This project focuses on teaching students a basic foundation for creating and understanding art while incorporating the four disciplines of DBAE. Through an interconnected art curriculum, students will gain a greater understanding of art due to the careful organization of the lessons and student-involved classroom assessment.


Handbook Containing Basic Requirements Of The Implementation And Management Of Parent Partnered Programs, Gregory Wayne Lovercamp Jan 2004

Handbook Containing Basic Requirements Of The Implementation And Management Of Parent Partnered Programs, Gregory Wayne Lovercamp

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This project provides school districts with background and resources to implement an alternative school program that involves parent partnership at a high level. Though resembling homeschooling, families involved in these programs in Washington State are emolled as public school students in the sponsoring district. Some homeschoolers tend to view these programs with a wary eye, while participants have found what they consider to be a godsend that enables them to educate their children the way they want with resources made available by the local school district. Applicable requirements are delineated and sample documents to meet those requirements are included.


A Clinical Instructor Online Training Course For Radiologic Technologists, Christine Marie Beaudry Jul 2003

A Clinical Instructor Online Training Course For Radiologic Technologists, Christine Marie Beaudry

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An online training module was developed for Radiologic Sciences Clinical Instructors at Clinical Education Centers for Yakima Valley Community College. This training module orients new Clinical Instructors to accreditation standards, as well as orients them to student and technologist requirements for the Radiologic Sciences Program.


Project-Based High School Science Activities, Raymond Lynn Harris Jan 2003

Project-Based High School Science Activities, Raymond Lynn Harris

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The development of project-based science activities and assessment rubrics are presented. A total of fifteen different science projects are presented for use in the high school science classroom. The activities are complete with lesson plans, design lessons, overviews of materials and follow up assessments. The activities are designed to combine essential academic learning requirements with real-world applications and can be applicable to a wide variety of concepts. The development of these activities is supported by the literature review as well as the use in the author's classroom.


Creating Motivation And Oral Reading Fluency Through Readers' Theatre, Kelly Leaverton Jan 2003

Creating Motivation And Oral Reading Fluency Through Readers' Theatre, Kelly Leaverton

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Readers' Theatre is a wonderful teaching tool in which students practice and rehearse scripts in order to put on plays in front of an audience. The focus is on word accuracy and expression in reading without having to memorize lines. Studies have shown that Readers' Theatre can strengthen oral reading fluency by repeated readings, and increase confidence and motivation to read as students learn to read their parts with fluency and precision. Unfortunately, due to lack of availability and training, Readers' Theatre is not used in the classroom to the extent it should be, and many educators are uncomfortable with …


Democratic Classrooms: A Handbook For Development, Shawn M. Turner Jan 2003

Democratic Classrooms: A Handbook For Development, Shawn M. Turner

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The characteristics and principles of a democratic classroom was investigated; a description of related theories is provided, including those of John Dewey and Paulo Freire. A handbook of activities was created to provide a resource for teachers who desire to create a more democratic classroom. The handbook includes questionnaires, assignments and activities, information about class meetings and ways to explore personality types, among other things.