Developed from a comparison of the writing performance of eighth grade students in Delaware with a representative national group, this writing resource guide provides a detailed description of the state's writing assessment procedure and offers educators guidance in evaluating student writing and improving student writing skills. After describing…

This practicum addressed the problem of eighth-grade U.S. history students who did not acquire nor retain the necessary course core vocabulary. This lack of vocabulary acquisition resulted in reduced student performance, lack of understanding, and a poor attitude. The goals were: (1) to increase the student's U.S. history core vocabulary level;…

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY WERE TO COMPARE EDUCATIONAL TOYS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL NONPRODUCING MOCKUPS WITH COMMERCIAL PLASTICS PROCESSING EQUIPMENT FOR RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHING PLASTIC CONCEPTS, AND TO COMPARE THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE TWO METHODS IN DEVELOPING MANUAL DEXTERITY. TREATMENT A (EDUCATIONAL TOYS AND MOCKUPS) WAS…

The objectives of this investigation were to study the effects of instruction in the development of qualitative vocabulary on overt, latent, and written qualitative vocabulary performance of urban students of lower socioeconomic background, and to study the effects of such instruction on pupil performance in reading comprehension. Data used to…

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the relative effect of two instructional approaches upon students' understanding of industrial enterprise. Specifically, the study attempted to ascertain the extent to which two differing instructional approaches affected (1) information achievement, (2) attitude, (3) retention of technical information,…

Reports on the various ways teachers use textbooks to make assignments for discussion and offers a checklist for teachers interested in analyzing their own use of text in discussion. (HOD)

As almost every state revises its mathematics frameworks or develops new ones, current testing practices remain almost unchanged. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), in its "Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics," argues for greater emphasis on application, reasoning, and conceptual understanding, but the…

A case study analyzed Connecticut's state-level and district-level policies and practices related to its high level of reading achievement. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Connecticut's statewide test were analyzed; state and local policies were identified through interviews. Results indicated: on the 1998…

Degree of lesson complexity was examined and related to the type of approach used by eighth grade teachers. Results indicated that teachers adapt to the perceived complexity of class activities and to students' behavior cues, using direct instruction more frequently in mathematics and science than in the humanities and language arts. (Author/PP)

Using a structural equation model, this study investigated the mathematics achievement of eighth graders in Cyprus enrolled in the year 1994-1995. The model considered two exogenous constructs related to student background and five endogenous constructs. Although attitudes, teaching, and beliefs had direct effect on mathematics outcomes, these…

Describes a book writing project implemented by one Israeli English-as-a-Foreign-Language teacher. Pupils decide what they want to write about and what format the project will take. The project incorporates many of the principles and practices outlined in the English curriculum. It requires extensive writing and reading, drafting, rewriting and…

Describes whole language reading workshops used in eighth grade classrooms. Notes that workshops consist of three components: time to read, ownership through self-selection, and opportunities to respond to the reading through dialogue journals. (MG)

Provides a lesson plan that introduces students in grades seven-nine to artistic depiction of a specific time and place. Explores Joseph Mallord William Turner's "Burning of the Houses of Parliament" as both visual record and emotional interpretation. Lists instructional strategies for description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.…

The development of an instructional model based on a learning cycle including correlation, analysis, and generalization (CAG) is described. A module developed for heat and temperature was administered to test its effects by comparing its use with the same unit in the New Physical Science Curriculum (NPSC). The methodology, results, and discussion…

Describes a project involving cooperative learning and learning centers with eighth grade students. Outlines the procedures used and describes the learning centers that were implemented. Discusses how these approaches provide a balance of individual and teacher-directed learning with interactive and activity-based experiences. (MG)