Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

Best Teaching Practices In Reading Methods Courses, Stacey Ruff

Graduate Research Papers

Recently, I made an occupational change to instructing at the college level while still completing work on my Masters in Reading Education. My journey has led me to this research project, a search for the best practices in teaching reading methods courses.

The questions guiding my research were: 1) What do the Higher Education professors of reading methods courses in a mid-sized Midwestern city's three colleges think are the most effective teaching practices being utilized in their reading methods courses to prepare pre-service teachers to be successful teachers? 2) How do these methods compare to research on the most effective …

Effective Bilingual Practices For Early Childhood Reading And Language Arts :/ A Professional Development Seminar And Model Thematic Unit For English-Spanish Bilingual Educators, Priscila Palomino De Piper

Graduate Research Papers

This project provides a workshop framework for the implementation of effective bilingual practices in early childhood reading and language arts. It is designed as a series of workshops for English-Spanish bilingual educators, with the purpose of providing ideas and strategies to support the development of reading and language arts programs in both languages. It is important to point out that the success of a language program relies not only on excellent research, but also on the support of parents, teachers, administrators and the whole community. It is important to believe that no language is superior to any other, that the …

Vocabulary : A Building Block In Reading, Lisa L. Capper

Graduate Research Papers

From all of my reading and research, I learned that vocabulary is an essential part of teaching. In all of the curriculum areas, knowledge of vocabulary is important. With word understanding, comprehension grows and so does the student's knowledge.

Vocabulary development activities not only include many opportunities for students to be actively involved with reading a variety of books, but, through vocabulary instruction, the teacher directly teaches important words and strategies to help students understand what they are reading. Through the use of a variety of strategies I observed how different strategies can help students learn and grow in their …

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Primary Readers, Lori K. Deboer

Graduate Research Papers

Today's classrooms consist of students with a diverse range of social, emotional, and academic abilities. There are young children who enter school already knowing how to read or who learn quickly after they begin their education. Current literature seems to indicate that primary reading curricula in schools are not meeting these students' needs. This project was developed as one method to meet the needs of gifted primary readers.

The project consists of 10 books that were selected to challenge and address the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of gifted primary readers. For each book a series of discussion questions and …

Promoting Word Recognition Through Parent Workshops, Michelle Lynn Reicks

Graduate Research Papers

Awareness about the powerful influence of the family on children's literacy development has gained national prominence in recent years. Improved consistency between home and school can be reached by teaching the parent about literacy learning in order to reach the child. However, parent involvement can be difficult, especially when their children are considered to be at-risk of having reading delays. To encourage parent involvement through parent workshops can improve literacy development at home, based on the assumption that improving the literacy skills of parents results in better educational experiences for their children.

Guided Reading Staff Development Training Manual, Anita L. Reisner

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to provide a training manual for the topic of guided reading within a balanced literacy program for an elementary school. A broader goal was to use collaboration and reflection when providing training in guided reading. The teachers at my school started asking me questions about guided reading: What is guided reading? How do you get started? How can it help all of my students? What does a guided reading lesson look like? I wanted to prepare a workshop that would give them the knowledge they need.

Multilevel Text Sets In A Middle School Classroom, Merryl Gladstone

Graduate Student Independent Studies

As students reach middle school, they are expected to read on grade level and to have mastered the complex process of reading. In fact, many students are still mastering the skills necessary for fluent reading of grade level material. The struggling readers need to read instructional level material and receive instruction in decoding, fluency and comprehension. Indeed many middle school students would benefit from reading instruction, as the reading demands in middle school are very different than those faced in elementary school. Middle school reading draws much of its material from expository texts, while elementary school programs typically use narrative …

Implementation Of Indiana's Resolution On Holocaust Education By Selected Language Arts And Social Studies Teachers In Middle Schools/Junior High And High Schools, Evelyn R. Holt

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although it has been over fifty years since the world learned of the horrors committed by the Nazis against those considered "undesirable", many attitudes that fostered the "Holocaust" are still with us. Prejudice and discrimination arc a part of the social fabric of our lives. This study examined how teachers in Indiana implemented the 1995 Indiana Concurrent resolution on teaching about the Holocaust, specifically in middle schools/junior high and high schools. Selected teachers were those cunently in reading/language arts and social studies from grades 6-12, since these grades and subject areas are where Holocaust study typically occurs. A survey was …

The Effects Of The Help One Student To Succeed (Hosts) Program On The Reading Achievement Of At-Risk 4th And 5th Grade Elementary Students, Kelvin L. Bradley

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study investigated the effects of the Help One Student to Succeed (HOSTS) tutoring program on the reading achievement of at-risk 4^th and 5^th grade elementary students, as measured by the Texas Assessment of Academic Skill (TAAS). Seventy-eight 4^th and 5^th grade at-risk students from four Title I elementary schools in the Plano Independent School District participated in the study. Thirty-nine of these students were enrolled in the HOSTS program and were matched to a comparison group of students according to ethnicity, age, gender, grade, free or reduced lunch, bilingual and English as a Second language …

Recipe For Reading: A Handbook For Parents In A First Grade Classroom, Katherine R. Anderson

All Graduate Projects

A handbook, supported by research on parent involvement and reading was developed to help promote literacy in beginning readers. The handbook incorporates both parents and students as they are encouraged to participate in pre-assigned activities together. Each activity involves a different type of strategy designed to help their child become a successful reader.

The Importance Of Phonemic Awareness: Developing Phonemic Awareness In First Grade Students Through A Backpacking Program, Shannon Kaye Sanger

All Graduate Projects

The role of phonemic awareness in beginning reading acquisition was researched. Studies suggested that the presence of phonemic awareness in young children facilitates learning to read. Research also suggested a positive relationship between parental involvement and reading acquisition. A handbook containing activities designed for use in a backpacking program was created. The activities involve parents in developing phonemic awareness in their children. These activities are to be sent home with students and completed with the assistance of their parents. The handbook also contains assessments and instructions for teachers regarding the implementation of this backpacking program.

Curriculum To Help Teachers Support Student's Development Of Writing Strategies, Christine Elizabeth English

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to create a curriculum that can be used to support students as they develop writing strategies. Current literature and research on the writing process and writers' workshop is explored. The project describes procedures, methods, and activities used to develop the curriculum. The project makes use of the Washington State Essential Leaming Requirements. The project explores use of the curriculum that was developed and how it can be adapted to meet individual needs.

Developing Reading Skills Through The Use Of Music, Toni Baffaro Hobbs

All Graduate Projects

Music is a powerful language that can enhance a classroom. This project was designed to support early literacy by using music. Songs were chosen and activities designed to supplement a beginning reading program. A compact disc of the songs was created to use in conjunction with the activities. It is hoped that the utilization of singing and reading together will not only help children learn to read but also foster a love for reading.

Incorporating Multicultural Children's Literature Into A Primary Curriculum, Cristian Rene Newell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to provide primary teachers with a multicultural literature resource book. To accomplish this a review of literature was completed to investigate the need for, and value of using multicultural literature within a primary classroom. How to judge quality multicultural literature was also reviewed. The project consisted of general lesson plans to use with multicultural literature, twenty specific activities to use with multicultural literature, and annotated book lists of multicultural literature. The activities incorporate Reading, Writing, Communication, and Mathematics Essential Academic Learning Requirements for the state of Washington. Literature is representative of several cultures and …

Implementation Of Writing Portfolios In Grade Two, Jill A. Hans

Graduate Research Papers

The view of language as a process has influenced the use of qualitative assessment techniques that allow the description of children's progress, interests, and instructional needs. One qualitative technique among several is the portfolio. Specifically, in assessing children's writing, the students and the. teacher can collaborate in selecting a collection of writing exhibits for their. portfolios. Such collecting can occur over time giving evidence of emerging literacy.

The purpose of this article is to provide background information about writing portfolios. Then, the implementation of portfolio assessment in a second grade writing program is presented through three students' collection activity.

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Jennifer A. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based language arts program provides meaningful experiences for children within the functions of language. Such programs can be extended across the curriculum to utilize the functions in other areas. These connections across the curriculum can be enhanced through the different genres of literature.

In this article, a literature base was integrated into the science area of the curriculum. A science unit on pumpkins was developed for first grade children with quality literature and related expressive activities that extended the children's literacy and their understanding of plants. Teacher-directed activities were presented along with learning centers.

Extending The Dimensions Of Science Through Poetry, Tracey L. Jones

Graduate Research Papers

The primary function of poetry is to bring enjoyment, but poetry can also foster concept development in an instructional program that extends literature across the curriculum. Because of its intense emotional quality and sharp images, it can assist in connecting children's prior knowledge with new concepts.

One of the goals of an integrated program for fifth grade was to integrate literature-based language arts with science. The connection of the language arts and science areas offered children opportunities to engage in the language processes within the functions of language offered in the science area. Through reading and writing poetry and conducting …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To The Science Area : A Unit On Spring, Kelly Jones

Graduate Research Papers

A literature-based program emphasizes creating meaning through the language processes, thus leading to growth in thinking and language abilities. A print-rich learning environment supported by the different genres encourages involvement in the language process and contributes to the dimensions of a unit of study. When literature-based language arts are extended to the science area, such a program can extend children's knowledge of the world around them and nurture their curiosity.

A science unit on spring, extended through quality literature and many options for expressive activity, was presented to first grade children. This literature-based unit is shared.

Optimum Time To Teach Beginning Reading, Lisa A. Ludwig

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to review and analyze the literature concerning the optimum time to begin teaching reading. Four questions were answered, addressing the optimum time to begin teaching reading; advantages of early reading; problems with early reading; and guidelines for developing an effective reading program.

Early readers were found to have better grades, a higher self-esteem, and continued to be better readers throughout the secondary school years. However, some early readers also experienced difficulties because of the pressure and high expectations put on them at an early age.

It was concluded that there is no magical age …

The Use Of Motivational Techniques In Improving Reading Skills, Puteri Rohani Megat Abdul Rahim

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study explores the role of motivational techniques in improving college students' reading skills. The study employed an experimental design involving an experimental and a control group. A Pretest and a Posttest as well as an Index of Reading Awareness (IRA) were used to gather data for the study. Two c lasses consisting of 52 students of similar English language ability were randomly selected and taught by two different teachers. The Experimental group was exposed to selected motivational techniques in the reading classroom while the Control group received no instruction in motivational techniques during reading instruction. The Pretest, Posttest and …

Learning Esl Through Dialogue Journal Writing : A Case Study Of A Form Five Esl Student, Fong Say Foo

Student Works (2000-2009)

In recent times dialogue journal writing has been used as a learning strategy to support ESL learning. It is premised on the view that learning is a collaborative venture between a teacher and a student. It adopts a social constructivist perspective that learning is facilitated by the presence of a more capable person providing assistance to the learner. Unlike the personal journal which involves private communication, dialogue journal evolves from the authenticity of partners, typically the teacher and student, engaging in an extended two-way written interaction in which there is real exchange of information. The act of interacting in writing …

Sistem Pengajian Bahasa Arab Di Peringkat Thanawi : Suatu Kajian Di Sekolah Dar Al-Huda, Yala, Selatan Thai, Maroseh Niringjuerae

Student Works (2000-2009)

In 1967, Pondok Bukit Gua had been transferred into Islamic private school. It meant that the system of learning of Arabic language was also changed from traditional system into modem system. Traditional system was emphasized on grammar, Nahu and Saraf while modem system was focused on skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing. To conduct this study, the following questions need to be inquired into properly: 1. What kind of system of teaching Arabic practiced by Pondok Darul Huda? 2. Can this pondok produce students who are skillful in using Arabic language? 3. What kind of Arabic subjects are taught? …

Pencapaian Tajwid Di Kalangan Pelajar-Pelajar Maahad Tahfiz : Satu Kajian Kes, Mustapha Kamil Che Pa

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study clarifies the Tajwid Achievement among the students of Ma'had Tahfiz al-Qur'an Of The Kelantan Islamic Foundation. It starts off by discussing the descendance of the Holy al-Qur'an, the wisdom (hikmah), how it was compiled and spreading/expanse in Nusantara including in Malaysia and specifically in Kelantan. The inquiry also mentions the Tajwid of al-Qur'an which also involves the speech articulatory organs (devices), "makhraj" of the letters and the haltings (waqaf) and "ibtida". The characters of letters that are mentioned include the original and adaptation, the rules of Tajwid in detail are also mentioned. They are the Rules of "Mad" …

The Composing Processes Of Pre-Intermediate Esl Students In Their First Language And The English Language, Mee Leng Yeong

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study attempts to trace the composing processes of pre-intermediate ESL students in their first language and the English language. It is also to test the hypothesis that pre-­intermediate ESL students use L1 as the dominant language to think when writing in their first language and the English Language. This is a qualitative research project using a case-study approach obtaining data through multiple data collection method. Sources of data were think-aloud protocol, semi-structured questionnaire, retrospective interview and analysis of students' written products. Five Malaysian Chinese students from a private college were asked to write two descriptive essays using one topic, …

A Study Of The Composing Skills Among Learners In A Chinese School, Kam Mee Foo

Student Works (2000-2009)

Composition writing has always been an integral part of the English Language curriculum in all schools. However, after years of practice in writing composition, many of our students are still weak in their composing skills. This study looks into the problems of composition writing among learners in a Chinese school. The instruments used in this study were two sets of questionnaires and to supplement and verify data obtained from questionnaire, structured interviews were conducted and sample of students' marked compositions were collected. Data obtained was analyzed via triangulation. The main findings revealed that there is very little direct teaching of …

An Analysis Of Verb Form Errors Of Chinese Esl Students, Yong Meng Kam

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study sets out to investigate the types of errors in the simple past and past progressive tenses found in the written English of 40 Form Four Chinese students of Sek. Men. Tanah Merah Site 'C', Negeri Sembilan. The errors are examined according to Corder's (1981) taxonomy of errors. In the essays, selection errors accounted for the highest percentage of simple past tense errors, followed by addition and then, omission errors. In the past progressive tense, the omission category has the highest occurrence of errors, followed by the selection category with no errors in the addition category. In the structured …

A Study Of The Teaching And Learning Of Literature In Two Form 1 Classes, Zamrudah Ahmad Rashidi

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study explored the process of the recent implementation of the Literature in English component in the Form 1 English Language Syllabus in an attempt to examine the teaching and learning of literature in actual classroom situations. It sought to examine the nature of input by teachers and the uptake by students of typical Literature in English lessons in two Form 1 classes, to obtain feedback on the hands-on implementation of the component so as to inform future effective practice. To be more specific, this study sought to identify the approaches used to teach the selected literary texts as well …

Learners' Difficulties In Group Work In An Esl Classroom, Aziah Ibrahim

Student Works (2000-2009)

Research on effective approaches to language teaching is an on-going process. This study looks at a learner active classroom where students are encouraged to work as members of a team, sharing a common round table. The Malaysian English Language Syllabus for Secondary Schools recommend the use of group work in the language class. Thus, there is a dire need for teachers to understand the problems and difficulties that learners may face whilst carrying out group activities or task and at the same time, to help these learners overcome such language obstacles in the processes of both teaching and learning the …

Literature-Based Instruction And Post-Reading Activities To Enhance The Basal Reading Program, Susan J. Vertrees

All Graduate Projects

The focus ofthis project was to create a resource manual to use in the reading program with students learning a second language. The project implements a balanced reading curriculum with an emphasis on literature-based instruction. Trade books and post-reading activities are the highlights of the resource manual. Using literature in the classroom with literature-based instruction techniques has been shown to have a positive impact on students. The purpose of reading instruction is to increase reading skills as well as the joy ofreading.

Parental Involvement In Reading: A First Grade Workshop, Alexis Emerson

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create a program that encourages families to work together with the school, specifically to aid in the literacy development of their children. The project implements reading comprehension strategies with an emphasis in first grade. The project concentrates on encouraging parent involvement in the literacy development of their children through two workshops and Home Literacy Bags. The workshops and literacy bags were developed to increase the families' comfort and ability to communicate with their children's educators and to assist in reading with their children at home. The workshop sessions introduce basic reading comprehension strategies …