The success of the Paired Reading (PR) technique is examined, and a study involving 43 pairs of Hong Kong students (ages 10-11) in a PR project is reported. It is concluded that the projects' success may not lie in the technique itself but in improving tutees' motivation, confidence, and self-esteem as readers. (JDD)

Researchers from University of Victoria (Canada) and East China Normal University (China) have worked on development of career guidance materials for middle schools. Conducted needs assessment of Chinese middle school students, their parents, and teachers. Results were juxtaposed with Canadian sample, highlighting both similarities and differences…

The 1986 internal/external frame of reference model of H. W. Marsh was tested using self-concept and self-efficacy responses of 410 Australian fifth grade students. Support for the model was found only for self-concept responses. Results are discussed in relation to academic self-concept. (SLD)

Investigates, in a pilot study, the range of reading experiences offered to British junior level students. Finds that quiet reading periods (although brief and frequently disturbed) and the sharing of texts were common features in the classrooms observed. Finds a wide range of reading experiences in some cases but aimless and superficial reading…

Presents a teaching module for upper elementary students that devotes eight class periods of study to Canadian resources. Includes study of the Canadian fur trade, fishing industry, forestry, and the problems caused by acid rain. Includes the unit evaluation. (DB)

Comparison of performance in 3 practical problem-solving tasks by eighth graders in Singapore (170 boys, 107 girls matched for aptitude, attitude, and prior knowledge) indicated that girls distinctly preferred content familiarity and outperformed boys in several processes/skills when familiar with content. (SK)

Discusses partial results of a research study designed to examine the support provided by a media-literacy program in the development of critical thinking of pupils aged 10 to 12 in Israel. Explains hypotheses tested, reports results of pretests and posttests, and compares results of low-achievement pupils versus high-achievement pupils.…

A literature review identified issues about math tests for 11-year olds in the British National Curriculum: layout of test questions, vocabulary and language used, illustrations, and readability of text. More data are needed about how students read and process the information in test questions. (SK)

This study with 155 fifth-grade Italian children examined students' metacognitive beliefs in mathematics and their relation to problem-solving performance. Poor problem solvers had lower metacognitive awareness, believed number size was an indicator of problem difficulty, and made more computational and procedural errors. (DB)

Recounts the creation by fifth- and sixth-grade students of their own personal "molas," based on the fabric art form of the Cuna Indians of the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. Tells how students created their designs based around a central image surrounded by geometric patterns and colors. (DSK)

Investigates bully/victim problems among five classes of 11 to 12-year-old children attending five elementary schools in Hellas (Greece) using Arora and Thompson's "Life in School" questionnaire. The majority of the items in the questionnaire seemed to cross cultural barriers for assessing the incidents of bullying from an international…

Assesses the combined effects of goal setting and different types of comparative information on fourth-grade students' (N=84) self-efficacy and fraction skill, particularly within a Taiwanese classroom. Results reveal that children in the self-referenced groups demonstrated significantly higher fraction skill and self-efficacy than did children in…

Offers a critical reading of a text used in Ontario, Canada, in a province-wide sixth-grade testing program, finding it representative of a genre called "Boutique multiculturalism," which fails as literature and fails as an inclusive text because it is emptied of all specific social, cultural, and historical content. (SR)

Australian Year 6 students (n=107) who were surveyed had begun to think of their occupational aspirations and were aware of factors influencing choices. Some sex-stereotypical choices were found. Although occupational information came from various sources, the source most likely to influence them toward or away form a job was the family. (Contains…

It is known from many international studies that Japanese students do well in mathematics. This paper describes a typical lesson from a Japanese fifth-grade classroom, and discusses the lesson in terms of problem solving, including: embedding of the problem, spending 35 minutes or more on one problem, acting out the problem, multiple solutions,…