Elementary Education Commons^™

Bridging The Gap Between Fiction And Nonfiction In The Literature Circle Setting, Deborah L. Stien

Graduate Research Papers

Third grade students experienced literature circles as part of balance literacy program. First, students learned about literature circles and its importance. After several fiction literature circle cycles, the classroom teacher bridged the gap between fiction and nonfiction in a literature circle setting. This allowed students read nonfiction and learn about a topic connected to their previous fiction read. Students were excited to read nonfiction and began choosing this genre on their own. They realized the power of learning that was available to them in nonfiction text.

Utilizing The Classroom Computer In A Special Education Setting To Facilitate Cooperative Learning: A Case Study Using Kidpix, Audrey Dieken

Graduate Research Papers

Collaboration and cooperative teaching methods have been researched since the late 70's. The research indicates students will learn from each other given the proper environment and tools. In this study, six elementary students were evaluated to examine the effects of teaching individual tasks to students and observing the students for collaboration between partners. Two students were placed side-by-side at one computer and observed by an undergraduate researcher.

The results of the observations report the students were engaged in the activity of KidPix 60-l 00% of the time. All of the students were able to complete the tasks over 95% of …

Moving Students Forward In Spelling, Catherine Miller

Graduate Research Papers

This article describes how one teacher integrated additional spelling instructional strategies into her current basal program. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of research about methods of spelling instruction and describe strategies that can be incorporated into an existing program to motivate students toward becoming conventional spellers. The article emphasizes the importance of purposeful writing experiences to give students ample opportunities to practice their growing knowledge of spelling.

An Overview Of The Nature Of Science For K-12 Science Teachers, William J. Soesbe Iii

Graduate Research Papers

Recent publicity has emphasized the concern of American citizens over student performance in the sciences. In an effort to evaluate one aspect of kindergarten through twelfth grade curricula that may have contributed to this situation, a comprehensive review of the literature concerning the nature of science was developed into a philosophical paper. The findings are synthesized into an analysis of the nature of science that provides a broad outline of the subject and related issues. The nature of science is a way of knowing that when balanced with scientific content and processes aids in the development of scientific literacy. Nonetheless, …

Comprehensible Input For Elementary Instruction, Comis Tang Loken

Graduate Research Papers

In the United States, more and more multi-ethnic linguistic populations will be entering school systems: The increasing need for helping these students from other cultures who know little or no English has become more and more apparent. Educators should modify their curricula and/or teaching strategies to improve English language learners (ELLs) ability in the use of English. Teachers help ELLs connect form (word) and meaning (concepts) and tie these to prior knowledge by providing understandable meaning, that is comprehensible input. Comprehensible input applies new words/sentences to old concepts. Vocabulary learning usually grows out of social interaction and talking personally to …

Portrayal Of Character Pillars Defined By Character Counts! In Children’S Bestselling Literature 1950-1999, Stephanie J. Stocks

Graduate Research Papers

Becoming a person of character is an individual responsibility, yet society uses institutions and media to help guide future generations to obtain virtues and moral values. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pillars of character depicted in children's literature published in the United States from 1950-1999 reflect the renewal in character education programs for schoolchildren.

A content analysis was used to analyze twenty-five best-selling children's picture books from 1950-1999 that were randomly selected to be in the sample population. This researcher looked for positive and negative instances of the six pillars, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, …

Implementing Portfolio Assessment In Grade Four, Marilyn L. Browder

Graduate Research Papers

Writing is a process. To assess this process, it needs to be described through qualitative techniques. One of these techniques is portfolio collection: Writing · . exhibits, collected over time, can facilitate students' self-reflections on their writing activity, interests, progress, and instructional needs. Such a collection is also valuable evidence for teachers in planning and maintaining their language programs and in reporting to caregivers.

This project involved the implementation of portfolio assessment in grade four by a first-year teacher. Through portfolio collection, the teacher as well as the students received much information that promoted writing and led to much interest …

Alternate Curriculum In Reading For Grade Four, Julie A. Schmit

Graduate Research Papers

Julie A. Schmit, a fourth grade teacher, specifically designed the two reading alternate units. These units were designed to provide challenging reading and learning experiences for talented and gifted students in grade four. These units provide challenging, above grade level materials and activities for the students whose reading, vocabulary, and language skills are advanced to such a degree that they would derive greater educational benefit from working with alternate materials.

Mentoring To Foster Children's Emerging Literacy, Janet K. Archer

Graduate Research Papers

Many children benefit from additional association with supportive adults at school. Mentoring programs are one way of providing support. Mentors can assist in fostering children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities.

A brochure with basic guidelines for mentors has been developed. It is intended as a reference source with suggestions for mentoring procedures and language activities.

A Literature-Based Thematic Unit For A Multi-Age Classroom : Friendship, Leslie Baxter

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based thematic unit, friendship, has been developed for a multi-age classroom (grades three and four). This thematic unit can contribute to a major goal of a multi-age classroom: to provide students with a learning community in which they can find meaningful learning experiences, thus strengthening their personal-social and thinking-language abilities. The strands for the unit not only included friendship among peers, but also they extended the horizons of friendship to young children through mentoring, to peers at a distance through pen pals, and to the elderly through visitations to a retirement home.

In developing a print-rich learning environment for …

An Integrated Science Unit : Ants, Julia Dillehay

Graduate Research Papers

This instructional development project integrated language arts and the science areas. A print-rich environment extended content and offered models of language, thus energizing children to become actively involved in the study. Many literature genres and.related expressive activities provided children with many options for learning experiences. The focus for this science unit for grade two was on ants. A print-rich environment was provided along with computer software and access to information on the internet.

Through Whose Eyes, Susan Kay Aries Jolly

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to determine if third and fourth grade students enjoy reading and or enjoy books that are told from the first person point of view. Two versions of two different stories were used to determine reading preferences. The final samples included 46 third grade students and 38 fourth grade students. It was found that in the third grade, the first story, the boys preferred first person point of view and the girls preferred third person point of view. Fourth grade boys and girls both preferred the story told from the first person point of view. …

Writers Workshops In A Second Grade Classroom, Marilyn M. Brown

Graduate Research Papers

A writers workshop is a community of writers who work together to promote the thinking, language, and specifically writing abilities of its members. Writers are encouraged to take risks and engage in print in purposeful ways. The emphasis of writers workshop is creating meaning. When writers realize that they are in charge of their writing, it becomes meaningful and authentic.

This discussion describes the implementation of writers workshops in a second grade classroom. The writing development of three students was focused on in this implementation stage. The students chosen represented a range of abilities and backgrounds.

Writing Portfolios In Grades Three And Four, Debra A. Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

The concept of assessment is broadening in some exciting ways. Assessment may include descriptive or qualitative techniques, such as portfolios. Portfolios have the potential to relate instruction and assessment more closely.

Writing portfolio implementation in a third and fourth grade classroom is discussed.Three children with different abilities were focused on as they. developed their portfolios with the support of their teacher. Through conferences with their teacher, the students selected writing exhibits for their portfolios, discussed their progress and instructional needs, and then set future goals for writing.

Poetry Experiences Across The Fourth-Grade Curriculum, Linda M. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

The genre of poetry can.foster children's personal-social and thinking-language abilities. Poetry offers much pleasure for children, insight into their lives' and those of others, and models for their expression.

When teachers understand children's poetry preferences and ways to present this genre, it can add another dimension across the curriculum. Poetry experiences reported m this article were presented incidentally and in the social studies program of a fourth-grade classroom. Webbing conducted to identify important concepts in a social studies unit supported the fourth-graders poetry writing. Poetry forms were taught for children to use as structures for their writing.

Implementing A Writing Program In Grade Two, Denise A. Sasse

Graduate Research Papers

Writing is a process to create meaning. This process consists of many components: prewriting, drafting, redrafting, editing, and publishing. Children need the following support measures: oral storytelling, genuine audiences, teacher modeling, literature experiences, the reading-writing connection, time to write, and emphasis on the use of one's own voice. The connection of instruction and assessment is another important aspect of a children's writing program. The following qualitative assessment techniques provide this connection: journaling, student-teacher conferences, checklists, and portfolios.

A Literature Base To Promote Peer Discussion Groups In A Third-Grade Reading Program, Angela L. Seifert

Graduate Research Papers

A decided trend in the literature-based reading program movement in the elementary school is the discussion of ideas that have been generated during the reading process. These interactions with peers and teachers can assist children in constructing meaning from the text and in considering alternative interpretations of the text, thus extending their thinking-language abilities.

To extend discussion in a third-grade classroom, an annotated list of picture books to accompany some of the designated themes of the reading program have been developed. An example teacher-directed lesson to promote inference-making through discussion is also included.

A Thematic Unit For A Reading Program In Grade Two Oral History, Tracy M. Daugherty

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits of a literature-based reading program. Included in this paper is an example of a literature-based unit presented to a second grade class. This instructional development unit included several components for student learning.

Writing Portfolios In A Resource Room, Marcquelyn S. Allensworth

Graduate Research Papers

Much attention has been given to the issue of assessing students' writing. The trend to view writing as a process has prompted educators to use qualitative assessment techniques to describe children's writing progress and instructional needs. The writing portfolio, one qualitative technique, provides an ongoing assessment that can be used throughout the year and extended throughout the school career of the child. In portfolio development, students can be actively involved in reflecting on their approach to the writing process and can, in collaboration with the teacher, set goals for future learning. Therefore, this type of assessment closely connects instruction and …

An Instructional Development Project In Grade Two : The Theme Of Friendship, Trudy L. Lainson

Graduate Research Papers

The theme of friendship was extended through quality literature experiences and related expressive activities to second grade children at the beginning of the school year. The primary goals were to involve children in the language processes and to develop a community of friendly learners. Teacher-directed and student-initiated activities were provided. The student-initiated activities were presented as options through literature-based learning centers. The goals of the centers included ways to make friends and to be a friend, an understanding that friends can be of all ages, involvement in pals, ways to cope with difficulties encountered in friendships and to recognize each …

Reading Recovery : Impact Of An Early Intervention Approach, Lisa J. Atkinson-Hoefer

Graduate Research Papers

This study involved 12 participants from an elementary school in a rural district including: two classroom teachers, three randomly selected Reading Recovery students, three parents of the randomly selected Reading Recovery students, and four randomly selected non-Reading Recovery students. The primary purpose of this study was to track progress of the selected Reading Recovery students throughout the course of their program. Results indicated that the selected Reading Recovery students functioned at an average performance level at the end of their program compared to a sample of non-Reading Recovery peers who performed at a higher level. Interviews from participating classroom teachers …

Two Current Approaches To Science In Early Education : The Physical-Knowledge Approach By Kamii And Devries And The Science Education Approach By Diane Dodge, Seon Chun

Graduate Research Papers

The primary focus of this paper is to review the characteristics of two science approaches to teaching science to children: the physical-knowledge approach by Kamii and De Vries, and the science education approach by Diane Dodge. Similarities and differences between the two approaches are analyzed. The conclusion of this study found that both approaches emphasize children's active role in learning. However, Kamii and DeVries's physical-knowledge approach emphasizes children's logical reasoning development, while Dodge's science education approach places greater emphasis on content and scientific knowledge.

Visions Of Iowa, Shirley J. Daman

Graduate Research Papers

It was the purpose of this research project to explore the significance of poetry and photography in the classroom. The research included locating and reviewing studies of poetry for children and the use of photography for illustration. It also included reading and analyzing poetry written for and by children, especially those using photography. Journal articles were reviewed for the many ways teachers can use poetry and photography across the curriculum. Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 were interviewed for their feelings and knowledge of poetry, and for their visions of Iowa. A book was produced containing poems and photographs …

Inclusion Of An Autistic Child Into A Self-Contained Third Grade Classroom, Arlene M. Belt

Graduate Research Papers

This article describes the disorder of autism in the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders, the challenges that the autistic child faces, and the inclusion of an autistic child, a nine-year old boy, into a self-contained third grade classroom. Through details of his life, the reader is given an intimate look at the personal and educational issues he faces as he struggles to cope with his disability. In addition to focusing on how the disorder affects an individual, the paper stresses the importance of parents and professionals working together to develop and implement teaching strategies that will assist such a child …

Ability Grouping In The Elementary School, Ellen M. Azinger

Graduate Research Papers

Ability grouping has been used in schools for many years in an attempt to meet children's instructional needs. Is this type of grouping nurturing for children? The purpose of this paper is to examine ability grouping and then to offer the alternative of flexible grouping to extend the instructional program at the elementary level. Flexible grouping allows students to more readily pursue meaningful learning, thus extending their abilities.

Looking At Children Looking At Art : Teacher Response To Aesthetic Journals In Art, Julie A. Alden

Graduate Research Papers

Although recent trends in art education emphasize a discipline based approach to instruction, the elementary art experience often focuses on the process components of art production, overlooking other significant areas of study (Adams, 1992; Garoian, 1988; Hickman, 1994 ). One way in which educators can help make art experiences more meaningful to students is to use response journals for viewing artwork. Educators have established the use of response journals as a worthy practice by providing students with opportunities to develop greater understanding of content material and by providing teachers with valuable insight into students thinking through shared dialogue (Hall, Crawford …

The Benefits Of Using "Community" In The Elementary Classroom, Rodney Edgerton Lyons

Graduate Research Papers

The traditional teaching approach used in most American elementary schools, where the classroom teacher makes all the decisions and the conventional student is instructed to focus individual energies on assigned seatwork and ignore those who are around him or her, has become an ineffective model.

Researchers and certain educators believe that the use of "community" in the classroom will create environments where children care about one another and about learning, where students work harder, achieve more, where warm, supportive relationships are given birth -- enabling students to risk the new ideas and mistakes so critical to intellectual growth. As a …

Promoting Gender Equity In The Elementary Learning Environment, Amy Elizabeth Roberts

Graduate Research Papers

This research review discusses the importance of teaching in a gender equitable manner. It examines the negative interactions teachers have with their students, many times without being aware of it. The effects of each of these negative teacher behaviors are explained and practical strategies and interventions are suggested to reduce the negative interactions.

Many of these strategies can be teacher directed, but strategies involving students, colleagues, and parents are also presented. The interventions are beneficial not only to female students but to male students as well. The Gender Expectations and Student Achievement (GESA) teacher training program is discussed and many …

Why It Is Important To Keep Recess In Schools, Mary Lou Mcgee Cushing

Graduate Research Papers

Recess is a common part of most elementary school schedules yet its benefits are often not clearly articulated. As a result recess may be thought to be expendable from school curricula as school districts adjust already full schedules in an attempt to accommodate every necessary component.

This research review explores the relationship of recess to school schedules, time allotments, activities commonly observed at recess, and developmental (social, cognitive, and psychomotor) aspects of recess in schools. Also addressed are common criticisms of recess in schools.

Math Problem Solving In The Classroom, Mary Jane Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes the important aspects for teaching problem solving in mathematics. Problem solving was used to introduce the concepts as well as to practice them. This research paper discusses mathematical concepts and skills in a student-centered environment of a multi-aged first and second grade classroom in a parochial school and investigates the effects of the approach on students, teacher, and curriculum.

In many primary classrooms mathematics is taught in ways that fail to connect with young children's prior knowledge and ways of learning. The cumulative effect is such that students tend to do math procedures, rather than apply math …