The California State Board of Education's decision to adopt the Common Core State Standards Initiative, with the incorporation of English language arts expectations for literacy in science, has not yet ensured complete involvement and support of all science educators to implement instructional change. Teachers' willingness to implement this…

An after-school enrichment activity offered to sixth-grade students gave a group of 10 students an opportunity to explore the effects of the California drought in their community using an engaging scientific device: the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). Although this activity was specifically designed for a small after-school enrichment group, it…

Nearly 90% of intermediate and middle school students from low-income families in the United States are not proficient in reading. This action research project used a quasi-experimental design to determine the effectiveness of a multi-component reading intervention program for students in grades four through eight at Mother of Sorrows Catholic…

This paper examines an increase in upper elementary class sizes in California associated with the K-3 class size reduction program. I also use the variation in fourth and fifth grade class size generated by idiosyncratic first and second grade reductions required to meet program rules to identify a negative impact of larger class sizes on…

The Change Writers project was born in the Title I schools of Elk Grove, California, when Gail Desler, a technology integration specialist, became motivated to open up the district's mandated "Open Court" curriculum to better serve intermediate-grade students. Through writing, technology, and imagination, a larger conversation was…

The curriculum guide for teaching science to gifted intermediate grade students presents material to be used for a unit on microbiology, as well as suggestions for a second unit on the subject. Examined in the unit are the structures, functions, growth, development, uses, and environments of different kinds of microorganisms, with an emphasis on…

Growing out of the belief that children need to acquire tools that will help them understand and interact with people from different cultures, a study examined the effect of a global education unit about Africa on the images of Africa held by sixth grade students, specifically investigating whether such instruction would reduce existing…

The curriculum guide is intended as an introduction to the study of man and his individuality, creativity, and uniqueness. Portions of such a study are suggested for use with gifted children in grades 4-6. Major objectives relate to the development by gifted students of their own creativity, productivity, and realization of personal potential.…

Addressed to those who teach social sciences to gifted students in grades 4-6, the booklet elaborates upon suggestions made in the proposed framework on the social sciences for California public schools. Concepts, generalizations and themes of the social sciences are examined as they relate to principles of teaching social science to gifted…

The California agenda for middle-grade reform is based on 10 regional networks, each composed of 1 foundation school and approximately 10 partnership schools. An interim evaluation of the reform effort, which occurred from 1988-90, is presented in this executive summary of two annual reports, "Technical Report 1" and "Technical…

The Family Math Program is an outgrowth of the Equals Program at the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley. Piloted in 1982 in Richmond, California, this widespread program boasts a simple philosophy: Families "doing math" will get the same result as families who read--improved skills and enjoyment. The program also confronts parental…

This lesson plan is concerned with early humankind and its development into human societies. It presents four topics for Unit I: (1) cave art; (2) paleontological discoveries; (3) evolution from hunting-gathering to farming; and (4) development of language. It also suggests completion time for each topic; addresses the uses and significance of the…

Describes some lessons learned from studying a California middle school participating in the Accelerated Schools Project. Factors facilitating school change include acknowledging school culture's importance, involving all school community members, and developing a clear training philosophy. Clarifies schools' capacity-building strategies for…

The California agenda for middle-grade reform is based on 10 regional networks, each composed of 1 foundation school and approximately 10 partnership schools. The second in a series of program evaluations, Technical Report 2 presents regional level information on the first 2 years of implementation of the middle-grade reform proposals, 1988-89 and…

This two-part document contains a spelling word list compiled by the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools (California) for use in the California State Elementary Spelling Championship competition, along with information for planning and conducting spelling bees. The spelling word list (also intended for use in the regional competitions) is a…