In this empirical study we examined the effect of a literacy-infused science intervention on fifth grade economically challenged students' science achievement in the curriculum-based and standardized assessments. A total of 27 treatment students and 20 comparison students from two intermediate schools in a rural district in South Texas in the…

There are many reasons to consider the integration of science and language arts. The most compelling of these reasons is that there is evidence showing cognitive parallels between the two subjects. However, whether there is equal developmental progress in both areas is still unclear. The process skills that science and language arts have in common…

A teacher describes how, through the imaginative use of everyday objects, his fifth grade class learned the integrated functions of the body by constructing a model human. (JD)

Describes a project for fifth-grade students that integrates a computer-based project into the regular curriculum--in this case, using a hypermedia program called "Hyperstudio" with an integrated student research project on constellations. (SR)

This paper reports on a visit to an interactive science center by a class of 10-year-old children planned and implemented by a teacher identified as exemplary by the science center staff. The visit was planned to be an integral part of the science program for the term, extending the range and type of science activities which were a feature of the…

The notion of a linguistic "register" is useful in posing questions about how the ways language is used differ from one kind of human activity to another. This paper analyzes a videotaped segment of male grade 4/5 students (n=3) who are talking as they work to build a tower from plastic drinking straws and pins. Discussion of the…

Presents characteristics of a learning environment drawn from a study of a grade five teacher. Analyzes the instructional activities presented to the students in order to explore the relationship between learning goals and conceptual change. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

A study of 364 fifth graders investigated distractibility of animated graphics in a computer-based tutorial about Newton's Laws of Motion. Found no difference in post-test performance for those with high, medium, or no distraction graphics. Students in the two distraction conditions took less time to process instructional frames than students in…

Examines the use of drawing as a learning strategy for 5th- and 6th-grade students reading science text. Three experimental drawing conditions and a reading control tested the hypothesis that drawing is effective only when students are supported during the construction process. Results were generally consistent with the proposed hypotheses.…

Reports on the results of research examining the ability of fourth and fifth grade science and social science students to use Dublin Core metadata elements to describe image resources for inclusion in a digital archive. Describes networked learning environments called Digital Portfolio Archives and discusses metadata for historical primary…

A study determined the effect of three types of text structures (attribution, comparison, and collection) on fifth graders' reading comprehension. Subjects, 71 students from 3 classrooms in 1 public elementary school in southern California, were randomly assigned to 1 of those 3 conditions. There was no instruction given. Students read…

Student science journals were evaluated as an assessment tool to demonstrate student performance throughout the course and the opportunities students have to learn science in their classrooms. The study was conducted with 163 fifth graders from 7 classrooms, although 1 teacher did not collect student journals, reducing the sample size. Close and…

This publication presents the background, support documents, and the accompanying 16 units needed to teach electricity and magnetism to fifth grade students. Included are materials lists, a discussion of the use of process skill terminology, a list of unit objectives, a vocabulary list, background information for teachers, and the 16 units. Topics…

A doctoral dissertation study was made to investigate the effects of context and size of step to meaningful learning and retention in a linear instructional program, developed in accordance with the RULEG system, for 5th grade pupils. Among the variables explored were: (1) the mean number of acquisition errors; (2) the mean time required to…

A study investigated what was possible in terms of student learning when a conceptual change model of teaching science and a writers' workshop model of teaching writing were used consistently across time. Similarities and contrasts in the curriculum, learning communities, and teachers' roles when the two instructional models were used (by two…