Relation between Achievement Goals and Self-Beliefs of Middle School Students in Writing and Science

Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between achievement goals (task, performance-approach, performance-avoid), motivation constructs, and gender in the areas of middle school writing (N = 497) and science (N = 281). In both studies, task goals were associated positively with self-efficacy, self-concept, and self-efficacy for self-regulation and negatively with apprehension; performance-approach goals were associated positively with self-concept; and performance-avoid goals were associated negatively with self-concept and self-efficacy for self-regulation and positively with apprehension. In writing, performance-approach goals also related positively with self-efficacy, whereas performance-avoid goals related negatively and girls had stronger task goals. Findings related to performance-approach goals suggest that a developmental component may be at work in determining whether these goals serve a facilitative function in fostering motivation. Task goals and performance-approach goals were related, suggesting that they are each grounded in self-regulatory practices that lead to positive outcomes.     

The Effect of Item Response Changes on Scores on an Elementary Reading Achievement Test

Abstract

The effect of changing item responses on scores of elementary school children on a standardized achievement test was studied. Previous research, primarily involving non-standardized instruments and adult samples, indicates that changed responses are more likely to be correct than not. Subjects were 165 third grade students using the Metropolitan Reading Tests. Students received no special instructions regarding changing responses. Changes were identified visually and were independently verified. While frequency of response changes was low, such changes generally improved scores. Sex differences in number and success of changes were non-significant. The relationship between frequency of response change and test score was minimal. Responses to difficult items were changed more frequently with less success than changes on easy items. High scorers made more successful changes than did low scorers. Within the limits of the methodology, results clearly indicated that response changes of elementary students on multiple-choice items tend to improve test scores.     

小学高年级阅读教学中如何渗透写作技巧

作为小学高年级语文教学的重要环节,阅读教学具有着不可替代的作用,然而在以往的教学中教师往往忽视了对写作技巧的渗透,导致学生写作能力不强,写作素材匮乏,语言表述模糊,之于学生语文素养的培养极为不利。本文将对小学高年级语文教学中读写结合的必要性加以探讨和分析,并论述阅读和写作教学的有效结合方法,全面提高语文阅读教学的实效性,从而促进学生读写能力的协调发展。     

A Longitudinal Study of Visual Perceptual Training and Reading Achievement

Abstract

The authors lamemt the fact that there does not seem to be much agreement as to the proper method of scoring tests The use of the scoring formula is advocated by some and criticized by others. Literature is reviewed showing that the basic assumptions behind the scoring formula (namely that all wrong answers are due to chance guessing) are false. Arguments are presented for and against the continued use of the formula, with the conclusion that its use cannot be justified. A new aspect of this question, that use of the formula may create behavior patterns detrimental to ingenuity and creativity, is also presented.     

Exploration of the Developmental Components Contributing to Elementary School Children's Reading Comprehension

The purpose of this study was to compare rauding theory (Carver, 1995) to our own evolving model of reading acquisition, which supports stage and phase theories of reading development. The relations among rauding variables--cognitive power, auditory-accuracy level, word-recognition level, comprehension-accuracy level, reading-rate level, and reading-comprehension-rate level-were examined using structural equation modeling. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement subtests were used to operationalize the various constructs. Carver's (1993) model was assessed at each grade in two parts, with overlapping paths allowing cross-validation of some coefficients. For Grades 1 and 2, the fit indices were above. 95, indicating a good model fit. One additional path was supported-from word recognition to reading comprehension rate. The fit indices for Grades 3 and 4 were above. 95, supporting the modified Carver model. Analyses for Grades 5 and 6 produced fit indices above. 90, indicating drops in the level of association among the variables compared to earlier grades. The results of this study offer support to Carver's (1993) rauding theory and further advance the theories that children go through stages or phases of reading development. Although word recognition is a notable component of reading development throughout the elementary grades, its contribution to comprehension begins to lessen at Grades 5 and 6. There is, however, an increase with grade of the influence of cognitive power on reading comprehension, which is greater for crystallized (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised) intelligence than for global (fluid and crystallized) or fluid intelligence.     

Foreign Language Study in Elementary Schools: Benefits and Implications for Achievement in Reading and Math

Educators and policy makers in many countries have been expressing concern about how to improve students’ achievement in reading and math. This article explores and proposes a solution: introduce or increase foreign language study in the elementary schools. Research has shown that foreign language study in the early elementary years improves cognitive abilities, positively influences achievement in other disciplines, and results in higher achievement test scores in reading and math. Successful foreign language programs for elementary schools include immersion, FLES, and FLEX programs.     

Comparative Mathematical Language in the Elementary School: A Longitudinal Study

This paper examines the change in young children’s understanding of ‘equal’, ‘more’, ‘less’, and ‘between’, words commonly used in equivalent and non-equivalent situations, over a 3-year period. Seventy-six children participated in the longitudinal study. Each year they were asked to share their understanding of these four words. Past research has indicated that many children have limited understanding of ‘equal’ as quantitative sameness. The results of this research suggested that many children also have limited understanding of ‘more’ and ‘less’ and that these understandings did not significantly change over the 3-year period.     

谈凡目章法之读写教学及其美感——以小学阶段为考察范围

从章法与读写互动的角度,切入小学语文教育,主要选以常见而基本的凡目章法为考察重心。首先,先就阅读教学,探讨凡目法之理论,并举小学课文作实例分析。其次,再就写作教学,锁定所欲培养的语文能力,透过限制式写作之题型,设计"凡目法概念网"教学单元,以见章法运用于小学读写教学之一斑。最后再结合读写,提出凡目章法"集中美"、"整齐美"与"多样的统一"等美感效果。     

儿童书面言语的因果表达及逻辑思维特征研究——一项基于1800名小学生作文的分析

书面言语是最精心组织的言语形式,要求儿童进行深思熟虑的分析,是一种复杂而又真实的思维活动。本研究以我国1800名小学生的作文为研究样本,使用人工标注、信息自动检索技术和描述统计等方法,分析了儿童的因果表达特征,并以此探究儿童因果逻辑思维的发展特点。研究发现:第一,儿童的因果复句表达虽然整体上随年级递增呈上升趋势,但各年级具有不同的阶段性特征;第二,面对不同认知复杂度的因果表达,儿童在书面言语中倾向于说明性因果表达;第三,儿童在因果表达上存在"五年级现象",即五年级儿童对因果逻辑表达更为敏感。在此基础上,对我国小学生的语言教学提出了系列可供参考的建议。     

Effect of a Combined Repeated Reading and Question Generation Intervention on Reading Achievement

Research was conducted to ascertain if a combined repeated reading and question generation intervention was effective at improving the reading achievement of fourth through eighth grade students with learning disabilities or who were at risk for reading failure. Students were assigned to a treatment or control group via a stratified random sampling. Instructional components and training were based on best practices reported in the literature. Students receiving intervention significantly improved their reading speed and ability to answer inferential comprehension questions on passages that were reread. Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group also made significant gains in oral reading fluency on independent passages.     

Changes in the Relation Between Competence Beliefs and Achievement in Math Across Elementary School Years

Math competence beliefs and achievement are important outcomes of school‐based learning. Previous studies yielded inconsistent results on whether skill development, self‐enhancement, or reciprocal effects account for the interplay among them. A development‐related change in the direction of their relation in the early school years might explain the inconsistency. To test this, 542 German elementary school students (M = 7.95 years, SD = 0.58) were repeatedly investigated over 24 months from Grade 2 to Grade 4. Math competence beliefs declined and had a growing influence on subsequent math grades. This suggests changes in the dominant direction of the relation from a skill development to a reciprocal effects model during elementary school. Findings are discussed with regard to their theoretical and practical implications.     

Longitudinal Analyses of Classroom Behavior and School Achievement

Third-, sixth-, and ninth-grade teachers in a Wisconsin county nominated 982 children as consistently displaying socially approved behavior and 568 as consistently displaying aggressive-disruptive behavior in the classroom. Five years after the original nominations teacher grades in English, science, mathematics, and social studies; rank in graduating class for original ninth graders; and STEP scores were obtained. Analyses of covariance (ANACOVA) were made with IQ as the covariate and behavior, grade, sex, and home location as the independent variables. The results indicate clearly that the children whose behavior was aggressive and disruptive in the classroom achieved at significantly lower levels than their socially approved peers.     

小学语文教学听说读写一体化训练刍议

小学语文开设的目的不仅是为了教会孩子们读书认字,更重要的是使孩子能够正确运用汉语言,具备一定的听说读写能力,在此基础上进行科学技术和思想道德的教育,对孩子进行培养。     

A Randomized Trial of an Elementary School Mathematics Software Intervention: Spatial-Temporal Math

Abstract

Fifty-two low performing schools were randomly assigned to receive Spatial-Temporal (ST) Math, a supplemental mathematics software and instructional program, in second/third or fourth/fifth grades or to a business-as-usual control. Analyses reveal a negligible effect of ST Math on mathematics scores, which did not differ significantly across subgroups defined by prior math proficiency and English Language Learner status. Two years of program treatment produced a nonsignificant effect. Publication of evaluation results from large-scale real-world supplemental mathematics instructional implementations such as this one can provide a realistic view of the possibilities, costs, and limitations of this and other computer aided instruction supplemental interventions.     

激发农村小学生写作兴趣的教学策略初探

作文教学是小学语文教学的重要组成部分,既是实现语文课程目标的重点,又是语文教学的难点。作文教学的核心是提高学生写作能力,关键是激发学生的写作兴趣。在新课程理念下,探索激发农村小学生写作兴趣的教学策略,对提高农村小学语文教学效益具有一定的现实意义。