Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

The Influence Of Inclusion On Langauge Arts Literacy And Math Achievement On Non-Disabled Middle School Students, Faye Brady

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of A Professional Development Program On Teacher Knowledge And Practice To Address Adolescent Health Issues, Narima Aliya Shahabudeen

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Dr. Skateboard’S Action Science: Teaching Physics In Context, William Robertson

Selected Works Temporary Series

Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science, a curriculum supplement which consists of video instruction and classroom activities is an example that focuses on the physical science concepts found in the areas of forces, motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and simple machines. The use of familiar activities, situations and objects, such as skateboarding and bicycle motocross (BMX), around which students can explore and explain scientific concepts can be defined as action science. Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science is an example of transformative education, a student-centered curriculum supplement built around interesting content linked to specific physic knowledge and skills in science. The videos and classroom …

Dr. Skateboard’S Action Science: Teaching Physics In Context, William Robertson

Departmental Papers (TE)

Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science, a curriculum supplement which consists of video instruction and classroom activities is an example that focuses on the physical science concepts found in the areas of forces, motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and simple machines. The use of familiar activities, situations and objects, such as skateboarding and bicycle motocross (BMX), around which students can explore and explain scientific concepts can be defined as action science. Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science is an example of transformative education, a student-centered curriculum supplement built around interesting content linked to specific physic knowledge and skills in science. The videos and classroom …

Manipulatives In Mathematics Instruction, Jessica Strom

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This paper is a review of research pertaining to the use of manipulatives in middle and secondary school mathematics instruction. It covers the research on the rationale for using manipulatives, the psychology behind learning with manipulatives, the common mistakes when teaching with manipulatives, and the suggested process to follow when using manipulatives in the classroom. There is a large amount of research and information on manipulatives in the classroom. One of the most prevalent topics addresses that the concrete characteristics of manipulatives allow students to progress through a natural learning process on their way to an abstract understanding of mathematical …

The Effects Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support On School Climate: A Middle School Logitudinal Study, K. Richard Young, Ryan H. Shatzer, Ellie L. Young, Paul Caldarella, Richard E. West

Faculty Publications

Questions: What strategies and resources are needed to implement a successful SWPBS program in middle schools? How can you measure the effects of SWPBS in middle schools?

Teacher Qualifications And Middle School Student Achievement, Richard Buddin, Gema Zamarro

Education Reform Faculty and Graduate Students Publications

This research examines whether teacher licensure test scores and other teacher qualifications affect middle school student achievement. The results are based on longitudinal student-level data from Los Angeles. The achievement analysis uses a value-added approach that adjusts for both student and teacher fixed effects. The results show little relationship between traditional measures of teacher quality (e.g., experience and education level) and student achievement in reading or math. Similarly, licensure test scores in general aptitude, subject-matter knowledge, and reading pedagogy had no significant effects on student achievement. Teachers with elementary school credentials had slightly better success in the classroom than did …

Dr. Skateboard’S Action Science: Transforming Science Education For Middle School Students, William Robertson

Selected Works Temporary Series

The main objective of this article is to describe an example of unique and creative classroom materials that are built around a real world interest of Middle School students. Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science is a curriculum supplement that integrates both skateboarding and BMX. As an example of transformative education, it is built around student interests with a direct link to specific science knowledge and skills that need to be learned. It incorporates a four part video series and twenty classroom activities for students and teachers to use in the classroom. The video and classroom materials focus on the physical science …

Strategy Instruction And Lessons Learned In Teaching Higher Level Thinking Skills In An Urban Middle School Classroom, Karen C. Waters

Education Faculty Publications

Through a compilation of standards-based lesson plans for small- and whole-group instruction, this chapter offers a humorous and heartbreaking perspective of the author's experiences during a yearlong university partnership “Book Bistro” in a 7th grade classroom with urban adolescent struggling readers. Using a combination of leveled, fictional, nonfictional, and culturally relevant text, the chapter is written as a personal narrative to address higher level thinking through systematic instruction in comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and structural analysis. A step-by-step implementation procedure for each of the research-based strategies is presented, including concept of definition, discussion web, probable passage, pointed reading, semantic feature analysis, …

Dr. Skateboard’S Action Science: Transforming Science Education For Middle School Students, William Robertson

Departmental Papers (TE)

The main objective of this article is to describe an example of unique and creative classroom materials that are built around a real world interest of Middle School students. Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science is a curriculum supplement that integrates both skateboarding and BMX. As an example of transformative education, it is built around student interests with a direct link to specific science knowledge and skills that need to be learned. It incorporates a four part video series and twenty classroom activities for students and teachers to use in the classroom. The video and classroom materials focus on the physical science …

Middle School Parents' Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education, Virginia R. Powers Jones

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study explored middle school parents' perceptions of the contributions career and technical education could make to their child's educational or workforce plans. It also examined what actions parents undertake to influence their child's plans, specifically the impact of the career exploration tool, Coin Career Community©, on their actions. Last, the study explored the correlation between the course choices students made in ninth grade relative to their parents' perceptions.

This study took place at Halifax County Middle School, located in South Boston, Virginia, in spring 2009. This school was the only middle school in the county with a student population …

Examination Of Interactions Among Eighth-Grade Language Arts Students During Literature Circles, Rachel Marie Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the nature of interactions that took place among eighth-graders as they participated in literature circles. The teacher/researcher organized students into literature circles based on the students' novel selection. Students completed a different role assignment each week. The role assignments included word wizard, passage picker, connector, summarizer, and question asker. As the students participated in literature circles, the teacher/researcher tape recorded their conversations and took observational field notes. Analysis of the data four weeks later showed that some students' voices were silenced and students went through the motions of completing and talking about their role assignments with little …

The Effectiveness Of Block Schedule In Middle School, Ginger L. Markham

Perspectives In Learning

Block scheduling in one form or another seems to be highly effective when properly used. It invites depth in learning, inquiry based and student based learning, which corresponds with Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The faculty and staff of Veterans Memorial Middle School are planning to meet the needs of the students by changing their teaching methods to support the GPS and alternating 4X4 block schedule. The author would recommend any middle school use a block schedule of some type in order to meet the needs of their school. Once the teachers buy into the concept, there is no limit to …

Differentiated Instruction: Perceptions Of Middle School Principals Across Middlesex County, New Jersey, Fredrik Martin Oberkehr

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Teacher Perceptions Of Changes In Middle School Student Behavior After Implementation Of A Character Education Program, Maria F. Cleary

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Gaining Options: A Mathematics Program For Potentially Talented At-Risk Adolescent Girls, Pamela Trotman Reid, Sally K. Roberts

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

In response to indicators that a decline in interest in mathematics occurs among girls—particularly those from low-income and minority groups—during middle school, the GO-GIRL (Gaining Options: Girls Investigate Real Life) program was designed to help potentially talented at-risk girls. The program aimed to build mathematical confidence, skills, and conceptual understanding by integrating mathematics and social science research in a single-sex, technology-rich environment supported by university student mentors. The program targeted seventh-grade urban girls from public and private schools. Participants met over the course of ten Saturdays to learn research methods, computer skills, mathematics, and descriptive statistics. Quantitative data from the …

The Stress Management Self-Efficacy Inventory (Smsei): Development And Initial Psychometrics, Kristin Higgins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of the current study was to develop, pilot, and establish the initial psychometrics of the Stress Management Self-Efficacy Inventory (SMSEI). Once developed and positive psychometrics established, middle school counselors and other mental health professionals can use the SMSEI to identify children who lack self-efficacy in the area of stress management. Once adolescents are identified as having low stress management self-efficacy, this measure can also aid professionals in creating programs and interventions. The SMSEI measures how well adolescents believe they can manage their stress as well as measures specific areas or management techniques that a child believes they …

The Effects Of Inclusion On Mathematics Achievement Of General Education Students In Middle School, Shirley Brewton

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Impact Of Direct Reading Instruction For Middle School Students At Newfield Middle School, Newfield, New York, Robert R. Ike

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Influence Of Teacher Preparation Programs On Student Achievement And The Use Of Nctm Standards And Principles In Middle School And High School Algebra I Classrooms, Denelle L. Wallace

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Studies

The impact of traditional and alternative teacher preparation programs on student achievement and the instructional delivery methods used in middle school and high school Algebra I classrooms was explored through a mixed method comparative design. The data analysis revealed that alternative teacher preparation programs are a viable avenue to explore in meeting the needs of public schools for providing qualified teachers in mathematics classrooms at the middle school and high school levels. Data from the standardized state test and district level quarterly assessments revealed no significant differences between groups on half of the achievement measures, but there was a significant …

A Comparative Analysis Of Japanese And U.S. Teaching Styles Of Mathematics, Timothy Michael Wurdock

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examines the effects of different international teaching styles on the performance of junior high school students. Japanese students ranked higher than U.S. students on international tests. The whole-class method and open-ended problems are techniques frequently used in Japanese classrooms. These techniques will be incorporated into the author’s curriculum to determine their effectiveness in teaching mathematics. Two eighth grade classes will be studied. The author will teach the experimental group using the whole-class method. The control group will be taught using the American method.

Developing Patriotism Among Middle Level Students, Melissa Ann Scott

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Patriotism, what is it? When someone is patriotic, what does it mean? For me, patriotism means a feeling of responsibility to the well being of country, state, and home. This feeling is evidenced in the actions of people when they vote, take care of their environment, show respect for the flag and numerous other ways. Unfortunately it seems that there has been a decrease in these actions, and I'm afraid a decrease in the feeling of patriotism. This affects not only the current generation, but also the generation of children being raised today. If we want the feeling of patriotism …

Criteria Formulating School Choice Decisions For A Middle School Parent Population, Suzanne W. Dunshee

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Media Effectiveness Training, Robert Lee Davis

All Graduate Projects

An analysis of the Tolt Junior-Senior High School faculty's use of instructional media showed a need for a program designed to increase the effective use of the Learning Resource Center's available media. This project consisted of developing a series of inservice classes designed to train the teachers to better utilize the overhead, opaque, slide, filmstrip, and 16mm projectors, tape recorders, VTR, microfiche reader/printer, and dry mount press. Appropriate examples have been produced in each medium and a tool created for the evaluation of the inservice program.

Preparation Of Middle School Teachers, David T. Lyle

All Master's Theses

This paper pre sents a study undertaken to determine what recommendations

middle school principals would make regarding the training

of prospective. middle school teachers.. A questionnaire was used to

gather recommendations from the princ pals regarding the desired academic preparation and attitudes, and on possible changes in teacher

certification practices.