Experiences in using positive reinforcement while teaching on an Indian reservation are presented for teachers and administrators. Several "positive reinforcers," intended to prevent potential discipline problems from occurring, are described, including student involvement in deciding on classroom rules, election of classroom officers, class…

Formal definitions are one example of "decontextualized" language use, in which reliance on background knowledge shared with the interlocutor is minimized, and use of conversational devices is avoided. Definitions of English nouns by 137 second- to fifth-grade children, about half of whom were non-native English speakers, were analyzed…

The social studies curriculum for grade 4 in Manitoba, Canada, is presented. The focus of this guide is communities around the world. Some objectives are to explore: (1) various human and natural features of the earth's surface; (2) ways in which people communicate about location on the earth's surface; and (3) implications of different levels and…

The field testing project evaluated a guide to help 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teachers introduce students to musical concepts through a series of ten 30-minute television programs (see ED 143 596). The formative evaluation focused on the appropriateness of program materials for the intermediate grades, the ability of the curriculum to affect learner…

This study addresses two questions: (1) Why do fourth grade students in Rhode Island perform better on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) than eighth grade students?, and (2) Why do Rhode Island parochial students perform better on the ITBS than public school students? The examination of both questions focused on three areas: school setting…

Designed to assist bilingual teachers in providing a coordinated program of studies for students in the Connecticut Migratory Children's Program and others whose native language is Spanish, this social studies curriculum guide for fourth grade is one of a series for pre-school through fifth grade. The overall focus is on Puerto Rican history and…

Similarities in cognitive, attitudinal, and environmental factor structures of 60 Canadian Indian and 91 White students in grades 4, 6, and 8 were analyzed and compared to determine if learning difficulties of Indian students stemmed from those factors. White and Indian cognitive factor structures were most similar, and attitudinal factor…

This is a project report on Utah's plans to effect "incremental improvements" in career education implementation in seven school districts. Project objectives are formulated as follow: effect incremental improvements in attendance area cones, strengthen career education leadership capabilities, develop staff competence to diffuse the…

To facilitate career education by reducing sex-role stereotyping of occupations, a project developed multi-dimensional packages including toys and teaching modules for three grade levels: preschool (ages 3-4), second grade (ages 7-8), and fourth grade (ages 9-10). Public Action Coalition on Toys (PACT) produced the toys for the project. (Modules…

This unit introduces the American tax system to elementary school students in grades 3-5. It is presented in three sections, all of which are built around the story of Tex Tax leaving the ranch and going to the city for the first time. Section one centers on taxation at federal, state, and local levels. The student learns to distinguish between…

A model of self concept in children was examined by conducting a construct validation of a self concept instrument, the Self-Appraisal Inventory (SAI). The SAI was an 80-item instrument with four subscales: General, Family, Peer and Scholastic, all of which were based on behavioral objectives. The model was made more useful for a school setting…

IN 1961, 164 SECOND GRADE TEACHERS WERE INTERVIEWED REGARDING CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR OF THEIR PUPILS. THE TEACHERS DESCRIBED PUPILS WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERED EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, DESCRIBED PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY THESE PUPILS, AND SUGGESTED THE CONTRIBUTING OR COMPLICATING CONDITIONS. TWO ADDITIONAL FOLLOWUP SURVEYS OBTAINED SIMILAR INFORMATION FROM…

A LEARNING MODEL TO IDENTIFY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DIFFICULTY OF A PROBLEM ITEM WAS SUPPORTED EMPIRICALLY, AND INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF STEPS REQUIRED TO SOLVE A PROBLEM WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLE IN PREDICTING BOTH ERROR PROBABILITY AND RESPONSE LATENCY. THE MODEL, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH DIFFERENTIAL PREDICTIONS OF DIFFICULTY IN…

The document describes and evaluates an arts education project at an elementary school in Belmont, California. Developed by nine arts educators under a grant from the California Arts Council, the project presented units in dance, drama, music, and visual arts to pupils in grades 4-6. Objectives include demonstration by students of basic competency…

Suggesting implications for career education program development and revision, this document is one in a series of five publications reporting results of a career development needs study of four different age levels. In this document, the assessment of career development needs of nine-year olds is presented in three major sections. Section 1…