This practicum program was developed and implemented to increase the reading comprehension of second grade students. The objectives of the program were for students to improve the ability to use context clues by 20%, improve reading comprehension by 15%, identify the 4 types of QAR (Question Answer Relationship) questions by 80%, and write…

A practicum sought to measure and document real learning in natural circumstances through the use of whole language assessment techniques involving observation checklists on which skills for the language arts (writing, spelling, reading) were listed. Skills were measured using descriptor words such as "stable,""evident," and…

A practicum addressed second graders' negative attitudes and habits toward recreational reading. Students were not reading for pleasure at school or at home. A recreational reading program, which used a variety of thematic units, was implemented. Subjects were 20 second graders (mostly Hispanics) in an inner city school. Several innovative…

This study investigated the effects of story mapping on reading comprehension. Subjects, 20 second-grade students of below-average reading achievement, were presented over a 10-week period with activities in story mapping utilizing a variety of story map frames. The Metropolitan Achievement Test was administered as a pre- and posttest. Results…

A practicum was designed and implemented to foster 24 second graders' literacy and language development via child-centered as opposed to curriculum-centered experiences. The primary goal was to improve students' quality and quantity of writing by allowing extra time, much exposure to more and various non-basal literature, hands-on activities, and…

A practicum aimed to improve the basic sight vocabulary of second grade Chapter 1 students by implementing poetry activities and dictionary skills. Eight students were introduced to a new poem and 2 vocabulary words each week, for 12 weeks, receiving 45 to 50 minutes of supplemental instruction, 4 days per week. Assignments were keyed to the…

Written by a counselor-teacher-program coordinator working in an urban elementary school, this practicum aimed to improve the receptive vocabulary development program for second grade students. Specific goals were to: (1) improve second grade students' receptive vocabulary; (2) use students' improved receptive vocabulary to increase their reading…

A practicum was developed to aid second graders who were experiencing difficulties in reversals and transpositions of letters, words, and numbers in written language and math. At each teacher's recommendation, one or two children demonstrating reversal problems were given help to reduce their reversals. A series of language arts and math tests…

Student tardiness at an elementary school was creating problems for classroom teachers, problems associated with interruptions, missing morning announcements, and the difficulty of reinforcing tardiness as unacceptable behavior. A program was developed and implemented to reduce elementary school student tardiness. The target group consisted of…

This report describes a cross-age tutoring program implemented to improve reading comprehension skills in a group of regular students in a rural elementary school. A targeted group of four fifth-grade students and four second-grade students were matched for cross-age tutoring sessions. The students developed reading comprehension skills through…

A school district's international coordinator and a primary school teacher of 20 second-graders from 10 different ethnic groups implemented a practicum designed to improve the understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity among students, parents, and teachers at the Ithan Elementary School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The practicum also…

A discrepancy exists between children's ability to compute and their ability to solve mathematical word problems. The literature suggests a variety of methods that have been attempted to improve this skill with varying success. The utilization of manipulatives, visualization, illustration, and emphasis on improving listening skills all were…

A reading program was developed to motivate 20 second grade children identified as capable, confident readers but who would not read on their own. An interest inventory, a free response interview, and direct observation revealed that the students were in literate school and home environments, but few chose to read independently. A 10-week…

This practicum was designed to help migrant and non-migrant children in grades two and four cope with stress. The identified children were those who were unable to concentrate or seemed confused, anxious, defensive or easily angered. The goals were to have the children exhibit a decreased reliance on anger, an increased sense of self-worth, and an…

Many learning disabled students attending Avocado Elementary School in Homestead, Florida, were unable to write legibly when taught with available cursive handwriting programs. To redress the problem, a complete, sequential cursive handwriting program was devised for use with learning disabled and other students. The program combined tracing and…