A study was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of a preinstruction retention index (designed to maximize recall of mathematical concepts by predicting the idiosyncratic number of examples per mathematical concept required by each student). Subjects, 27 female and 26 male eighth grade students, were administered a retention measure through…

The guide is arranged in vertical columns relating curriculum concepts in English to curriculum performance objectives, career concepts and career performance objectives, suggested teaching methods, and resource materials. State concepts for eighth grade English, as outlined in the Texas Education Agency "Bulletin 615" for instruction,…

This guide is designed to aid the teacher in planning and teaching an eighth-grade mathematics course which should strengthen the student's understanding of the basic structure of mathematics through experience with and appreciation of abstract concepts. Thirteen units outlined are entitled: Numeration Systems; Natural Numbers and Zero; Integers;…

This resource unit, developed by University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies as part of a course on Our Political System, introduces eighth graders to decision making at the local level. This unit, much shorter than the others in the course, attempts to have pupils use concepts learned earlier to analyze one or more crucial problems in their…

The needs of above-average junior high school students are discussed. A set of 'daily twisters,' or problems of various types, were collected, and examples are noted. Recommendations on content and pedagogy are described. (MNS)

Based on the 1998 Arkansas English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks, this sample curriculum model for grade eight language arts is divided into sections focusing on writing; reading; and listening, speaking, and viewing. The writing section's stated goals are to help students employ a wide range of strategies as they write; use different…

Working toward a definition of a developmental model, evaluated how children (N=385) perceive their natural environment by coding their responses to words "Nature is" presented to them on a piece of paper. Results are discussed in terms of age/grade levels corresponding to characteristics of literalism, organization, and moralism. (JN)

Results of a study of 117 eighth-grade math students suggest: mastery-based methods were more effective than non-mastery methods in improving lesson achievement; computer-based and traditional delivery systems are of greatest value when complementing each other; and student attitudes were only nominally affected by various treatments. (IAH)

Describes a skills development program based on research and writing subskills. Includes analyzing questions, devising a form to record information, researching and reporting findings, and supporting a point of view in persuasive essay. Explains that the program through three years of middle school, adding and refining skills each year. Suggests…

Considers whether ability grouping can be implemented more effectively than is typical explores the possibility of high-quality instruction in low-ability classes using data from 112 eighth- and ninth-grade ability-grouped English classes. Two examples of apparently effective instruction in low tracks are presented. (SLD)

Reports on 2 studies of 48 eighth-grade students in which mnemonic devices and strategies were employed. Finds that both regular and learning-disabled students preferred mnemonic instruction to traditional teaching methods. Concludes that mnemonic methods can help improve student learning of historical information. (CFR)

This article describes a writing activity that is employed after graded exams are handed back to students. Students are asked to reflect on their performance and to demonstrate understanding of mathematics related to the exam and/or unit of instruction. The article provides examples of student writing, scoring rubrics, and suggestions for…

A weakening of central time regulation has constituted one aspect of the process of decentralisation and deregulation of Swedish education in the last two decades. In 1999 the Parliament decided on an experiment period permitting schools in 79 municipalities to allocate school hours more freely. The article aims at exploring and analysing pupils'…

The five-paragraph theme, while widely used by writing instructors, has often been criticized for its tendency to focus on a rigid formula rather than a writer's ideas. This study investigates the decision of an early-career teacher, Leigh, to teach her eighth-grade students the five-paragraph model in the context of a state-mandated writing…

This study examines the effect of training in think alouds on literal and higher-order reading comprehension. Thirty-two (n = 32) eighth grade students of English as a foreign language (EFL) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to control and experimental conditions. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients,…