One elementary teacher runs her classroom as a technology-based token economy. Students hold classroom jobs and use software to track money earned, manage checking accounts, and disburse classroom cash. The strategy boosts math and technology skills. A list of software programs is included. (SM)

A workshop for primary school teachers of English as a foreign language emphasized knowledge of language learning principles to equip teachers for the classroom. Description of the workshop touches on theory, methods, learner styles and expectations, and textbook selection. (eight references) (CNP)

Describes a study of fifth graders that was conducted to investigate whether the type of instructional control affects achievement when using computer-assisted instruction. Highlights include research on learner-controlled instruction; the interaction of student characteristics and learner control; and research hypotheses. (60 references) (LRW)

Reports on a study of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students to identify and conceptualize meter in music. Finds that ability to perform these tasks improves with maturity and with use of hand gestures as well as verbal response. Concludes that it is important to match curriculum with the developmental levels of students. (CFR)

Two experiments involving 60 fifth graders and 40 fourth graders investigated how goal setting and progress feedback affect self-efficacy and writing achievement. The process goal with progress feedback had the greatest impact on achievement outcomes. Self-efficacy was highly predictive of writing skill and strategy use. (SLD)

"Abra Cadabra," a new computer program for second-language learning for fourth- and fifth-grade students, is described that is based on the whole language approach to language acquisition. (two references) (LB)

Observations of 157 fifth graders in 20 elementary schools in Texas during physical education indicate that only 8.5% of class time was spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity, with 68.1% in sedentary activity. Observed activity is substantially lower than that recommended in national health objectives. (SLD)

Presents case study of 10-year-old girl with nighttime fears. Provides background information on the case and discusses various strategies used to lessen fears and encourage control: involving and educating the parents; educating the child; allowing the child to explore and discuss fears through art; teaching positive, competence-related…

Reviews the reference book "Who's Who in Space: The International Space Year Edition" and provides a lesson plan for grades five and six to teach library media skills. Objectives, instructional roles, activity and procedures, evaluation, and follow-up are described. (EAM)

Reports on a study of "considerateness" of five fifth-grade social studies textbooks. Identifies four elements of considerateness: (1) readability level; (2) placement of relevant pictures or illustrations; (3) use of subtitles; and (4) use of words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. (CFR)

Describes how literature-response journals were used in a fifth-grade social studies class, as students "journaled" with their parents as they read four Civil War novels. (SR)

Explores the relative effects of cooperation with and without inter-group competition on Taiwanese students' academic achievement in science and their attitudes toward science in a computer-assisted instruction environment. Contains 23 references. (Author/ASK)

Studies elementary students' ability to match up graphemes to phonemes within individual words. Shows that older students exhibited greater graphophonemic awareness and greater digraph knowledge than younger students. Results are interpreted to bear on Ehri's phrase theory of word reading acquisition and on connectionist models of word reading.…

Compared the classroom instruction and learning environment of 563 resilient and nonresilient, predominantly minority, fourth and fifth graders. Observations indicate that resilient students spend more time interacting with teachers for instructional purposes, and nonresilient students spend more time interacting with peers for social purposes.…

Explores sources of drugs and weapons for a group of pre-adolescents living in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago using a focus group and a self-administered survey. At least one-third of the sample of fifth-grade students responded that it was easy for people their age to obtain each of the products. Neighborhood sources were the most likely…