A study evaluated the impact of five years' exposure to a dental health curriculum on the oral hygiene of fifth-grade students. Findings of the study indicate that a well-designed dental health curriculum based on cognitive and behavioral objectives can result in a greater accumulation of dental health knowledge. (JN)

Two grade 4 classes provided subjects for a study in the teaching of estimation in computation. A second study was conducted with two grade 5 and two grade 6 classes that supported the idea that estimation in whole number computation can be taught in a short period of time. (MP)

Finds support for the concurrent validity of miscue analysis as a measure of the silent reading processes of elementary school students with respect to the dimensions of syntactic and semantic strength. (FL)

Presents aspects of three classroom contexts established between the teachers and the students in organizing instructional situations. (HOD)

Fifth-graders listened to a tape incorporating fast and slow vocal and instrumental excerpts within the generic styles of rock/pop, country, older jazz, newer jazz, art music, and band music. A preference hierarchy emerged favoring the popular styles. Across pooled styles, faster tempos and instrumentals were slightly preferred. (Author/SJL)

A principle component analysis with oblique rotation of the Test Anxiety Scale for Children revealed five cognitive/worry-oriented factors and two emotional/somatic-oriented factors, using data from 849 fifth graders. Achievement motives, future time orientation, and ability were the most important factors, whereas instrumentality revealed itself…

Fifth- and sixth-graders were tested with multiple-choice fact and inference questions about a reading passage, then given feedback either with or without the text present. Retesting occurred four days later. Results corroborated recent findings on age-related improvement in inferential processing comprehension and memory. (Author/SJL)

This experiment studied the separate effects on student achievement and time-on-task of three components of the team learning technique, Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (STAD): cooperative rewards, group tasks, and a focused schedule of instruction. (Author/GK)

The relationships of two cognitive styles to reading speed and comprehension were investigated by administering a measure of ability to disregard irrelevent stimuli (closure flexibility) and a measure of ability to move fluently from one stimulus to another (fluency) to 94 fifth-grade children. (CM)

Examines 12 reading texts about Robin Hood, with regard to their content, suitability for various age levels, and language difficulty. The texts are found to be best suited for grades 5 and 6. An evaluation of each text is included. (IFS/WGA)

Examines the difference in reading skills between two children whose first language was Chaldean (Iraq) by consulting with each child's school to determine whether their reading difficulty stemmed from speaking English as a second language. (HOD)

A third grade teacher followed the development of a peer tutoring program involving third- and fifth-grade study partners. The cross-age tutors included students representing diverse learning styles and academic achievement. Students were matched by personality. Cross-age tutoring was judged to be good for all the students. (SM)

Examined effects of using textbook alternatives on six fifth graders' experiences learning about American history. Found that students preferred alternative texts. Using multiple sources raised no questions for students about validity and reliability of evidence. Students used an information-quantity criterion to judge validity of evidence. Three…

Presents activities that demonstrate how technology can help students discover the mathematics in nature. Claims that these experiences can clarify students' vision of the symmetry of beauty that fills the world beyond the computer. Concludes that the use of flexible software tools helps students explore how a shape is affected when they change…

Examines how the New Milford (Connecticut) School District avoided failing accreditation by creating a plan to convert the deteriorating high school building into an intermediate school for grades four to six. Planning concerns and accomplishments are discussed, including overcoming parental objections, the importance of the cafeteria's location,…