Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

Best Practices In Teaching Reading Fluency In The Elementary Classroom, Tina Schneider

Graduate Research Papers

The focus of this review of literature was Best Practices for teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Research shows that students' reading fluency rates need improvement. Teachers must create a classroom environment that fosters reading fluency and use research based teaching practices to improve students' reading fluency. Journal articles were selected that addressed best practices in teaching reading fluency in the elementary classroom. Reading fluency influences the academic success students attain at school and therefore it is a skill which must be taught. Because best practices have a positive impact on students' reading fluency rates, it is recommended that …

Utilizing Online Literature Circles To Improve Reading Comprehension, Mark Schuldt

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are an important part of a balanced reading program. They require students to work with others to become independent problem solvers. With the introduction of online literature circles, students get the added experience of using technology in an authentic learning situation. As a result of this technology integration, students' reading comprehension and proficiency with computers will improve.

The importance of this project is to provide teachers with curriculum that is supported by technology. Specific research and practice is sited to support the rationale of combining technology and reading. The most significant findings include the development of the lower …

Best Practices In Balanced Early Literacy Instruction, Suzanne Yoder

Graduate Research Papers

In order to provide the best literacy instruction for the nation's earliest learners, it is crucial that best practice principles, as defined by Steven Zemelman, Harvey Daniels, and Arthur Hyde, be adhered to. These principles include all aspects of what have been found to be the teaching methods and strategies most conducive to successful early literacy acquisition. The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical and current trends in literacy education, discuss and explain the best practice principles, and to relate these principles to a current balanced literacy approach. Further, activities and lessons are presented which could be …

Using Computer Software To Enhance Instruction Of Early Literacy Skills In The Kindergarten Classroom, Janann Dostal

Graduate Research Papers

This review investigates skills vital to early literacy instruction, technology use in early childhood classrooms, and software available to enhance early literacy skills of kindergarten students. Letter naming, phonological awareness, concepts about print, and language development are early literacy skills vital to a student's future reading success. Studies have shown that technology has been used in early childhood classrooms as an effective teaching tool, to promote active student involvement, and as a tool for motivation, showing that computers can be utilized successfully with young students. Research indicates that early literacy software used to supplement teacher instruction has great potential to …

Aligning Technology And Language Arts Standards, Catherine A. Feldmann

Graduate Research Papers

The standards of language arts and technology blend fluidly to provide for an optimal learning environment. Language Arts teachers and students of all levels can gain significantly from the incorporation of multimedia software into the curriculum. Educators demonstrate responsible teaching when the initiative is taken to incorporate these otherwise separate areas together. Multimedia provides for an additional method for students to obtain, demonstrate, and share information. The use of technology into all curricular areas helps to develop life skills that are considered necessities in many jobs today.

Orchestrating A Student's Reading Fluency In The Elementary Classroom, Sarah A. Yoder

Graduate Research Papers

As you listen to a piece of music, you hear the sound of instruments blending together to create a harmonious sound, to create a mood, or tell a story. With that same sense of coordination and ease a successful, fluent reader quietly orchestrates his/her reading to derive meaning from a text. It is common for teachers to have the goal of developing fluent, young readers in the elementary classroom, but it is often unclear how to go about obtaining this goal. This article is written for elementary teachers who want to foster fluent reading, but are unsure how to direct …

Parents As Partners : The School-Home Connection, Jennifer Burkhart

Graduate Research Papers

Family literacy programs engage parents in small groups, help parents capitalize upon what they already do with literacy in the home while teaching new skills for parents to work with their children, and provide children with time to read together. Parents' attitudes have lifelong effects on a child's literacy (Morrow, 1995). Getting parents involved in emergent literacy activities has a positive effect on the child's own literacy and is associated with higher achievement and stronger cognitive skills (Anderson, 2000; de Jong and Leseman, 2001; Morrow, 2001 ). A family literacy program can better reinforce the internal motivation that parents and …

Factors Motivating Children To Read, Tanya Marie Ossman

Graduate Research Papers

Reading is the most important skill learned by children during their educational careers. The ability to read is mastered by children through the careful guidance from teachers and parents. Adults tend to assume that providing children with the skills to read will foster a desire to read. Whether or not children pick up books and read them from front to back is dependent upon their motivation to read. The results of this review will provide insight into what factors are involved in reading motivation and what programs are available for children who lack the motivation for reading.

Developmental Spelling Instruction Through Word Study, Elizabeth Ann Overstake

Graduate Research Papers

This article is an overview of word sorts and word study that has evolved from research in developmental spelling. The five stages of developmental spelling are described. Analysis of four students' writing samples from a second grade classroom was utilized in this study. Spelling inventories from Words Their Way were used three times throughout the year to evaluate developmental stages of spelling. This alternative approach to spelling instruction, including word sorting, writing sorts, speed sorts, and word hunts is discussed in this article.

Reading Between The "Signs", Sarah Durchenwald/Williamson

Graduate Research Papers

Teaching reading to hearing students, with the supplemental support of American Sign • Language, is a relatively new concept. Many components associated with sign language reinforce basic concepts of English. It teaches individual letter sounds, and names, and many of the signs for words emphasize beginning sounds, as well as meaning. Another important component of sign language is its bodily kinesthetic form of learning. Many students in public schools today are not learning through traditional teaching strategies. Incorporating sign language provides a multi-sensory approach to literal hands-on learning.

The following research outlines the principles behind teaching effectively using sign language …

Critical Thinking In High School Literature Classes, Simona Sarbu

Graduate Research Papers

This study presents a review of literature regarding critical thinking. Several definitions of critical thinking are compared and contrasted. Critical thinking is presented as a subset of higher-order thinking and affinities between critical thinking and other forms of higher-order thinking are examined. Questioning as a means of promoting critical thinking in high school literature classes is discussed from the perspective of reader-response theories.

Several questioning strategies that have the potential to promote critical thinking in high school literature classes are identified. These strategies are Questioning Circles, Questioning the Author, Design Conversations, Hierarchical Models of Questioning, Socratic Seminars, and Literature Circles. …

The Role Of The Literacy Coach: The Challenge Of Change, Janet Bargmann Thompsen

Graduate Research Papers

The process of change in education requires effective leadership along with professional development and on-site support. Fear of change and risk-taking may result in some teachers resisting change. Literacy coaches can provide the needed follow-up training and support for professional development that assists teachers to successfully implement new strategies and methods of instruction. Michael Fullan's ideas on the change process serve as the foundation for this article. The author incorporates the perspectives of researchers and leaders in the field of change with her own experiences to discuss the importance of understanding change, the factors affecting its initiation, and the role …

Phonics Or Whole Language : Choosing The Most Effective Approach To Teach Reading, Alisha Sue Jobe

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the literature concerning the phonics reading approach and the whole language reading approach at the primary grade level. Benefits, as well as problems, associated with phonics and whole language were discussed. Guidelines were presented for teachers to use with the best reading approaches for children in the primary grades. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for teaching reading successfully to primary-age children.

Teaching Literacy In Kindergarten, Dawnette Diane Leslie

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined ways of teaching literacy in the kindergarten. Benefits and problems associated with teaching reading in kindergarten were discussed. Guidelines were presented for teachers implementing literacy instruction in kindergartens. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for teaching reading to kindergarten students.

Ywca Family Literacy Program, Adam Severson

Graduate Research Papers

According to the federal government (2002), family literacy programs are defined as services provided to participants on a voluntary basis. The programs should be of sufficient energy in terms of hours and duration. Such programs should make lasting changes in a family that include the following activities: (a) interactive literacy activities between parents and children, (b) training for parents regarding how to teach their children and be a partner in education, (c) parent literacy training that leads to economic independence, and (d) an age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences.

The Family Literacy Program at …

The Role Of Invented Spelling In Early Literacy, Nancy Carper

Graduate Research Papers

An awareness and understanding of invented spelling in early literacy were presented in this research paper. The developmental stages and guidelines associated with invented spelling were discussed. Advantages and problems of invented spelling were examined. Conclusions were drawn from the literature review and recommendations were stated for future research concerning invented spelling.

Integrating The Literature And Social Studies Curriculum, Christa S. Lynch

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reviews the historical development of curriculum integration, examining the relationship between literature and social studies and offers an original instructional unit based on this research. The literature will illustrate how, throughout American history, Progressives argued for integration of subjects but under some opposition from their contemporaries. An examination of recent literature will then demonstrate how and why curriculum integration is currently used.

Phonemic Awareness: Its Impact On Beginning Reading, Deb Metcalf

Graduate Research Papers

Phonemic awareness plays a part in the reading acquisition process. Studies have found that language tasks that measure phonemic awareness are significantly related to success in the early stages of reading. This study examined the effects of phonemic awareness in relationship to beginning reading. Guidelines, skill levels, and assessment tools for teachers were presented. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for future research in this area.

A Writing Instruction Tool For Valley High School, West Des Moines, Iowa, Kristine Milburn

Graduate Research Papers

As computer-based communication becomes increasingly popular, so does the need for effective and efficient writing skills. Individuals must express themselves formally and informally to others through writing; thus, the importance of writing goes beyond scholarly pursuits and pervades every facet of society today.

The focus of this paper is to examine the usefulness of a common evaluative and instructive language, specifically the Six-Trait Analytical Scoring Guide (developed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory in Oregon), within a high school in order to encourage growth and success in student writing.

Literacy Volunteers In Elementary Classrooms : Why Do We Need Them And How Do We Train Them?, Laura Meyers

Graduate Research Papers

This project examines the need for specialized literacy volunteers, describes the uses of these volunteers in the elementary school classroom and provides a handbook that could be used to train literacy volunteers to work with students and staff. Surveys were sent to teachers in three elementary school buildings in northeast Iowa to gather input on perceived needs of students in the areas of reading and writing, opinions on specialized training for literacy volunteers and needs and uses of literacy volunteers in the classroom.

After gathering and evaluating data from teacher surveys and consulting current research in the field of reading …

Developing Literacy Through Storybook Reading Events, Linda Eitmann

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of storybook reading on children's emergent literacy. Benefits and challenges were discussed which were associated with facilitating literacy through teacher-read storybook events. Also guidelines were presented for teachers to use storybooks as an emergent developmental and instructional method. Conclusions were drawn from the literature and recommendations were made for the future facilitation of storybook reading events.

Establishing Literature Circles In One Middle School Teacher's Classroom, Kristin M. Englert Gehrke

Graduate Research Papers

Literature circles are a popular method of reading instruction in middle school classrooms. Literature circles are when small groups of students choose one book to read and then meet to discuss it. Students are taught how to discuss a book and use response journals. Implementing literature circles into a reading curriculum requires a great deal of planning. A teacher must make decisions about structure, themes, response journals, discussion groups, assessment and final projects.

Literature circles are an evolving teaching method and will not always work the same way each time they are used. I found literature circles to be a …

Linking The Literacy Curriculum With Technology, Scot J. Surprenant

Graduate Research Papers

Evaluating the process and needs of linking literacy and technology in the educational setting. The technology is presented as the driving force of change in the literacy. Teachers, administrators, and parents need to formulate a plan for training sessions along with organizing supportive people around them to integrate technology into the curriculum. They need to design professional development to empower teachers to use technology, in the curriculum. Understanding that students are exposed to multimedia literacy, technology will be a medium to motivate and synthesize learning. Teachers facilitate students to be responsible and empowered learners for their own learning. There is …

Family Literacy Programs, Julie Van Meeteren

Graduate Research Papers

This study examined the effects of family literacy programs on increasing literacy behaviors in young children and adults. Benefits and various approaches of effective family literacy programs were discussed, as well as concerns associated with implementation, funding, and cultural and linguistic differences concerning these programs. Guiding principles were presented for family literacy instructors to facilitate. literacy behaviors in young children and adults. Conclusions were drawn from reviewing the literature, and recommendations were made for the future implementation of family literacy programs.

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.

Helping Families To Capitalize On Literacy In Their Homes, Paula K. Azinger

Graduate Research Papers

Literacy events of some sort occur most everyday in every home. Most schools have not considered some children's homes to be a source of rich literacy experiences, yet literacy practices are embedded within the daily routines of almost every family (McCarthey, 1997). The opportunities provided for children's participation in literacy practices in the home environment are closely related to parents' own literacy use at home. This article presents case studies of four families that each had a child involved in America Reads, a federally funded after-school program. The case studies are the result of an ongoing investigation of families' perceptions …