Proportional reasoning is the ability to use multiplicative thinking and make multiple comparisons. It is known to be challenging for many students and at the same time, many teachers require support to develop sufficient subject matter knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge to teach the diverse concepts that underpin proportional reasoning.…

This article reports on a study of teachers who have engaged in systematic research about their practice. It describes the inquiries of two urban teachers into challenges and dilemmas common to many who work with diverse groups of students. The accounts presented reveal how teachers are able to construct new knowledge about teaching when they…

The purpose of the research study was to identify the effects of computer-based programs on mathematical achievement, perceptions, and engagement of fourth-grade students. The 31 student participants were divided into two intervention groups, as a hands-on group and a computer-based group. Student achievement was measured by comparing the pretest…

Creative drama activities designed to help children learn difficult science concepts were integrated into an inquiry-based elementary science program. Children (n = 38) in an upper elementary enrichment program at one primary school were the participants in this action research. The teacher-researcher taught students the Full Option Science…

This paper describes diverse language learners' use of dialogue journaling in an elementary school setting. The author, a teacher researcher, conducted a qualitative research study with eight participants, ranging from fourth to sixth grade; all were learners adding English to their language repertoire. Through an in-depth analysis of student…

Reports a two-phase ethnographic investigation documenting peer conference activity among fourth graders in a writing workshop. Investigates, in phase one, what happens in peer conferences and how that relates to instructional context. Investigates, in phase two, comments about revision, participant expectations, and use of peer comments during…

This article describes findings from a classroom-based action research project conducted by two in-school teachers, a literacy coach and a 4th grade teacher, implementing a new integrated literacy and social studies curriculum and the changes they made in curricular practices and beliefs over a three-year period of time. A university professor…

Describes various ways of using children's questions as windows on their understandings and approaches to reading and writing tasks. Suggests that children need to know that questions are not signs of failure. (MM)

Describes an ethnographic study conducted in a grade four classroom during language arts instruction to discover patterns of a traditional approach, a whole-language approach, or a combination of the two. Compares and contrasts traditional and whole-language approaches according to specific dimensions: concept of learning, curriculum, pedagogy,…

Two classroom research studies of fourth graders employed group grading to increase cooperation among group members and mathematics test scores of low achievers. Results indicated that group grading was more effective with students who enjoyed working in groups and who accepted the method of assessment than with students who did not like group…