Adolescence is a critical time period when it comes to fostering lifelong interest and practices in reading, yet a decreasing number of middle school students are performing at Proficient and Advanced levels in reading. The purpose of this study was to examine whether providing middle school students with an increased level of choice in their…

One exercise that challenges students' stereotypical perception of scientists is the Scientist Match-Up Activity. In this interactive lesson, students are asked to match a person to a profession based on three sets of clues. These clues include a picture, a description of particular skills, and personality traits/accomplishments. A wide array of…

Pursuing student voice in your design of curriculum helps students take more ownership of their learning. Gaynor and Shanklin developed an open-ended survey to gather information about students' growing understandings of the purposes for reading and writing and to solicit feedback about the year's activities. The survey is presented here, along…

Madison Elementary School, a K-6 school of 335 students in Marshfield, Wisconsin, recognizes the value of student feedback and strives to learn more through monthly student meetings, whole-class sit-downs, and student exit interviews. As the principal of Madison Elementary School, the author meets with a group of students for half an hour during…

Habits of inquiry should be nurtured as early as possible. Elementary students must be challenged to ask good questions and develop inquiring attitudes. As a science teacher, educator, professional developer, and science program reviewer, the author has often observed that the default is to use "good" science investigations from…

Involving students in authentic science work is one way to enhance their interest in science. This paper reports a project in which Year 4-7 students actively participated in a study that involved the provision of a suitable nesting site for local turtles. The students collected data on turtle nests at the site and evidence of turtle hatchlings at…

This article examines the perspective of disengaged Grade 6 male students about learning. Nine students were observed and interviewed to identify their views on good learning and on being in control of learning. The boys perceived good learners as quick, smart workers who could achieve high grades; and that being in control was about knowing how…

A sixth-grade class investigated the ecologies of two local retention ponds over the course of one school year. In this context, instruction assisted development as students designed models of the pond in one-gallon jars and attempted to stabilize these jars in sustainable ecosystems that could be used to study questions about the ponds.…

The Search Institute, a nonprofit research organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota, defines developmental assets as good things everyone needs to be happy in life, such as a supportive family, a caring neighborhood, integrity, self-esteem, resistance skills, conflict resolution skills, constructive activities and a sense of purpose. "A…

(Purpose) The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of children in the general education classroom of their classmates with developmental and other disabilities. Gender and grade level were evaluated, but more importantly, levels of integration and relationships with people with disabilities were analyzed. (Methodology) Two hundred…

The authors present the findings of an evaluation of the residential environmental education program offered by the New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC). Sixth-grade students (n = 419) from a large, central New Jersey school district participated in a 4-day/3-night experience. The Children's Attitudes Toward the Environment Scale (L. M.…

Describes a study that examined the similarities and differences in computer related attitudes between sixth grade boys and girls of different mathematics achievement levels. Students' responses to questions about self-confidence in their computer abilities, the utility of computers, and general attitudes toward computers are reported and…

Describes an 8-week study on sixth-grade students (n=23) to determine the effect of personalizing word problems on students' motivation and ability to write correct mathematical expressions. Data from weekly quizzes and student attitude surveys revealed student motivation and achievement were both enhanced. (MKP)

Discusses a study of sixth grade children's preferences regarding the portrayal of houses on maps. Reports that there were no significant differences between boys' and girls' preferences for the manner in which rooftops and streets were oriented. Concludes that apparent sex differences found previously may have been a result of the preferences of…

Reports on a study of 22 sixth-grade students' ability to use a Landsat digital data computer program to gather information. Describes student characteristics and discusses the sequential steps of the research study. Concludes that, with user-friendly software, sixth-grade students can identify and use satellite digital data. (CFR)