Presents real life vignettes of a fifth grade teacher teaching mathematics. The teacher intended her students to find mathematics engaging, work cooperatively, and solve problems that relate to real life experiences. Noted a questionable focus and outcome for the teaching activities. (BB)

This case study illustrates an important change in one fifth grade teacher's views about mathematics teaching that occurred over the course of a year as a result of California's movement to reform mathematics teaching. However, the change did not appear to be reflected in the teacher's classroom practices. (BB)

Test data from 1,305 Israeli fifth graders involved in the Second International Science Study were analyzed to assess the role of in-school versus out-of-school activities on scientific knowledge. Most of the knowledge that children master within the school is the same as that which they master outside the school. (TJH)

Reports a study that assessed the effects of reciprocal teaching on the comprehension of poor reading comprehenders who read nonfiction material in a regular classroom. Heterogeneous reading groups from two elementary classes participated in reciprocal teaching. Data analysis showed there were significant improvements in comprehension that were…

Examines how three different feedback methods and drawing approaches influenced peer interaction among fifth grade students and their communication with the teacher. Suggests that the frequency of different types of talk was influenced by the form of teacher feedback, the drawing approaches used in the lesson, and other contextual factors. (KM)

Whether high levels of metacognitive knowledge about problem solving can compensate for low overall aptitude was studied for 31 high-aptitude and 25 low-aptitude children in grades 4 and 5. Results confirming superior performance of high metacognitive individuals are discussed in terms of the independence of metacognition and academic aptitude.…

Discusses three issues pertaining to the use of interactive graphic hardware and software in schools: (1) computer graphic production processes; (2) the social dynamics of computer graphics production in school; and (3) the qualities of imagery. Concludes that art educators must consider what particular art concepts could and should be taught…

This monograph presents seven chapters on the Teacher Effectiveness in Children's Physical Education Project (TECPEP). The chapters provide an overview and deal with subjects, sources of data, and data analysis; motor skill testing; children's physical fitness; cognitive and affective assessment; implications from the results; and reflections on…

Examined fifth-grade students' survey responses to investigate incorrect rules that derive from children's efforts to interpret decimals as integers or as fractions. Regarding fractions, difficulties arise because only the whole-part approach to fractions is presented in elementary school. (Author/MDH)

Discusses factors that influence the shapes of houses built in different cultures. Poses the problem of building a house with optimal floor space given a fixed amount of material for the walls. Discusses students' findings, questions raised during group discussions, and mathematical concepts utilized to solve the problem. (MDH)

Research measured grade 5-7 children (n=73) for intelligence; reading comprehension and both static and working memory in the first (L1) and second language (L2); and linguistic knowledge in L1. Results support the notion that increased speed of basic processing in L2 facilitates higher-level processes involved in linguistic and oral communication…

Predictive links between social difficulties in early childhood and problems in middle childhood were examined. Peer, teacher, and self-assessments of behaviors and difficulties were obtained. Early peer rejection and aggression predicted later externalizing difficulties. Early poor peer acceptance, social isolation, and social incompetence…

Uses a cognitive processing perspective to revise fifth grade social studies texts, to describe those revisions, and to demonstrate their effects empirically. Finds that students reading the revised text recalled more material and answered more questions correctly than did those reading the original text. Concludes that a text-processing approach…

Describes two studies that examined the nature of Japanese elementary and junior high school students' perceptions of different media, the effect of teachers on these perceptions, and the relationship between perceptions and student learning. The studies of fifth graders and eighth graders also addressed gender and class differences. (Contains…

Compared parenting and children's (n=136) social, psychological, and academic adjustment across family structures. Biological/adoptive parents in intact families showed more positive parenting and coparenting practices than did parents in other family configuration; children in intact families showed higher levels of adjustment. Found differences…