This dissertation examined the acquisition and development of children's social/symbolic and strategic communication abilities within a sociolinguistic model of communication competence. The major theoretical perspective was derived from the symbolic interactionism of Mead and the cognitive developmental theories of Piaget and Werner. The sample…

The purpose of this study was to develop a reading program using dramatic literature, informal dramatization, and a series of related written exercises to increase reading comprehension skills. It was also the purpose of this study to determine if such a program would produce a more favorable attitude toward reading on the part of the students in…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of listening to excerpts from children's stories about Mexican-Americans on children's attitudes toward Mexican-Americans, self-concepts, and interests. The sample consisted of 220 sixth-graders. Once weekly for six weeks, experimental groups heard excerpts about Mexican-Americans, while…

This report describes a program designed to empower students through the use of the democratic classroom to improve students' attitudes toward school. Targeted population consisted of sixth grade students in a growing middle class community, located in a major midwestern city. The problem of poor student attitude was documented through data…

This report describes a program for improving students' comprehension of the language of mathematical problems. The targeted population consists of 5th and 6th grade multi-age students and multi-age learners with special needs at a middle school located outside a major city in a Midwestern community. Evidence for the existence of this problem…

The purpose of this project was to determine the judgments of teachers regarding the need for future-oriented learning materials at fifth and sixth grade levels. The data were collected from a survey mailed to teachers at 94 Santa Clara County (California) schools, with the emphasis on the teacher's interpretation of his or her own program rather…

The effects of a systematic guidance program upon school attitudes of potential dropouts in grade six of one elementary school in the northeast section of Washington, D.C. were assessed. The major findings from the data analysis showed significant differences in the pre- and post-test scores of the 15 students in the experimental group and the 15…

Twelve sixth grade classes were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. Experimental group one contained three classes which received 27 cloze lessons containing a systematic deletion count of every tenth word. Experimental group two contained three classes which received 27 cloze lessons with an every tenth word deletion…

This study sought to determine the effect of the Grant Von Harrison Lay Tutor Program on low-achieving, sixth-grade students who became tutors and on low-achieving second graders who were tutored. Experimental groups and control groups of sixth graders were formed from a list provided by the principal. Students were pre- and posttested for reading…

Eleven teachers participated in an inservice program, read to their sixth-grade students, and allowed them silent reading time and followup activities for eight months. Treatment group boys demonstrated more positive attitudes on the concepts "Acting Out Stories" and "Talking About Books in School" than control group boys. Treatment group girls…

This report describes a program designed to increase students' knowledge in the science content area utilizing reading comprehension strategies. The targeted population consisted of grade 6 middle school students in a growing urban community in eastern Iowa. The students demonstrated poor comprehension of their science textbook. Data also revealed…

This document discusses a project designed to meet the need for increased self awareness and emotional well being of children in a school setting. The targeted population included kindergarten, third grade, and sixth grade students from a suburban middle class community in the Chicago area. Through a review of the literature and observations made…

The main purpose of this study was to determine and describe the effects of the comprehension component of the criterion-referenced reading program, Wisconsin Design for Reading Skills Development (WDRSD), on reading achievement and self-concept of sixth-grade students. Parametric techniques were employed in a quasi-experimental study involving 44…

This report describes a program to advance library research skills in two sixth grade science classes. The problem was assessed through a survey, questionnaire, and worksheet, and by direct observation. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that students displayed a lack of research skills related to library research. Some of the causes were…

A program was undertaken to teach organizational and study skills to middle and high school students. The targeted population consisted of sixth grade students in a social studies class and ninth grade students in a world geography class. The schools are located in a middle-to-lower class suburban community near a large midwestern city. An…