During the last decade, the attributional aproach to achievement motivation has evolved into a powerful theory of motivated classroom behavior. Causal attributions, and their dimensional nature, are seen as influencing achievement behaviors through their effects on the expectations that individuals hold for outcomes in future achievement…

The ways in which students in grades five and six solve problems is the focus of this paper, which provides background for the staff of the Skills Essential to Learning Television Project, (a multi-level series of video and print resources for classroom use). It considers the problem-solving process categories of understanding, transformation, and…

Describes the Storypath method of using story structure to help students understand concepts. Specifically offers a structure for organizing the social studies curriculum while integrating the Montessori method. Provides strategies for guiding student learning, promoting social and cooperative learning skills, and meeting curriculum needs and the…

First- and second-year findings of a survey of the development of disordered eating in 80 fourth- and fifth-grade girls and 85 boys are presented. Results, especially findings about body mass index and pubertal development, emphasize gender differences and the importance of identifying early risk factors for eating disorders. (SLD)

In a two-part experiment, a severely learning-disabled youth was treated for lack of reading and math skills using token reinforcers for correct responses. The subject reached a 90 percent correct response rate following implementation of experimental design. Part two produced a 100 percent achievement level for the most difficult math items.…

Investigated effects of 3 routine classroom arithmetic and reading tasks upon the heart rate reactivity of 30 fifth grade children. Results indicated that some children showed large increases in heart rates during the three tasks, and that these children should be considered at risk for coronary heart disease. (Author/TE)

Discusses a model of television interpretation processes regarding the influences of alcohol advertising and describes a study that tested the model with preadolescent at-risk students. Highlights include perceptions of alcohol use at home and on television; social norms; perceived realism of commercials; and intent to drink. (41 references) (LRW)

Investigated effects of wellness promotion guidance activities among fifth grade children (n=62). The results revealed enhanced self-esteem and higher knowledge of wellness information among children who participated in the wellness promotion activities, as compared to a control group of nonparticipants. (Author/NB)

Describes developmental guidance unit on topic of money for grades six and seven. Describes class discussion format used to conduct two sessions helping students explore, understand, and develop coping skills regarding money issues. Notes that students worried about money, understood why people overspend, and developed ways of earning and saving…

Examined longer term preventive effects of school-based intervention with boys referred by classroom teachers as highly aggressive and disruptive. Three years after intervention, boys who had received anger coping (AC) program had lower rates of drug and alcohol involvement and higher levels of self-esteem and social problem-solving skills than…

Explored the possibility of teaching preadolescent Type A girls to control anger and hostility reactions as a preventive measure for lowering their level of Type A behavior. Results were identical for girls in the cognitive modeling group, the exemplary modeling group, and the placebo group. (Author/BB)

Developed Mathematics Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and administered to 562 gifted, normal, and mildly mentally handicapped students in grades 4 through 8. Found MASC to be internally consistent measure of mathematics anxiety for grades four through eight. Found construct validity evidence based on MASC's relationship with mathematics grades,…

Designed and presented guidance study skills approach to improve academic achievement in intermediate students by increasing self-efficacy and awareness of metacognitive skills, learning strategies, and learning style information. Findings from 118 fourth graders showed that participants made improvement in all California Test of Basic Skills…

Surveyed 1,340 students in grades 6 through 12 to test model of antecedents of adolescent alcohol use/misuse. Found that two largest direct effects on both adolescent alcohol use and misuse were from susceptibility to peer pressure and peer use and approval of alcohol use. Other predictors, including parental behaviors, were significant when…

Examined natural behavior contingencies as mechanisms by which peers influence children's school motivation. Found that the more students were motivated, the more likely they were to receive approval from peer-group members following active, on-task behaviors. The less students were motivated, the more they received disapproval from nonmembers…