This study examined the effects of overt illustration on first graders' learning from oral prose. In all experiments, children heard prose selections, after (or during) which they illustrated selection content with plasticized figure cutouts and background scenes. Control subjects copied or colored geometric forms during the illustration period.…

Verbal Self-instruction was employed in training impulsive first-grade children to perform visual discrimination matching tasks. The effects of self-verbalization (as opposed to tutor verbalization) and strategy training employment of four training conditions: verbal self-instruction and strategy training; strategy training; verbal…

This study is based upon an interpretation of Ausubel's subsumption learning theory. The primary characteristic of this theory is that it views a learner's specific content knowledge as a crucial factor in learning. Two types of assessment instruments were used with first-grade students to determine concept attainment based on specific models…

Forty-three first-grade children, who had received no formal instruction in addition and subtraction, were individually administered 20 problems that could be solved using addition or subtraction. The problems were selected to represent the following semantic types: joining, separating, part-part-whole, comparison, and equalizing. Responses were…

Teacher enthusiasm has long been considered an important teacher behavior. However, when 52 first graders were divided into three groups and taught about environmental pollution by the same teacher exhibiting three degrees of enthusiasm, little difference was found. Students taught with a medium level of enthusiasm did perform slightly better. (IS)

This report views the effect of parent support in active participation in building children's inquiry skills. It is noted that at times a good learning experience developed for a youngster by a school is destroyed by lack of interest and support in the home. Parent attitudes towards the process of inquiry are seen as critical to the subsequent…

This study investigated a theoretical structure which attempts to explain the problem-solving strategies used by first-grade students who are successful in solving simple arithmetic story problems. The structure used describes the problem-solving procedure as consisting of a three-stage model building process: (1) comprehending the story, (2)…

The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine the influence of a series of experiences involving the equivalence relation "same length as" and the asymmetric transitive relations "longer than" and "shorter than" on the ability of first and second grade children to classify and seriate objects on the basis of length; (2) investigate the…

Discusses a case study designed to explore modeling as it relates to the use of invented spelling by very young writers. Examines the effects of metacognitive modeling by peers. Suggests the value of having good writers model their thinking processes for immature writers as they use invented spelling. (MG)

A research project introduced changes into the kindergarten and 1st grade instructional programs of a developmental school. The purposes were to implement an adaptive instructional system which would teach children the basic psychological processes relevant to 1st grade reading and math achievement and which would accommodate individual…