Four low-achieving fifth-grade African-American males with behavioral disorders tutored sight words to four low-achieving second-grade African-American males with behavioral disorders. The tutoring appeared to have positive effects on sight word vocabulary and positive social interactions for both tutors and tutees but not on self-perceptions of…

Describes the implementation and evaluation of a cross-age tutoring program in which 21 struggling seventh-grade readers tutored third-graders, based on strategies and preparation they learned in their own Strategic Reading class. Notes that reading skills and enjoyment of these seventh-grade students were significantly expanded. Discusses factors…

This study described a program designed to increase student reading comprehension in order to improve academic achievement. The targeted population consisted of third and eighth grade students in two schools located in Northern Illinois. Evidence for the existence of the problem included scores from the Stanford Test, low academic performance on…

The mentorship component of Project Synergy at Teachers College, Columbia University (New York), develops the talent of potentially gifted, economically disadvantaged urban kindergarten children, by matching them with mentors from a school for gifted urban minority middle school students. This paper describes training, the mentoring relationship…

To increase the reading achievement of a group of first grade students expected to experience reading difficulties during their first grade year, a practicum study involved the collaboration of a school psychologist with teachers, parents, and fifth graders (in cross age tutoring) to provide services emphasizing holistic, literature-based…

It is useful to think of teachers and students in primary classrooms as a family, where flexibility and meeting individual needs are essential. These "families" should represent all primary age groups. This guide describes how to implement multi-age and multi-ability primary programs in Kentucky schools based on the requirements of the…

Describes a unit on voting conducted by high school seniors for first graders in Bangor, Maine. Lists learning goals for both groups, describing how high school teacher and students collaborated with first-grade teacher to develop the unit and construct teaching aids. Details the unit's components, including a voting game, democracy, voting…

Advocates the systematic integration of preschool and primary education and the development of special training for teachers at that level. Outlines the goals and objectives for each year of study for this teacher education program. Discusses the child development theories inherent in the instruction. (MJP)

This study describes a program designed to increase academic achievement in reading and writing among first and second grade students in a rural, middle-income area. Evidence for the existence of the problem includes reading comprehension tests, observation checklists for reading skills and reading behaviors, and writing samples. Analysis of…

Describes an interdisciplinary curriculum on aging that incorporates intergenerational activities, inquiry-oriented research, narrative histories, and field trips. Includes separate questionnaires for older adults and primary grade students, an annotated bibliography, and a chart of activities emphasizing knowledge, comprehension, analysis,…

Explores and identifies scaffolding (adults helping children learn inaccessible material) strategies in three specific primary schooling contexts: design and technology, mathematics, and science. Delineates the differences among scaffolding, everyday knowledge, and specialist knowledge. (MJP)

A primary annex, built to relieve overcrowding, is attended by children registered in kindergarten through grade 3. The building consists of an open area organized into a number of learning centers plus three closed classrooms. The school's program is based on two concepts adapted from the British Infant School system: (1) family or vertical…

Classroom projects, activities, and games for use in primary classrooms, which were developed by high school students serving as aides, are presented. Most of the projects are organized into the following curriculum areas: reading/language arts, multidisciplinary studies, mathematics, social studies, and science. Class activities having similar…

Examines two case studies of multigrade teachers, and focuses on their diverse teaching styles. Questions what are the critical issues in multigrade teaching, and whether it is possible to identify "best practice" in the multigrade classroom. Suggests necessary skills that should be developed in preservice education as preparation for…

School restructuring movements have gained a great deal of national attention. This guidebook addresses the multi-age classroom movement, in which a mixed-age group of children stays with a given teacher for a number of years. The work provides a complete design for the mixed-age primary classroom, from philosophy and rationale to sample lesson…