The purpose of this paper is to investigate how collaborative problem solving affects individual mathematical problem-solving ability. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations were conducted, focusing on four students in the same fourth grade mathematics class in Taipei, Taiwan, as they participated in two steps of individual problem-solving…

Design and technology are subjects that are about the real world, involving the application of scientific and related knowledge to a problem. The built environment is an excellent context for work in this area, as every building involves both design ideas and technological skills. This guide suggests practical activities and ideas for using the…

The focus of this report is the Language Arts (LA) component within the Primary Education Improvement Project (PEIP II) in Jamaica that was launched in 1993 and specifically the cataloging and reviewing of LA materials being used in primary schools at the grade 4 to 6 levels. Content suitability, levels of difficulty, layout, print, and…

Investigated the relationship between hyperactive behavior and children's (N=92) perceptions of teachers' behavior, particularly acceptance and demand. Hyperactive behavior was significantly related to both variables in the directions of less perceived acceptance and greater perceived demand. Hyperactive boys perceived significantly less…

Evaluates relationship between heavy television viewing and other variables, especially educational attainment, by testing 275 Edmonton (Alberta) fifth to sixth graders. Finds youngsters whose parents have higher socioeducational status (SES), characterized by heavy use of symbolic skills, watch less TV than SES counterparts; heavy TV watching is…

The scientific and technological literacy of sixth graders in Israel was assessed though a national evaluation of the elementary science curriculum with over 2,700 students. The definition of scientific and technological literacy for this study is discussed. By the definitions in the study, very few sixth graders had achieved the desired literacy…

Finds that Chilean students (grades 4-8) rarely related what they were reading to what they had just read, integrated meanings assigned to the text with prior knowledge, or used textual cues to attain a coherent interpretation. Finds that these problems are related to methods of reading instruction, opportunities they are given to develop…

A group of 116 Finnish fifth- through ninth-graders used a problem-solving technology and crafts curriculum with computers; a control group (n=151) used traditional crafts curriculum and instruction. Results for motor skill development, technical knowledge, and emotional engagement suggest that all students should receive a balanced curriculum of…

Examined effects of differential teacher training in use of drug education curriculum on 12 grade 5 classrooms of students' knowledge levels, problem-solving and coping skills, attitudes toward planned decision making, behavioral intentions, and tobacco and alcohol use. Found significant differences in intentions to take a drink but not on other…

The social competence of 40 learning-disabled and 37 nondisabled Israeli children in grades 4-7 was evaluated by the students themselves and their teachers; cognitive and emotional aspects that mediate its level were assessed. Variables analyzed were level of cognitive, social, physical, general, and academic competence; task orientation;…

The relationships among the teacher's pet phenomenon, students' perceptions of teachers' differential behavior, and students' morale were investigated in 80 Israeli upper elementary classrooms. The intensity of the teacher's pet phenomenon was related to perceived teachers' differential behavior, which, in turn, was negatively related to student…

Investigated the continuous fraction concepts of (n=59) students in grades four, five, and six. Students were confident and accurate when performing sharing tasks, but were much less successful on continuous quantity tasks involving formal fraction language and symbol manipulation fraction tasks. (14 references) (Author/MKR)

Conducted an ethnography to evaluate the usefulness of the notion of community of practice in classroom settings. Documents how collectively available knowledge of a classroom community was transformed as resources and practices were adopted by more and more members. Discusses implications for the organization of classroom environments that…

Suggests using state and national seals as beginning points for middle school geography study. Notes that the emblems can serve as points of entry into the study of place. Highlights variation among in the amount of geographical information each emblem contains. Concludes that the use of emblems is a low-cost, high-interest teaching strategy. (SG)

Conducted communitywide experimental change program aimed at improving social climate of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms in one school system in northern Israel. Thirty-three classrooms were randomly assigned to either small-group or whole-class work on topics in classroom life or to control group. Whole-class group showed improvement in…