Time allocated for social studies instruction showed a very slight correlation with fifth graders' achievement in that subject, suggesting that "allotted time" should be carefully qualified when used as a variable in assessing instruction. (Editor)

The effects on the learning process of the strategies of contextualization, personalization, and provision of choices for enhancing students intrinsic motivation were studied with 72 fourth and fifth graders in one control and four experimental conditions. All three strategies produced increases in student motivation and in engagement in learning.…

Examination of effects of students with disabilities (N=614) on group cooperation in 3,731 grade-five groups that were completing group science projects found that most integrated groups functioned like groups with all general education students but that groups with students having behavioral disorders or mental impairments had less participation…

Looks at the educational philosophy and goals of integrated thematic instruction (ITI) as used in the daily activity of a fifth-grade classroom. Shows how ITI employs research on how the human brain learns to provide students with a learning environment and an integrated curriculum that provides each student with multiple conduits of formative…

Several measures of fraction knowledge were developed and administered to 540 fifth-grade students in 22 classrooms. Students were asked to represent their conceptual knowledge in several task contexts and formats. Level of representational knowledge predicted performance on problem solving, justification, and explanation tasks. The assessments…

Describes a study of fifth and sixth grade students that analyzed how intensively female and male students participated in discourse interaction within two computer-supported classrooms. Explains the use of the Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments and concludes that new technology should be subsumed under pedagogical goals to…

Presents an art project used with fifth- and sixth-grade students in which they designed a door using clay. Explains that the students used mood to create a door for a specific person. States that this project teaches students how to express mood through their artwork. (CMK)

Presents an art activity for fourth- and fifth-grade students in which they pretend to be advertising designers and create an advertisement for a real or imaginary product. Explains that the students select the product and also a famous work of art that is related to their product. (CMK)

Interviewed fifth grade students to examine their perspectives on the characteristics of effective teachers. Results showed that children were able to define effective teachers by their characteristics and articulate what they valued in their teachers. Overall, the children wanted teachers who cared about them and treated them with respect, who…

Compares a spelling program to a traditional basal spelling program. Results obtained from 16 intermediate grade students indicate that students' weekly test scores significantly increased during the experimental spelling program. Outlines benefits to students, as well as the difficulties of implementing the program. (RJM)

Documents the multicultural children's literature preferences of low-ability African and Hispanic American fifth graders. Finds that while the African American students showed a strong preference for culturally conscious (authentic) literature, the Hispanic American students rated these books less favorably. (RS)

Proposes that fifth-graders' emergent and sustained controversy in a unit on endangered species from a "Fostering Communities of Learners" classroom exemplifies productive disciplinary engagement. Shows how engagement was supported by the students' and teacher's treatment, by students having authority to resolve the issue while being…

Presents a project where fourth- and fifth-grade students created Chinese shadow puppets, designed scenery for puppet theater, built the theater, wrote plays, and put on performances in a Chinese theater festival. Lists a collection of resources. (CMK)

Discusses a social studies classroom unit for use with elementary students. Focuses on comparing the age of exploration and space age exploration. Provides background information on both explorations and compares the similarities and differences between the two. Includes suggestions and questions for using this interdisciplinary approach. (CMK)

Illustrates a fifth grade teaching unit on international economics. Gives suggestions for use at the lower elementary and primary grades and points out that incorporation of economics into the elementary education curriculum can produce economically literate citizens in a cost-effective way. (GG)