Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

The Advantages And Challenge Of Fluency Instruction, Jennifer Schroeder-Van Cleve

Graduate Research Papers

This review examined the topic of fluency instruction as part of quality literacy instruction for children. Fluency is one of the five components of reading instruction recognized by the National Reading Panel, (2000). Fluency methods in reading curriculum should be given thoughtful attention. As the movement in education focuses on student assessment, meaningful literacy instruction is crucial to student success. This literature study focused on the benefits, and the challenges, associated with fluency instruction. Lastly, conclusions and recommendations were made for the implementation of fluency instruction in our schools.

Reading Intervention : Using Self-Assessment To Increase Fluency And Comprehension For Struggling Readers, Paula L. Ganzeveld

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a fluency intervention on students' reading fluency and comprehension. The students in the study were six third graders that were reading below grade level expectations. During the intervention, the students received instruction in reading rate and prosody. The intervention consisted of mini-lessons and opportunities for students to practice through the use of wide reading.

The students created a self-assessment rubric that they used during the practice sessions. According to pre- and post-intervention reading inventories, all students increased in oral reading fluency. A correlation to increased reading comprehension was also …

Inventive Spelling In The Early Childhood Classroom, Denielle J. Stuntz

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature explored the use of inventive spelling in early childhood classrooms. The following three questions were posed: 1) Should inventive spelling be an instructional practice used in early childhood classrooms? 2) What is the relationship between inventive spelling development and other areas of children's literacy development? 3) What are the best practices for using inventive spelling in the classroom? Based on an analysis of pertinent, peer-reviewed articles and books, it was determined that inventive spelling has a valuable place in early childhood classrooms. Some benefits of using inventive spelling include a reduction of fear about writing (Chomsky, …

The Angers Summer Institute: Forty Years And Going Strong!, Anne Lair

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

The following essay will explain how the Angers Summer Institute offered by the University of Northern Iowa started and what has contributed to its many successes for over three decades, such as the choice of courses, staffing and the importance of the host families.

The teaching of foreign languages in the United States can be characterized as having had many high and low points. Languages that were in vogue thirty or forty years ago have had to struggle in the past few years. Fifty or so years ago no self-respecting foreign languages department would have considered not offering latin. German …

Developing Writers, Ann Craig

Graduate Research Papers

As our nation focuses on educational reforms in reading, math, and science, the place of expository writing within subject areas becomes evident. Students are required to write for different purposes within their classes, often expected to draft, explain, and interpret ideas offered by their educational experiences. Unfortunately, teachers find many of their students unable to understand their directions for writing. An approach that balances writing instruction with self-regulation as students write may help them internalize different aspects of writing expository papers as a means of communication in their classes. This paper, therefore, examines an instructional writing strategy, specifically self-regulated strategy …

Building Partnerships Between Teachers And Families To Enhance Literacy Learning, Lisa Jasiewicz

Graduate Research Papers

Parents and the classroom teacher hold separate yet overlapping roles in helping to increase student achievement. The roles are separate because they are being accomplished in two different settings, separate from one another, and each adult will have his or her own way of conducting the reading experience. They are similar because they are both centered on the child's literacy learning and both parties are trying to meet the needs of the child.

The difficulty in this situation can be developing separate roles for the parent and teacher and also finding a way to work together in the roles they …

Caught Or Taught : Development Of A Middle School Spelling Program, Jennie M. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

In this literature review, the author explored research studies and literature about literacy to learn more about spelling instruction. Although much research has been done in the area of spelling instruction, little has changed in spelling instruction in the typical middle school classroom (Templeton, 2002a).

This review gives a brief overview of the basic composition of the English language and the history of the teaching of spelling in the United States. Research is reviewed that deals with the acquisition of spelling based on the developmental spelling continuum (Bear, Invemizzi, Templeton & Johnston, 1996). The author explored the connection between reading, …

Family, Child, Teacher Perceptions Of What African American Adult Family Members Think And Do To Assist Their Elementary School-Aged Children To Become Better Readers, Shadrack Gabriel Msengi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In this study, the perceptions were investigated of how African American adult family members, children, and teachers viewed the family members' roles in assisting their elementary school-aged children to become better readers. These perceptions were explored to provide a detailed account of ideas that can impact the home-school relationship. To conduct this study, the researcher examined how similar or different the perceptions were among the three subgroups regarding: (a) the child's reading level; (b) what families do to assist children in reading; and (c) the perceived barriers and opportunities in adult family members' decisions to assist their children to become …

Emergent Literacy Learning, Tera Bockenstedt

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of literature was to look at research in the area of early literacy acquisition. A brief background on emergent literacy and how emergent literacy has impacted educational reform was discussed. The review of literature discussed research on emergent literacy development, in particular the skills that are appropriate for young children to acquire in preparation for entrance into formal schooling. A look at research about the influences on emergent literacy learning and the conditions that foster early literacy development was also discussed. The home factors influencing emergent literacy development and the conditions that foster early literacy …

Sign To Learn : Sign Language As A Teaching Tool In Hearing Classrooms, Angela M. Schneden

Graduate Research Papers

This project examines using sign language as a multisensory learning tool in hearing classrooms. Included is a brief history of sign language in the United States as well as a review of different types of sign language. This project provides a rationale for incorporating sign language into the hearing classroom by examining the relationship between sign and gains in literacy achievement. The primary goal of using sign language in the classroom is for students to become better readers, writers, and spellers. This will be accomplished by teaching students to fingerspell and sign sight words. Research detailing use of sign in …

Suggested Core Materials For Early Childhood Programs, Erin Feingold

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine current available resources related to emergent literacy in order to create a core list of literature for early childhood center libraries. "Research suggests that the foundation for academic success is laid well before a child enters the public schools" (Smith, Fairchild, and Groginsky, 1997, p. ix). The researcher described past and present Federal initiatives that support these efforts. Current curriculum guidelines and recommendations from national organizations for early childhood learning centers were examined to determine what resources were needed to provide a framework for learning. Studies examined emphasized that exposing children to …

Reading Comprehension Strategies For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Susan Reese

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to describe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its possible causes, characteristics, treatment options, and instructional strategies used for teaching reading comprehension to people with this disorder. ADHD is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness to a degree beyond what is considered normal for the person's age.

While the exact causes are unknown, research is beginning to reveal that the disorder is brain based and genetic in disposition. Presently there is no cure for ADHD, but treatment options are available which include medications and/or therapies. Reading comprehension strategies to assist people with ADHD include chunking, …

The Importance Of Vocabulary In The Classroom, Sherri Neofotist

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review of the literature focused on two primary areas: (a) to examine the research findings as they related to vocabulary acquisition and instruction and (b) to determine the importance of the research findings regarding students' reading comprehension.This study also sought to provide educators with information as to what a comprehensive program of vocabulary instruction consists of as well as research-based vocabulary teaching strategies to use in the classroom to help students recognize and know words and word meanings and to improve students' comprehension.

The review examines the following three questions: (a) What is the relationship between …

Incorporating Interactive Writing Throughout The Day In A Kindergarten Classroom, Amy Sobaski

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the use of interactive writing in a kindergarten classroom. Interactive writing and related terms were explained, and connections were made between interactive writing and learning standards. Possible problems and solutions were discussed, and a case study was conducted in a kindergarten classroom. Guidelines were presented for successful integration of interactive writing into a balanced literacy program. Also, conclusions were drawn from the case study and reviewed literature, and recommendations were made for the use of interactive writing in the classroom and for future research in this area.

Daily Drawing And Writing Activities In A Preschool Classroom, Lynn Glaser

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review examined the effect of providing daily drawing and writing activities in a preschool classroom. Benefits, as well as concerns, were discussed. Guidelines were presented to help with establishing a classroom environment that would provide daily drawing and writing activities for children in a preschool classroom. Conclusions were also drawn from the literature and recommendations were made to assist administers and teachers with establishing a program that supports daily drawing and writing activities.

The Impact Of Reciprocal Teaching Strategies On Reading Comprehension, Mary Jo Fitzgerald

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of Reciprocal Teaching is to improve reading comprehension through the use of cognitive strategies. The strategies encourage student's self-directed prediction, clarification of information, generation of questions about the content, and summarization of material covered. It also promotes collaboration between the student and teacher in the learning process. Reciprocal Teaching was introduced to teachers at a staff meeting, and they were told they were expected to use these strategies in their classrooms. Teachers were given two choices for training. One was a two-day workshop in August and the other was a thirty-four hour program offered throughout the school year. …

Meeting The Accountability Challenge In Guided Reading Instruction, Rachelle E. Jensen

Graduate Research Papers

The demands for accountability and mandated consequences require a balanced and thoughtful approach to literacy instruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the opinions of teachers regarding the use of guided reading and how it benefits the need to meet the accountability challenge. Seven teachers were chosen to take part in this interviewing process. All of the participants' responses focused on a global theme of accountability. Teachers explained that they were more accountable for their students' instruction through three key factors: accountability through guided reading, accountability through conversations with colleagues, and time based accountability.

English Language Learner Program At Irving Elementary : Finding A Life Preserver For Sink Or Swim Education, Pamela Argotsinger

Graduate Research Papers

Each year the United States becomes more ethnically and linguistically diverse and as a result, so do our schools. Students from non-English speaking backgrounds represent the fastest growing subset of the K-12 student population. In the 2003-2004 school year, 5.5 million school-age children were English language learners (Leos, 2004). As school districts across the country are faced with initiating and implementing programs for these learners, they must factor in the high stakes of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the possible impact of a new group of test scores on their adequate yearly progress.

The purpose of this …

Effective Strategies For Reading Improvement, Susan Pelleymounter

Graduate Research Papers

Longfellow Elementary has had a history of poor results on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. To address the problem, many innovations have been implemented such as Small Group Reading Instruction, vocabulary building, phonemic awareness, and sight word instruction.

This study was completed in an effort to determine if what teachers did on a daily basis to teach reading had an impact on students. This is important because teachers need their teaching to be efficient and effective. Test scores must increase at our school and we need data to prove that what we are doing is worthwhile. The question for …

How Can Teachers Motivate Secondary Language Arts Students? : 5 Prototypes, Kylee Schmitt Pusteoska

Graduate Research Papers

This research project began as a stream of unmotivated students walked through the door of a classroom. The author began to understand that while the current focus in American education is on standards and curriculum issues, the motivation of secondary students is often a lost and unrepresented topic in today's rhetoric. After being in the classroom for over seven years, the author was able to discern five prototypes of students. All five had different motivational styles and worked for different reasons. Using firsthand observations and scouring the current literature, the author was able to come up with some specific and …

Study Of Reciprocal Teaching And Peer Coaching At Central Middle School, Rebecca Mohorne

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of Reciprocal Teaching is to improve reading comprehension through the use of cognitive strategies. The strategies teach students to think about what they are reading and learning. It also promotes collaboration between the student and teacher in the learning process.

This study was designed to evaluate the implementation of Reciprocal Teaching at Central Middle School. If the initiative is to be successful, implementation should result in higher test scores in reading comprehension. The data from this study will tell us what we are doing well and what we can prove regarding the implementation of Reciprocal Teaching. As other …

Strategies To Improve Reading Fluency In The Elementary Classroom, Jill Marie Vorwald Sampson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the importance of instructing students in strategies to improve reading fluency. Research shows that very little class time is currently spent on teaching reading fluency and this paper provides instructional strategies that teachers can employ in their classrooms. The strategies discussed are Reader's Theater, paired reading, buddy reading, modeling, repeated reading, and Read Naturally.

Research has proven all of these strategies to be effective, and this literature review describes the usefulness of these strategies. The importance of reading fluency instruction and technology integration has also become a key issue as new technologies are regularly introduced. The use …

Reading Motivation In The Elementary Classroom, Maria E. Youngblut

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review offers suggestions on how to increase reading motivation in the elementary classroom. This review will look at ways to influence students to read. Reading motivation can affect a students' ability to learn how to read. Also, it will examine different aspects and techniques, and discuss how these components affect reading motivation in the elementary classroom setting. Overall, examples of ways to increase reading motivation will be investigated.

Implementing Writer's Workshop In A Kindergarten Classroom, Katie Hauschildt

Graduate Research Papers

Can children be taught to write in kindergarten? Should children be taught to write in kindergarten? How do you teach children to write in kindergarten? These and many other questions about the appropriateness of writing and how to teach writing have been swirling around the education community for many years. As a kindergarten teacher I myself began wondering about these questions and how to answer them. I was intrigued by the idea of providing a framework in my classroom that would encourage emerging readers and writers to create and manipulate their own text.

In an effort to better understand the …

"Speling It Rite Eevn Aftr The Test" : What Students Can Tell Us, Jennifer L. Heckmann

Graduate Research Papers

This paper describes a teacher inservice designed to aid teachers in implementing a developmental spelling program in an elementary setting. Developmentally appropriate instruction in spelling takes into account a student's existing knowledge of words. Such a program consists of understanding each student's level of knowledge, selecting word lists to meet the students' needs; providing explicit instruction about spelling patterns, and continually assessing students' spelling progress through authentic, written work

The questions this project will address include: (a) Why should a developmental spelling program be implemented, (b) what research supports a developmental approach to spelling instruction, (c) what are the potential …

Vocabulary Development In A Literature-Based Instructional Program, Gwen Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers need to assist students in developing rich vocabularies in a variety of ways. As teachers present effective strategies for learning vocabulary, students will improve their speaking and writing abilities as they grasp newfound meanings of words. This project reviews the professional literature on vocabulary development instruction and then presents a staff development plan that will help teachers see the benefits of exploring different ways that students can increase their vocabulary knowledge in a literature-based instructional reading environment.

Writing In The Kindergarten Classroom : It Can Be Done!, Stephanie Kartman

Graduate Research Papers

When discussing early writing Vicki Spandel (2001) brings up the following very important point: "We need to notice the little things (not just the big milestones) and put them to work to encourage our young writers, who are often doing much more than they get credit for'' (p. 321 ).

This project was built upon the idea that teachers would support writing through various instructional methods such as interactive, shared, and direct writing instruction. These activities are meant to supplement the Marion Independent School District kindergarten curriculum.

Shared Reading For Teaching English As A Foreign Language To Young Learners In Russia, Inna V. Kuznetsova

Graduate Research Papers

Shared Reading has proven to be very effective in developing language and literacy skills of children in the West. This project introduces Shared Reading as a curriculum component of English as a foreign language for young children in Russia. Review of the literature regarding the effectiveness of Shared Reading is described. The project includes two units of four lessons each that illustrate implementation of Shared Reading, oral language and other literacy activities. The project concludes with specific recommendations for dissemination of this work.

Implementation Of Literature Circles, Dawn Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are a current and effective technique requiring a group of students to read the same text and then meet to discuss their thoughts on what they read. The purpose of the project is to explain to teachers the components of literature circles and the benefits they have for students. The project will look specifically at what both the student and teachers roles' should be throughout the implementation. It will also inform teachers of different ways to incorporate literature circles into their own classroom.

Reading Motivation Of Middle School Students, Sandra K. Leinen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the motivation factors that influence middle school students' reading motivation. The literature review addresses the issue of declining reading motivation of middle school students as they progress through the grade levels. This review deals with four main areas: motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy. Literary resources were gathered and results of a reading survey completed by students at AHST Middle School were included. Information from both sources were reviewed and analyzed. The results of the literature review and the Avoca-Hancock-Shelby-Tennant (AHST) Middle School database indicate ways to increase middle school …