A fifth grade teacher's adoption of the California Mathematics Curriculum Framework is described, focusing on the teacher's interaction with the textbook. Four constraints influencing the teacher's ability to enact the policy are discussed. This case study illustrates that teachers are themselves learners who need support/nurturing as they change…

The reasons 184 American and 399 Japanese fifth-graders gave for achievement and good conduct in school were compared. Responses of Japanese children may reflect stronger identification with adult authority. Japanese children gave fewer external reasons for actions than their American counterparts. Implications for the study of motivation are…

Describes a fifth grade social studies unit on ancient civilizations that includes a comprehensive history of ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece and integrates studio art, art history, library science, social studies, and computer literacy programs. Students utilize the library to do research and develop an oral presentation while also working on…

For 241 normal and 132 gifted fifth graders and 113 normal and 117 gifted seventh graders in Ottawa (Ontario), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses investigated the factorial validity of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children (PCSC). Overall, the PCSC demonstrated sound psychometric properties. (SLD)

Describes study that was designed to investigate fifth graders' use of microcomputer-based reading assistance for science text comprehension. The three levels of assistance offered are described, the research software created for the project is explained, results are analyzed, and further research needs are suggested. (42 references) (LRW)

Reports the findings of a descriptive case study carried out in Ontario, Canada, and designed to examine how a class of fifth- and sixth-grade students reacted to an integrated unit. Found that participating in the integrated unit was a positive experience for all the students interviewed. (KO)

Results of a study of 30 Indonesian fifth-grade teachers support the value of intensive, research-based teacher training programs in changing teacher behavior and increasing teacher effectiveness. The effect of such programs appears limited to those behaviors and outcomes which reflect the primary focus or emphasis of the program. (IAH)

Students' perceptions of constraints on asking questions during mathematics classes were explored with 20 third and 26 fifth graders in Dutch classrooms. Conditions examined included help by teachers or peers and instructional or seatwork situations. No sex differences or grade differences were found. (TJH)

Describes study that examined the effects of combining word processors, spelling checkers, and spelling drill and practice programs to individualize spelling instruction for fifth- and sixth-grade students. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are explained, selection of software is discussed, and suggestions for software development…

The degree to which tests of divergent production may be confounded by verbal ability and loquacity; and relationships among divergent thinking, social competency, and the syntactic complexity of prose written by 61 fifth and sixth graders were assessed. Complex thinkers may appreciate the value of simplicity in facilitating communication. (TJH)

This study investigates the status of depression among sex-related emotional differences in adolescents and examines the organizational properties of emotion relative to other life experience. Fifth-, seventh-, ninth-, and eleventh-grade students reported on experience and situational dynamics of 12 emotions. Gender differences in adolescent…

This basic plan for implementing educational software in the classroom incorporates a research design for evaluating its effectiveness. A study of fifth grade classrooms using game and tutorial software for spelling and fractions is used as an example. Topics discussed include software selection, selecting groups of comparable ability, and use of…

Examines differences in home environments of higher and lower achieving Puerto Rican fifth- and sixth-graders in urban Pennsylvania. Investigates parents' aspirations, concern for use of language, parental reinforcement, knowledge of child's educational progress, and value orientations. Links home environment to achievement. Discusses implications…

Investigates relationships between television viewing and both the content and form of children's event representations. Examines two narratives, a "television" story and a "real-life" story, written by children in grades three, five, and eight, for the presence of particular kinds of content and for presentational style and…

Describes a study of fifth- and sixth-grade students that investigated the patterns of peer interaction among students working cooperatively in small groups on a computer-based problem-solving task and the effects of gender and group composition on peer interaction. Suggestions for future research are included. (Contains 86 references.) (LRW)