The problem addressed in this study was that students in upper elementary at four Title I elementary schools did not meet district achievement standards in science for four consecutive years, which could impede their educational and employment futures. Little is known how teachers in these elementary grades taught science content to improve…

The current study aimed at identifying the effectiveness of cognitive conflict strategy in improving academic achievement and modifying sex education misconceptions in the Science course among intermediate second-grade students in Jeddah. Based on the cognitive conflict strategy, a teacher guide was prepared for teaching Family Planning and…

Studied the effect of text design on the comprehension of photosynthesis of 209 Finnish fifth graders who studied a traditional text or a conceptual change text that tried to foster met a conceptual awareness. Children who studied the conceptual change text performed better than the traditional text group. (SLD)

This article evaluates five causal model of educational productivity applied to learning science in a sample of 882 fifth through eighth graders. Each model explores the relationship between achievement and a combination of eight constructs: home environment, peer group, media, ability, social environment, time on task, motivation, and…

Examines 52 fifth graders' written and oral responses to determine the impact of a scientific demonstration on their understanding of air pressure. For one-third of the children, the demonstration reinforced previous understanding. Recommendations for using demonstrations to promote children's scientific understanding are presented. (ZWH)

Cognitive and affective outcomes of a class visit to a participatory science museum were examined by comparing responses of 416 fifth and sixth graders randomly assigned to four conditions (control, exhibit, lesson, exhibit followed by lesson) and two tests (verbal and visual). Results and implications for science education are presented.…

Comparison of traditional hand-raising student participation and use of write-on response cards during science instruction in a fifth grade inner-city classroom found that frequency of active student response was 14 times higher with response cards than with hand raising. Additionally, students (n=22) scored higher on quizzes and tests in the…

Cognitive and affective outcomes of class visits to two participatory science museums were examined by comparing responses of fifth- and sixth-grade students randomly assigned to four conditions (control, exhibit only, lesson only, and exhibit followed by lesson) and two tests (verbal and visual). Students visiting a simple machines exhibit scored…

This study examined the effect of formal and concrete instruction upon science achievement and intellectual development of sixth grade students. Formal instruction, which emphasized oral and written language, included lecture, discussion, oral quizzes, written assignments, reading assignments, films, film strips, written tests, and quizzes.…

This study examines the relationship between the amount of time sixth graders reported spending on homework and their achievement gains on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) between the spring of 1988 and the spring of 1989. Selected for participation were one or two classes in each of 30 public elementary schools in Chicago. Of the 30 schools,…

This document reports on the performance of Scottish primary students in mathematics and science. Students scored below the international average in mathematics and are ranked in the lower half of the range of countries involved in the study. In science, students scored above the international average and are ranked in the middle. Sections…

Determined that graphic organizers are effective in increasing the achievement of sixth-grade (N=235) and seventh-grade (N=220) middle school students who used the organizers. Reasons why the graphic organizer enhances student learning and is an effective and practical teaching strategy are also discussed. (JN)

Compared effects of cooperative learning activities (with and without structured controversy) and individualistic learning activities on the achievement and attitudes of fifth graders (N=84) toward wolves. Results show that cooperative-controversy resulted in the highest achievement, greatest motivation to learn about wolves, and more positive…

Explores the relative effects of cooperation with and without inter-group competition on Taiwanese students' academic achievement in science and their attitudes toward science in a computer-assisted instruction environment. Contains 23 references. (Author/ASK)

The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the possible relationships among children's extracurricular toy-playing habits, sex-role orientations, spatial abilities, and science achievement. Data were gathered from 282 Midwestern, suburban, fifth-grade students. It was found that boys had significantly higher spatial skills than girls.…