This study analyzed the differences in attitude and achievement of fifth- and sixth-grade subjects presented with a series of science lessons directed toward instructional procedures which addressed the right hemisphere, the left hemisphere, or both hemispheric processing modes. The study used 65 randomly selected students divided into four…

The purpose of this study was to examine the combined effects of student participation and of realistic levels of vagueness terms on student achievement and attitudes. Ninety-six sixth graders from a middle school in Georgia were randomly assigned to one of eight groups defined by possible combinations of two teacher uncertainty conditions, two…

The effect of pictures on reading comprehension under different levels of text organization was investigated. Sixth graders (N=132) read three science passages, presented with or without pictures representing text content. Picture condition was crossed with three levels of text organization. Multiple-choice test scores were analyzed using reading…

Sixth-grade middle school students (N=91) in four mathematics classes served as subjects in a study designed to: (1) determine if the use of computers as an integral part of instruction would increase mathematics achievement; and (2) explore the impact of computers as an integral part of instruction on other factors (such as student attitudes,…

Conducted a study (n=26) to test descriptions about learning associated with open-ended design projects and to clarify the notion of ownership of resources and practices. Reports that conceptual and material resources were shared among students and that tool-related practices were appropriated as newcomers participated with more competent others…

This study, with 367 sixth grade pupils, found that pupils with negative realistic self-concept were more susceptible to behavior problems and were less likely to be popular working partners than were pupils with positive realistic self-concept. (Author/DB)

The relationship among three personal fables ("omnipotence," "invulnerability," "personal uniqueness"), narcissism, and mental health variables was assessed in a large, cross-sectional sample of adolescents drawn from Grades 6 (n = 94), 8 (n = 223), 10 (n = 142), and 12 (n = 102). Participants responded to the New Personal Fable Scale, the…

This project was designed to develop a combinational strategy using microcomputers and cross-aged instruction designed to: (1) increase the achievement of low-achieving sixth-grade students; (2) increase enrollment in high school mathematics and science courses; (3) evaluate microcomputers as a unique instructional tool; and (4) develop effective…

Effects of two feedback conditions--comment and no comment--on the motivation of sixth grade students to continue with computer assisted instruction (CAI) were investigated, and results for boys and for girls were compared. Subjects were 62 students--29 boys and 33 girls--from a suburban elementary school who were randomly assigned to the comment…

A longitudinal study determined whether victimization increases students' fear and distrust and thus leads to greater approval of defensive violence. Data were obtained from a larger study conducted within the Milwaukee schools from 1974 to 1976. The present study utilized data on 221 respondents in grade 6 and on those same respondents when they…

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive Level 1 videodisc program called "Mastering Fractions." The evaluation was conducted in two parts. Part 1 was a controlled study that compared the Mastering Fractions program to a more traditional fractions curriculum while controlling for any novelty effect of the…

This study explored the usefulness of an approach to science instruction which specifically considered children's spontaneous conceptions about natural phenomena. The aim of the instruction was the development of conceptual understanding. The instructional approach involved diagnosing children's spontaneous conceptions, making them aware of their…

The passage dependence of an item refers to the degree to which it is necessary to read the associated passage in order to be able to answer that item correctly. This paper studies the value of obtaining data about passage dependence in the construction of reading comprehension achievement tests. Passage dependence indices were examined in several…

An examination of approximately 400 New Haven, Connecticut sixth graders using a modified social distance scale and race questionnaire measured student attitudes towards different ethnic and racial groups. The group interview questionnaire was given to a racial and ethnic cross section of students in nine different schools. Students were asked to…

The relationship between altruistic behavior and popularity found in young children becomes much less defined with older children. In a paired-comparison procedure, 144 children from two elementary schools ranked the relative attractiveness as a potential friend of four fictional children described as altruistic, prosocial-aggressive, good at…