In 2019, the authors had the opportunity to ask a few questions about climate and sustainability in the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) national survey of primary and intermediate schools. NZCER began regular surveys of primary schools in 1989 and has run a national survey of English-medium schools every 3 years since then,…

New Zealand Council for Educational Research's (NZCER's) research project "Educational policy and practice for a changing climate" explores what kinds of changes or adaptations the education systems may need to make in the immediate and short-to-medium-term future in response to climate change. This report outlines findings from one…

The purpose of this study was to examine theories of reading comprehension and instruction as they relate to instructional practices in the middle grades. Following an extensive review of literature in the theoretical areas upon which reading programs are normally based--reading, language, learning, and teaching--specific characteristics within…

This monograph explores current trends in the literature on school reform, dropouts, effective schools, and successful practices in the middle grades in order to create a framework for thinking about dropout prevention at the intermediate level. Literature reviewed in Chapter 1 suggests that the dynamics of dropping out involve the relation…

Describes the experiences of fifth and sixth grade elementary students and their teachers (n=3) who taught a social studies unit using the Engle-Ochoa Decision-Making Model, an issues-centered instruction model. Examines the reactions of the teachers and students. (CMK)

A qualitative study examined instruction provided by four monolingual English-speaking teachers to English-language learners in grades 4 through 6. Focused on unresolved tension between teachers' sense that they should provide opportunities for students to express ideas and their desire for fast-paced lessons and correct usage. Explored teachers'…

This study examined where, how often, and how effectively vocabulary instruction occurred in 23 ethnically diverse upper-elementary classrooms in Canada. Data revealed that only 6 percent of school time was devoted to vocabulary knowledge development, with 1.4 percent devoted to vocabulary development in academic subjects. Most instruction…

A comparative investigation of the place of the sixth grade in public education used a shadow study technique to address three questions: (1) What is a sixth grader's day in school like? (2) In what ways do programs provided for sixth graders differ, depending on where the grade is located in the school system? (3) How does what is known of the…

This textbook introduces teachers to the world of social studies teaching and learning in elementary and middle schools. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1, "Orientation to Social Studies Education," consists of sections (1) "Social Studies Education: What and Why?" and (2) "The Children We Teach." Part 2, "The Social Studies…