To determine whether cooperative learning methods could be used to replace traditional methods, the simultaneous use of three student team learning methods with fourth and fifth grade students was evaluated. This involved students working in teams to master academic materials. Positive outcomes resulted from intensive use of these methods.…

How certain ability-related academic self-perceptions are organized in the self-systems of fifth graders was studied with 190 children who completed questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that children differentiate their ability-related perceptions in ways that current models of academic self-perceptions cannot account for fully.…

Investigates the working knowledge of intermediate and middle school students about potential strategies for alleviating bullying. Students discussed the prevalence of bullying in their school, methods for dealing with bullying and future coping strategies. While respondents struggled to articulate strategies for coping with bullying, most…

Uses a "fictitious-annotated-titles" survey to determine reading preferences of fourth-grade girls and boys. Finds that both boys and girls prefer fiction over non-fiction; girls preferred fiction more strongly than boys; and boys preferred male main characters more strongly than the girls, and girls preferred female main characters more…

Discusses Readers Theatre, an instructional activity that combines several effective research-based practices, and leads to increased engagement with literacy even in very resistant readers. Considers the theory and research behind Readers Theatre. Describes the process of choosing and writing texts for performance, and preparing for performances.…

Describes the results of one part of a two-year-long classroom study of sixth graders' engagement with and responses to nonfiction trade books. Considers what motivated these sixth graders to read the nonfiction titles they chose for small-group and voluntary reading. Concludes that when students are given the opportunity to select nonfiction…

Data from early adolescents and parents revealed traditionalism of female sex role attitude development influenced by maternal employment, father's sex role attitudes in interaction with time spent with daughter, and chronological age; traditionalism of male sex role attitude development influenced by mother's sex role attitudes in interaction…

Describes how, when a working writer visited a sixth-grade classroom on an ongoing basis to interact with students, the language and activities of the writing community changed in interesting and positive ways. (SR)

Provides research findings concerning the musical instrument preferences of fourth grade students. Finds that, although gender associations with certain instruments have lessened, they remain noticeably present. Identifies drums, saxophone, and flute as the most popular instruments. Notes a moderate relationship between student perceptions of peer…

Examined alcohol use among 7,799 adolescents. Found alcohol use highly correlated with composite effects of variables (behavioral intention; attitude toward school; school misconduct; time spent on sports, extracurricular activities, religion, and academics; grade average; gender; and grade level). Alcohol use was positively correlated with…

Describes a study in a fourth grade class which investigated students' reactions to the literacy program, providing the teacher with information regarding students' attitudes toward types of materials and specific strategies used. (SR)

A 3-year study involved having 19 fifth and sixth grade students attend school with Russian peers for 10 days and, later, having Russian students attend U.S. schools. Findings indicated that the Russian students perceived greater difficulty in a differentiated curriculum for gifted students than did the U.S. sample. (DB)

Alternative classifications commonly used by children aged 12, 14, and 15 are presented. Why children use such alternatives is discussed. Age- and gender-related trends in performance on classification tasks is examined. Children's attitudes to classification and their perceptions of its usefulness in school and everyday contexts are reviewed. (KR)

The language-related attitudes and beliefs that young students bring into the classroom carry serious implications for their successful second-language acquisition and intercultural communication. This article illustrates the predominance of student misconceptions and cultural stereotypes in one setting. Students' expectations and their beliefs…

The investigation assessed whether 6 learning-disabled boys (ages 10-12) who were taking stimulant medication reported fewer adaptive attributions in academic situations than their 8 nonmedicated peers. Boys who were not taking medication reported more internal-effort attributions in failure situations than boys who were taking medication.…