Language and Literacy Education Commons^™

Comprehension Strategy Lesson Plans For Third Grade Teachers Incorporating Informational Science Trade Books, Trinidad M. Rivera

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a set of lesson plans for teachers useful in teaching comprehension strategies to monolingual third grade students. Research on comprehension strategies and the effects they have on children's reading comprehension was explored. Effective comprehension strategies were defined. Lesson plans were created to aid educators as they teach comprehension of informational material to third grade students.

Incorporating Holistic Activities Into A First Grade Phonics-Based Basal Reading Program, Kristine Marie Williams

All Graduate Projects

This project reviews the literature on basal reading programs, the whole language approach, and phonics instruction. The related research was used to identify the need for a more balanced approach to elementary reading instruction. Holistic strategies, based on the whole language philosophy, were explained. These strategies were applied to a first grade phonics-based basal reading program. Lessons and activities were developed to integrate holistic strategies with the phonics-based basal reading program. Implications for further research and teacher training were discussed.

Development Of A Family Literacy Program To Improve English Reading And Language Acquisition Of Limited English Speaking Parents And Children., Terri Lee Ritter

All Graduate Projects

A family literacy program to assist Hispanic parents and children in improving English reading and language acquisition skills was developed. Limited English speaking families in Quincy, Washington were served by a variety of lessons, developed in response to need. The results showed a desire by families to continue with the project, as well as an higher achievement in score on the reading and language sub-tests of the Metropolitan Achievement Test by students having a seventy percent program attendance rate in comparison with limited English speaking students of non-participating families. Program modifications for the following school year were discussed.

Elements Of A First Grade Writing Program, Julie Laree Fry

All Graduate Projects

Literature regarding the early developmental processes of (1) writing, (2) spelling, and (3) phonemic awareness for children between the ages of five and seven were reviewed. The literature stated that all three of these processes develop simultaneously through a series of very specific stages. Writing in kindergarten and first grade needs to be practiced daily and treated like a free activity without restriction of copious spelling rules. It was further regarded that spelling should be considered a life long evolving skill that should not stifle the early writer. A program to guide teachers as they help first grade children to …

Regrouping For Instruction In Reading: Effective Practices, Leslie Jane Rogers

All Graduate Projects

It is the intent of this project to create a handbook providing information about a plan for regrouping for instruction in reading at Long Beach Elementary School. It will be presented to parents, teachers and administrators at workshops concerning regrouping for instruction in reading. The handbook will provide practical applications of curricular adaptation and instructional techniques that may be used to facilitate improvement in reading for students. The policies and procedures described in the manual will provide the following information:

• Assessment

• Placement

• Transitions

• Pace and Skill Levels

• Curricular Adaptations

• Teacher Collaboration and Consultation

• …

Identifying Phonological Awareness ?Outcomes In A Personal Setting, Julie A. Taylor

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project was to create a procedures guide containing research-supported lessons that facilitate the acquisition of phonological awareness by students in a preschool or kindergarten classroom. An investigation of the related literature revealed aspects of phonological awareness that can be taught to preliterate children before the onset of formal training. The product of this investigation is a guide containing lessons and activities either extracted from or modeled after those field tested in many classrooms.

Student Lessons To Enhance Reading Comprehension In The Social Studies Content Area, Dianne Marie Daily

All Graduate Projects

This project consists of lessons designed to increase reading comprehension of fifth grade students in the social studies content area. The lessons are developed based upon a review of research which indicates improved reading comprehension of expository text among students who are taught to use comprehension enhancing strategies. The activities include vocabulary development, text structure awareness, advance organizer usage, and study and reading guide strategy lessons. Additionally, a teacher's guide accompanies the lessons. These lessons are created specifically for use with the Civil War Unit entitled, "A Nation Divided," as found in Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill's 5th grade social studies text entitled, United …

Language Arts Whole Language Program For Limited English Proficient Students In A Self-Contained First Grade, Kathleen Mildred O'Brien

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was the development of a language arts program based on thematic units for limited English proficient students. Sample language activities are included for each unit. The contents of the project include: a review of literature related to the topics of using the whole language approach with limited English proficient students, procedures for the construction of thematic units, and an explanation of how to utilize the project. A summary with conclusions and recommendations is included.

Enhancing Oral Language Experiences In The Pre-Kindergarten Setting, Anna Kearny

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate how an oral language emphasis benefits pre-kindergarten children in preparation for entry into kindergarten. This study investigated the concept of enhancing oral language activities in the classroom. Growth in the cognitive, social, and emotional areas in pre-kindergarten children was noted.

Reluctant Readers: How To Motivate Them, Linda Adell Thomson

All Graduate Projects

Elementary age children without a desire to read may be reluctant readers. Many factors may contribute to this condition, and research indicates that parents and teachers need to provide ideas and activities to motivate the reluctant reader to enjoy pleasure reading. Reading activities and ideas are compiled to be used by parents and teachers to spark an interest in books in the reluctant reader.

The Benefits Of Reading Aloud To Children, Lori Ann Prince

All Graduate Projects

The benefits of reading aloud to children are studied. Observations indicate that the more young children are read to, the more they are motivated to become readers themselves. When young children are participating in the dialogue of a story that is being read aloud, their interest in that story increases dramatically. Using a variety of children's literature is an excellent supplement to the first grade curriculum and language activity lessons. Recommendations from the conclusions are presented.

Metacognitive Prereading Activities To Enhance Reading Comprehension, Katherine Laws

All Graduate Projects

This study investigated metacognitive prereading strategies content area teachers might utilize for process emphasis reading comprehension. The literature review showed the shift in reading comprehension instruction from a word based emphasis to an interactive process emphasis, described content area reading instruction and metacognition. A selection of metacognitive prereading activities was included for use by teachers in content area classrooms. Implications of using the activities were discussed.

Literature-Based Preschool Activities Using A Modified Whole Language Approach, Beverly M. Chandler

All Graduate Projects

A review of the literature revealed higher academic expectations by today's teachers of kindergarten children than in the past. To prepare students more completely to meet these expectations fourteen preschool activities related to children's literature and based on a modified whole language approach were developed. The varied activities were designed to be used by teachers or parents of preschool children in order to better prepare the children to enter kindergarten with an exposure to, basic understanding of, and appreciation of children's literature.

Literature Strands For The Enhancement Of Language In The Early Childhood Classroom, Wendy Sue White

All Graduate Projects

Literature and activities which support and enhance language learning in the early childhood classroom were examined. Seventy-six pieces of literature were selected along with thirty-two supporting activities. These were all described and matched for easy reference by the classroom teacher. A discussion of the importance of literature for the early childhood classroom, particularly that in which Engli~h is taught as a second language, has been included.

Content-Based Approaches And Second Language Instruction, Pi-Chu Su

All Graduate Projects

Integration of content-based instruction into an English curriculum based on communicative goals is suggested to better solve the problems of materials and syllabus design in Taiwan. Historical antecedents and the rationales for content-based instruction are reviewed to illustrate a modern perspective on the interwoven relationship between language and content learning. The project proposes a three-year content-based English program for Taiwan's elementary and preschool students. A first year curriculum and model lessons for mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts are presented.

Easing Into The Whole Language Approach, Katrina Lynn Qualls

All Graduate Projects

Literature about the basal reader approach and the whole language approach to teach reading was reviewed. The reviewed literature for this project supports using the best of both teaching methods with the goal being to teach more whole language-like. This could be done by starting with the basal series required by the school district and then easing into a more whole language approach as the individual teacher feels comfortable with it. The goal of the teacher should be to make language learning whole, purposeful, and meaningful. Activities based on these assertions about language were compiled.

A Whole-Language Approach To Bilingual Language Arts Curriculum, Grades K-4, Martha M. Floyd

All Graduate Projects

Bilingual Language Arts objectives were established by grade level, K-4, in both Spanish and English. One hundred six limited English proficient students are participants in the bilingual program for which this curriculum was designed. This study suggests how selected objectives can be implemented using a whole language approach during a 1-week cultural unit. The intent of the curriculum design was that children learn language naturally when it is in a meaningful context. Implications for success in using a whole-language approach are discussed.

A Curriculum Guide Based On Developmental Stages Of Kindergarten And First Grade Writing, Heidi E. Borrud

All Graduate Projects

The relationship between the developmental stages of a child and the acquisition of written language was studied. Through research, developmental stages were identified. The stages were used to develop objectives for a kindergarten and first grade writing curriculum guide. Activities that would aid in the achievement of the given objectives are suggested.

Mat-Sea-Cal Oral Language Packets, Janet L. Esquivel

All Graduate Projects

This project is the development of a curriculum of language packets in Spanish dealing with the communication concepts which are tested in the MAT-SEA-CAL Oral Language Proficiency Test. The packets develop one specific skill in each of the communication concepts: numerality, temporality, spatial relations, identification, classification, case relationships, interrogation, and negation. The packets are designed for native Spanish speakers, grades K-3, who have certain structural problems in oral Spanish.

The Effect Of Diagnostic Prescriptive Instruction Using Team Teaching Of Language Arts, John Edward Gilmore

All Master's Theses

This study attempts to determine the effect or using diagnostic prescriptive instruction under the organization of team teaching. The study was designed to evaluate the academic progress of students in a pilot program using team teaching. The results indicate that students having team teaching do not score significantly higher than students receiving conventional instruction. During the study the author developed and fieldtested a semantic differential attitude scale that will be used to determine attitudinal differences among groups of students.

A Study In Methods For Helping The Disabled Reader, Margaret Meyer

Graduate Student Research Papers

The ability to read well constitutes one of the most important skills a person can acquire. Satisfactory adjustment to living in this complex modern world requires effective reading. It is difficult to discover any activity, whether in school, business or daily living that does not require reading. The importance of reading becomes even more obvious when we consider what happens to those who fail to learn to read. They are handicapped in practically all walks of life.

Self-Help Activity Exercises For Developing Independence In Reading, Ole Mcdowell

Graduate Student Research Papers

These activity exercises are based upon the premise that many elementary teachers are plagued with considerable confusion and insecurity in the area of teaching phonics. They persistently state that one of their greatest instructional needs is to understand phonics, and to know how to use phonics.

The Pros And Cons Of Teaching Formal Grammar In The Elementary School, James L. Moore

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this study (1) to discover and compare the arguments for and against the teaching of formal grammar in the elementary school and (2) to broaden the writer's own point of view on whether or not formal grammar should be a part of the study of English in his elementary school classroom.

Instituting And Administering An Individualized Reading Program In The Granite Falls Elementary School, Donald F. Van Liew

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to review the literature written about different programs individualizing the reading program so as to enable the writer to judge their worth in a given situation. The area of reading was chosen for this study because more time is spent teaching and practicing reading skills than is spent on any other subject. Further, the writer will attempt to present the steps used in instituting a program in a school. Implementing or revising any program takes careful analysis by an entire staff, but certain steps and procedures should be followed after the staff has agreed …

Some Approaches To The Teaching Of Reading, Lillian Ida Kelly

Graduate Student Research Papers

Because of the writer's desire to learn more about the individualized reading approach and the textfilm approach, these two areas have been chosen for specific investigation and elaboration. It was the purpose of this study (1) to discover what opinions certain authorities hold regarding the various approaches to reading, (2) to investigate some recent specific experiments in the teaching of reading, and (3) to make some generalizations concerning the various broad approaches to reading and the specific results obtained through experimentation.

The Devlopment Of A Handbook Of Policies, Procedures, And Materials For A Remedial Reading Program, Lois G. Norris

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to develop a plan for presenting policies and procedures to be used in a school system so as (1) to aid teachers in understanding the causes of reading problems in order that more preventive measures might be taken; (2) to inform administrators and teachers of the working procedures of the remedial reading program and the assistance available; l3) to furnish pertinent information about reading difficulties; (4) to suggest and make available instructional aids to help the classroom teacher or the special reading teacher; and l5) to present bibliographies of the most recent books for …