The relative effectiveness of a structured physical fitness program for fifth-grade students was compared with the effectiveness of the customary physical education activities. Students in the structured exercise program showed significant improvement in flexibility, strength, and endurance, and maintained gains during the summer. (Author/PP)

Mathematics curricula in Japan, Taiwan and the United States are compared for concepts and skills, and a cross-national test of mathematics achievement is described. Among selected first- and fifth-grade children, students in Japan and Taiwan consistently outperformed their American counterparts. Achievement levels and curriculum content do not…

Grades four to six in three school districts representing rural, suburban, and urban school settings were exposed to a nutrition program. Results disclosed that students having access to the nutrition unit significantly out-performed students lacking access and that teachers needed to receive pre-implementation inservice education regarding the…

Reports on a classroom technique (social interaction) for improving fifth-grade students' performance in the task domain of controlling variables. The technique involved asking students why something happened, asking for justification/evidence, suggesting alternative explanations and asking for evaluation of the same, and accepting explanation…

This study examined curriculum materials used by 11-year-olds in schools in six states and categorized the materials according to the Annehurst Curriculum Classification System. Most materials were in the language arts and mathematics fields and were classified as low in the human dimension categories measured by the Annehurst System. (Authors/PP)

A teacher who once relied on a reading skills program describes her conversion to an approach that emphasizes the reading of books. A substantial part of each class period is set aside for free reading time. A sampling of book projects used to focus students' efforts is included. (PP)

Learning disabled fifth graders in Florida were given modified versions of the Florida State Student Assessment Test. Modifications such as additional examples, smaller subsections, unjustified formats, and grouping of items in order of difficulty facilitated the students' performance. Use of large-print tests made little difference. (Authors/PP)

Investigated whether public service announcements (PSAs) on the nature of television advertising affect (1) children's awareness of advertising intent; (2) their belief in its truthfulness; and (3) their perception of advertised products. Data indicate that PSAs can influence children's perceptions of advertising's credibility and can affect their…

Represents a collection of normative data for the survey of reading attitudes using a sample of (N=90) inner city remedial readers. Reliability estimates for Expressed Reading Difficulty and Reading as Enjoyment justify their use in making inferences about students. Lowest reliability was for Alternative Learning Modes. (JAC)

As a focal point for their unit on Anglo-Saxon England, the reading of "Beowulf" led fourth and fifth graders into a variety of learning projects: creating monsters, writing sagas, tracing the tale's geography, and role playing Saxon life and customs. (SJL)

Discusses a research project carried out in Germany to compare the English proficiency of secondary students who had begun studying English in the third form (eight years old) with those who had begun in the fifth form (10-11 years old). (CFM)

The effects of three types of advance organizer lessons (containing high-order social studies concepts, high-order rules for hierarchical classification, or both) on learning social studies concepts and hierarchical classification, as defined by Piaget, were evaluated for 237 rural children in kindergarten, third, and fifth grades. (Author/MH)

Describes a study of fifth and sixth graders that investigated the effects of cooperative training and ability grouping on microcomputer learning. Results on four measures of achievement did not support the use of cooperative learning or ability grouping to enhance achievement in computer-assisted instruction. (Author/LRW)

Examined achievement goals and their correlates in physical education in 180 Chinese students and 121 Anglo-American students in grades 4, 5, and 6. The same two-dimensional factor structure of goal orientation (task and ego orientation) cut across the two cultural groups in physical education, but relationships seemed to vary as a function of…

Reports on the implementation of an extracurricular course for fifth-grade students that focuses on the structure and function of animals. Students participate in direct observation of animals, watching videotapes, group discussion, and building kits and games. (DDR)