Investigated the effects of implementing an instructional system that automated application of evidence-based components of effective instruction on student mathematics achievement and on classroom behaviors related to student achievement. Analysis of fourth and fifth graders in intervention and traditional instruction groups indicated that the…

Describes how "speedwriting" requires that all learners become actively engaged in their own learning because, rather than generating ideas orally, students are instructed to write down all their ideas as quickly as they can. Considers how the social engagement of discussion and the sharing of ideas during the writing phase drew even the…

Examines the effects of reading comprehension ability and the presence of explicit or implicit causal relationships upon recall of propositional content and comprehension of interpropositional relationships. Finds that, in the late elementary grades, better readers begin to develop a strategy for the processing of written text which involves…

Implemented Success in School program which focuses on dropout prevention with fifth-grade students (N=37). Self-reports indicated students saw themselves in a more positive light and were able to predict future successes for themselves. Recommends school programs that help students improve their self-esteem as strategy to reduce ultimate dropout…

Investigates whether second- and fifth-grade children already know the meanings of reading vocabulary presented as "new" vocabulary in their basal readers. Finds that, on average, children already knew more than 70 percent of the "new" words in basal readers one and two years beyond their grade level. (SR)

A study of fifth and sixth grade public school students in Israel suggests that grades and other norm-referenced methods are less effective than task-involving evaluation methods in enhancing student performance, interest, and motivation. This article consists of two commentaries on the findings, with suggestions for implementing task-involving…

Examines the connections between oral reading abilities and spelling behaviors of third- and fifth-grade students. Confirms a strong relationship between spelling skill and oral reading ability, supporting the argument that a common body of conceptual word knowledge underlies both. (RS)

Describes a database course project which engages students in designing and developing their own data files. Asserts that the discussions which take place as students collect, organize, share their data, and consider ethical issues which arise from the proliferation of information systems, are most important. (RAE)

Describes a listening lesson plan to teach in conjunction with the basal story "Sam Clemens of Hannibal." (MM)

Demonstrates that 11-year-old children's scientific thinking in formal operational terms can be significantly developed through training in the cognitive style of field independence determined by the Group Embedded Figures Test. Suggests students could perform formal operationally if they had the skill of identifying the variables to be…

Describes three fifth-grade students in the author's school who used humor in their writing assignments. Offers samples of their work and their observations about it. (SR)

Describes an activity used with fifth graders to keep the children using new vocabulary acquired during a shared literature study. (PRA)

William Heard Kilpatrick, who pioneered project-based learning in the early 1900s, advocated basing schools on child-chosen projects engendering "purposeful activity." When children are allowed to choose what to explore, they become intrinsically motivated to work hard and strive for the highest quality. A fifth-grade teacher describes…

One fifth-grade teacher feels it is unfair if some students learn one thing, while others learn something else. Teachers must agree on some core of specific content and resolve to teach it at appropriate levels. Core Knowledge Sequence for grades 1-6 provides model of grade-by-grade content including literature, U.S. and world civilization,…

Presents two lesson plans integrating social studies, art, music, and literature to teach geographic themes using the concepts of human settlement and transportation. Explains that comparing two paintings of rural life illustrates the themes of relationships with places and movement. Suggests that comparing songs about great projects uses the same…