The classroom environment is an important aspect of classroom management that concerns many teachers. Properly engaging students in the classroom can foster a positive environment. This study examines social and emotional needs of students and its implications in developing a positive classroom. How can meeting social and emotional needs of…

Student-centered learning has an important place in education because it fosters student engagement and allows the traditional micromanaging teacher to transform into a guide. The current education model emphasizes teacher control and curriculum based on standardized testing, which stunts students' natural learning processes. This study…

The purpose of this action research project report was to increase reading fluency for 38 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students. The teacher researches collected data from a Parent Survey (n=26), Student Survey (n=38), Teacher Survey (n=12), and Teacher Interviews (n=4) for a total of 80 participants. Data was collected from September 8, 2011…

This action research project involved the implementation of a program designed to improve student motivation to write through the use of children's literature. The targeted populations were students in one kindergarten class and one third grade ELL [English Language Learners] class in two elementary schools. Both schools were located in a…

The authors of this action research project report implemented oral reading fluency-based interventions for the purpose of improving students' reading comprehension. Six students in grade three, six students in grade five and six students in grade six participated in the study from Monday, August 27 through Friday, December 7, 2007. Researchers…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of learning spelling words in context on 17 students in a third grade classroom. The students ranged from low to high ability in spelling. To investigate whether or not practicing spelling words in context has an effect on the learning of those words, students began the school year…

This action research project report summarizes the methods used to reduce boredom and frustration and increase students' academic motivation in three mixed-ability classrooms. This action research project included 21 third grade students, 23 fifth grade students, and 28 eighth grade students (n=72) during the dates of September 10, 2007, through…

United States society is becoming increasingly diverse in the 21st century. Even in rural areas, the population is becoming less Caucasian and African American, and more Hispanic and Asian. U.S. citizens also have much more contact with people from other countries through industry and trade. Considering these factors and the U.S. ideal of…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of third grade students' reading achievement who have experienced the Reading Renaissance approach to reading instruction (a comprehensive program that balances a reading curriculum with an intensive regimen of reading practice, proven motivational techniques, and state-of-the-art…

This report describes a program for increasing student readiness for and achievement in mathematics. The targeted population consists of third grade students in an expanding suburban community and kindergarten students in a culturally diverse urban community, both located in Northern Illinois. The problems of achievement in and attitudes towards…

Analysis of prior research, articles and studies revealed that concerns exist regarding student behavior in the classroom, at both the national and local levels. The learning environment is severely impacted by off-task behavior, as well as, lack of responsibility for daily routines and homework. Multiple reasons have been suggested as to why this…

Reading is an important activity for all children to be able to do regardless of ability. Many children in classrooms around the country struggle with reading and need some extra support and attention. Determining student attitudes can help the teacher to provide the necessary services to those that need help to improve their reading. Students in…

This study examined differences between the academic achievement of third-grade students who had had Head Start experiences prior to entering public schools and the achievement of similar students who had not had Head Start experiences. Seven third-grade classes enrolled in public schools, as well as in a Follow Through program, participated in…

This study determines the effects of tactile communication in sport on changes in interpersonal relationships between black and white children. The experimental design consisted of three treatment groups each emphasizing tactile, cooperative, or individual experiences in physical education. The control group participated in tactile, cooperative,…

A field project aimed to determine if the use of guided imagery affected low-achieving children's motivation in journal writing activities. Over a 4-week period, 2 weeks pre-intervention and 2 weeks post-intervention, researchers documented the number of off-task unrelated and related behaviors, fluency in the number of words written and attitudes…