This volume of abstracts of research papers includes authors' abstracts of 147 original research papers scheduled for presentation at the Kansas City, Missouri, Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, April 7-11, 1978. The papers are grouped by topic for each session. The name and address of the author…

This study, carried out in connection with the 1971-72 field test of the "Developing Mathematical Processes" program, was an investigation of relationships among the teacher characteristics, teaching behaviors, and criterion-referenced student performance in mathematics. Students in 15 class samples of size six, along with their…

Data on 17 first grade teachers and 305 students in 45 reading groups were used to examine the relationships between teacher behaviors, their classification of their students, and student reading achievement. The teachers were asked to rank their students on six characteristics: confidence, obedience, extroversion, good seatwork habits, teacher…

For most student teachers, practice teaching is a difficult and anxiety-provoking experience. Anxiety arises when feelings of self-adequacy and security are threatened. A survey of 84 teacher education majors shows that anxiety levels are often high immediately prior to the internship; however, the anxiety level gradually declines by the middle of…

Professional development center programs present the opportunity for both practitioners and researchers to gain valuable insights into the teaching profession and the mental lives of teachers. Evaluation of these programs informs educational researchers and is responsive to the needs and expectations of funding agencies. It would be useful to…

Two sessions of a kindergarten show and tell (spaced 18 days apart) were observed to compare the participant structure and the content of this shared time. Participant structure was examined in terms of turn taking, spatial arrangement, and teacher management of the event. Content was analyzed in terms of topic and cognitive level. The changes in…

A study was conducted to determine if teachers' use of transitions and additional unexplained content influenced student achievement and perception of lesson effectiveness. One hundred eleventh grade English students were randomly assigned to one of four groups defined by possible combinations of two teacher transition conditions (transitions or…

The Spaulding Teacher Activity Rating Schedule (STARS) describes twenty-five teaching styles. In the "Story Teller" teaching pattern, children listen while the teacher narrates, explains, or reads. The teacher motivates the students to contribute. In the "Lecturer" style, the teacher explains, describes, or illustrates but does…

The distinguishing feature of the secondary level language arts methods course at the University of North Florida is that all readings, assignments, and class activities are designed to promote the highest possible degree of student participation in and responsibility for the learning process. Underlying all course activities is the premise that…

A study was conducted to provide an understanding of teacher decision making as it shaped the course of reading instruction. Specifically, through an analytical description of the patterns of teacher decision making, the study sought to identify and classify the decisions four teachers made and to describe how those decisions were reflected in…

The personal attributes and characteristics of an effective health education teacher are described. It is pointed out that in the field of health education not only are cognitive objectives important but also bringing about desired change in behavior. An analysis of students' reactions to health instruction revealed that the teacher's attitude and…

An investigation concerned with teacher styles and strategies for coping with problem students suggests that role definition may not be as important a teacher variable as originally postulated. Thirty-seven experienced elementary school teachers were observed to determine overall management skill level and actual response to problem behavior.…

An intellectually clear conceptual base upon which to formulate a study of teacher education is considered. To achieve this conceptual clarification, two intellectual postures are described: John Dewey's "intellectual method" and John Wilson's intellectual "way of working." Three interrelated dimensions of an intellectual…

Classroom observation of 28 third-grade teachers illustrated the management and planning strategies that differentiate effective teachers from less effective teachers. Effective managers communicated a workable system of rules and procedures, monitored students carefully, and were consistent in treating inappropriate behavior. Less effective…

The feasibility of evaluating the performance of student teachers by observing the academic achievement of pupils was explored. The following questions were posed: Do expectancies of learners held by student teachers influence pupil achievement on a single instructional unit when prior achievement of pupils is held constant? Does the amount of…