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Articles 31 - 60 of 488

Full-Text Articles in Teacher Education and Professional Development

A Substitute Teacher’S Guide: Helpful Resources And Information To Use In The Classroom, Kara Joanne Knutson Jan 2012

A Substitute Teacher’S Guide: Helpful Resources And Information To Use In The Classroom, Kara Joanne Knutson

All Graduate Projects

Teachers are absent from the classroom more often today than in the past, giving substitute teachers an essential part in the education system. Research shows that substitutes are not always adequately prepared to teach, and are sometimes left with inadequate lesson plans, or none at all (Damle, 2009). When the regular teacher is absent, it is beneficial to have a guide with strategies and activities to utilize if needed. This project contains a guide for substitutes to use for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, which includes valuable teaching techniques, first aid tips, and individualized educational activities geared towards each …

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A Discussion Of The Mental Health Of Public School Teachers, Gary W. Ballou Jan 2012

A Discussion Of The Mental Health Of Public School Teachers, Gary W. Ballou

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

It has been suggested that public school teachers are exposed to highly stressful situations which are related to psychological and psychiatric problems. Unfortunately, there is no quantitative data suggesting which factors contribute to improving the mental health of American teachers, nor have there been any prior studies that have directly compared the factors associated with mental health disturbances between teachers and workers in other occupations in the United States. In light of this, I felt it crucial to find the factors associated with psychological/psychiatric problems in public school teachers in the United States using an appropriate reference professional group.

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Rubrics In Use As An Assessment Tool For Elementary Physical Education, Megan Marie Brown Dec 2011

Rubrics In Use As An Assessment Tool For Elementary Physical Education, Megan Marie Brown

All Graduate Projects

There are many health related benefits of participating in regular physical activity. A well-designed elementary physical education program will promote lifetime physical activity that may reduce the risk of disease. In implementing a quality curriculum for physical education, educators need to take in to account the standards when deciding the direction for their curriculum (NASPE, 2005). According to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (2008), physical education includes curriculum, instruction and assessment all implemented together. This project addresses the need for meaningful and convenient assessment tools.

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Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen May 2011

Boys And Writing: Strategies To Support Struggling Boy Writers, Dionne Corinne Ellingsen

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a guide for elementary teachers to improve writing strategies and motivation of boys. Nationally, boys are more likely than girls to struggle with writing in the elementary classroom. Teachers need to understand the differences that boys and girls bring to their classroom and develop strategies and lessons that make writing more inviting to boys. The project discusses current research about why boys are more likely to struggle than girls, because of innate differences in the brain, the classroom arrangement, and issues of motivation. It also provides a guide of activities and strategies …

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Effective Professional Development Practices For Adult Educators, Jessica Lureen Mcgee Jan 2011

Effective Professional Development Practices For Adult Educators, Jessica Lureen Mcgee

All Graduate Projects

Professional development has evolved from a one day workshop that is isolated from the school setting, into a process that is on-going based at the school site. In order for professional development to be effective in the school environment, administrators need to take adult learners' needs into account when planning training. Professional development needs to be ongoing in the school setting, meeting the needs of the adult learners and evaluated by its effects on student achievement. The administrator is an instructional leader who provides support for staff to continue their growth. This handbook will provide administrators with resources to assist …

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K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters Jan 2011

K-5 Library Media Curriculum Map And Standards Crosswalk, Tessa Kateri Watters

All Graduate Projects

The American Library Association (ALA) has published standards of skills students need in the 21st century. Washington state librarians use these standards as a foundation for their curriculum. The Catholic School Librarian Association (CSLA) has adopted these standards to create grade level expectations. Using the standards published by the American Library Association and the Catholic School Librarians, this project is a curriculum map, outlining skills to be taught chronologically throughout the academic year for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Also included is a crosswalk identifying the local, state, and professional standards for each skill listed on the curriculum map. The …

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A Reading Comprehension Guide Book For Upper Elementary School Students, Kaley Repp Jul 2010

A Reading Comprehension Guide Book For Upper Elementary School Students, Kaley Repp

All Graduate Projects

This is an examination into the reading skills students need to help him/her comprehend reading. This project identifies 18 strategies students use when comprehending texts and then places those 18 strategies into a guide book. The 18 strategies are presented with lessons, teacher prompts, and literature for teachers to use with students who need additional reading support. This guide book has not been tested for effectiveness among elementary school students, however, the strategies are research based and have been identified as effective for student success in comprehension.

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Technology In The Classroom An Educator’S Guide To Technology & Learning, Joseph Lawrence Bishop Jul 2010

Technology In The Classroom An Educator’S Guide To Technology & Learning, Joseph Lawrence Bishop

All Graduate Projects

The need for an educational technology manual was researched. Based on research a resource handbook for understanding and using technology in the classroom was in demand. In order to meet the demand for a technology training guide for teachers, a detailed handbook was created. The handbook includes information on the following aspects of educational technology; desktop computers, laptop computers, miniature computing, visual technologies, educational software, accessibility software, the Internet, video technology, and WebQuests. The handbook is intended to be used as a technology resource for teachers K-12 in any State/Country.

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Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe Jun 2010

Differentiated Reading In Primary Grades, Cara Cathleen Axe

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to help teachers integrate reading differentiation into the classroom and thus help students with their varied needs in learning to read. Differentiation of instruction is valuable in all areas, particularly in teaching reading. This project emphasizes that it is essential that teachers make reading skills and content accessible to all students. My purpose is to show the importance of differentiated reading instruction and to provide information and resources for teachers and parents.

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A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa Jun 2010

A Cad/Cam/Cnc Curriculum For High School Students, Cory Patrick Torppa

All Graduate Projects

The need for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum for Washington State was researched. Based on research a resource workbook for CAD/CAM/CNC was in demand. In order to meet the demand for CAD/CAM/CNC curriculum and bridge the gap between the state standards, drafting frameworks, STEM curriculum, increased focus on implementation within multiple disciplines, providing a starting point for teachers who want to use CNC machinery in their program, and prepare students for quality jobs and careers related to CAD/CAM/CNC, a workbook was created. The workbook includes 27 hands-on lessons and projects, student handouts, applied STEM problems and activities, tutorials, drafting standards, state math standards, …

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A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel May 2010

A Differentiated Unit Of Instruction For A Secondary Social Studies Classroom, David Christopher Tempel

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to create a differentiated unit of instruction for eleventh grade United States History students as a pilot for the creation of a differentiated curriculum in U.S. History. This unit will examine the relationship between instructional strategies utilized and the impact upon student achievement. This unit will systematically plan instruction that meets the needs of an academically diverse group of students by honoring each student's learning needs and maximizing each student's learning capacity.

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“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart May 2010

“Read Well-Jell Well” Project: Intervention Tool For Teaching The “Read Well” Curriculum, Lisa Valaire Hart

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the Prepared Jell Well Project is to create user friendly, one page templates that maintain fidelity to the "Read Well' reading program and follow the research based guidelines of the National Reading Panel, No child Left Behind, and Reading First. This intervention tool will enable teachers to teach target goals to mastery and therefore serve as a preventative model. The Prepared Jell Well tool will enhance teaching the "Read Well" curriculum using Direct Instruction methods. The Prepared Jell Well provides materials for pre-teaching and re-teaching the focus skills of the First grade reading program. The materials are …

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Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell May 2010

Third Grade Hands On Science Curriculum, Douglas Ray Cornwell

All Graduate Projects

In 2009, Washington State issued a new set of science standards. These new standards focus on building scientific literacy. With the emphasis now on scientific literacy rather than the traditional emphasis on fact memorization, many teachers must now find new ways to teach their science programs that reinforce understanding in science concepts rather than simple fact recollection. A science program that focuses on the constructivist learning philosophy and that offers students "hands on" activities as well as teacher led demonstrations is offered here to fill the role as an example of one of these new programs.

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Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino May 2010

Cultures In Our Community A Social Studies Unit, Anna Louise Buglino

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a yearlong unit for social studies that any teacher could pick up and implement into their classroom. It was designed using second grade standards, but can be modified for use in other grade levels. The units are integrated into all subject areas with the goal of teaching students about the community in which they live. It also was designed to create in the classroom an understanding of cultures different from their own. This will create a deeper understanding and awareness of diverse populations and their differences. The instruction of social studies education …

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Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez May 2010

Spanish Science Resources For A Kindergarten Dual Language Classroom, Carmen Lorena Yanez

All Graduate Projects

The high population of English Language Learners (ELL) in the United States has impacted the educational system. Accountability for meeting high stakes tests and state standards has been a constant pressure for many schools that have a high concentration of ELL. School districts have adopted different programs to meet the needs of ELL. These programs focus on making academic content more relevant and comprehensible so students can meet state standards. One of the programs that has proven to be successful in meeting ELL needs is dual language. However, a challenge for many dual language programs that target English and Spanish …

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The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson May 2010

The Importance Of High School Nutrition Education, Rebecca Toisie Swanson

All Graduate Projects

This project looks at obesity and undernourishment in American students. The project discusses the importance of physical education and nutrition education and the lack there of in the 21st Century. Research indicates current legislative mandates involving standardized testing and a stress on core academics, changing familial and societal structures and evolving food technology have helped lead to the obesity epidemic in the United States. The project also looks at different ethnic and socioeconomic groups and the impact nutrition and overall health plays in these groups. The project includes a nutrition curriculum that is designed to be used in a ninth …

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Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth May 2010

Instructional Coaching: Improving Student Achievement And Building Teacher Efficacy, Rebecca J. Tonseth

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to justify the author's job as an instructional coach. The author was motivated by her own need to discover what an instructional coach was and how an instructional coach positively affects teacher instruction and student achievement. This project includes ideas and tools that beginning instructional coaches can use with teachers in an elementary school setting. A review of the literature was included on the effects of coaching on teacher efficacy and the effects teachers and coaches have on student achievement. This project examined the roles of the instructional coach and it provides a guide …

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Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar Apr 2010

Looping: Building Strong Relationships Between Teachers, Students, Families, Gary Aguilar

All Graduate Projects

Looping is the practice of a teacher staying with the same group of students for two or three years. The paper discusses the effects that looping has on the relationships teachers form with students and families. An overview of the history of looping is followed by the benefits that looping provides for students, families and teachers. The project is a guide for teacher and schools that want to implement looping. The project includes ways to organize looping classrooms, student selection and areas to be mindful of.

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Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter Mar 2010

Improving Delivery Of Instruction Through Peer Coaching, James John Buckwalter

All Graduate Projects

Peer coaching models were studied to see if they improved teachers' delivery of instruction, and if they had a significant impact on student achievement. The research showed that peer coaching programs were successful when they were tied to a school's overall vision and mission, led by a strong principal, and kept separate from evaluation. Peer coaching was found to increase the accurate use of skills that teachers learned through professional development; however there was no evidence to show that peer coaching alone significantly effects student achievement.

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Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore Aug 2009

Importance Of School Readiness And Early Childhood Education, Amanda L. Moore

All Graduate Projects

The need for childhood education was studied and, based upon experiences garnered as a Kindergarten teacher, Cub Club was created and implemented in order to begin to reduce the achievement gap. The program was designed to educate parents about the importance of family involvement and the benefits, lasting into adulthood, of working with children at home during their early years of learning.

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The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle Aug 2009

The Culture Of Poverty: How It Affects Middle School Students, Kaycie Anne Tuttle

All Graduate Projects

In education, teachers are seeing more impoverished students than ever before. With that understanding, teachers need to know how to identify and assist these students so that they are successful in school. The War on Poverty has been going on for years, and with a failing economy, teachers are seeing more impoverished students in their classrooms. To counteract this situation, teachers will be shown a pamphlet, power point presentation, and a workshop on poverty which will help show teachers what their students may be experiencing when away from school. In addition, the pamphlet will provide information of what to look …

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Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley Aug 2009

Kindergarten Connection: An Early Literacy Intervention Through Home/School/Community Connections, Laurie Card-Roley

All Graduate Projects

Students most at-risk for academic failure are the populations of students classified as English Language Learners; migrant students; special education students; children of poverty; homeless students; students in foster care; children of abuse or neglect; and children with social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. The number of students falling within the at-risk population of students has continued to increase over the years. A program and curriculum called Kindergarten Connection attempts to address these barriers to learning by identifying family, societal and academic concerns prior to kindergarten and connecting families to the school and community resources that will provide the needed support. …

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A Guide To Teaching Writing In Kindergarten, Pamela Lynn Wangsness Jul 2009

A Guide To Teaching Writing In Kindergarten, Pamela Lynn Wangsness

All Graduate Projects

Research was conducted on the topic of writing in kindergarten. Many different forms of teaching writing were researched and summarized in the literature review of this project. Curriculum that is designed for kindergarten is mostly written for full day kindergarten, not taking into account the time constraints of half-day kindergarten. The results of the research were combined in the form of lesson plans that a half-day kindergarten teacher could use to begin teaching writing.

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A Manual For Improving The Working Relationship Of Teachers Through The Implementation Of A Peer Coaching Model, Mitchell Bennett Richards Jul 2009

A Manual For Improving The Working Relationship Of Teachers Through The Implementation Of A Peer Coaching Model, Mitchell Bennett Richards

All Graduate Projects

The challenges that teachers face today with educational standards are daunting. Many teaching practices have evolved over the last several years due to the constraints of standardized testing. These constraints require students and teachers to be held accountable for their performance. Teachers are now required to do more than simply educate students based on their beliefs of best practices. Teacher professional development is paramount to provide teachers with the tools needed to face the challenges in education today. This project presents a peer coaching model to foster teacher development, reviews the related research in the field of peer coaching, and …

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Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens Jul 2009

Quick Listening Activities To Improve Phonological Awareness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Jill Florence Stephens

All Graduate Projects

Current research shows phonological awareness plays an important role in a kindergarten student's ability to read. Phonological awareness (PA) is identifying and manipulating parts of spoken language, such as words, syllables, onsets and rimes, and rhyming. Recent research also indicates a kindergartener's level of phonological awareness is connected to his or her ability to decode words, recognize vocabulary and comprehend text. Students lacking a sense of phonological awareness struggle learning to read. The good news is that kindergarteners' phonological awareness can improve with 10-15 minutes of focused instruction each day. This project guides kindergarten teachers through phonological awareness listening activities, …

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Comprehensive Survival Guide For Substitute Teachers, Angela Jeanne Satterfield Jul 2009

Comprehensive Survival Guide For Substitute Teachers, Angela Jeanne Satterfield

All Graduate Projects

The struggles and challenges of substitute teaching were looked at as well as the rationale for supporting substitute teachers. Existing school district handbooks were examined and the limitations and advantages of these handbooks were given. As a result, a handbook was created with a list of suggestions, ideas, tips, and tools. These are all meant to support substitute teachers in their teaching and the students that they work with in experiencing an educationally productive school day.

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Increasing The Number Of Checkouts By Classroom Teachers Through Implementing A Levelized Class Set Library System, Beau Richard Hedrick Jul 2009

Increasing The Number Of Checkouts By Classroom Teachers Through Implementing A Levelized Class Set Library System, Beau Richard Hedrick

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a levelized class set collection of books for second- and third-grade teachers. The project will summarize current research as to why teaching reading, while using appropriate leveled books, is one of the most successful ways of teaching. This project describes the steps taken to build and organize a checkout system of levelized books.

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Shared Reading Lessons For Fourth, Fifth, And Sixth Grade English Language Learners, Erin Marie Goin Jul 2009

Shared Reading Lessons For Fourth, Fifth, And Sixth Grade English Language Learners, Erin Marie Goin

All Graduate Projects

This project explains what shared reading is and how it fits into balanced literacy. It explores the benefits of shared reading for English language learners and things the teacher should consider when teaching them. The project includes a collection of shared reading lesson plans for teachers of fourth, fifth and sixth grade ELL students. It explains what shared reading is, materials needed, possible texts, and skills and strategies that can be taught in a lesson. This guide is intended to help teachers of fourth, fifth and sixth grade ELL students teach shared reading lessons in their classrooms.

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What’S Your Perspective A Secondary Staff Cultural Proficiency Training, Jeanne A. Cunningham May 2009

What’S Your Perspective A Secondary Staff Cultural Proficiency Training, Jeanne A. Cunningham

All Graduate Projects

A two-hour and forty-five minute staff cultural proficiency training was compiled for an urban high school. Nearly thirty percent of the school's population is make up of non-majority cultural groups yet approximately ninety-nine percent of the staff is white. A review of literature indicates that culture matters when educating students and schools cognizant of this information realize higher student performance. Using current data, the project demonstrates the need for cultural proficiency training and provides staff information and resources to increase awareness of the role of culture in teaching and learning.

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Writer’S Workshop: Promoting Peer Relationships On Early Literacy, Jim Labrie May 2009

Writer’S Workshop: Promoting Peer Relationships On Early Literacy, Jim Labrie

All Graduate Projects

Writer's Workshop and the influence of peer relationships and art on young children's literacy development were explored. There was found to be a direct correlation between children's art/drawings on their literacy development. Peer interactions during writing were also found to positively impact young writers. Peers and art do impact early literacy and have influences on Writer's Workshop and children's attitudes toward writing. Based on this research a handbook was developed to aid educators in planning a Writer's Workshop model, developing peer relationships during writing, and assessing student writing.

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