This study investigated the relationship of students' sense of belonging in their classes to measures related to motivation, student effort, and academic achievement. Data from 612 fifth- through eighth-grade middle school students revealed that the sense of belonging in a class was related to: (1) students' expectations of academic success; (2)…

Books that remind children and adolescents that writing is fun and that they can be writers not only confirm the reading/writing connection, but also demonstrate that reading can be a springboard to writing. Writing and receiving letters is very exciting to beginning readers, and there are many picture books that provide examples of how to write a…

A four-phase positive discipline plan, based on William Glasser's "Reality Therapy" concepts and designed for grades K-5, is described. The goal of the plan is to teach the students to assume responsibility for their own actions; discipline is instructional, as opposed to punitive. A record is kept for each child upon which all serious behavior…

Because intermediate grade students were not working up to their potential, a coordinator of elementary school instruction implemented a practicum to increase students' motivation. In-service meetings were held with six intermediate grade teachers from each of two schools for the purpose of planning techniques and devising activities for…

This book presents a philosophical and pragmatic approach to the teacher's active role in fostering a developing understanding of painting in 1-11 year-old children. Cognitive processes behind children's painting are explored; each phase of imagery is seen as emerging from and building on the thought processes of the previous phase. Tasks are…

The attitude scales used in the Home Environment and School Study are presented in order to make them available for wider use in research investigations, and with this purpose in mind evidence is reported on the validation and reliability studies which were undertaken to support their use in this particular inquiry. In this investigation, five…

Based on a study of the "transactions" between students and teachers in 13 real but disguised cities, and describing and analyzing the successes and failures of education as measured by what is happening to children, this document is comprised of: an introduction to the problem; method of work and observations; Group A--Green River, Eastern Park,…

Four experiments focused on ways children could be trained to imitate others in imposing on themselves higher performance standards in game situations. The study also attempted to determine whether this internal achievement motivation behavior would be transferred by the children to situations such as learning in a classroom. The subjects were 122…

Summarizes the NAEYC position statement on developmentally appropriate practice in the primary grades serving students aged 5 through 8 years. Uses a comparative format of appropriate and inappropriate practice related to curriculum goals, teaching strategies, integrated curriculum, guidance of social and emotional development, motivation, and…

The instructional strategies teachers and other school personnel have used in the successful remediation of students who have failed reading and writing portions of the Virginia Literacy Passport Test (LPT) or the LPT Predictor Test were studied. The intent was to determine if specific approaches seem to work best for different types of students…

Motivational beliefs of children in grades 5 through 8 (ages 10 years, 9 months to 13 years, 7 months) were assessed in a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. Children attended a nonsectarian, private school in which the method of evaluating academic performance changed over grades from an individualized, mastery-oriented approach to a…

Academic self-concept, academic locus of control, and achievement expectations were investigated over a two-year period for 78 children identified as learning disabled (LD) and 71 normal children. It appears that negative school-related attitudes develop early in LD children and remain consistent through high school. (TJH)

Examined differences in children's perceptions of school tasks. Found that even kindergarten children are able to understand the learning purpose of tasks if teachers include that information in their lesson presentations. Results suggest that in order to motivate children's learning, teachers should emphasize the learning aspects of tasks, and…

Examines family achievement orientation (parental beliefs regarding education) perceived by 73 fifth-grade and 75 sixth-grade African-American students (59 males and 89 females) in an urban school district. Studies how these perceptions affect students' achievement orientation. Family demographic variables contribute little to achievement…

Describes a fourth/fifth-grade classroom in which students make decisions and enjoy school because they are invested in their own learning. Describes how the ability to think autonomously and solve problems is fostered in students by developing a sense of community. Describes how the student-planned social studies curriculum was more extensive…