early elementary teachers: Topics by Science.gov

Sample records for early elementary teachers

Preparing Elementary Prospective Teachers to Teach Early Algebra

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hohensee, Charles

2017-01-01

Researchers have argued that integrating early algebra into elementary grades will better prepare students for algebra. However, currently little research exists to guide teacher preparation programs on how to prepare prospective elementary teachers to teach early algebra. This study examines the insights and challenges that prospective teachers…
Prospective Elementary School Teachers' Professional Noticing of Children's Early Numeracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schack, Edna O.; Fisher, Molly H.; Thomas, Jonathan N.; Eisenhardt, Sara; Tassell, Janet; Yoder, Margaret

2013-01-01

The goal of this study is to develop the professional noticing abilities of prospective elementary school teachers in the context of the Stages of Early Arithmetic Learning. In their mathematics methods course, ninety-four prospective elementary school teachers from three institutions participated in a researcher-developed five-session module that…
Early Career Elementary Mathematics Teachers' Noticing Related to Language and Language Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turner, Erin Elizabeth; McDuffie, Amy Roth; Sugimoto, Amanda Tori; Stoehr, Kathleen Jablon; Witters, Angela; Aguirre, Julia; Bartell, Tonya; Drake, Corey; Foote, Mary Q.

2016-01-01

There has been limited attention to early career teachers' (ECTs) understandings and practices related to language in teaching and learning mathematics. In this qualitative case study, we drew upon frameworks for teacher noticing to study the language practices of six early career elementary and middle school mathematics teachers. We describe…
Teacher Attunement: Supporting Students' Peer Experiences in the Early Elementary Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoffman, Abigail S.

2012-01-01

This multi-method, longitudinal study examines the role of teacher attunement (teacher accuracy in identifying the peer group memberships of individual students) in children's peer experiences in early elementary classrooms (1st-3rd grades). Social cognitive mapping (SCM) procedures assessed and compared students' and teachers'…
The Influence of Test-Based Accountability Policies on Early Elementary Teachers: School Climate, Environmental Stress, and Teacher Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saeki, Elina; Segool, Natasha; Pendergast, Laura; von der Embse, Nathaniel

2018-01-01

This study examined the potential influence of test-based accountability policies on school environment and teacher stress among early elementary teachers. Structural equation modeling of data from 541 kindergarten through second grade teachers across three states found that use of student performance on high-stakes tests to evaluate teachers…
Investigating teacher and student effects of the Incredible Years Classroom Management Program in early elementary school.

PubMed

Murray, Desiree W; Rabiner, David L; Kuhn, Laura; Pan, Yi; Sabet, Raha Forooz

2018-04-01

The present paper reports on the results of a cluster randomized trial of the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management Program (IY-TCM) and its effects on early elementary teachers' management strategies, classroom climate, and students' emotion regulation, attention, and academic competence. IY-TCM was implemented in 11 rural and semi-rural schools with K-2 teachers and a diverse student sample. Outcomes were compared for 45 teachers who participated in five full day training workshops and brief classroom consultation and 46 control teachers; these 91 teachers had a total of 1192 students. A high level of teacher satisfaction was found and specific aspects of the training considered most valuable for early elementary teachers were identified. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated a statistically significant intervention effect on Positive Climate in the classroom (d=0.45) that did not sustain into the next school year. No main effects on student outcomes were observed, although a priori moderator analyses indicated that students with elevated social-behavioral difficulties benefitted with regard to prosocial behavior (d=0.54) and inattention (d=-0.34). Results highlight potential benefits and limitations of a universal teacher training program for elementary students, and suggest strategies for future delivery of the IY-TCM program and areas for future research. Copyright © 2017 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Listening to Early Career Teachers: How Can Elementary Mathematics Methods Courses Better Prepare Them to Utilize Standards-Based Practices in Their Classrooms?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coester, Lee Anne

2010-01-01

This study was designed to gather input from early career elementary teachers with the goal of finding ways to improve elementary mathematics methods courses. Multiple areas were explored including the degree to which respondents' elementary mathematics methods course focused on the NCTM Process Standards, the teachers' current standards-based…
Astrophysics for Early Elementary Students and Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, R.

2004-12-01

How can very young students be taught astrophysics? What can we offer to teachers of K-4 students? Whether you deal directly with youngsters in classrooms, work with your School of Education to develop science inquiry training, or offer occasional general outreach, we discuss activities your program can adopt from the University of Oregon's Electronic Universe outreach program. This collaboration through NASA's Oregon Space Grant plus citizen amateur astronomers has been successfully delivering astrophysics to students in all grades throughout Oregon for over a decade. Students in grades K-4 are generally very enthusiastic learners who have a lot of interest in content and technology about space. Unfortunately typical curricula, state learning requirements, and typical training of their teachers is usually very simplistic and often contains erroneous and outdated materials. We'll work through a series of explorations designed for elementary level that use digital data and virtual reality simulations in conjunction with kinesthetic activities to connect observations such as brightness, shadows, motions, shapes, and colors to basic physical characteristics and properties. This is the starting place where we can grab already curious students and inspire teachers, particularly new teachers, to use space science content to develop science inquiry based curricula. Young students and their teachers can handle astrophysics if the topics are presented in familiar terms and with use of sufficient first hand modeling. Don't be afraid to start them early on these topics, this could dispel myths, generate future interest, and promote careers in science.
Exploring the Relationship between Early Childhood and Elementary Grade-Level Overlap and Early Childhood Teacher Output

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fowler, R. Clarke

2017-01-01

This study explores the relationship between grade-level overlap between elementary education (ELED) and early childhood education (ECED) licenses and ECED teacher output. Analysis of Title 2 data indicates that ECED/ELED overlap is extensive, as evidenced by the number of states with grade-level overlaps of 5 (n = 2), 4 (n = 24), 3 (n = 10), and…
Implementing College and Career Standards in Math Methods Course for Early Childhood and Elementary Education Teacher Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Joohi

2016-01-01

This study is purposed to measure the efficacy of implementing College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) math standards into math methods courses for early childhood and elementary education teacher candidates at an urban university located in the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex area. A total of 161 college seniors (teacher candidates)…
Temperament in early childhood and peer interactions in third grade: the role of teacher-child relationships in early elementary grades.

PubMed

Rudasill, Kathleen Moritz; Niehaus, Kate; Buhs, Eric; White, Jamie M

2013-12-01

Children's interactions with peers in early childhood have been consistently linked to their academic and social outcomes. Although both child and classroom characteristics have been implicated as contributors to children's success, there has been scant research linking child temperament, teacher-child relationship quality, and peer interactions in the same study. The purpose of this study is to examine children's early temperament, rated at preschool age, as a predictor of interactions with peers (i.e., aggression, relational aggression, victimization, and prosociality) in third grade while considering teacher-child relationship quality in kindergarten through second grades as a moderator and mediator of this association. The sample (N=1364) was drawn from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Results from structural equation models indicated that teacher-child conflict in early elementary grades mediated links between children's temperament and later peer interactions. Findings underscore the importance of considering children's temperament traits and teacher-child relationship quality when examining the mechanisms of the development of peer interactions. © 2013.
Teacher Roles of Questioning in Early Elementary Science Classrooms: A Framework Promoting Student Cognitive Complexities in Argumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ying-Chih; Hand, Brian; Norton-Meier, Lori

2017-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the various roles that early elementary teachers adopt when questioning, to scaffold dialogic interaction and students' cognitive responses for argumentative practices over time. Teacher questioning is a pivotal contributing factor that shapes the role teachers play in promoting dialogic interaction in argumentative practice and that different roles serve different functions for promoting students' conceptual understanding. The multiple-case study was designed as a follow-up study after a 4-year professional development program that emphasized an argument-based inquiry approach. Data sources included 30 lessons focusing on whole class discussion from three early elementary teachers' classes. Data were analyzed through two approaches: (1) constant comparative method and (2) enumerative approach. This study conceptualized four critical roles of teacher questioning—dispenser, moderator, coach, and participant—in light of the ownership of ideas and activities. The findings revealed two salient changes in teachers' use of questions and the relationships between teachers' question-asking and students' cognitive responses: (1) teachers increasingly used multiple roles in establishing argumentative discourse as they persistently implemented an argument-based inquiry approach, and (2) as teachers used multiple roles in establishing patterns of questioning and framing classroom interactions, higher levels of student cognitive responses were promoted. This study suggests that an essential component of teacher professional development should include the study of the various roles that teachers can play when questioning for establishing dialogic interaction in argumentation and that this development should consist of ongoing training with systematic support.
Teacher Candidates and Latina/o English Learners at Fenton Elementary School: The Role of Early Clinical Experiences in Urban Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nasir, Ambareen; Heineke, Amy J.

2014-01-01

This study investigates how early clinical experiences impact teacher candidates' learning and experiences with Latina/o English learners in a field-based program housed in a multilingual, urban elementary school. We draw on multiple-case study design and use discourse analysis to explore cases of three candidates. Findings reveal exploration of…
Elementary Preservice Teachers' and Elementary Inservice Teachers' Knowledge of Mathematical Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwerdtfeger, Sara

2017-01-01

This study examined the differences in knowledge of mathematical modeling between a group of elementary preservice teachers and a group of elementary inservice teachers. Mathematical modeling has recently come to the forefront of elementary mathematics classrooms because of the call to add mathematical modeling tasks in mathematics classes through…
Teacher Perceptions of Gender-Based Differences among Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, Tracy D.

2009-01-01

Far fewer males than females work in elementary education today. This deficit may represent an unacceptable balance in elementary teacher gender demographics. The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of gender-based differences among elementary school teachers. In this mixed-methods study, 217 elementary teachers in four public…
Factors Affecting Early Elementary (K-4) Teachers' Introduction of the Nature of Science: A National Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sweeney, Sophia Jean

2010-01-01

A researcher-developed questionnaire regarding the importance and developmental appropriateness of 12 specific elements of the nature of science (Alshamrani, 2008) for early elementary (kindergarten through fourth grade [K-4]) science instruction was mailed to a random sample of U.S. K-4 teachers. At least half (N = 377) of the respondents…
Language Use in Real-time Interactions during Early Elementary Science Lessons: The Bidirectional Dynamics of the Language Complexity of Teachers and Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menninga, Astrid; van Dijk, Marijn; Steenbeek, Henderien; van Geert, Paul

2017-01-01

This study used a dynamic approach to explore bidirectional sequential relations between the real-time language use of teachers and students in naturalistic early elementary science lessons. It also compared experienced teachers (n = 22) with novice teachers (n = 8) with respect to such relations. Verbal interactions were transcribed and coded at…
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Elementary Grade Schools in Bangkok, Thailand

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saifah, Yotsawee

2012-01-01

The purposes of this study were (a) to examine early elementary grade teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and their teaching practices in public schools in Bangkok, (b) to explore the functioning of developmentally appropriate practice in the two chosen early elementary schools, and (c) to determine the factors that influence the…
The challenges facing initial teacher education: Irish prospective elementary teachers' mathematics subject matter knowledge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hourigan, Mairéad; O'Donoghue, John

2013-01-01

Given the acknowledged relationship between teachers' knowledge, their teaching and pupil learning, teachers' mathematics subject matter knowledge (MSMK) has received increased attention internationally. As children's early mathematics experiences have been recognized as a critical stage, elementary teachers' MSMK has become a focal point among researchers and policy makers alike. International research findings have uncovered that in many cases, there is a mismatch between what is perceived to be an appropriate MSMK for teaching elementary mathematics and that demonstrated by many qualified and prospective elementary teachers. Following repeated incidences of weak MSMK during interactions with prospective elementary teachers in one Irish College of Education (provider of initial teacher education programme for elementary teachers), this study sought to examine and address the issue purposefully through two cycles of action research. This article focuses on the data collected prospective teachers' MSMK in the initial stage (reconnaissance) of these cycles, i.e. pre-test findings. While considerable differences were evident among the pre-test population, the findings suggest that prior to the intervention stage many participating prospective teachers; regardless of previous mathematics achievements or the level of mathematics study; demonstrate weaknesses and gaps in their 'common' MSMK. Particular difficulties were evident in relation to pre-test items requiring knowledge of rational numbers, conceptual understanding or problem solving. These findings highlight the inadequacy of previous mathematics achievements and indeed minimum entry requirements as predictors of MSMK for teaching. As well as its contribution at a local and national level, the findings provide an Irish perspective on this international issue.
De-Marginalizing Science in the Early Elementary Classroom: Fostering Reform-Based Teacher Change through Professional Development, Accountability, and Addressing Teachers' Dilemmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Alissa

To develop a scientifically literate populace, students must acquire the motivation and foundational skills for success in science beginning at an early age. Unfortunately, science instruction is often marginalized in elementary schools for reasons including teachers' lack of confidence in teaching science and an overemphasis on literacy and mathematics. This study employed a case study design to examine the impact of teachers' dilemmas, career stage, coaching, and other forms of support on elementary teachers' abilities to teach science more often and in more reform-based ways. The conceptual lenses used to guide this dissertation include the theory related to teacher change, dilemmas, reform-oriented science teaching, and the professional learning continuum. Findings suggest that teachers' dilemmas must be addressed in order for them to move toward more reform-based science teaching practices. It was found that how teachers reconcile their dilemmas is due in part to their career stage, level of readiness, and access to a more knowledgeable other who can assist them in learning and enacting reform-based instruction. Moreover, the likelihood and extent of teacher change appears to be related to teachers recognizing a need to change their practice, developing the capacity to change, feeling accountable to change, and possessing the motivation to change. Implications for teacher educators, professional development providers, and curriculum developers are presented. It is argued that teachers require support the length of their career and, to be effective, this support must be personalized to their diverse and changing needs and responsive to the context in which they teach.

Early Childhood Musical Experiences: Contributing to Pre-Service Elementary Teachers's Self-Concept in Music and Success in Music Education (during Student Age)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruismaki, Heikki; Tereska, Tarja

2006-01-01

This article studies early childhood musical experiences of Finnish pre-service elementary teachers (N=590). The article also analyses their connections between musical self-concept at student age and musical progress in teacher education. Research material was gathered by a questionnaire, which posed retrospective questions about childhood as…
Qualities of Early Childhood Teachers: Reflections from Teachers and Administrators.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weitman, Catheryn J.; Humphries, Janie H.

Data were collected from elementary school principals and kindergarten teachers in Texas and Louisiana in an effort to identify qualities that are thought to be important for kindergarten teachers. A questionnaire listing 462 qualities of early childhood teachers was compiled from literature reviews. Subjects were asked to check a maximum of 50…
Upper Elementary Teachers' Self-Efficacy and Spelling Instruction: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernandes, Brian E.

2017-01-01

A great deal of research has been conducted regarding spelling instruction at the early childhood and lower elementary levels, but not at the upper elementary level. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of upper elementary teachers to gain a better understanding of how they instruct spelling and their related…
Status of Elementary Teacher Development: Preparing Elementary Teachers to Deliver Technology and Engineering Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rose, Mary Annette; Carter, Vinson; Brown, Josh; Shumway, Steven

2017-01-01

For over a century, teacher preparation programs (TPPs) have experienced peaks and valleys in preparing preservice teachers to deliver technology and engineering (TE) experiences in elementary classrooms. Calls to integrate engineering concepts into elementary education (Katehi, Pearson, & Feder, 2009; Kimmel, Carpinelli, Curr-Alexander, &…
Preservice Early Childhood Educators' and Elementary Teachers' Perspectives on Including Young Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frankel, Elaine B.; Hutchinson, Nancy L.; Burbidge, Julie; Minnes, Patricia

2014-01-01

This mixed methods study reports on the perspectives of 143 preservice early childhood educators (ECE) and 208 elementary teacher candidates (TC) on teaching children with developmental disabilities and delays (DDD) in inclusive classrooms. A questionnaire was administered which included items on demographic characteristics, experience, knowledge,…
Effects of Teacher Diversity and Student-Teacher Racial/Ethnic Matching in Elementary Schools on Educational Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Banerjee, Neena

2013-01-01

This dissertation investigates the implications of student-teacher racial/ethnic matching on two educational outcomes. The fourth chapter investigates whether assignment to same-race teachers affects students' math and reading achievement growth in early elementary grades and whether the overall racial/ethnic composition of the teaching workforce…
Examining the Content of Preservice Teachers' Reflections of Early Field Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Subramaniam, Karthigeyan

2013-01-01

This paper describes an exploratory study that examined the content of preservice elementary teachers' reflections of their documented early field experiences of science teaching in authentic contexts. The study used an early field experience model that was focused on the objective of profiling an elementary science teacher as the practical…
Young Learner Writing Performance in Swiss Elementary Schools--Which Teacher Variables Matter?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Loder Buechel, Laura

2015-01-01

Elementary school English language teachers in Swiss public schools often question the role of writing in early years language instruction because there is a significant disparity in messages they receive from Board of Education members, from fellow teachers and from teacher trainers. This study describes the issues concerning writing in the first…
A narrative study of novice elementary teachers' perceptions of science instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrell, Roberta

It is hoped that, once implemented, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will engage students more deeply in science learning and build science knowledge sequentially beginning in Kindergarten (NRC, 2013). Early instruction is encouraged but must be delivered by qualified elementary teachers who have both the science content knowledge and the necessary instructional skills to teach science effectively to young children (Ejiwale, 2012, Spencer, Vogel, 2009, Walker, 2011). The purpose of this research study is to gain insight into novice elementary teachers' perceptions of science instruction. This research suggests that infusion of constructivist teaching in the elementary classroom is beneficial to the teacher's instruction of science concepts to elementary students. Constructivism is theory that learning is centered on the learner constructing new ideas or concepts built upon their current/past knowledge (Bruner, 1966). Based on this theory, it is recommended that the instructor should try to encourage students to discover principles independently; essentially the instructor presents the problem and lets students go (Good & Brophy, 2004). Discovery learning, hands-on, experimental, collaborative, and project-based learning are all approaches that use constructivist principles. The NGSS are based on constructivist principles. This narrative study provides insight into novice elementary teachers' perceptions of science instruction considered through the lens of Constructivist Theory (Bruner, 1960).
Preparing Perservice Teachers to Teach Elementary School Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Amy D.

2017-01-01

The development of scientifically literate citizens begins in the elementary school. Yet elementary school teachers are ill prepared to teach science (Trygstad, Smith, Banilower, Nelson, & Horizon Research, Inc., 2013). The research base on teacher preparation finds that programs designed to prepare elementary teachers are inadequate in…
Preservice Teachers' Alternative Conceptions in Elementary Science Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koc, Isil; Yager, Robert E.

2016-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the extent to which preservice teachers held alternative conceptions in elementary science concepts. Eighty-six preservice elementary teachers participated in this study. Twelve preservice elementary teachers participated in follow-up interviews. Data were collected through the use of Alternative Conceptions…
Teacher performance goal practices and elementary students’ behavioral engagement: A developmental perspective

PubMed Central

Hughes, Jan N.; Wu, Wei; West, Stephen G.

2010-01-01

We investigated growth trajectories for classroom performance goal practices and for student behavioral engagement across grades 2 to 5 for 497 academically at-risk elementary students. This study is the first longitudinal investigation of performance goal practices in the early elementary years. On average, teacher use of performance goal practices increased and students’ behavioral engagement declined across the four years. Using autoregressive latent trajectory (ALT) models, we examined the synchronous relations between teacher-reported performance goal practices and teacher-reported student behavioral engagement. As expected, as students move into classrooms with a new teacher with less emphasis on performance goal practices, they become more behaviorally engaged in school. Gender did not moderate these results. Implications for teacher professional development are discussed. PMID:21215834
Teacher performance goal practices and elementary students' behavioral engagement: a developmental perspective.

PubMed

Hughes, Jan N; Wu, Wei; West, Stephen G

2011-02-01

We investigated growth trajectories for classroom performance goal practices and for student behavioral engagement across grades 2 to 5 for 497 academically at-risk elementary students. This study is the first longitudinal investigation of performance goal practices in the early elementary years. On average, teacher use of performance goal practices increased and students' behavioral engagement declined across the four years. Using autoregressive latent trajectory (ALT) models, we examined the synchronous relations between teacher-reported performance goal practices and teacher-reported student behavioral engagement. As expected, as students move into classrooms with a new teacher with less emphasis on performance goal practices, they become more behaviorally engaged in school. Gender did not moderate these results. Implications for teacher professional development are discussed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Cooperating Teacher Perceptions of Music Student Teacher Preparedness for the Elementary Music Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hester, Charlotte V.

2013-01-01

The present study investigated the strengths and areas of improvement for elementary music teacher preparation from the perspective of multiple members of a single body of music teachers. Subjects for the study were elementary music teachers from an urban school district in the southern United States. All elementary music teachers in the school…
Practitioner Inquiry with Early Program Teacher Candidates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koomen, Michele Hollingsworth

2016-01-01

This meta-analysis reports on the use of practitioner inquiry (PI) with early program teacher candidates in conjunction with elementary science and math methods courses using cognitive load theory as a theoretical framework. The findings suggest that the teacher candidates enhanced their knowledge of practice within practice across 5 dimensions of…
Developing an Assessment Instrument to Measure Early Elementary Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schoen, Robert C.; Bray, Wendy; Wolfe, Christopher; Tazaz, Amanda M.; Nielsen, Lynne

2017-01-01

This study reports on the development and field study of K-TEEM, a web-based assessment instrument designed to measure mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) at the early elementary level. The development process involved alignment with early elementary curriculum standards, expert review of items and scoring criteria, cognitive interviews with…
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Adaptation of Science Curriculum Materials for Inquiry-Based Elementary Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Cory T.

2011-01-01

Curriculum materials are important resources with which teachers make pedagogical decisions about the design of science learning environments. To become well-started beginning elementary teachers capable of engaging their students in inquiry-based science, preservice elementary teachers need to learn to use science curriculum materials…
Elementary General Music Teachers' Reflections on Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delaney, Diane W.

2011-01-01

A qualitative study was completed to identify and study the content of selected elementary general music teachers' evaluations of their own instruction and the instruction of another elementary general music teacher. Participants represented a variety of educational backgrounds and teaching experience: Teacher A (9 years teaching Grades 4-6 at…
Practicing and Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Representations of Matter

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weller, Jessica Kristine

2012-01-01

This qualitative exploratory study investigated practicing and pre-service elementary teachers' representations of the nature of matter and the ways in which those representations were transformed into teaching representations. Seven practicing elementary teachers from a rural elementary school and five pre-service elementary teachers were…
Preservice Elementary Teachers and the Fundamentals of Probability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dollard, Clark

2011-01-01

This study examined how preservice elementary teachers think about situations involving probability. Twenty-four preservice elementary teachers who had not yet studied probability as part of their preservice elementary mathematics coursework were interviewed using a task-based interview. The participants' responses showed a wide variety of…

School Based Accountability and the Distribution of Teacher Quality among Grades in Elementary Schools. Working Paper 75

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuller, Sarah C.; Ladd, Helen F.

2012-01-01

We use North Carolina data to explore the extent to which teachers in the lower grades (K-2) of elementary school are lower quality than in the upper grades (3-5) and to examine the hypothesis that accountability contributes to a shortfall in teacher quality in the lower grades. Our concern with early elementary grades arises from recent studies…
Adapting Math Instruction to Support Prospective Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeSage, Ann

2012-01-01

Purpose: Elementary teachers' understanding of mathematics is a significant contributor to student success with mathematics. Consequently, teacher educators are frequently charged with the responsibility of supporting the development of prospective elementary teachers' mathematics content knowledge as they re-learn concepts in ways they are…
Outliers: Elementary Teachers Who Actually Teach Social Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anderson, Derek

2014-01-01

This mixed methods study identified six elementary teachers, who, despite the widespread marginalization of elementary social studies, spent considerable time on the subject. These six outliers from a sample of forty-six Michigan elementary teachers were interviewed, and their teaching was observed to better understand how and why they deviate…
Awareness on Learning Disabilities among Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menon K. P., Seema

2016-01-01

The study aims to find out the awareness on learning disabilities among elementary school teachers. The sample for the present study consisted of 500 elementary school teachers of Kerala. In this study the investigator used an Awareness Test on Learning Disabilities to measure the Awareness on Learning Disabilities among Elementary School…
Enhancing Elementary Teacher Practice through Technological/Engineering Design Based Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deck, Anita S.

2016-01-01

As widespread as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives and reforms are today in education, a rudimentary problem with these endeavors is being overlooked. In general, education programs and school districts are failing to ensure that elementary teachers who provide children's early academic experiences have the appropriate…
Elementary Teachers' Views about Teaching Design, Engineering, and Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Ming-Chien; Purzer, Senay; Cardella, Monica E.

2011-01-01

While there is a growing interest in infusing engineering into elementary classrooms, very little is known about how well positioned elementary teachers are to teach engineering. This study examined elementary teachers' perceptions of and familiarity with design,engineering, and technology (DET). We collected data from 192 elementary teachers…
Professional Identity and Burnout among Pre-School, Elementary, and Post-Elementary School Teachers in Israel

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisherman, Shraga

2015-01-01

The novelty of the present study is its attempt to distinguish between pre-school, elementary, and post-elementary school teachers, regarding the relationship between professional identity and burnout. Two hundred and forty teachers responded to two questionnaires: professional identity and teacher burnout scales. Pre-school teachers were found to…
Developing an Assessment Instrument to Measure Early Elementary Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schoen, Robert C.; Bray, Wendy; Wolfe, Christopher; Tazaz, Amanda M.; Nielsen, Lynne

2017-01-01

This study reports on the development and field study of K-TEEM, a web-based assessment instrument designed to measure mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) at the early elementary level. The development process involved alignment with early elementary curriculum standards, expert review of items and scoring criteria, cognitive interviews with…
Preparing Rural Elementary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, Milo K.

During the past 14 years, the elementary rural teacher training program at Brigham Young University (BYU), Utah, has successfully provided an 8-week student teaching experience which has assisted more than 250 prospective teachers in comparing their lifestyle and interests with those of rural America. Student participants are required to live with…
Elementary School Teachers and Teaching with Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varol, Filiz

2013-01-01

This study aims to identify the relationship between elementary school teachers' ICT engagement with their attitudes towards technology. To this end, one hundred elementary school students were asked to fill out questionnaires related to their ICT knowledge, usage, and attitude towards technology. The results show that teachers' ICT knowledge and…
Elementary Teachers' Thinking about a Good Mathematics Lesson

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Yeping

2011-01-01

In an effort to gain a better understanding of Chinese classroom teaching culture, this study aimed to examine elementary teachers' views about a good mathematics lesson in China. Through analyzing 57 teachers' essays collected from 7 elementary schools in 2 provinces, it is found that Chinese teachers emphasized the most about students and their…
Science for All: Empowering Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plonczak, Irene

2008-01-01

This article addresses issues that are related to the empowerment of elementary teachers through teaching and learning science in socially and culturally meaningful contexts. It is based on the analysis of the attitudes and relationship to science of 10 elementary school teachers from inner city schools in Caracas, Venezuela. In the context of a…
The development of elementary teacher identities as teachers of science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrier, Sarah J.; Whitehead, Ashley N.; Walkowiak, Temple A.; Luginbuhl, Sarah C.; Thomson, Margareta M.

2017-09-01

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the contributions of pre-service teachers' memories of science and science education, combined with their experiences in a STEM-focused teacher preparation programme, to their developing identities as elementary school teachers of science. Data collected over three years include a series of interviews and observations of science teaching during elementary teacher preparation and the first year of teaching. Grounded within a theoretical framework of identity and using a case-study research design, we examined experiences that contributed to the participants' identity development, focusing on key themes from teacher interviews: memories of science and science instruction, STEM-focused teacher preparation programme, field experiences, first year of teaching, and views of effective science instruction. Findings indicate the importance of exposure to reform strategies during teacher preparation and are summarised in main assertions and discussed along with implications for teacher preparation and research.
Elementary Classroom Teachers and Physical Education: Change in Teacher-Related Factors during Pre-Service Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fletcher, Tim; Mandigo, James; Kosnik, Clare

2013-01-01

Background: In many contexts, elementary physical education (PE) classes are taught by the classroom teacher rather than by a PE specialist. Elementary classroom teachers often cite negative attitudes resulting from experiences as school pupils and inadequate pre-service PE teacher education as barriers to teaching a quality PE programme. Purpose:…
Elementary Teacher's Conceptions of Inquiry Teaching: Messages for Teacher Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ireland, Joseph E.; Watters, James J.; Brownlee, Jo; Lupton, Mandy

2012-02-01

This study explored practicing elementary school teacher's conceptions of teaching in ways that foster inquiry-based learning in the science curriculum (inquiry teaching). The advocacy for inquiry-based learning in contemporary curricula assumes the principle that students learn in their own way by drawing on direct experience fostered by the teacher. That students should be able to discover answers themselves through active engagement with new experiences was central to the thinking of eminent educators such as Pestalozzi, Dewey and Montessori. However, even after many years of research and practice, inquiry learning as a referent for teaching still struggles to find expression in the average teachers' pedagogy. This study drew on interview data from 20 elementary teachers. A phenomenographic analysis revealed three conceptions of teaching for inquiry learning in science in the elementary years of schooling: (a) The Experience-centered conception where teachers focused on providing interesting sensory experiences to students; (b) The Problem-centered conception where teachers focused on engaging students with challenging problems; and (c) The Question-centered conception where teachers focused on helping students to ask and answer their own questions. Understanding teachers' conceptions has implications for both the enactment of inquiry teaching in the classroom as well as the uptake of new teaching behaviors during professional development, with enhanced outcomes for engaging students in Science.
Investigating How Nontraditional Elementary Pre-service Teachers Negotiate the Teaching of Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shelton, Mythianne

This qualitative study was designed to investigate the influences on nontraditional preservice teachers as they negotiated the teaching of science in elementary school. Based upon a sociocultural theoretical framework with an identity-in-practice lens, these influences included beliefs about science teaching, life experiences, and the impact of the teacher preparation program. The study sample consisted of two nontraditional preservice teachers who were student teaching in an elementary classroom. Data, collected over a five-month period, included in-depth individual interviews, classroom observations, audio recordings, and reviews of documentations. Interviews focused on the participants' beliefs relating to the teaching of science, prior experiences, and their teacher preparation program experiences relating to the teaching of science. Classroom observations provided additional insights into the classroom setting, participants' teaching strategies, and participants' interactions with the students and cooperating teacher. A whole-text analysis of the interview transcripts, observational field notes, audio recordings and documents generated eight major categories: beliefs about science teaching, role of family, teaching science in the classroom, teacher identity, non-teacher identity, relationships with others, discourses of classroom teaching, and discourses of teachers. The following significant findings emerged from the data: (a) the identity of nontraditional student teachers as science teachers related to early life experiences in science classes; (b) the identity of nontraditional student teachers as science teachers was influenced by their role as parents; (c) nontraditional student teachers learned strategies that supported their beliefs about inquiry learning; and (d) nontraditional student teachers valued the teacher preparation program support system. The results from this qualitative study suggest that sociocultural theory with an identity
Content knowledge of prospective elementary school teacher for fractional concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattimukay, N.; Juniati, D.; Budiarto, M. T.

2018-03-01

The aim of this study was to describe the content knowledge especially the concept of fraction of prospective elementary school teacher. The purpose of this study is to describe the content knowledge, especially the concept of fraction of prospective elementary school teacher. The subject of the study was one of prospective elementary school teacher of Pattimura University. This research is qualitative research. Data were collected through the provision of tests to explore the knowledge content of primary school teacher candidates about fractional concepts. Then continued with qualitative data analysis. The results of this study are as follows: that the prospective primary school teacher defines fractions as part of the whole if an object is divided into equal parts, so that the part that has been divided is part of the whole. Furthermore, the prospective elementary school teacher understood the fractions as division shown in two ways, namely the prospective elementary school teacher understood the fraction as a division operation, the primary school teacher candidate interpreted the fraction as a division when an object is divided be part of the same. Meanwhile, the fraction as a ratio is interpreted as the relationship between a pair of numbers. Then, the denominations are interpreted as a ratio between the numerator and the denominator of the same value. The prospective elementary school teacher also understands fractions of value when simplifying fractions. Primary school teacher candidates understand the concept of fractional operations.
Teachers' Perceptions of Underachievement in Elementary Schools in Kuwait

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Sahel, Rashed Ali

2005-01-01

This study focuses on teachers' perceptions of the problem of underachievement in elementary schools in Kuwait. Five hundred and twenty elementary school teachers participated. Teachers thought that the main reasons behind the problem of under-achievement in school could be attributed to family factors. They also indicated that the most related…
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Development of Fraction Number Sense

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Utley, Juliana; Reeder, Stacy

2012-01-01

Can prospective elementary teachers "unlearn" harmful algorithms used with fractions as they are invited to develop fraction number sense? This study examined the development of prospective elementary teachers' fraction number sense during an intermediate (grades 5-8) mathematics methods course. During this course, participants' were involved in a…
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of a Reformed Teacher-Evaluation System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pressley, Tim; Roehrig, Alysia D.; Turner, Jeannine E.

2018-01-01

This qualitative case study focused on 13 elementary teachers' perceptions of their evaluations. Using multiple schools (5) and teachers (13) we explored the impact of evaluations on instruction. Informed by Pekrun's control-value theory, our analysis focused on teachers' motivations and emotions. Teachers did not value or feel in control of their…

Teaching science as argument: Prospective elementary teachers' knowledge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barreto-Espino, Reizelie

For the past two decades there has been increasing emphasis on argumentation in school science. In 2007, the National Research Council published a synthesis report that emphasizes the centrality of constructing, evaluating, and using scientific explanations. Participating in argumentation is seen as fundamental to children's science learning experiences. These new expectations increase challenges for elementary teachers since their understanding of and experiences with science are overwhelmingly inconsistent with teaching science as argument. These challenges are further amplified when dealing with prospective elementary teachers. The current study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What are the ways in which preservice elementary teachers appropriate components of "teaching science as argument" during their student teaching experience? (2) To what extent do components from prospective elementary teachers' reflections influence planning for science teaching? (3) What elements from the context influence preservice elementary teachers' attention to teaching science as argument? This study followed a multi-participant case study approach and analyses were informed by grounded theory. Three participants were selected from a larger cohort of prospective elementary teachers enrolled in an innovative Elementary Professional Development School (PDS) partnership at a large Northeast University. Cross-case analysis allowed for the development of five key assertions: (1) The presence of opportunities for interacting with phenomena and collecting first hand data helped participants increase their emphasis on evidence-based explanations. (2) Participants viewed science talks as an essential mechanism for engaging students in the construction of evidence-based explanations and as being fundamental to meaning-making. (3) Participants demonstrated attention to scientific subject matter during instruction rather than merely focusing on activities and/or inquiry
Future Elementary School Teachers' Conceptual Change Concerning Photosynthesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahopelto, Ilona; Mikkila-Erdmann, Mirjamaija; Anto, Erkki; Penttinen, Marjaana

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine conceptual change among future elementary school teachers while studying a scientific text concerning photosynthesis. Students' learning goals in relation to their learning outcomes were also examined. The participants were future elementary school teachers. The design consisted of pre- and post-tests. The…
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Views on Their Teachers and Their Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karakas, Mehmet

2013-01-01

In this paper future elementary teachers reflect on their past experiences and talk about their teachers and the way they were taught, and portray the characteristics of effective and not so effective teachers. The study also highlights Turkish teachers` way of instruction and the strategies they use. Participants were 41 sophomore and 62 junior…
Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Understanding of Pattern and Function

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharon, Valerie Vinyard

2010-01-01

Scope and method of study: The purpose of this study was to unpack the understandings pre-service elementary teachers have pertaining to the ideas of pattern and function. The intent was to bring insight into how mathematics teacher educators can use patterning activities to prepare pre-service elementary teachers to support the development of…
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of Elementary Principals' Effectiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fridenvalds, Kriss R.

2012-01-01

This dissertation examined the beliefs of elementary teachers to determine if their perceptions of effective principal leadership align to transformational leadership theory vis-a-vis the Educational Leadership Policy Standards (ELPS). A phenomenological, single-case study approach was utilized by means of a mixed-methodological, Web-based survey,…
Elementary student teachers' science content representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zembal-Saul, Carla; Krajcik, Joseph; Blumenfeld, Phyllis

2002-08-01

This purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which three prospective teachers who had early opportunities to teach science would approach representing science content within the context of their student teaching experiences. The study is framed in the literature on pedagogical content knowledge and learning to teach. A situated perspective on cognition is applied to better understand the influence of context and the role of the cooperating teacher. The three participants were enrolled in an experimental teacher preparation program designed to enhance the teaching of science at the elementary level. Qualitative case study design guided the collection, organization, and analysis of data. Multiple forms of data associated with student teachers' content representations were collected, including audiotaped planning and reflection interviews, written lesson plans and reflections, and videotaped teaching experiences. Broad analysis categories were developed and refined around the subconstructs of content representation (i.e., knowledge of instructional strategies that promote learning and knowledge of students and their requirements for meaningful science learning). Findings suggest that when prospective teachers are provided with opportunities to apply and reflect substantively on their developing considerations for supporting children's science learning, they are able to maintain a subject matter emphasis. However, in the absence of such opportunities, student teachers abandon their subject matter emphasis, even when they have had extensive background and experiences addressing subject-specific considerations for teaching and learning.
Are Elementary Teacher Education Programs the Real Problem of Unqualified Teachers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weitman, Catheryn J.; Colbert, Ronald P.

This paper describes 10 factors that impact misguided perceptions of teacher preparation and teacher quality, especially elementary teachers prepared in highly-structured, university-based teacher preparation programs: (1) the offshoot of P-12 preparation, prior to attending postsecondary programs; (2) alignment of certification tests to state…
Preparing Elementary Preservice Teachers for Urban Elementary Science Classrooms: Challenging Cultural Biases Toward Diverse Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Felicia M.

2008-02-01

This study reports the learning of elementary preservice teachers regarding diversity and teaching science in diverse urban elementary classrooms. From participating in a semester-long book club, the preservice teachers reveal their cultural biases, connect and apply their knowledge of diversity, and understand that getting to know their students are important elements for teaching science in diverse classrooms. These 3 things connect in ways that allow the preservice teachers to understand how their cultural biases impede student learning and gain new knowledge of diversity as they change their cultural biases. Implications of this study reveal that preservice teachers need opportunities to reveal, confront, challenge, and change their cultural models and to develop new models for teaching science in urban elementary classrooms.
Balancing Teacher and Student Roles in Elementary Classrooms: Preservice Elementary Teachers' Learning about the Inquiry Continuum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biggers, Mandy; Forbes, Cory T.

2012-01-01

Using the National Research Council's inquiry continuum framework, we use a multiple-case study research design to investigate the teacher- and student-directedness of elementary preservice teachers' planned and enacted science lessons and their pedagogical reasoning about science instruction during a semester-long science methods course. Our…
Supporting metacognitive development in early science education: Exploring elementary teachers' beliefs and practices in metacognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braund, Heather Leigh-Anne

Metacognition is the understanding and control of cognitive processes. Students with high levels of metacognition achieve greater academic success. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine elementary teachers' beliefs about metacognition and integration of metacognitive practices in science. Forty-four teachers were recruited through professional networks to complete a questionnaire containing open-ended questions (n = 44) and Likert-type items (n = 41). Five respondents were selected to complete semi-structured interviews informed by the questionnaire. The selected interview participants had a minimum of three years teaching experience and demonstrated a conceptual understanding of metacognition. Statistical tests (Pearson correlation, t-tests, and multiple regression) on quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated that teachers largely understood metacognition but had some gaps in their understanding. Participants' reported actions (teaching practices) and beliefs differed according to their years of experience but not gender. Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that the first block of gender and experience was not a significant predictor of teachers' metacognitive actions, although experience was a significant predictor by itself. Experience was not a significant predictor once teachers' beliefs were added. The majority of participants indicated that metacognition was indeed appropriate for elementary students. Participants consistently reiterated that students' metacognition developed with practice, but required explicit instruction. A lack of consensus remained around the domain specificity of metacognition. More specifically, the majority of questionnaire respondents indicated that metacognitive strategies could not be used across subject domains, whereas all interviewees indicated that they used strategies across subjects. Metacognition was integrated frequently into Ontario elementary classrooms; however
A Case Study Exploring the Identity of an In-Service Elementary Science Teacher: a Language Teacher First

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marco-Bujosa, Lisa; Levy, Abigail Jurist; McNeill, Katherine

2018-01-01

Teachers are central to providing high-quality science learning experiences called for in recent reform efforts, as their understanding of science impacts both what they teach and how they teach it. Yet, most elementary teachers do not enter the profession with a particular interest in science or expertise in science teaching. Research also indicates elementary schools present unique barriers that may inhibit science teaching. This case study utilizes the framework of identity to explore how one elementary classroom teacher's understandings of herself as a science specialist were shaped by the bilingual elementary school context as she planned for and provided reform-based science instruction. Utilizing Gee's (2000) sociocultural framework, identity was defined as consisting of four interrelated dimensions that served as analytic frames for examining how this teacher understood her new role through social positioning within her school. Findings describe the ways in which this teacher's identity as a science teacher was influenced by the school context. The case study reveals two important implications for teacher identity. First, collaboration for science teaching is essential for elementary teachers to change their practice. It can be challenging for teachers to form an identity as a science teacher in isolation. In addition, elementary teachers new to science teaching negotiate their emerging science practice with their prior experiences and the school context. For example, in the context of a bilingual school, this teacher adapted the reform-based science curriculum to better meet the unique linguistic needs of her students.
Roles of Teachers in Orchestrating Learning in Elementary Science Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhai, Junqing; Tan, Aik-Ling

2015-01-01

This study delves into the different roles that elementary science teachers play in the classroom to orchestrate science learning opportunities for students. Examining the classroom practices of three elementary science teachers in Singapore, we found that teachers shuttle between four key roles in enabling student learning in science. Teachers…
Intersections of life histories and science identities: the stories of three preservice elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avraamidou, Lucy

2016-03-01

Grounded within Connelly and Clandinin's conceptualization of teachers' professional identity in terms of 'stories to live by' and through a life-history lens, this multiple case study aimed to respond to the following questions: (a) How do three preservice elementary teachers view themselves as future science teachers? (b) How have the participants' life histories shaped their science identity trajectories? In order to characterize the participants' formation of science identities over time, various data regarding their life histories in relation to science were collected: science biographies, self-portraits, interviews, reflective journals, lesson plans, and classroom observations. The analysis of the data illustrated how the three participants' identities have been in formation from the early years of their lives and how various events, experiences, and interactions had shaped their identities through time and across contexts. These findings are discussed alongside implications for theory, specifically, identity and life-history intersections, for teacher preparation, and for research related to explorations of beginning elementary teachers' identity trajectories.
Research on Preservice Physical Education Teachers' and Preservice Elementary Teachers' Physical Education Identities: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keating, Xiaofen D.; Shangguan, Rulan; Zhou, Ke; Fan, Yao; Liu, Jingwen; Harrison, Louis

2017-01-01

The purposes of this project were to conduct an overall review of research on preservice physical education (PE) teacher (referred to preservice PE teachers as preservice specialist) and/or preservice elementary teacher (referred to preservice elementary teachers as preservice generalist) PE identities and to identify any new trends in research on…
American Elementary Education Pre-Service Teachers' Attitudes towards Biotechnology Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chabalengula, Vivien Mweene; Mumba, Frackson; Chitiyo, Jonathan

2011-01-01

This study examined elementary education pre-service teachers' attitudes towards biotechnology processes. A sample comprised 88 elementary education pre-service teachers at a mid-sized university in the Midwest of the USA. Sixty and 28 of these pre-service teachers were enrolled in Introductory Science Methods course and Advance Science Methods…
Elementary Teachers' Selection and Use of Visual Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Tammy D.; Gail Jones, M.

2018-02-01

As science grows in complexity, science teachers face an increasing challenge of helping students interpret models that represent complex science systems. Little is known about how teachers select and use models when planning lessons. This mixed methods study investigated the pedagogical approaches and visual models used by elementary in-service and preservice teachers in the development of a science lesson about a complex system (e.g., water cycle). Sixty-seven elementary in-service and 69 elementary preservice teachers completed a card sort task designed to document the types of visual models (e.g., images) that teachers choose when planning science instruction. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to analyze the card sort task. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a subsample of teachers to elicit the rationale for image selection. Results from this study showed that both experienced in-service teachers and novice preservice teachers tended to select similar models and use similar rationales for images to be used in lessons. Teachers tended to select models that were aesthetically pleasing and simple in design and illustrated specific elements of the water cycle. The results also showed that teachers were not likely to select images that represented the less obvious dimensions of the water cycle. Furthermore, teachers selected visual models more as a pedagogical tool to illustrate specific elements of the water cycle and less often as a tool to promote student learning related to complex systems.
Preservice elementary teachers learning of astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fidler, Chuck Gary

The dissertation presents a new approach for the study of preservice elementary teacher astronomy education. The approach suggests that learning astronomical concepts are facilitated by greater sophistication in scale perception and spatial-aptitude. This dissertation is underscored by the national call for elementary science education reform efforts and suggests certain strategies shown more effective for the development of accurate astronomical comprehension. The present research study describes how preservice elementary teachers conceptualize and communicate ideas about Space. Instead of assuming a universal mental conception of cosmic orientations and relationships, the dissertation claims that the perception of Space related dimensions vary among preservice elementary teachers. Furthermore, the dissertation suggests individual perceptions of the scale sizes and orientations of celestial systems have direct influences on mental models used to organize and communicate astronomical information. The development of inaccurate mental models of the scaled dimensions of Space may perpetuate the teacher-student cycle of misconception and naive-theory generation among children in elementary education settings. The ability to conceptualize the vast cosmos is facilitated by the minds ability to think about vast scales and orientations of celestial objects. The Earth-based perspective of astronomy education compels the learner to think about astronomical principles within imaginary frames of reference and across unfamiliar scaled dimensions. Therefore, mental astronomical model building is underscored by the perception of scale and cosmic spatiality. This study suggests these cognitive skill sets are interconnected and facilitate the learning of accurate astronomy principles; as well as play an important role when designing an astronomy education program for preservice elementary teachers. This research study is comprised of three separate standalone articles designed and
Investigation of preservice elementary teachers' thinking about science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobern, William W.; Loving, Cathleen C.

2002-12-01

It is not uncommon to find media reports on the failures of science education, nor uncommon to hear prestigious scientists publicly lament the rise of antiscience attitudes. Given the position elementary teachers have in influencing children, antiscience sentiment among them would be a significant concern. Hence, this article reports on an investigation in which preservice elementary teachers responded to the Thinking about Science survey instrument. This newly developed instrument addresses the broadrelationship of science to nine important areas of society and culture and is intended to reveal the extent of views being consistent with or disagreeing with a commonly held worldview of science portrayed in the media and in popular science and science education literature. Results indicate that elementary teachers discriminate with respect to different aspects of culture and science but they are not antiscience.
Effects of Sustained Teacher Professional Development on the Classroom Science Instruction of Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hauck, Nancy

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which sustained teacher professional development in science education affects the classroom instruction of elementary school teachers in third through sixth grade over a 3-year period. The teachers in the study were all elementary endorsed and prepared to be generalists in the content areas.…
Elementary Teacher Training Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blewett, Evelyn J., Ed.

This collection of articles contains descriptions of nine elementary teacher training program models conducted at universities throughout the United States. The articles include the following: (a) "The University of Toledo Model Program," by George E. Dickson; (b) "The Florida State University Model Program," by G. Wesley Sowards; (c) "The…

Elementary teachers' acquisition of science knowledge: Case-studies and implications for teaching preparation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stein, Morton

Elementary school is a key time for students to develop their understanding of basic science concepts as well as their attitudes towards science and science learning. Yet many elementary teachers do not feel comfortable teaching science; as a result, they are likely to devote less time on that subject and to be less effective as science teachers. The literature suggests that weaknesses in elementary teachers' knowledge of science could be a main cause of this problem and, furthermore, that current elementary teacher preparation programs have contributed to this weakness. This study aims at gaining more knowledge about how elementary teachers who are successful in teaching science have acquired their science content knowledge and how such knowledge could be best acquired, with the ultimate goal of informing the design of more effective elementary teacher preparation programs. More specifically, this study addresses the following research questions: Which science learning experiences for elementary teachers seem most conducive to develop the kind of science content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge needed to support the teaching of science as called for by the most recent national and state standards? Which of these experiences should be included in elementary teacher preparation programs, and how? The core of this study consists of case studies of eight elementary school teachers who were identified as successful in teaching science. These subjects were selected so as to ensure differences in their teacher preparation programs, as well as gender and years of teaching experience. Information about each teacher's self-efficacy and motivation with respect to teaching science, history of pre-service and in-service preparation with respect to science, and how his/her current science knowledge was acquired, was sought through a series of interviews with each subject and triangulated with data collected from other sources. A cross-case analysis revealed some
General Education Teachers' Differentiated Instruction in Elementary Inclusion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deason, Jennifer

2014-01-01

Inclusion teachers at the elementary level face challenges in differentiating instruction for all students. Despite inclusion teachers' willingness to use differentiated instruction (DI), many teachers struggle implementing DI because of teachers' understanding of DI, insufficient time for planning, and insufficient training and resources. The…
Job Satisfaction among Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chambers, Sandy Kay Bass

2010-01-01

This study examined teacher job satisfaction as influenced by school factors. One hundred and twenty-four elementary teachers, from one large urban school district in North Carolina, rated their level of job satisfaction. The independent variables were schools factors of (a) academic achievement, (b) student racial composition, and (c) social…
The DESTIN: Preservice Teachers' Drawings of the Ideal Elementary Science Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mensah, Felicia Moore

2011-01-01

The aim of this study is to report findings from the Drawing-Elementary-Science-Teacher-Ideal-Not, or the DESTIN procedure. The study utilizes a simple drawing procedure accompanied by a narrative and discussion for understanding preservice teachers' images of science, science teaching, and the science teacher. Ninety drawings from two sections of…
Elementary Teacher Use of Formative Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cotton, Donna McLamb

2013-01-01

This dissertation was designed to examine elementary teacher use of formative assessment and the impact formative assessment may have on student achievement as measured by benchmark assessments. The study was conducted in a school district in northwestern North Carolina. The teachers in this study have had NCFALCON training in the use of formative…
Predicting the Geometry Knowledge of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duatepe Aksu, Asuman

2013-01-01

In this study, the aim was to examine the factors that predict the geometry knowledge of pre-service elementary teachers. Data was collected on 387 pre-service elementary teachers from four universities by using a geometry knowledge test, the van Hiele geometric thinking level test, a geometry self efficacy scale and a geometry attitude scale.…
Elementary and High School Teachers: Birds of a Feather?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marston, Susan H.; Brunetti, Gerald J.; Courtney, Victoria B.

2005-01-01

How similar to and different from each other are public elementary and high school teachers with respect to selected issues and values that define their practice? The present study attempted to shed light on this question by examining the motivations of three groups of teachers, two elementary and one high school, for remaining in teaching. The…
Inservice Elementary and Middle School Teachers' Conceptions of Photosynthesis and Respiration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krall, Rebecca Mcnall; Lott, Kimberly H.; Wymer, Carol L.

2009-02-01

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate inservice elementary and middle school teachers’ conceptions of photosynthesis and respiration, basic concepts they are expected to teach. A forced-choice instrument assessing selected standards-based life science concepts with non-scientific conceptions embedded in distracter options was utilized to assess 76 inservice elementary and middle school teachers from the central Appalachian region. Outcomes from four tasks assessing photosynthesis and respiration concepts are discussed. Findings revealed similarities between non-scientific conceptions the teachers demonstrated and non-scientific conceptions reported in the research literature on elementary and middle school students’ understanding of the concepts. Findings also informed subsequent inservice teacher professional development efforts in life science and the development of a biology course for preservice elementary teachers.
Teachers' Experiences of Georgia's Early Math Intervention Program: A Phenomenological Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, Rachel Amanda Garner

2016-01-01

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions that K-5 teachers have toward Georgia's mandated Early Intervention Math Program (EIP) on at risk learners in an elementary school in a rural, North Georgia community. The following questions guided the study: 1. How do K-5 teachers describe their experience with…
Male Elementary General Music Teachers: A Phenomenological Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robison, Tiger

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of being a male elementary general music teacher (MEGMT). I sought answers for two research questions. First, what are the perceived uniquely male experiences in elementary general music teaching? Second, in what ways might gender be a consideration in the preparation of elementary general…
Slow off the Mark: Elementary School Teachers and the Crisis in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Epstein, Diana; Miller, Raegen T.

2011-01-01

One can't throw a stone without hitting a STEM initiative these days, but most science, technology, engineering, and math initiatives--thus the STEM acronym--overlook a fundamental problem. In general, the workforce pipeline of elementary school teachers fails to ensure that the teachers who inform children's early academic trajectories have the…
Sources of Efficacy Information in an Inservice Program for Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, David

2011-01-01

Low teacher self-efficacy is an important factor constraining the teaching of science at the elementary level. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of particular sources of efficacy information for enhancing the science teaching self-efficacy of practicing elementary teachers. Twelve teachers participated in an intervention…
Astronomy in the College Curriculum for Preservice Elementary Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, L. M.; MacCormack, A.; Winokur, J.

1997-05-01

Astronomy, astrophysics, and space science play a major role in courses being developed at Wheelock College. The majority of the students are preparing for careers as elementary and early childhood teachers; they will thus be among the first teachers of science a child meets. Wheelock's introductory course in astronomy is based around key topics in the new national science frameworks such as size and scale, our place in the Universe, and light and color. Astrophysics, an intermediate level course, provides a more quantitative survey for those with a background in physical science. An interdisciplinary sequence of two courses, "The Physical Universe" and "The Living World", introduces students to key concepts such as motion and energy. Applications are studied from all of the sciences, including crater formation and the conversion of light to chemical energy in photosynthesis. The interdisciplinary courses have been developed and taught by an astrophysicist, an ecologist, and an early childhood educator. This work has been done under the auspices of TEAMS-BC (Teacher Education Addressing Math and Science in Boston and Cambridge), a Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation involving Harvard University, MIT, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Wheelock College, and the Boston and Cambridge Public School Systems.
Cross-Cultural Differences in the Self-Evaluations of American and Finnish Elementary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tirri, Kirsi

This study investigated the cross-cultural differences in American and Finnish elementary teachers' evaluations of their classroom teaching behaviors. The self-evaluation instrument developed for the study was administered to 167 American elementary teachers from Indiana and Texas and to 172 Finnish teachers (also elementary) from two different…
Elementary School Teachers' Familiarity, Conceptual Knowledge, and Interest in Light

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mumba, Frackson; Mbewe, Simon; Chabalengula, Vivien M.

2015-01-01

This study explored elementary school teachers' familiarity, conceptual knowledge, and interest in learning more about light and its related concepts. This study also sought to establish the relationship between elementary school teachers' familiarity, conceptual knowledge, and interest in learning light concepts. Sixty-six lower and upper…
The Science Semester: Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry for Prospective Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ford, Danielle J.; Fifield, Steve; Madsen, John; Qian, Xiaoyu

2013-01-01

We describe the Science Semester, a semester-long course block that integrates three science courses and a science education methods course for elementary teacher education majors, and examine prospective elementary teachers' developing conceptions about inquiry, science teaching efficacy, and reflections on learning through inquiry. The…
Preparing perservice teachers to teach elementary school science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Amy D.

The development of scientifically literate citizens begins in the elementary school. Yet elementary school teachers are ill prepared to teach science (Trygstad, Smith, Banilower, Nelson, & Horizon Research, Inc., 2013). The research base on teacher preparation finds that programs designed to prepare elementary teachers are inadequate in providing both the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge necessary to teach science effectively (Baumgartner, 2010; Bodzin & Beerer, 2003; Bulunuz & Jarrett 2009). This mixed methods study examined what happened when a science methods course was interactively co-taught by an expert in elementary teaching methods and a physics expert. This study also aimed to discover what aspects of the curriculum pre-service teachers (PSTs) said helped them in developing their understanding of science content and scientific reasoning, and how to implement inquiry practices to teach science. A nested case study of three PSTs provided descriptive portraits of student experiences in the class. A whole class case analysis was used to examine what PSTs learned in terms of science, scientific reasoning skills, and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) from their experiences in the course. It was found that students often conflated science content with the experiences they had in learning the content. Although PSTs felt the interactive co-teaching model effectively created a balance between theory and practice, it was their experiences doing science--conducting physical experiments, developing and discussing scientific models, and the use of inquiry-based instruction--that they credited for their learning. Even with careful curriculum planning, and a course purposely designed to bridge the theory to practice gap, this study found one semester-long methods course to be insufficient in providing the vast content knowledge and PCK elementary school science teachers need.
Peer and Teacher Preference, Student-Teacher Relationships, Student Ethnicity, and Peer Victimization in Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Feihong; Leary, Kevin A.; Taylor, Lorraine C.; Derosier, Melissa E.

2016-01-01

The authors examined the effects of peer preference and teacher preference for students, students' perceived relationship with their teacher and student ethnicity on peer victimization in late elementary school. Participants were students in the third through fifth grades in four public elementary schools in a southern state. Using hierarchical…
Peer and Teacher Preference, Student-Teacher Relationships, Student Ethnicity, and Peer Victimization in Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Feihong; Leary, Kevin A.; Taylor, Lorraine C.; Derosier, Melissa E.

2016-01-01

We examined the effects of peer preference and teacher preference for students, students' perceived relationship with their teacher and student ethnicity on peer victimization in late elementary school. Participants were students in the third through fifth grades in four public elementary schools in a southern state. Using hierarchical linear…
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Ideas About Scientific Practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricketts, Amy

2014-10-01

With the goal of producing scientifically literate citizens who are able to make informed decisions and reason critically when science intersects with their everyday lives, the National Research Council (NRC) has produced two recent documents that call for a new approach to K-12 science education that is based on scientific practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. These documents will potentially influence future state standards and K-12 curricula. Teachers will need support in order to teach science using a practices based approach, particularly if they do not have strong science backgrounds, which is often the case with elementary teachers. This study investigates one cohort (n = 19) of preservice elementary teachers' ideas about scientific practices, as developed in a one-semester elementary science teaching methods course. The course focused on eight particular scientific practices, as defined by the National Research Council's A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas (2012). Participants' written reflections, lesson plans and annotated teaching videos were analyzed in fine detail to better understand their ideas about what it means to engage in each of the practices. The findings suggest that preservice elementary teachers hold promising ideas about scientific practices (such as an emphasis on argumentation and communication between scientists, critical thinking, and answering and asking questions as the goal of science) as well as problematic ideas (including confusion over the purpose of modeling and the process of analysis, and conflating argumentation and explanation building). These results highlight the strengths and limitations of using the Framework (NRC 2012) as an instructional text and the difficulties of differentiating between preservice teachers' content knowledge about doing the practices and their pedagogical knowledge about teaching the practices.

A Career Needs Comparison of Elementary School Teachers and Undergraduate Students in an Elementary School Teacher Preparation Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fitzgerald, Sheila M.

To determine if the career needs of undergraduate students entering a teacher preparation program would be similar to the needs expressed by experienced teachers on the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIP), the responses of 100 undergraduate elementary education students at Michigan State University were compared to those of 178 career…
An Investigation on Teacher Retention and Teachers' Perceptions of Cultural Leadership in Selected North Carolina Year Round and Traditional Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council, Ve-Lecia Selene

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate teacher retention and teachers' perceptions of cultural leadership in select North Carolina elementary year round and traditional elementary schools. The participants in this study were North Carolina elementary teachers that participated in the 2008 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey…
Life histories of female elementary teachers and their science/teacher role construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramseur, Aletha Johnson

The research conducted in this study focuses on life histories of female elementary teachers and their science/teacher role construction. Identity theorists argue that the self consists of a collection of identities founded on occupying a particular role. Who we are depends on the roles we occupy. These roles are often referred to as "role identities". In the case of these participants, many role identities (mother, wife, sibling, and teacher) exist. This study focuses primarily on their (science) teacher role identity. Literature on women's lives, as learners and teachers, suggest that women's experiences, currently and throughout history influenced their teacher role construction. There is however, little knowledge of women's lives as elementary teachers of science and the affect of their experiences, currently and throughout history, on their (science) teacher identity construction. Schools delineated by race, class, and gender relations, are similar to other sectors of society's, social and cultural spheres within which race, class, and gender identities are constructed. Using in-depth-interviews female elementary teachers were encouraged to actively reconstruct their life and work-life experiences focusing on family, school and science interactions. They addressed the intellectual and emotional connections between their life and work experiences by focusing on details of their past and present experiences and examining the meaning of those experiences. It was the scrutiny of these connections between their life and work experiences, the meaning derived from them and historical events, and the constraints imposed on their personal choices by broader power relations, such as those of class, race, and gender that informed why we teach, how we teach, and what we teach.
Elementary Pre-Service Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematics Teaching Anxiety

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haciomeroglu, Guney

2014-01-01

The present study examined the structure of elementary pre-service teachers' mathematics anxiety and mathematics teaching anxiety by asking whether the two systems of anxiety are related. The Turkish Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale Short Version and the Mathematics Teaching Anxiety Scale were administered to 260 elementary pre-service teachers.…
Elementary Preservice Teachers' and Teacher Educators' Perceptions of Financial Literacy Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henning, Mary Beth; Lucey, Thomas A.

2017-01-01

The authors conducted an online survey of elementary teacher education programs within a large midwestern state to assess preservice teachers' and teacher educators' beliefs about and preparedness to teach financial literacy. Very few preservice teachers had meaningful experiences with personal finance in high school, college, or personal decision…
Factors Affecting Retirement Attitude among Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Wan-Chen; Chiang, Chia-Hsun; Chuang, Hsueh-Hua

2015-01-01

This study investigated the relationships of teacher efficacy, perceived organizational control, and the teacher-student age gap with teachers' retirement attitudes. Stratified random sampling was adopted to collect survey responses. A total of 498 valid surveys from 33 elementary schools were collected. Correlational analyses revealed significant…
Patterns of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle-Level Social Studies Teaching: An Interpretation of Illinois Social Studies Teachers' Practices and Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lucey, Thomas A.; Shifflet, Rena A.; Weilbacher, Gary A.

2014-01-01

Using data from a national social studies survey, the authors examined instructional trends among Illinois elementary and middle school social studies teachers. The authors found that teachers preferred whole-group and teacher-centered instructional strategies over more active, student-centered methods. While surveyed teachers predominately…
Are Elementary School Teachers Prepared to Tackle Bullying? A Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oldenburg, Beau; Bosman, Rie; Veenstra, René

2016-01-01

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate to what extent elementary school teachers were prepared to tackle bullying. Interview data from 22 Dutch elementary school teachers (M[subscript age]?=?43.3, 18 classrooms in eight schools) were combined with survey data from 373 students of these teachers (M age?=?10.7, grades 3-6, ages 8- to…
Rural elementary students', parents', and teachers' perceptions of bullying.

PubMed

Stockdale, Margaret S; Hangaduambo, Saidou; Duys, David; Larson, Karl; Sarvela, Paul D

2002-01-01

To examine the prevalence and correlates of bullying in 7 rural elementary schools from students', parents', and teachers' perspectives. Surveys were completed by 739 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students, 367 parents, and 37 teachers. Students tended to report higher prevalence of bullying than did parents or teachers, and their reports were associated with aggression, attitudes toward violence, and perceptions of school safety. Bullying behavior is prevalent in rural elementary schools and is indicative of aggression and proviolence attitudes. Parents and teachers need to pay closer attention to bullying behavior among schoolchildren and to impart their knowledge to children in a comprehensive, coordinated manner.
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about Science Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz-Tuzun, Ozgul

2008-01-01

In this study, a Beliefs About Teaching (BAT) scale was created to examine preservice elementary science teachers' self-reported comfort level with both traditional and reform-based teaching methods, assessment techniques, classroom management techniques, and science content. Participants included 166 preservice teachers from three different US…
Mathematics Anxiety and Beliefs of Turkish Pre-Service Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uysal, Figen; Dede, Yüksel

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pre-service elementary teachers' mathematics teaching beliefs and mathematics anxiety. The participants of the study consist of 96 pre-service elementary teachers from a department of primary education in a state university in Turkey during the 2010-2011 spring term. Mathematics…
Exploring Exemplary Elementary Teachers' Conceptions and Implementation of Inquiry Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrison, Judith A.

2013-01-01

This study was an exploration of the conceptions of inquiry science held by exemplary elementary teachers. The origins of these conceptions were explored in order to establish how best to improve elementary teachers' understanding and implementation of inquiry science teaching. Four focus group sessions were held as well as classroom observations.…
Instructional Support and Implementation Structure during Elementary Teachers' Science Education Simulation Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonczi, Amanda L.; Chiu, Jennifer L.; Maeng, Jennifer L.; Bell, Randy L.

2016-01-01

This investigation sought to identify patterns in elementary science teachers' computer simulation use, particularly implementation structures and instructional supports commonly employed by teachers. Data included video-recorded science lessons of 96 elementary teachers who used computer simulations in one or more science lessons. Results…
Science as experience, exploration, and experiments: elementary teachers' notions of `doing science'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Ashley N.; Luna, Melissa J.; Bernstein, Malayna B.

2017-11-01

Much of the literature on science teaching suggests that elementary teachers lack relevant prior experiences with science. This study begins to reframe the deficit approach to research in science teaching by privileging the experiences elementary teachers have had with science - both in and out of schools - throughout their lives. Our work uses identity as a lens to examine the complexities of elementary teachers' narrative accounts of their experiences with science over the course of their lives. Our findings identify components of teachers' science-related experiences in order to lay the groundwork for making connections between teachers' personal experiences and professional practice. This work demonstrates that teachers' storied lives are important for educational researchers and teacher educators, as they reveal elements of teaching knowledge that may be productive and resourceful for refining teachers' science practice.
Case Study of Instructional Innovation among Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCracklin, Patricia

2012-01-01

In one mid-western elementary school, teachers received training designed to change their teaching methods in their classrooms. Research has shown teachers have difficulty changing teaching behaviors. The research questions addressed teachers' beliefs and understandings of teaching in a new way. The theoretical framework for this study is…
Developing a Professional Identity as an Elementary Teacher of Nature of Science: A Self-Study of Becoming an Elementary Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akerson, Valarie L.; Pongsanon, Khemmawadee; Weiland, Ingrid S.; Nargund-Joshi, Vanashri

2014-01-01

This study explores the development of professional identity as a teacher of nature of science (NOS). Our research question was "How can a teacher develop a professional identity as an elementary teacher of NOS?" Through a researcher log, videotaped lessons, and collection of student work, we were able to track efforts in teaching NOS as…
Teachers' Beliefs Regarding Composition in Elementary General Music: Definitions, Values, and Impediments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shouldice, Heather Nelson

2014-01-01

The purpose of this research was to investigate teachers' beliefs about compositional experiences in the elementary music classroom. Elementary music teachers (N = 176) in Michigan completed a researcher-designed questionnaire, which included a combination of forced-choice and open-ended questions regarding how teachers define composition, why…
Elementary Teacher Perceptions of Principal Leadership, Teacher Self-Efficacy in Math and Science, and Their Relationships to Student Academic Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richard, Bertha Cookie

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary teacher perceptions of elementary principal instructional leadership and elementary teacher evaluation of self-efficacy at low and high performing low socio-economic elementary schools. These variables were examined to determine whether relationships with math and science academic achievement…
Comprehending Elementary School Teachers' Classroom Management Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahin, Ali E.

2015-01-01

This study intends to determine elementary school teachers' degree of classroom control, which constitutes the consistency in their classroom management and discipline-related behaviour. The major research question was as follows: Is the control approach adopted by teachers related to certain variables (gender, age, subject area, experience)? The…
Looking back and moving forward: A mixed methods study of elementary science teacher preparation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hulings, Melissa

This study sought to understand how science learning experiences, and their potential influence, had on preservice elementary teachers' self-efficacy and perceptions of science teaching and learning at the beginning of their science methods course. Following an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study first involved the collection of quantitative data and then the collection of more in-depth qualitative data. In the first phase, the quantitative data included the Draw-a-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C) and the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEBI-B) of preservice elementary teachers (n = 69). Findings from this phase indicated preservice elementary teachers had a higher level of belief in their abilities to teach science (PSTE subscale) than to affect student outcomes in science (STOE subscale). However, the STOE was not found to be a reliable measure for this group of preservice elementary teachers and was not included in any further analysis. Findings from the DASTT-C images indicated the majority of these drawings could not be classified as student-centered. In the second phase of this study, the researcher explored selected science autobiographies written by these same preservice elementary teachers (n = 19), based on extremely high or low scores on the PSTE subscale and DASTT-C. Analysis of the science autobiographies revealed commonalities and differences. Commonalities included (a) the difficulty in remembering science from elementary school; (b) a mixture of positive and negative experiences in secondary school and college science classes; (c) the descriptions of good science days and good science teachers; and (d) the descriptions of bad science days and bad science teachers. Differences included (a) the people who influenced their attitudes toward science; (b) the types of experiences, when remembered, from elementary school; and (c) visions of their future classrooms. Based on these findings, these preservice

A Multi-Year Study of the Impact of the Rice Model Teacher Professional Development on Elementary Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diaconu, Dana Viorica; Radigan, Judy; Suskavcevic, Milijana; Nichol, Carolyn

2012-01-01

A teacher professional development program for in-service elementary school science teachers, the Rice Elementary Model Science Lab (REMSL), was developed for urban school districts serving predominately high-poverty, high-minority students. Teachers with diverse skills and science capacities came together in Professional Learning Communities, one…
Elementary School Teachers' Involvement in Firearm Safety Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Price, James H.; Murnan, Judy; Thompson, Amy J.; Dake, Joseph A.; Telljohann, Susan K.

2005-01-01

This national study assessed elementary, school teachers' (n = 352)firearm safety education activities and perceptions using a 3-wave mailing survey. One percent of the teachers reported receiving undergraduate training regarding firearm safety. Yet, 12% claimed to be well prepared or very well prepared to teach firearm safety. Most teachers had…
Elementary Teachers' Past Experiences: A Narrative Study of the Past Personal and Professional Experiences of Elementary Teachers Who Use Science to Teach Math and Reading

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Acre, Andrea M.

2014-01-01

This qualitative study investigated the experiences of four elementary teachers who have elected to use science to teach math and reading/language arts in an attempt to identify what motivates them to do so. Identifying what experiences have motivated these teachers to go against the gain and teach elementary science in this current era of…
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions about the Effective Features of Explicit-Reflective Nature of Science Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adibelli-Sahin, Elif; Deniz, Hasan

2017-01-01

This qualitative study explored elementary teachers' perceptions about the effective features of explicit-reflective nature of science (NOS) instruction. Our participants were four elementary teachers from a public charter school located in the Southwestern U.S.A. The four elementary teachers participated in an academic year-long professional…
The Science Semester: Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry for Prospective Elementary Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, Danielle J.; Fifield, Steve; Madsen, John; Qian, Xiaoyu

2013-10-01

We describe the Science Semester, a semester-long course block that integrates three science courses and a science education methods course for elementary teacher education majors, and examine prospective elementary teachers’ developing conceptions about inquiry, science teaching efficacy, and reflections on learning through inquiry. The Science Semester was designed to provide inquiry-oriented and problem-based learning experiences, opportunities to examine socially relevant issues through cross-disciplinary perspectives, and align with content found in elementary curricula and standards. By the end of the semester, prospective elementary teachers moved from naïve to intermediate understandings of inquiry and significantly increased self-efficacy for science teaching as measured on one subscore of the STEBI-B. Reflecting on the semester, prospective teachers understood and appreciated the goals of the course and the PBL format, but struggled with the open-ended and student-directed elements of the course.
Elementary Teachers' Simulation Adoption and Inquiry-Based Use Following Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gonczi, Amanda; Maeng, Jennifer; Bell, Randy

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare 64 elementary science teachers' computer simulation use prior to and following professional development (PD) aligned with Innovation Adoption Theory. The PD highlighted computer simulation affordances that elementary teachers might find particularly useful. Qualitative and quantitative…
Elementary teachers past experiences: A narrative study of the past personal and professional experiences of elementary teachers who use science to teach math and reading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acre, Andrea M.

This qualitative study investigated the experiences of four elementary teachers who have elected to use science to teach math and reading/language arts in an attempt to identify what motivates them to do so. Identifying what experiences have motivated these teachers to go against the gain and teach elementary science in this current era of high-stakes tests is of the upmost importance given that science is being eliminated from the elementary curriculum and it is during the elementary years that students' nurture and develop their interest in science. Additionally, the United States is failing to produce enough college graduates in STEM areas to fill the thousands of STEM jobs each year. Through a review of the literature, the past trends and current trends of elementary science education were explored as well as teacher training. Furthermore, the literature reviewed inquiry teaching which is considered to be the most effective teaching method when teaching science at any level. Using John Dewey's Interest and Effort Relationship Theory and the Self-Determination Motivation Theory to guide this study, there were five prominent themes which emerged from the reconstructed stories of the four teachers: positive experiences with science, neutral/negative experiences with science, seeks meaningful professional development, influence and support from others, and regret/wants to do more.
Elementary teachers' ideas about, planning for and implementation of learner-directed and teacher-directed inquiry: A mixed methods study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biggers, Mandy Sue

Using a framework for variations of classroom inquiry (National Research Council [NRC], 2000, p. 29), this study explored 40 inservice elementary teachers' planning, modification, and enactment of kit-based science curriculum materials. As part of the study, a new observation protocol was modified from an existing protocol (Practices of Science Observation Protocol [P-SOP]) to measure the amount of teacher direction in science inquiry lessons (Practices of Science Observation Protocol + Directedness [P-SOPd]). An embedded mixed methods design was employed to investigate four questions: 1. How valid and reliable is the P-SOPd? 2. In what ways do inservice elementary teachers adapt existing elementary science curriculum materials across the inquiry continuum? 3. What is the relationship between the overall quality of inquiry and variations of inquiry in elementary teachers' enacted science instruction? 4. How do inservice elementary teachers' ideas about the inquiry continuum influence their adaptation of elementary science curriculum materials? Each teacher chose three lessons from a science unit for video-recorded observation, and submitted lesson plans for the three lessons. Lesson plans and videos were scored using the P-SOPd. The scores were also compared between the two protocols to determine if a correlation existed between the level of inquiry (measured on the P-SOP) and the amount of teacher direction (measured on the P-SOPd). Findings indicated no significant differences between planned and enacted lessons for the amount of teacher direction, but a correlation existed between the level of inquiry and the amount of teacher direction. In effect, the elementary teachers taught their science curriculum materials with a high level of fidelity for both the features of inquiry and the amount of teacher direction. A smaller group of three case study teachers were followed for the school year to give a more in-depth explanation of the quantitative findings. Case
Seeing things through science eyes: A case study of an exemplary elementary teacher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, Andrea Susan

Science-eyed elementary teachers exhibit relentless passions for replacing traditional teaching with realistic, integrated, responsible instruction with science at its core. The purpose of this study was to explore an exemplary elementary teacher's thinking about science and how it serves as a vehicle for the learning that occurs in her primary classroom. Two research questions were investigated in this study. First, what does it mean for an exemplary elementary teacher to view all learning with science eyes? Second, in what ways does the science-oriented elementary teacher use her knowledge of science content, pedagogy, and practical experience to structure her students' learning and her classroom teaching? A naturalistic methodology was employed in this research effort. Classroom observations, teacher interviews, documents, and selected artifacts were analyzed using a constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Lincoln & Guba, 1985) and the analysis tools of HyperRESEARCH (1994) in an effort to unravel the complex, intuitive knowledge of a nationally recognized first grade teacher. Data analyses provided insightful information about this exceptional teacher and how she organizes, plans, and implements effective lessons that integrate science with all subject areas. Four direct observation themes, Best Practice, Just Like a Scientist, Integrating Curriculum - A Balancing Act, and Expert Pedagogy, and six interview themes, Curriculum - What to Teach?, Instruction - How to Teach, Knowing Students, Getting Stuff, Professionalism, and Reflective Practitioner, emerged from independent analyses of two data sets. Three overall themes, Head, Heart, and Hands of an Exemplary Science Elementary Teacher, emerged from a convergent content analysis. The themes provide the foundation for a proposed model of an expert science pedagogue. Ten portrait-like, impressionistic, vignettes are included in this unique study to capture the spirit of the science-eyed elementary
Job satisfaction of Jamaican elementary school teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodgers-Jenkinson, Fay; Chapman, David W.

1990-09-01

This study investigated correlates of job satisfaction among public (N=190) and private (N=100) Jamaican elementary school teachers. Emphasis was on the identification of factors that could be affected through administrative intervention. Results indicated that the quality of school working conditions and respondents' relationships with other teachers were significantly related to satisfaction for both public and private school teachers. School prestige and parental encouragement were also significant predictors for public school teachers; leadership style, organizational structure, and teacher-parent relationships predicted job satisfaction for private school teachers. Implications of these findings for Jamaican education are discussed.
Elementary Teachers' Experiences and Perceptions of Departmentalized Instruction: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strohl, Alecia; Schmertzing, Lorraine; Schmertzing, Richard

2014-01-01

This case study investigated elementary teachers' experiences and perceptions during a trial year of departmentalized instruction in a rural south Georgia elementary school. To inform their decision about whole-school departmentalization for the future, school administrators appointed twelve first through third grade teachers to pilot the…
Approximations of Practice in the Preparation of Prospective Elementary Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, Michele M.

2011-01-01

Elementary teacher education involves learning to teach science. Even in elementary school, teaching science is demanding work--teachers must orchestrate a complex set of teaching practices to support students' science learning. This dissertation examines the application of Grossman and colleagues' (2009) cross-professional learning framework,…
Accentuate the Positive: The Relationship between Positive Explanatory Style and Academic Achievement of Prospective Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boyer, Wanda

2006-01-01

This research examines 480 current event-explanation units using the CAVE technique (Schulman, Castellon, & Seligman, 1989) to note the relationship between positive and negative explanatory style and achievement of prospective early childhood and upper elementary female teachers. This study found a significant positive relationship between…
Music for Elementary Teachers, Competency-Based Approach. Adams State College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stokes, Cloyce; And Others

This is one of a series of eight Teacher Education Modules developed by Adams State College Teacher Corps Program. The goals of this module package are listed as follows: a) to introduce the intern to music for elementary school children; b) to enable interns to develop knowledge and skills of an elementary level in music; c) to enable interns to…
Predicting the Quality of Elementary Mathematics Teachers Utilizing Pre-Graduation Data Collected from Teacher Preparation Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Mary Amos

2016-01-01

In order to change the direction of mathematics education, the training of elementary teachers in the United States needs to be of equal or higher quality than top preforming countries. However, pre-service elementary teachers in the United States fall behind their peers in other countries in mathematical content knowledge and mathematical…
Experienced iPad-Using Early Childhood Teachers: Practices in the One-to-One iPad Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Ya-Huei; Ottenbreit-Leftwich, Anne T.; Ding, Ai-Chu; Glazewski, Krista

2017-01-01

Although many elementary schools have adopted one-to-one programs, we still lack information on how teachers integrate iPads or other tablets into their daily instruction, especially in early childhood settings. The purpose of this case study was to present how four experienced iPad-using early childhood teachers integrated one-to-one iPads into…
Elementary Students' Construct of PE Teacher Credibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramos, Nilo O.; McCullick, Bryan A.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary students' perceptions of PE teacher credibility. Eight high- and low-skilled students from grades 3 and 5 were selected from a school employing a PE teacher holding a National Board Certification. Data were collected in the school setting utilizing observations, field notes, an open-ended…
Enhancing Literacy Instruction for Grade Level Readers in the Early Elementary Grades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warren, Marie

2010-01-01

Local school districts are under pressure to have elementary reading teachers understand how phonics, during teacher-led small group literacy instruction, can help students who read below grade level. Elementary teachers need research-based strategies regarding which reading instructions of letter-sound components are necessary to help students…
The Great Depression and Elementary School Teachers as Reported in "Grade Teacher" Magazine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Field, Sherry L.; Bellows, Elizabeth

2012-01-01

This study focuses on elementary school teachers during the Great Depression and the role that they played to sustain everyday school activity. The authors draw evidence primarily from the pages of "Grade Teacher" magazine, through teachers' letters written to its editor, Florence Hale, and her responses to them. Opportunities to study…
From inside the black box: Teacher perceptions of science instruction at the elementary level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrini, Cynthia D.

Science education reform projects aimed at elementary school children arose in the 1960's. The most prevalent of these reforms utilized the inquiry, or hands-on, science method. Billions of dollars have been invested in these reforms. Yet, reports indicate that science is not being taught at the level one might expect in elementary schools. This research was an analysis of the problems and concerns teachers at one school district faced as they tried to implement and sustain elementary inquiry science instruction. The district chosen was a large suburban district in the Western United States. The population was ninety percent Caucasian with a slightly more ethnically diverse school population. This district was chosen because it had an elementary science program for over twenty years and had received national acclaim for that program. The district had a stable and homogeneous staff there was a low administrator and teacher turnover rate and the elementary teaching population was ninety percent Caucasian and ninety percent female. Interviews with administrators and teachers were conducted. Data were collected from focus groups of teachers and science partners. Observations of elementary science classroom instruction and professional development sessions were made. Results of this research indicated that one important key to elementary science reform rests in the hands of teachers. Once the door to the classroom is closed, the teacher can decide to teach or not to teach science. The findings of this research illustrate that teachers hold ideas about science and science instruction that are antithetical to some tenets of inquiry science. Until these ideas are addressed it will be difficult, if not impossible, to implement a systemic elementary inquiry science program. This study demonstrates that professional development for elementary teachers in science needs to change from a focus on the mechanical usage of individual units to a focus on teacher expectations for

Math Is Like a Lion Hunting a Sleeping Gazelle: Preservice Elementary Teachers' Metaphors of Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Latterell, Carmen M.; Wilson, Janelle L.

2016-01-01

Preservice elementary teachers hold a variety of beliefs about mathematics and mathematics learning, which influence their teaching. Previous research has shown that preservice elementary teachers believe that mathematics is doing arithmetic. However, it is unclear if preservice elementary teachers truly believe that mathematics is only…
Investigating First Year Elementary Mathematics Teacher Education Students' Knowledge of Prism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bozkurt, Ali; Koc, Yusuf

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate first year elementary mathematics teacher education students' knowledge of prism. For this goal, the participants were asked to define the geometric concept of prism. The participants were 158 first year elementary mathematics teacher education students from a public university in Southern Turkey. The…
Integrating E-Books into Science Teaching by Preservice Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lai, Ching-San

2016-01-01

This study aims to discuss the issues of integrating e-books into science teaching by preservice elementary school teachers. The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In total, 24 preservice elementary school teachers participated in this study. The main sources of research data included e-books produced by preservice…
Distinctions between Computer Self-Efficacy of Pupils and Teachers in Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Topolovcan, Tomislav; Matijevic, Milan

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to establish whether there are differences between the computer self-efficacy of pupils and teachers (N = 507) in the context of the classroom, as a developing workplace of the teacher in elementary education. The survey covered 184 teachers and 323 pupils in elementary school. The results show that there is no…
The relationship of otitis media in early childhood to attention dimensions during the early elementary school years.

PubMed

Hooper, Stephen R; Ashley, Timothy A; Roberts, Joanne E; Zeisel, Susan A; Poe, Michele D

2006-08-01

This study examined the impact of otitis media with effusion (OME) and associated hearing loss between 6 and 48 months of age on attention dimensions (i.e., selective/focus, sustained) during the elementary school years. A prospective cohort design in which 74 African American infants were recruited between ages 6 and 12 months. Ear examinations were done repeatedly using both otoscopy and tympanometry, and hearing was assessed using standard audiometric procedures between 6 and 48 months. Multiple measures of attention (i.e., direct assessment, behavioral observations, parent/teacher ratings) were administered from kindergarten through second grade to assess two theoretical dimensions of attention: selective/focused and sustained. The home environment was assessed annually. Results indicated that neither early childhood OME nor hearing loss showed significant correlations with any of the longitudinal or cross-sectional measures of selective/focused attention and sustained attention. In contrast, children with mothers who had fewer years of education and who lived in less responsive and supportive home environments scored higher on both parent and teacher ratings of sustained attention (i.e., hyperactivity) through the second grade of elementary school. For NEPSY Auditory Attention in second grade, a significant interaction between the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment and hearing loss was uncovered. This interaction showed that children with hearing loss from poor home environments experienced greater difficulties on the NEPSY Auditory Attention task than those with hearing loss from good home environments. These findings do not support a direct linkage of a history of OME and associated hearing loss to difficulties in selective/focused attention or sustained attention in early elementary school children. Relationships between sociodemographic variables and attention-related functions appear stronger and should be considered as mediators in any
Multiple Perspectives on Elementary Teachers' Science Identities: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madden, Lauren; Wiebe, Eric

2015-01-01

This narrative case study examined the relationship between teacher identity and elementary science teaching. Teacher identity was described using a modification of Gee's framework incorporating three perspectives: the teachers' self-described identity, the researchers' view of teacher identity, and the students' views of teacher identity. Over…
Social Identity and Gender Inequities for Male Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

River, Dawn

2016-01-01

For the last 10 years, the California Department of Education has reported that female teachers in California outnumbered male teachers two to one. The imbalance in teacher gender is a problem that affects elementary-age students and teaching staffs because the educated and caring male teachers who could be role models are largely absent from…
Professional Development and Teacher Leadership in the Era of NCLB: A Study Exploring Elementary Music Teacher Preferences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernard, Anthony D., Sr.

2009-01-01

Several recent studies have been conducted on teacher professional development (PD) but few have focused exclusively on elementary music teacher PD. Prominent music education researchers encourage additional research to provide generalizability across the field. In answer to this call for broadening the base of research in elementary music…
Teacher's Perceptions of Implementing Personalized Learning in Urban Elementary School Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dinkins, Toni Michelle

2017-01-01

This study explored teachers' perceptions of implementing personalized learning in several urban elementary school classrooms. Additionally, this study examined teachers' readiness for change through the lens of Ely's (1990) Eight Conditions of Change Model. The study participants included five elementary school teachers and the school principal.…
Autonomy, Beliefs and the Learning of Elementary Mathematics Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warfield, J.; Wood, T.; Lehman, J.D.

2005-01-01

Seven elementary teachers participated in a project designed to help them learn to teach mathematics according to reform recommendations. Teachers were provided opportunities to learn through both private reflection and public inquiry about their teaching and children's learning. The teachers' instruction, reflection, and beliefs were studied. All…
Thai Elementary School Teachers' English Pronunciation and Effects of Teacher Variables: Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kanoksilapatham, Budsaba

2014-01-01

The objectives of this study are to describe 147 Thai elementary school teachers' English pronunciation competence and to identify a teacher variable that has an impact on their pronunciation. The instrument used to collect data consisted of two parts: a questionnaire to elicit Thai teachers' personal information (i.e., seven variables in all),…
A Case Study on Mathematical Literacy of Prospective Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suharta, I. Gusti Putu; Suarjana, I. Made

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study is to describe Mathematical Literacy (ML) of Prospective Elementary School Teachers with attention to aspects of mathematical skills and gender. The type of research is qualitative with the research design of Case Study. Respondents are assigned 12 Prospective Elementary School Teachers, consisting of 6 men and 6 women.…
Elementary Teachers' Views of Their Science Professional Development Attendance: An Expectancy-Value Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomson, Margareta Maria; Kaufmann, Elisha

2013-01-01

This study explored primarily the elementary teachers' motivations and expectations for engagement in a science professional development. Participants (N=20) were elementary teachers in two public schools from the United States and were enrolled in a yearlong science professional development; however, due to various factors teachers did not…
Elementary General and Special Education Teachers' Mathematics Skills and Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Margaret M.; Thornton, Jennifer; Franklin, Toni M.; Hinton, Vanessa M.; Strozier, Shaunita

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to extend the literature regarding elementary teachers' beliefs about mathematics instruction to include special education teachers by surveying special education and general education teachers' mathematics teaching efficacy. In addition, the researchers' surveyed teachers' mathematics skills. The participants (n =…
A Focus on Upper Elementary Teacher Preparation: Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Standards Shaping Our Programs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finnan, Christine

2010-01-01

This article is a call to action for elementary teacher educators. Our early childhood and middle grades colleagues made a clear case for the importance of focusing on specific developmental characteristics and family and community influences on development during the critical years they represent. A similar case has not been made for the upper…
Elementary Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions of the Greenhouse Effect.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Groves, Fred H.; Pugh, Ava F.

1999-01-01

Expands on earlier work to examine pre-service teachers' views on environmental issues, especially global warming and the related term "greenhouse effect." Suggests that pre-service elementary teachers hold many misconceptions about environmental issues. (DDR)
Assessing Elementary Prospective Teachers' Mathematical Explanations after Engagement in Online Mentoring Modules

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wall, Jennifer; Selmer, Sarah; Bingham Brown, Amy

2016-01-01

Prospective elementary teachers at three universities engaged in online modules called the Virtual Field Experience, created by the Math Forum. The prospective teachers learned about problem solving and mentoring elementary students in composing solutions and explanations to nonroutine challenge problems. Finally, through an asynchronous online…
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Mathematics Content Knowledge and Teacher Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Kristie Jones; Leonard, Jacqueline; Evans, Brian R.; Eastburn, Julie A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mathematics content knowledge and teacher efficacy during an elementary mathematics methods course. A positive moderate relationship between content knowledge and personal teaching efficacy was found, and this relationship was stable during the course. No relationship was found…
Teaching planetary sciences to elementary school teachers: Programs that work

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lebofsky, Larry A.; Lebofsky, Nancy R.

1993-01-01

Planetary sciences can be used to introduce students to the natural world which is a part of their lives. Even children in an urban environment are aware of such phenomena as day and night, shadows, and the seasons. It is a science that transcends cultures, has been prominent in the news in recent years, and can generate excitement in young minds as no other science can. Planetary sciences also provides a useful tool for understanding other sciences and mathematics, and for developing problem solving skills which are important in our technological world. However, only 15 percent of elementary school teachers feel very well qualified to teach earth/space science, while better than 80 percent feel well qualified to teach reading; many teachers avoid teaching science; very little time is actually spent teaching science in the elementary school: 19 minutes per day in K-3 and 38 minutes per day in 4-6. While very little science is taught in elementary and middle school, earth/space science is taught at the elementary level in less than half of the states. It was pointed out that science is not generally given high priority by either teachers or school districts, and is certainly not considered on a par with language arts and mathematics. Therefore, in order to teach science to our youth, we must empower our teachers, making them familiar and comfortable with existing materials. In our earlier workshops, several of our teachers taught in classrooms where the majority of the students were Hispanic (over 90 percent). However, few space sciences materials existed in Spanish. Therefore, most of our materials could not be used effectively in the classroom. To address this issue, NASA materials were translated into Spanish and a series of workshops for bilingual classroom teachers from Tucson and surrounding cities was conducted. Our space sciences workshops and our bilingual classroom workshops and how they address the needs of elementary school teachers in Arizona are
Predicting Elementary Classroom Teaching Practices from Teachers' Educational Beliefs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bauch, Patricia A.

Using data from the national research project "A Study of Schooling," researchers sought to describe teachers' educational beliefs and to relate those beliefs to the teachers' classroom teaching practices. From 13 elementary schools in the national survey, 182 teachers were selected, based on their scores on two dimensions of belief:…

Construction of teacher knowledge in context: Preparing elementary teachers to teach mathematics and science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lowery, Maye Norene Vail

1998-12-01

The purposes of this study were to further the understanding of how preservice teacher construct teacher knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of elementary mathematics and science and to determine the extent of that knowledge in a school-based setting. Preservice teachers, university instructors, inservice teachers, and other school personnel were involved in this context-specific study. Evidence of the preservice teachers' knowledge construction (its acquisition, its dimensions, and the social context) was collected through the use of a qualitative methodology. Collected data included individual and group interviews, course documents, artifacts, and preservice teaching portfolios. Innovative aspects of this integrated mathematics and science elementary methods course included standards-based instruction with immediate access to field experiences. Grade-level teams of preservice and inservice teachers planned and implemented lessons in mathematics and science for elementary students. An on-site, portable classroom building served as a mathematics and science teaching and learning laboratory. A four-stage analysis was performed, revealing significant patterns of learning. An ecosystem of learning within a constructivist learning environment was identified to contain three systems: the university system; the school system; and the cohort of learners system. A mega system for the construction of teacher knowledge was revealed in the final analysis. Learning venues were discovered to be the conduits of learning in a situated learning context. Analysis and synthesis of data revealed an extensive acquisition of teacher knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge through identified learning components. Patience, flexibility, and communication were identified as necessities for successful teaching. Learning components included: collaboration with inservice teachers; implementation of discovery learning and hands-on/minds-on learning; small groupwork; lesson planning
Roles of Teachers in Orchestrating Learning in Elementary Science Classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Junqing; Tan, Aik-Ling

2015-12-01

This study delves into the different roles that elementary science teachers play in the classroom to orchestrate science learning opportunities for students. Examining the classroom practices of three elementary science teachers in Singapore, we found that teachers shuttle between four key roles in enabling student learning in science. Teachers can play the role of (1) dispenser of knowledge (giver), (2) mentor of learning (advisor), (3) monitor of students' activities (police), and (4) partner in inquiry (colearner). These roles are dynamic, and while teachers show a preference for one of the four roles, factors such as the nature of the task, the types of students, as well as the availability of time and resources affect the role that teachers adopt. The roles that teachers play in the classroom have implications for the practice of science as inquiry in the classroom as well as the identities that teachers and students form in the science learning process.
Societal and Educational Projections, Appendix A. Vol. II, A Plan for Managing the Development, Implementation and Operation of a Model Elementary Teacher Education Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corley, Clifford L.; Koch, Norman E.

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe background information and possible indicators for future planning of elementary education, as a prerequisite to planning realistic education programs for early childhood and elementary school teachers. Developments considered include population growth, changing cultural characteristics,…
Subject Matter Assessment of Prospective Elementary School Teachers. Report of the California State University Workgroup on Assessment of Prospective Elementary School Teachers (Irvine, California, November 30-December 1, 1987). Resource Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California State Univ. and Colleges, Long Beach. Office of the Chancellor.

This publication is a guide to assessing the competence of prospective elementary school teachers in the liberal studies teacher preparation programs in California. The guide was developed as part of a statewide response to legislated entry and exit standards for teachers in elementary and secondary schools. An introduction describes the…
Catholic Elementary School Teachers' Lived Experiences Regarding Homework: A Phenomenological Investigation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wick, John E.

2017-01-01

This phenomenological investigation examined the perceptions of Catholic elementary school teachers and their homework practices within a suburban Catholic school in California. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Catholic school teachers regarding the standard practice of assigning homework to elementary school…
Using Technology to Engage Preservice Elementary Teachers in Learning about Scientific Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Loretta L.; MacArthur, James R.; Akaygün, Sevil

2011-01-01

Elementary teachers are often required to teach inquiry in their classrooms despite having had little exposure to inquiry learning themselves. In a capstone undergraduate science course preservice elementary teachers experience scientific inquiry through the completion of group projects, activities, readings and discussion, in order to develop a…
Toward Improving the Mathematics Preparation of Elementary Preservice Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cardetti, Fabiana; Truxaw, Mary P.

2014-01-01

Research suggests the importance of mathematics knowledge for teaching (MKT) for enabling elementary school teachers to effectively teach mathematics. MKT involves both mathematical content knowledge (M-CK) and mathematical pedagogical content knowledge (M-PCK). However, there is no consensus on how best to prepare elementary preservice teachers…
University and Elementary School Perspectives of Ideal Elementary Science Teacher Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sewart, Bethany Bianca

Teacher education knowledge, skills, and dispositions have recently become a well-discussed topic among education scholars around the nation, mainly due to its attention by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) over the past few years. Accrediting agencies, such as NCATE and the Interstate New Teacher and Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC), have sought to improve the quality of teacher education programs by examining knowledge, skills, and dispositions as factors in preparing highly-qualified teachers. There is a paucity of research examining these factors for elementary science teachers. Because these factors influence instruction, and students are behind in scientific and mathematical knowledge, elementary science teachers should be studied. Teacher knowledge, skills, and dispositions should be further researched in order to ultimately increase the quality of teachers and teacher education programs. In this particular case, by determining what schools of education and public schools deem important knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach science, higher education institutions and schools can collaborate to further educate these students and foster the necessary qualities needed to teach effectively. The study of knowledge, skills, and dispositions is crucial to nurturing effective teaching within the classroom. Results from this study demonstrated that there were prominent knowledge, skills, and dispositions identified by teachers, administrators, and science teacher educators as important for effective teaching of elementary science. These characteristics included: a willingness to learn, or open-mindedness; content knowledge; planning, organization, and preparation; significance of teaching science; and science-related assessment strategies. Interestingly, administrators in the study responded differently than their counterparts in the following areas: their self-evaluation of teacher effectiveness; how the
Chinese Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions of Students' Classroom Behaviour Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shen, Jiliang; Zhang, Na; Zhang, Caiyun; Caldarella, Paul; Richardson, Michael J.; Shatzer, Ryan H.

2009-01-01

This study examined teachers' perceptions of classroom behaviour problems in five provinces of the People's Republic of China. Researchers surveyed 527 Chinese teachers from 27 elementary schools. Consistent with previous studies in China, teachers perceived non-attention to be the most frequent and troublesome behaviour problem. Teachers'…
The Computational Estimation and Instructional Perspectives of Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsao, Yea-Ling; Pan, Ting-Rung

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' understanding and knowledge of computational estimation, and teaching practice toward to computational estimation. There are six fifth-grade elementary teachers who participated in this study; three teachers with mathematics/ science major and three teachers with non-mathematics/science major.…
Elementary teachers' perceptions of science inquiry and professional development challenges and opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Kathleen M.

Inquiry science, including a focus on evidence-based discourse, is essential to spark interest in science education in the early grades and maintain that interest throughout children's schooling. The researcher was interested in two broad areas: inquiry science in the elementary classroom and the need/desire for professional development opportunities for elementary teachers related to science education, and specifically professional development focused on inquiry science. A cross sectional survey design was prepared and distributed in May 2005 and usable responses were received from 228 elementary teachers from the south-central area of Pennsylvania which was a representative sample of socio-economical and geographical factors. Areas of particular interest in the results section include: (1) The use of Science Kits which is popular, but may not have the desired impact since they are "adjusted" by teachers often removing the opportunity for evidence-based discourse by the students. This may be partly based on the lack of time dedicated to science instruction and, secondly, the teachers' lack of comfort with the science topics. Another issue arising from science kits is the amount of preparation time required to utilize them. (2) Teachers demonstrated understanding of the high qualities of professional development but, when it came to science content professional development, they were more inclined to opt for short-term opportunities as opposed to long-term learning opportunities. Since elementary teachers are generalists and most schools are not focusing on science, the lack of attention to a subject where they are least comfortable is understandable, but disappointing. (3) There is a great need for more training in evidence--based discourse so teachers can implement this needed skill and increase students' understanding of science content so they are more able to compete in the international science and math measurements. (4) Professional development, especially
THE NORMATIVE WORLD OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

FOSKETT, JOHN M.

TO DETERMINE HOW COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ABOUT RULES OF BEHAVIOR AFFECT THE POSITION AND ROLE OF TEACHERS, INFORMATION ABOUT THE NORMATIVE STRUCTURE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WAS GAINED THROUGH USE OF ROLE NORM INVENTORIES ADMINISTERED TO 367 TEACHERS, 22 PRINCIPALS, 7 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, 603 CITIZENS, 56 COMMUNITY LEADERS,…
Elementary Teacher Self-Efficacy in Engineering and Student Achievement in Math and Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorena, Jacquelyn L.

2015-01-01

STEM education is a national priority, and more schools are implementing STEM K-12. Elementary teachers are prepared to teach science, mathematics, and technology, but teachers may not feel as prepared to teach engineering. Engineering is a new genre for elementary schools, and it is not typically a content area included in teacher preparation…
Elementary Teachers' Experiences of Departmentalized Instruction and Its Impact on Student Affect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minott, Robert Charles

2016-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to explore the lived experiences of departmentalized elementary teachers, Grades 1-3, and how they addressed their students' affective needs. The main research question of the study was how do elementary school teachers perceive departmentalized instruction and describe their experiences of this…
Examining Elementary Teachers' Use of Online Learning Environments: An Exploratory Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beach, Pamela

2018-01-01

This article presents the results of a study that examined elementary teachers' use of online learning environments for their informal professional learning in literacy instruction. Forty-five elementary teachers from a metropolitan area in Ontario, Canada, completed an online survey and participated in a semistructured interview. Survey and…
Pre-Service Elementary School and Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Van Hiele Levels and Gender Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halat, Erdogan

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to find and compare the pre-service elementary school and secondary mathematic teachers' reasoning stages in geometry. There were a total of 281 pre-service teachers, 125 elementary school teachers and 156 secondary mathematics teachers, involved in the study. The researcher employed a multiple-choice geometry test. This…
An Investigation of Elementary Teachers' and Principals' Perceptions of Teacher Working Conditions and Academic Achievement in North Carolina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Applewhite, Michael Anthony

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary teachers' and principals' perceptions of working conditions and academic achievement in selected regions in North Carolina public schools. The participants in this study were North Carolina principals and elementary teachers from the north and south central school regions. These educators…
Teacher-Child Relationships and the Development of Academic and Behavioral Skills during Elementary School: A within- and between-Child Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maldonado-Carreno, Carolina; Votruba-Drzal, Elizabeth

2011-01-01

Despite recent growth in research highlighting the potential of teacher-child relationships to promote children's development during the early years of school, questions remain about the importance of these relationships across elementary school. Using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care (N = 1,364), this study examines between- and…
Wonder as a Tool to Engage Preservice Elementary Teachers in Science Learning and Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilbert, Andrew; Byers, Christie C.

2017-01-01

This exploratory project considers the use of "wonder" as a pedagogical tool with preservice elementary teachers (PSETs). An ongoing vexation facing science teacher educators is helping future elementary teachers overcome anxiety and negative associations with science due to their own school science experiences, while simultaneously…
Self-Efficacy for Science Teaching Scale Development: Construct Validation with Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yangin, Selami; Sidekli, Sabri

2016-01-01

The measurement of teacher self-efficacy has a history of more than 30 years. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the development and validation of a new scale to measure the science teaching self-efficacy of elementary school teachers. Therefore, a scale has been created to measure elementary teachers' science teaching self-efficacy and…

Questioning Questions: Elementary Teachers' Adaptations of Investigation Questions Across the Inquiry Continuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biggers, Mandy

2018-02-01

Questioning is a central practice in science classrooms. However, not every question translates into a "good" science investigation. Questions that drive science investigations can be provided by many sources including the teacher, the curriculum, or the student. The variations in the source of investigation questions were explored in this study. A dataset of 120 elementary science classroom videos and associated lesson plans from 40 elementary teachers (K-5) across 21 elementary school campuses were scored on an instrument measuring the amount of teacher-direction or student-direction of the lessons' investigation questions. Results indicated that the investigation questions were overwhelmingly teacher directed in nature, with no opportunities for students to develop their own questions for investigation. This study has implications for researchers and practitioners alike, calling attention to the teacher-directed nature of investigation questions in existing science curriculum materials, and the need for teacher training in instructional strategies to adapt their existing curriculum materials across the continuum of teacher-directed and student-directed investigation questions. Teachers need strategies for adapting the teacher-directed questions provided in their existing curriculum materials in order to allow students the opportunity to engage in this essential scientific practice.
Describing Elementary Teachers' Operative Systems: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dotger, Sharon; McQuitty, Vicki

2014-01-01

This case study introduces the notion of an operative system to describe elementary teachers' knowledge and practice. Drawing from complex systems theory, the operative system is defined as the network of knowledge and practices that constituted teachers' work within a lesson study cycle. Data were gathered throughout a lesson study cycle in which…
Wisconsin Elementary Teacher Education Project. Volumes I-IV.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kean, John M., Ed.

This four-volume report includes position papers and specifications for the elementary teacher education program of the University of Wisconsin in the year 1975 and beyond. Volume 1 includes a series of 12 position papers which cover topics ranging from teacher roles and systems approaches to instruction to control and management procedures for…
Teacher Perspectives on Specialisation in the Elementary Classroom: Implications for Science Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poland, Susan; Colburn, Amanda; Long, David E.

2017-01-01

In the current educational climate of testing and accountability, many elementary teachers find they lack adequate time and confidence to enact reform-based science teaching due to pressure to perform in reading and mathematics. With this tension in mind, we explore the phenomenon of elementary teacher specialisation in comparison to the…
Preservice Teachers' Uptake and Understanding of Funds of Knowledge in Elementary Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLaughlin, David S.; Barton, Angela Calabrese

2013-01-01

In this manuscript, we use a "learning to notice" framework to suggest that preservice elementary teachers bring a range of interpretations and responses to their students' funds of knowledge and science teaching and learning. By examining data from three sections of an elementary methods course, we find that preservice teachers recognized…
Instructional support and implementation structure during elementary teachers' science education simulation use

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonczi, Amanda L.; Chiu, Jennifer L.; Maeng, Jennifer L.; Bell, Randy L.

2016-07-01

This investigation sought to identify patterns in elementary science teachers' computer simulation use, particularly implementation structures and instructional supports commonly employed by teachers. Data included video-recorded science lessons of 96 elementary teachers who used computer simulations in one or more science lessons. Results indicated teachers used a one-to-one student-to-computer ratio most often either during class-wide individual computer use or during a rotating station structure. Worksheets, general support, and peer collaboration were the most common forms of instructional support. The least common instructional support forms included lesson pacing, initial play, and a closure discussion. Students' simulation use was supported in the fewest ways during a rotating station structure. Results suggest that simulation professional development with elementary teachers needs to explicitly focus on implementation structures and instructional support to enhance participants' pedagogical knowledge and improve instructional simulation use. In addition, research is needed to provide theoretical explanations for the observed patterns that should subsequently be addressed in supporting teachers' instructional simulation use during professional development or in teacher preparation programs.
Personal goals as predictors of intended classroom goals: comparing elementary and secondary school pre-service teachers.

PubMed

Daniels, Lia M; Frenzel, Anne C; Stupnisky, Robert H; Stewart, Tara L; Perry, Raymond P

2013-09-01

The literature documents fewer classroom mastery goal structures in secondary school compared to elementary. However, little is known about how personal achievement goals may influence classroom goal structures. This is especially true at the level of pre-service teachers. Our objective was to investigate if pre-service teachers' personal goals predicted their intended classroom goal structures. Participants were 125 elementary and 175 secondary school pre-service teachers from two Western Canadian universities. Structural equation modelling was used to examine if the structural relationships and latent means of personal and intended classroom goal structures differed for elementary and secondary school pre-service teachers. The results revealed that personal goals predicted the goal structures that pre-service teachers intended to establish; however, the relationships and means differed between elementary and secondary school pre-service teachers. Specifically, personal mastery-approach goals positively predicted classroom mastery goals much more strongly at the elementary than the secondary level. Furthermore, elementary pre-service teachers had significantly higher latent mean scores on personal mastery-approach goals than their secondary counterparts. It seems possible that the currently documented differences between classroom goal structures noted for elementary compared to secondary school may be based on the personal goals endorsed as pre-service teachers. The results are further discussed in terms of alignment with research on practising teachers' personal and classroom goals and implications for teacher education. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.
Elementary School Teachers' Experience of Professional Workload and Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crotwell, Wendy Goodale

2011-01-01

There is a lack of understanding of what is involved in the work of elementary teachers, specifically how these teachers experience their work and organize their time. The increase of workload for teachers in context of limited time and resources has led many to choose a different career path. The conceptual framework for this study is Apple's…
An analysis of elementary teachers' perceptions of teaching science as inquiry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domjan, Heather Nicole

The purpose of this study is to describe elementary school teachers' perceptions of science as inquiry in science instruction. A descriptive survey research design was used to collect data regarding elementary science teachers' knowledge and beliefs related to inquiry and its role in science education. The written section of the survey was analyzed and interpreted descriptively through phenomenological data and the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Lincoln & Guba, 1985). The researcher used the constant comparative method to identify statements, perceptions, and impressions that occurred over time during the study (Janesick, 1994). Ninety-two elementary school teachers who teach science in a large suburban district southwest of Houston, Texas were administered a three part Understanding Science as Inquiry Survey (USAI) developed by the researcher. Participants communicated in writing personal definitions of inquiry in elementary science as well as determined to what extent inquiry was used in four elementary science classroom scenarios. The survey items were based on the following four components of inquiry described by Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards (2000): (1) conceptual knowledge, (2) process skills, (3) nature of science, and (4) affect. The study describes elementary school teachers' perceptions about science as inquiry. Conclusions for Part A of the USAI Survey indicate that participants define inquiry as: mostly process skills, some conceptual knowledge, and very little affect with no perception of the nature of science. The Likert scale ratings for the scenarios in Part B of the USAI Survey reveal that participants have varied perceptions regarding teaching science as inquiry. The written section of Part B reveals participants' perceptions to be similar to that of their Likert scale ratings except in scenario one. The researcher concludes that the participants in this study appear to have an incomplete understanding
Orchestrating Mathematical Discourse: Affordances and Hindrances for Novice Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Carrie Wilkerson

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the mathematical discourse within novice elementary teachers' classrooms. More specifically, this study employed a sequential, explanatory mixed methods design to first quantitatively analyze the relationship between teachers' discourse practices and teacher attributes and school context. Next, a…
"We Make It Controversial": Elementary Preservice Teachers' Beliefs about Race

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buchanan, Lisa Brown

2015-01-01

The impetus for this study began during an elementary teacher education course meeting, where preservice teachers discussed whether or not it was appropriate to discuss controversial topics--including race--with young children. Preservice teachers disclosed their "uncomfortableness" with race at large, and emphasized that discussions…
Preservice elementary teachers' personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancies: The influence of student teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plourde, Lee Alton

This study was unique in garnering an early view at how the deterioration of science teacher education begins. This investigation examined the impact of the student teaching semester on preservice elementary teachers' personal efficacy beliefs and outcome expectancy beliefs in science teaching. Participants in the study included the student teachers of three separate cohort groups commencing and completing their student teaching semester at the same time. Qualitative data were gathered from interviews and observations from selected individuals of these cohort groups. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in the study. Utilizing a pretest and posttest one group research design, quantitative data were obtained from the administration of a psychometric test, Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument for preservice teachers (STEBI-B). The pretest was administered at the beginning of the student teaching semester, before the student teachers began their "soloing" teaching, and the posttest was administered at the completion of the student teaching semester and "soloing" period. Qualitative data were derived from interviews and observations which were audio recorded and transcribed. The results of this study revealed that the student teaching semester did not have a statistically significant impact on the subjects' sense of personal self-efficacy, but the influence was statistically significant in regards to the student teachers' beliefs about children's ability to learn science. Data gathered through interviews and observations suggested that beliefs appear to originate from one or more of the following: a lack of practical work, personal involvement, and hands-on manipulation in science related activities in elementary, secondary, and tertiary education; a dependence of science courses on textbooks and lectures; the dispassionate association with science teachers/instructors; a focus on formalized tests with no performance assessments; the
Predictors of Turkish Elementary Teacher Candidates' Energy Conservation Behaviors: An Approach on Value-Belief-Norm Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahin, Elvan

2013-01-01

The present study aimed to explain elementary teacher candidates' energy conservation behaviors by using Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) Theory. Participants in this study were 512 students at Faculty of Education from two public universities in Turkey. Of the 512 students, 35.5% were enrolled in the early childhood education program, 30.9% were in the…
The Effect of Teacher Gender and Gendered Traits on Perceptions of Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Yena; Weseley, Allyson J.

2017-01-01

Little is known about methods to address gender-based bias against male elementary educators. Framed by social role and role congruity theories, this study explored the effects of gendered traits and teacher gender on perceptions of elementary educators. Participants (N = 246) were randomly assigned to view websites that varied gendered traits…
Anomaly as Exemplar: The Meanings of Role-Modeling for Men Elementary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allan, Jim

This study looked at male elementary school teachers and the role modeling component of their work in an effort to understand why the profession continues to be dominated by women. The study gathered data through guided collaborative interviews between the Fall of 1989 and December 1991 with 15 men currently employed as elementary teachers in…
A psychotherapeutic approach with elementary school teachers.

PubMed

Multari, G

1975-01-01

The tradional "lectures delivering" approach to classroom teachers used by mental health practitioners is investigated in the present study. An attempt is made to demonstrate the validity of preventative work in helping elementary school teachers as important agents in the promotion of more positive mental hygiene in the classroom and by adding to the lectures the variable of group therapy--"ego-sparing" techniques type. The latter approach seems to promote a teacher's own sense of security in dealing the pupils, an easier acceptance of differences in others, and, finally, it tends to stimulate the development of a teacher's own ability to deal sensibly, more conscientiously, and more realistically with daily problems.
Teacher Perceptions of an Online Tutoring Program for Elementary Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whetstone, Patti; Clark, Amy; Flake, Mari Wheeler

2014-01-01

This study explores elementary teacher perceptions related to the implementation of an online tutoring program. Teachers were surveyed regarding factors that affected use of the online tutoring program as a supplement to mathematics instruction. Results indicated that teachers overwhelmingly reported positive views of the training and support…
Swiss Elementary School Teachers' Attitudes toward Forest Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindemann-Matthies, Petra; Knecht, Sarah

2011-01-01

This article investigates benefits and challenges of forest education in view of 257 Swiss elementary school teachers (1st-3rd grade), by means of a written questionnaire and 15 in-depth interviews. Two thirds of the teachers carried out forest education during normal lesson hours (mean visits = eight per year). Forests were clearly considered as…
Examining Preservice Elementary Mathematics Teachers' Understandings about Irrational Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guven, Bulent; Cekmez, Erdem; Karatas, Ilhan

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study is to provide an account of preservice elementary mathematics teachers' understandings about irrational numbers. Three dimensions of preservice mathematics teachers' understandings are examined: defining rational and irrational numbers, placing rational and irrational numbers on the number line, and operations with…
Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Departmentalization of Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Fuchang

2011-01-01

This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of departmentalization of elementary schools, with an emphasis on teaching mathematics, as perceived by preservice teachers who shared their opinions through online discussion. Advantages include teachers' enthusiasm about and focused attention on the specialized area and students' easier…

Preservice Elementary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Gay and Lesbian Parenting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maney, Dolores W.; Cain, Richard E.

1997-01-01

This study assessed preservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward homosexual parents and their children. Surveys of 198 preservice teachers who completed the Gay and Lesbian Parenting Questionnaire indicated that some homophobia existed, though less than expected. Females had significantly more favorable attitudes toward homosexual parents and…
Promoting Prospective Elementary Teachers' Learning to Use Formative Assessment for Life Science Instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabel, Jaime L.; Forbes, Cory T.; Zangori, Laura

2015-06-01

To support elementary students' learning of core, standards-based life science concepts highlighted in the Next Generation Science Standards, prospective elementary teachers should develop an understanding of life science concepts and learn to apply their content knowledge in instructional practice to craft elementary science learning environments grounded in students' thinking. To do so, teachers must learn to use high-leverage instructional practices, such as formative assessment, to engage students in scientific practices and connect instruction to students' ideas. However, teachers may not understand formative assessment or possess sufficient science content knowledge to effectively engage in related instructional practices. To address these needs, we developed and conducted research within an innovative course for preservice elementary teachers built upon two pillars—life science concepts and formative assessment. An embedded mixed methods study was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on preservice teachers' (n = 49) content knowledge and ability to engage in formative assessment practices for science. Findings showed that increased life content knowledge over the semester helped preservice teachers engage more productively in anticipating and evaluating students' ideas, but not in identifying effective instructional strategies to respond to those ideas.
Design Practices of Preservice Elementary Teachers in an Integrated Engineering and Literature Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wendell, Kristen Bethke

2014-01-01

The incorporation of engineering practices and core ideas into the "Next Generation Science Standards" at the elementary school level provides exciting opportunities but also raises important questions about the preparation of new elementary teachers. Both the teacher education and engineering education communities have a limited…
Never Arrive: Teachers Reflect on a CES Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spiri, Helen; Ayers, Pamela

2007-01-01

What is a Coalition elementary school? In the Chesapeake Coalition of Essential Schools network, each of its schools has made meaning of the ten Common Principles in very different ways. Many of the network's elementary schools have grown into fine examples of what CES brings to pre-kindergarten through fifth grade schooling. Principals, teachers,…
Framework for Nutrition Education: A Guide for Elementary Teachers, Grades K-6. Bulletin 1976, No. 5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alabama State Dept. of Education, Montgomery. Div. of Administration and Finance.

The purpose of this guide is to provide a framework on which elementary school teachers (K through 6) can build a nutrition program that can be implemented into the existing curriculum. Founded on the importance of early and sound education for instilling good nutrition habits, the guide is divided into three grade levels: K through 2 (Discovering…
Attitudes of pre-service elementary teachers towards science: A cross-national study between the United States of America and Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buldu, Nihal

Preservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward science have been the subject of investigation by science educators for decades. Many of the recent attempts pertaining to preservice elementary teachers by science educators have focused on the effects of science method courses on the attitudes and relationships between attitudes and other variables. The research literature lacks studies that compare attitudes of preservice elementary teachers toward science across two or more nations. The current study investigated the attitudes of preservice elementary teachers toward science in the U.S. and Turkey in order to see if there is a difference between the U.S. and Turkish preservice elementary teachers' attitudes toward science, and to investigate whether variables such as gender and the grade the preservice teachers wish to teach make a difference in preservice elementary teachers' attitudes towards science. The sample consisted of 1144 preservice elementary teachers. Of the 1144 preservice elementary teachers for whom complete information is available, it is known that 371 preservice elementary teachers were from the U.S. and 773 were from Turkey. The attitudes of preservice elementary teachers in the U.S. and Turkey were assessed by the data gathered using Turkish and American Preservice Elementary Teachers Attitude Scale (TAPETAS). This scale is a revised version of the Modified Fennema Sherman Attitude Scale (Doepken, Lawsky, and Padwa, 1999). Results of the current study indicated that both U.S. and Turkish preservice elementary teachers had positive attitudes toward science. However, U.S. preservice elementary teachers had more confidence in science. They found science more useful than their Turkish peers. They had more positive attitudes towards their previous science teachers and were less likely to stereotype science as a male domain. There were not any significant differences between the U.S. preservice elementary teachers due to gender and the grade they
Pre-service Elementary Teachers Understanding on Force and Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anggoro, S.; Widodo, A.; Suhandi, A.

2017-09-01

The research is done to investigate the understanding on the subtopic of Force and Motion that exists among the pre-services elementary teachers. The participants were 71 Elementary Teachers Study Program students in 6th and 77 one in 2nd semester at private university. Research instrument consisted of background information of respondents, belief of preconception and 8 questions that relates to Force and Motion with four alternative answers and their explained. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and bar chart were used for analyzing the data collected. Research findings have shown many participants have some misunderstand or misconception conception especially in free fall object, rest object, buoyant force and gravitation. This research recommends learning progression pre-services teachers to be exposed with conflict cognitive strategy for science conceptual change.
The influence inquiry-based science has on elementary teachers' perception of instruction and self-efficacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Felecia J.

The nature and purpose of this study was to examine the self-efficacy of teachers who use an inquiry-based science program to provide authentic experiences within the elementary school setting. It is essential to explore necessary improvements to bring about effective science education. Using a mixed methods study, the researcher conducted interviews with elementary teachers from five elementary schools within the same school district. The interviews focused on the teachers' experiences with inquiry-based science and their perceptions of quality science instruction. The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale was used to collect quantitative data regarding the teachers' perception of instructional practice and student engagement. The study revealed that limited science content knowledge, inadequate professional development, and a low sense of self-efficacy have a substantial effect on teacher outcomes, instructional planning, and ability to motivate students to participate in inquiry-based learning. It will take a collective effort from administrators, teachers, parents, and students to discover ways to improve elementary science education.
Delivering Technological Literacy to a Class for Elementary School Pre-Service Teachers in South Korea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kwon, Hyuksoo

2017-01-01

This study was conducted with the aim of creating a new introductory course emphasizing the development of technological literacy for elementary school pre-service teachers. This study also aimed to investigate elementary school pre-service teachers' attitudinal transition toward elementary school technology education (ESTE) and its…
Student Teachers' Management Practices in Elementary Classrooms: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hildenbrand, Susan M.; Arndt, Katrina

2016-01-01

This qualitative study of four student teachers completing certification in elementary and special education investigated the classroom management practices of the student teachers. This is an important area of study because management practices are essential for an effective classroom, and student teachers often lack confidence and skill in the…
Survey of Occupational Stress of Secondary and Elementary School Teachers and the Lessons Learned

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pei, Wang; Guoli, Zhang

2007-01-01

Based on the measuring instruments used by scholars in China and abroad, we devised a questionnaire to study occupational stress of 500 secondary and elementary school teachers in Tacheng municipality in Xinjiang and examined its negative effects on teachers. They found that the occupational stress of secondary and elementary school teachers are…
Video-Mediated Physics Instruction from Preservice Teachers to Elementary Students: Experiences and Reflections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laherto, Antti; Laherto, Jussi

2018-01-01

Addressing the widely reported deficiencies in elementary teachers' competence in technology use and in inquiry-based science instruction, we present and assess a novel teaching experiment conducted in a university-school collaboration. Preservice elementary teachers planned and produced teaching videos in which they gave instructions on…
Preservice Teachers Developing Coherent Inquiry Investigations in Elementary Astronomy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Plummer, Julia D.; Tanis Ozcelik, Arzu

2015-01-01

For students to attain deep understanding of scientific practices, they will need to have opportunities to participate in sustained engagement in doing science. Such opportunities begin with elementary teachers implementing coherent and well-sequenced inquiry-based investigations in their classrooms. This study explored how preservice teachers (N…
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Aesthetic Experience and Relationships to Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Rong-Ji

2017-01-01

Previous research has adopted various approaches to examining teachers' and students' relationships to mathematics. The current study extended this line of research and investigated six prospective elementary school teachers' experiences in mathematics and how they saw themselves as learners of mathematics. One-on-one interviews with the…
Preservice elementary teachers' actual and designated identities as teachers of science and teachers of students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canipe, Martha Murray

Preservice elementary teachers often have concerns about teaching science that may stem from a lack of confidence as teachers or their own negative experiences as learners of science. These concerns may lead preservice teachers to avoid teaching science or to teach it in a way that focuses on facts and vocabulary rather than engaging students in the doing of science. Research on teacher identity has suggested that being able to envision oneself as a teacher of science is an important part of becoming a teacher of science. Elementary teachers are generalists and as such rather than identifying themselves as teachers of particular content areas, they may identify more generally as teachers of students. This study examines three preservice teachers' identities as teachers of science and teachers of students and how these identities are enacted in their student teaching classrooms. Using a narrated identity framework, I explore stories told by preservice teachers, mentor teachers, student teaching supervisors, and science methods course instructors about who preservice teachers are as teachers of science and teachers of students. Identities are the stories that are told about who someone is or will become in relation to a particular context. Identities that are enacted are performances of the stories that are an identity. Stories were collected through interviews with each storyteller and in an unmoderated focus group with the three preservice teachers. In addition to sorting stories as being about teachers of science or students, the stories were categorized as being about preservice teachers in the present (actual identities) or in the future (designated identities). The preservice teachers were also observed teaching science lessons in their student teaching placements. These enactments of identities were analyzed in order to identify which aspects of the identity stories were reflected in the way preservice teachers taught their science lessons. I also analyzed the
Identity Development of Preservice Elementary Teachers of Mathematics from Teacher Education Program to Student Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kang, Hyun Jung

2012-01-01

Drawing on Lave and Wenger (1991) this study explores how preservice elementary teachers develop themselves as teachers of mathematics, in particular, from the time of their teacher education courses to their field experiences. This study also researches the critical experiences that contributed to the construction of their identities and their…
Are You Ready? Elementary Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions about Discussing Race in Social Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demoiny, Sara B.

2017-01-01

In this article, the author argues that questions about race should be raised in elementary social studies teacher education in order to better prepare teachers to enter their classrooms. In this study she explores how elementary pre-service teachers situate race within the social studies curriculum and how prepared they feel about discussing race…
Learning by doing? Prospective elementary teachers' developing understandings of scientific inquiry and science teaching and learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haefner, Leigh Ann; Zembal-Saul, Carla

This study examined prospective elementary teachers' learning about scientific inquiry in the context of an innovative life science course. Research questions included: (1) What do prospective elementary teachers learn about scientific inquiry within the context of the course? and (2) In what ways do their experiences engaging in science investigations and teaching inquiry-oriented science influence prospective elementary teachers' understanding of science and science learning and teaching? Eleven prospective elementary teachers participated in this qualitative, multi-participant case study. Constant comparative analysis strategies attempted to build abstractions and explanations across participants around the constructs of the study. Findings suggest that engaging in scientific inquiry supported the development more appropriate understandings of science and scientific inquiry, and that prospective teachers became more accepting of approaches to teaching science that encourage children's questions about science phenomena. Implications include careful consideration of learning experiences crafted for prospective elementary teachers to support the development of robust subject matter knowledge.
Analysis of Tasks in Pre-Service Elementary Teacher Education Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sierpinska, Anna; Osana, Helena

2012-01-01

This paper presents some results of research aimed at contributing to the development of a professional knowledge base for teachers of elementary mathematics methods courses, called here "teacher educators." We propose that a useful unit of analysis for this knowledge could be the tasks in which teacher-educators engage pre-service…
Investigating a redesigned physics course for future elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fracchiolla, Claudia

There is a growing concern that the number of students graduating with a STEM major in the U.S. is insufficient to fill the growing demand in STEM careers. In order to fulfill that demand, it is important to increase student retention in STEM majors and also to attract more students to pursue careers in those areas. Previous research has indicated that children start losing interest in science at the elementary level because science is taught with a focus on learning vocabulary and ideas rather than learning through inquiry-based techniques. A factor that affects the quality of science education at the elementary level is the preparation of elementary teachers. Many elementary teachers feel unprepared to teach science because they lack adequate content knowledge as well as the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for teaching the subject. Previous studies of teacher preparation in science identified some areas with which pre-service teachers need assistance. One of these areas is understanding children's ideas of science. To address that issue, this dissertation investigates whether the use of an instructional approach that teaches physics phenomena along with an understanding of how children think about the physical phenomena promotes changes in students' knowledge of children's ideas and use of those ideas in instructional and assessment strategies. Results indicated that students who were explicitly exposed to knowledge of children's ideas more often incorporated those ideas into their own microteaching and demonstrated higher levels of sophistication of knowledge of children's ideas, instructional strategies, and assessment strategies that incorporated those ideas. This research explores an instructional model for blending physics content and pedagogical content knowledge.

Preservice Elementary Mathematics Teachers' Level of Relating Mathematical Concepts in Daily Life Contexts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akkus, Oylum

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate preservice elementary mathematics teachers' ability of relating mathematical concepts and daily life context. Two research questions were set; what is the preservice elementary mathematics teachers' level of relating mathematical concepts and daily life context regarding to their education year and…
Elementary Teacher's Conceptions of Inquiry Teaching: Messages for Teacher Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ireland, Joseph E.; Watters, James J.; Brownlee, Jo; Lupton, Mandy

2012-01-01

This study explored practicing elementary school teacher's conceptions of teaching in ways that foster inquiry-based learning in the science curriculum (inquiry teaching). The advocacy for inquiry-based learning in contemporary curricula assumes the principle that students learn in their own way by drawing on direct experience fostered by the…
Factors contributing to attitude exchange amongst preservice elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmer, David H.

2002-01-01

Previous research has shown that elementary education majors often dislike science and lack confidence in their ability to teach it. This is an important problem because students who hold these attitudes are likely to avoid teaching science, or teach it poorly, when they become teachers. It is therefore necessary to identify preservice elementary teachers who hold negative attitudes towards science, and attempt to convert these attitudes to positive before they become teachers. This study was designed to identify students whose attitudes had changed from negative to positive (i.e., attitude exchange had occurred) after participating in a one-semester elementary science education course, and to identify the course factors that were responsible. Four participants were individually interviewed. The transcripts indicated that attitude exchange had occurred for each of the four students. Each student described several features of the course that had a positive influence. These were of three main types: personal attributes of the tutor, specific teaching strategies, and external validation. It was proposed that many of the individual factors were effective because they represented either performance accomplishments or vicarious experience as defined by Bandura (Psychological Review, 84, 1977, 191-215).
Teacher Talk in General and Special Education Elementary Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hollo, Alexandra; Wehby, Joseph H.

2017-01-01

Teachers' oral language use may be an important factor in student achievement, particularly for students who struggle with language, learning, and behavior. This study examined features of teacher talk during whole-class instruction in 14 general education (GE) and 14 self-contained special education (SE) elementary classrooms that included…
Requirements for Certification: Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Administrators for Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges. 45th Edition, 1980/81.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woellner, Elizabeth H.

This book presents up to date information on the state and regional certification differences and changes in the various educational fields. Certification standards for early childhood, elementary, and secondary teachers, pupil personnel services, administrators, special educators, special school service personnel, counselors, school librarians,…
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Understanding of Logical Inference

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hauk, Shandy; Judd, April Brown; Tsay, Jenq Jong; Barzilai, Harel; Austin, Homer

2009-01-01

This article reports on the logical reasoning efforts of five prospective elementary school teachers as they responded to interview prompts involving nonsense, natural, and mathematical representations of conditional statements. The interview participants evinced various levels of reliance on personal relevance, linguistic contextualization, and…
Elementary School Teachers' Perception of Desirable Learning Activities: A Singaporean Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tan, Ai-girl

2001-01-01

From ratings of children's learning activities by 209 elementary teachers in Singapore, four factors emerged: conventional activities, motivational activities, student-directed activities that foster independence and collaboration, and teacher-directed group activities. Beginning teachers preferred motivational activities. The current environment…
Teacher perspectives on specialisation in the elementary classroom: implications for science instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, Susan; Colburn, Amanda; Long, David E.

2017-09-01

In the current educational climate of testing and accountability, many elementary teachers find they lack adequate time and confidence to enact reform-based science teaching due to pressure to perform in reading and mathematics. With this tension in mind, we explore the phenomenon of elementary teacher specialisation in comparison to the traditional, generalist model of teaching, wherein a teacher is responsible for teaching all subjects to one group of students each year. This mixed-methods study examines teacher perspectives on the practice of specialisation and generalisation through teacher interview data. Our teachers spoke candidly about their attitudes towards specialisation, the perceived impacts of specialization on teachers and students, and the role of accountability, administration, and testing in their decisions to specialise. Additionally, our teachers discussed time dedicated to science in specialist and generalist classrooms. Our findings suggest that specialist roles are sought by those who see specialisation as a means of reducing workload, while allowing for content mastery and improved instruction. Alternatively, generalist roles are sought by those who primarily view the role of elementary teaching as the care and development of children, and who prefer to focus on the classroom as a holistic, fluid space. Implications for science teaching are discussed.
Self-Efficacy and Job Satisfaction of Early Career Elementary School Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirby, Deanne M.

2011-01-01

The purpose of this embedded mixed methods study was to determine the types of support and amounts of support most conducive to the development of early career teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction. The study further examined the effect of job satisfaction and self-efficacy on early career teacher intent to remain in the teaching profession.…
Perceptions of Elementary Teachers on the Instructional Leadership Role of School Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yavuz, Mustafa; Bas, Gokhan

2010-01-01

In this research, elementary school principals' instructional leadership behavior was evaluated based on the perceptions of elementary school teachers. The research is believed to contribute to the development of instructional leadership behavior of elementary school principals for the development of school organization. A "semi-structured…
The Children's Lab at Northern State University. Elementary Teachers Moving toward Scientific Literacy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knecht, Paul S.

The Children's Lab at Northern State University (South Dakota) is a science concept development laboratory for use by students in a physical science course for preservice elementary teachers. Its function is to develop science content knowledge in preservice elementary teachers, with the ultimate goal of developing science literacy in children.…
Do Inquiring Minds Have Positive Attitudes? The Science Education of Preservice Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riegle-Crumb, Catherine; Morton, Karisma; Moore, Chelsea; Chimonidou, Antonia; LaBrake, Cynthis; Kopp, Sacha

2015-01-01

Owing to their potential impact on students' cognitive and noncognitive outcomes, the negative attitudes toward science held by many elementary teachers are a critical issue that needs to be addressed. This study focuses on the science education of preservice elementary teachers with the goal of improving their attitudes "before" they…
Preservice Elementary School Teachers' Conceptual Understanding of Place Value within a Constructivist Framework

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murawska, Jaclyn Marie

2013-01-01

This research study examined the development of 43 preservice elementary school teachers' conceptual understanding of place value after participating in a research-based constructivist unit of instruction in place value. The preservice teachers were enrolled in one of three terms of an elementary mathematics methods course in a private midwestern…
Prospective Elementary School Teachers' Views about Socioscientific Issues: A Concurrent Parallel Design Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Özden, Muhammet

2015-01-01

The purpose of this research is to examine the prospective elementary school teachers' perceptions on socioscientific issues. The research was conducted on prospective elementary school teachers studying at a university located in western Turkey. The researcher first taught the subjects of global warming and nuclear power plants from a perspective…
Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions toward ICT: The Case of Using Magic Board for Teaching Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yuan, Yuan; Lee, Chun-Yi

2012-01-01

This study aims at investigating elementary school teachers' perceptions toward to the use of ICT. Magic Board, an interactive web-based environment which provides a set of virtual manipulatives for elementary mathematics, is used as the case of ICT. After participating in Magic Board workshops, 250 elementary school teachers in Taiwan responded…
Elementary Teachers' Selection and Use of Visual Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Tammy D.; Jones, M. Gail

2018-01-01

As science grows in complexity, science teachers face an increasing challenge of helping students interpret models that represent complex science systems. Little is known about how teachers select and use models when planning lessons. This mixed methods study investigated the pedagogical approaches and visual models used by elementary in-service…
Preparing Elementary English Teachers: Innovations at Pre-Service Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zein, Mochamad Subhan

2015-01-01

The teaching of English for Young Learners has become a global phenomenon, but many countries are facing dilemma in terms of teacher preparation (Nunan, 2003; Kaplan, Baldauf, & Kamwangamalu, 2011). Indonesia is of no exception. Its pre-service system has not been adequate to sufficiently prepare elementary English teachers with knowledge and…
We the People: Elementary Pre-Service Teachers and Constitutional Readability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meier, Lori T.; Keith, Karin J.; Dwyer, Edward J.

2014-01-01

In light of increasing mandates to incorporate close reading of primary source historical documents at the elementary level, this study explored the reading difficulty level of the US Constitution with preservice elementary teachers using a traditional cloze assessment procedure. While best practice pedagogy of social studies has long included…
Discover science: Hands-on science workshops for elementary teachers and summer science camps for elementary students

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gotlib, L.; Bibby, E.; Cullen, B.

1994-12-31

Teams of local mentor teachers (assisted by college students in the NC Teaching Fellows Program) run week-long workshops for elementary teachers (at four sites in 1993, six in 1994). Major funding for the camps is provided through The Glaxo Foundation, supplemented with local funds. The workshops focus on hands-on science (using inexpensive materials) and provide familiarity and experience with the new NC science curriculum and assessment program. The use of local resources is stressed (including visiting scientists and readily available store-bought materials). Each camp has its own theme and provides teachers with a variety of resources to be used withmore » students of all abilities. The mentor teachers then run week-long, all expense paid, non-residential science camps for elementary students (open to all students, but with females and minorities as target groups). Students take part in long-and short-term projects, working individually and in groups. Pre and post participation surveys of all participants were conducted and analyzed, with favorable results for both the student and teacher weeks. Additional activities include parent nights, and follow-up workshops. Eighty-nine teachers and 208 students participated in 1993.« less
Characterizing STEM Teacher Education: Affordances and Constraints of Explicit STEM Preparation for Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rinke, Carol R.; Gladstone-Brown, Wendy; Kinlaw, C. Ryan; Cappiello, Jean

2016-01-01

Although science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education sits at the center of a national conversation, comparatively little attention has been given to growing need for STEM teacher preparation, particularly at the elementary level. This study analyzes the outcomes of a novel, preservice STEM teacher education model. Building…

An Examination of Cooperating Teachers' Observations of Their Student Teachers in the Areas of Personal, Teaching, and Musical Skills in the Elementary Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cole, Mark R.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the observations of elementary school music teachers regarding the level of preparation of their most recent student teachers at the beginning of their student teaching experience. Twenty-seven elementary music teachers participated in a survey rating the preparedness of their student teacher in…
Elementary Teachers' Knowledge of Legislative and Policy Duties for Reporting Child Sexual Abuse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walsh, Kerryann; Mathews, Ben; Rassafiani, Mehdi; Farrell, Ann; Butler, Des

2013-01-01

This study examined elementary school teachers' knowledge of their legislative and policy-based reporting duties with respect to child sexual abuse. Data were collected from 470 elementary school teachers from urban and rural government and nongovernment schools in 3 Australian states, which at the time of the study had 3 different legislative…
Promoting the Understanding of Photosynthesis among Elementary School Student Teachers through Text Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Södervik, Ilona; Mikkilä-Erdmann, Mirjamaija; Vilppu, Henna

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary school pre-service teachers' understanding of photosynthesis and to examine if a refutational text can support understanding of photosynthesis better than a non-refutational text. A total of 91 elementary school pre-service teachers read either a refutational or a non-refutational text…
Science as Experience, Exploration, and Experiments: Elementary Teachers' Notions of "Doing Science"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murphy, Ashley N.; Luna, Melissa J.; Bernstein, Malayna B.

2017-01-01

Much of the literature on science teaching suggests that elementary teachers lack relevant prior experiences with science. This study begins to reframe the deficit approach to research in science teaching by privileging the experiences elementary teachers have had with science--both in and out of schools--throughout their lives. Our work uses…
Physical Education, Teacher's Guide, Elementary (Grades 1-5).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lefevre, M. D.; And Others

This is a guide for teachers of physical education in the elementary schools of Vietnam. It consists of the following chapters: (1) Definition and Objectives of P.E. and the Teacher's Role; (2) Organization and Orientation of the P.E. program; (3) Methods for Teaching P.E.; (4) P.E. for grades 1 to 5; (5) P.E. for handicapped children; (6) Sports.…
Prospective Elementary Teachers Making Sense of Multidigit Multiplication: Leveraging Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitacre, Ian; Nickerson, Susan D.

2016-01-01

This study examines how collective activity related to multiplication evolved over several class sessions in an elementary mathematics content course that was designed to foster prospective elementary teachers' number-sense development. We document how the class drew on as-if-shared ideas to make sense of multidigit multiplication in terms of…
An Analysis of Elementary Schools Teachers' Classroom Control Levels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz, Z. Nalan; Sahin, Ali E.

2016-01-01

The data of this study, that aims to develop an effective and reliable measuring instrument and to determine the relation between various variables and teachers practicing their profession at elementary schools, are obtained through the contribution of class and subject area teachers who worked during the school year of 2011-2012 in elementary…
Urban Elementary Science Teacher Leaders: Responsibilities, Supports, and Needs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wenner, Julianne A.

2017-01-01

The challenge of science achievement gaps is one that scholars have struggled to solve. Teacher leadership holds great promise in closing those gaps. Therefore, the purpose of the research reported here was to explore the responsibilities and supports of formally designated science teacher leaders (STLs) in urban elementary schools that have been…
Arts in the Classroom: What One Elementary Teacher Can Do.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ambler, Nancy Morison; Strong, Barbara R.

This monograph, one in a series, describes ways in which elementary teachers have brought arts to the classroom. Descriptions of what teachers are doing are organized by themes. The first theme is the use of the arts in basic skill development. One teacher in Casper, Wyoming, produces rebus books for her students. These books offer a means of…
Examining Mathematics Anxiety in Elementary Classroom Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAnallen, Rachel R.

2010-01-01

Test anxiety and mathematics anxiety have been found to relate to mathematics performance in both children and adults. This study investigated mathematics anxiety in elementary teachers and whether those who experience mathematics anxiety also have professional anxiety about teaching mathematics. A researcher-developed instrument called the…
Elementary Principal Wisdom: Teacher Perceptions of Leadership

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Christopher; DeSimone, Paul J., Jr.; Desmond, Thomas J.; Zahn, Brian; Morote, Elsa-Sofia

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the five variables that measure servant leadership (Altruistic Calling, Emotional Healing, Persuasive Mapping, Organizational Stewardship, and Team Learning) impact on teachers' perception of principal Wisdom. Participants were from fifteen moderate-need elementary schools located in southern New York…
Flipping Preservice Elementary Teachers' Mathematics Anxieties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dove, Anthony; Dove, Emily

2017-01-01

In preparing future elementary educators in mathematics, helping them overcome their anxieties of mathematics and teaching mathematics is paramount. This study examined how different instructional practices (in-class lecture, flipped learning with teacher-created videos, flipped classroom with Khan Academy videos) compared in improving students'…
Five male preservice elementary teachers: Their understandings, beliefs and practice regarding science teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoover, Barbara Grambo

Many factors influence teacher choices concerning the frequency, instructional methods, and content of science teaching. Although the role of gender in science learning has been studied extensively, the gender of elementary teachers as it intersects their teaching of science has not been investigated. In this ethnographic study, I focused on five male preservice elementary teachers as they experienced their student teaching internship, aiming to understand their underlying beliefs about science and science teaching and how those beliefs influenced their practice. In an attempt to illuminate the complex interplay of personality, experience, interests, and gender in the professional lives of these men, this study emphasized the importance of context in the formation and expression of their science beliefs and pedagogy. For this reason, I collected data from a number of sources. From September, 2001 to May, 2002, I observed my participants in their science methods courses and on multiple occasions as they taught science in elementary classrooms in a suburban school district. I reviewed journal entries required for the science methods class and examined documents such as handouts, readings and teacher guides from their elementary teaching experience. I conducted semi-structured and informal interviews. I analyzed data from these sources using grounded theory methodology. Although these five men had many similarities, they differed in their love of science, their exposure to science, their avocational interests, and their views of science pedagogy. This study, however, revealed a unifying theme: each participant had his own set of personal and academic resources that he carried into the classroom and used to construct a distinctive science learning environment. Some of these resources intersect with gender. For example, several men had science-related avocational interests. There was a common emphasis on creating a relaxed, enjoyable, hands-on teaching environment as
STEM Is Elementary: Challenges Faced by Elementary Teachers in the Era of the Next Generation Science Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isabelle, Aaron D.

2017-01-01

For students to achieve the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by Grade 12, thinking and acting like scientists and engineers must begin in the elementary grades. However, elementary teachers may find this challenging -because language arts and mathematics still dominate many classrooms--often at the expense of science. This…
Early Childhood Inservice and Preservice Teachers' Perceived Levels of Preparedness to Handle Stress in Their Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Onchwari, Jacqueline

2010-01-01

This article reports a study that investigated preservice and inservice early childhood teachers' perceived levels of preparedness to handle stress in early childhood and elementary education students. A survey that included vignettes was used to collect data. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and statistically, using one-way ANOVA, "t"-test,…
Effects of Elementary Teacher Preparation and Support on Retention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turpin-Padberg, Sarah

2017-01-01

With the start of every school year, new teachers enter classrooms across our country filled with excitement surrounding the impact they hope to have on students. Some teachers discover that teaching at the elementary level can often times involve more than teaching and loving children. The expectations, demands, and time constraints put on new…
Digital Science Notebooks: Perspectives from an Elementary Classroom Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paek, Seungoh; Fulton, Lori A.

2017-01-01

This study investigates how tablet-based note-taking applications can be integrated into elementary science classes as digital science notebooks. A teacher with 20 students in Grades 4-5 from a public charter school in Hawaii participated in the study. The participating science teacher introduced a tablet-based note taking application (TNA) to her…
CREATIVITY OF PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR STUDENTS.

PubMed

Sali, Güneş; Akyol, Aysel Köksal

2015-12-01

Although creativity provides a considerable number of advantages, many teachers have direct and indirect prejudices against creative students since they may display distracting and disruptive behaviors toward teachers and classmates. To determine how teachers' creativity affects their students' creative development, 90 preschool and elementary school teachers and 90 pupils were assessed for creative thinking. The children's sex was not correlated with creativity scores. There were small, significant relationships between various measures of preschool teachers' and students' creativity.
Teacher talk about science: An examination of the constructed understanding of science held by four elementary school teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Robert John

The elementary school teacher's personal understanding of science has not been a primary focus of consideration in educational reform discussions. This study examines how four elementary school teachers have constructed their personal understanding of science. The purpose of this study is to explore core understandings about science held by these teachers, and to examine the origins of these ideas. This study assumes that a teacher's understanding of science is unique and constructed on personal experiences affected by influences. This study further explores the relationship of the teachers understanding to the school's stated curriculum. The theoretical framework of this research recognizes three guiding assumptions: science exists as a set of ideas that have developed over time through competing discourses; the teacher plays an important role in the implementation of the science curriculum; and the guiding influences of a teacher's understanding of science are associated with power that emerges from discourse. The methodology in this qualitative study is closely associated with narrative inquiry. Data collection methods include a questionnaire, focus group sessions, and individual interviews. Teachers' stories were collected through collaborative interview opportunities between the researcher and the participants. The findings are presented through the narratives of the four teachers, and are organized through the guiding influences, and talk related to the stated science curriculum. The teachers' talk can be categorized by three broad guiding influences: family, education, and an image of science. The talk related to the stated curriculum illustrates both conflicts, and a relationship between the teachers' understanding of science and the curriculum. The finding of this study provides evidence that each teacher's understanding of science is unique and developed over time. Additionally, this understanding plays a role in how the stated curriculum is discussed and
The Investigation of Elementary Mathematics Teacher Candidates' Problem Solving Skills According to Various Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaya, Deniz; Izgiol, Dilek; Kesan, Cenk

2014-01-01

The aim was to determine elementary mathematics teacher candidates' problem solving skills and analyze problem solving skills according to various variables. The data were obtained from total 306 different grade teacher candidates receiving education in Department of Elementary Mathematics Education, Buca Faculty of Education, Dokuz Eylul…

Effect of Principals' Communication on Female Elementary School Teachers' Perception of Morale and Student Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helmer, Brad C.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this research was to determine if a direct relationship between the ways in which a principal communicates information to his or her classroom teachers and the classroom teachers' perception of the campus' morale and students' learning exists. The sample included 124 female elementary school teachers of 13 elementary schools in a…
Investigation of Elementary Teacher Capacity to Implement Environmental Literacy Requirements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parker, Melanie Denise

2017-01-01

To uphold Maryland's environmental literacy high school graduation requirement and curricular standards, local school districts must develop programs that graduate environmentally literate students and provide effective teacher professional development. This study focused on assessing the confidence and ability of elementary teachers in a Maryland…
Reconceptualizing Elementary Teacher Preparation: A Case for Informal Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avraamidou, Lucy

2015-01-01

The purpose of this case study was to explore the ways in which 3 different informal science experiences in the context of an elementary methods course influenced a group of prospective elementary teachers' ideas about science teaching and learning as well as their understandings about the role of informal science environments to teaching and…
Iteration in Early-Elementary Engineering Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McFarland Kendall, Amber Leigh

K-12 standards and curricula are beginning to include engineering design as a key practice within Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. However, there is little research on how the youngest students engage in engineering design within the elementary classroom. This dissertation focuses on iteration as an essential aspect of engineering design, and because research at the college and professional level suggests iteration improves the designer's understanding of problems and the quality of design solutions. My research presents qualitative case studies of students in kindergarten and third-grade as they engage in classroom engineering design challenges which integrate with traditional curricula standards in mathematics, science, and literature. I discuss my results through the lens of activity theory, emphasizing practices, goals, and mediating resources. Through three chapters, I provide insight into how early-elementary students iterate upon their designs by characterizing the ways in which lesson design impacts testing and revision, by analyzing the plan-driven and experimentation-driven approaches that student groups use when solving engineering design challenges, and by investigating how students attend to constraints within the challenge. I connect these findings to teacher practices and curriculum design in order to suggest methods of promoting iteration within open-ended, classroom-based engineering design challenges. This dissertation contributes to the field of engineering education by providing evidence of productive engineering practices in young students and support for the value of engineering design challenges in developing students' participation and agency in these practices.
Taking the Long View: Cultivating Historical Thinking in Elementary Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Currin, Elizabeth; Schroeder, Stephanie

2018-01-01

As new teachers confront the realities of a Trump administration characterized by a troublingly tenuous grasp of history, we advocate for infusing historical thinking into all facets of elementary teacher education. Historical thinking can promote an inquiry stance, ably contribute to social justice initiatives, and enable teachers to appreciate…
An Investigation of Elementary Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy for Teaching Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Giles, Rebecca McMahon; Byrd, Kelly O.; Bendolph, Angelia

2016-01-01

Research has consistently shown that teacher efficacy is related to a variety of desirable student outcomes, thus, making teacher efficacy an important factor in high quality mathematics instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine elementary preservice teachers' self-efficacy beliefs related to teaching mathematics. Forty-one…
Remediation of Math Anxiety in Preservice Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dunkle, Susan M.

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to measure the level of math anxiety in preservice elementary teachers, and then to determine if remediation methods would lower the measured level of anxiety in these same preservice teachers. The 10-day study provided an intense remediation using a time-series design to measure change on the Revised Math Anxiety…
A Beginning Elementary Teacher's Technology Integration Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Ya-Huei

2017-01-01

The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of how a beginning elementary teacher conceptualized technology integration and the degree to which technology can be infused in her pedagogy during her first two years of teaching. This beginning first-grade teacher, Lily, was chosen because she was considered as a well-prepared beginning…
Elementary Pre-Service Teachers: Can They Experience Mathematics Teaching Anxiety without Having Mathematics Anxiety?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Amy Bingham; Westenskow, Arla; Moyer-Packenham, Patricia S.

2011-01-01

Elementary pre-service teachers report high levels of mathematics anxiety (MA), but the construct less widely addressed is their mathematics teaching anxiety (MTA). This study investigated the frequency with which MA stemming from prior experiences leads to MTA. Fifty-three elementary pre-service teachers' written reflections were analyzed, using…
The Impact of Problem Posing on Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about Mathematics and Mathematics Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barlow, Angela T.; Cates, Janie M.

2006-01-01

This study investigated the impact of incorporating problem posing in elementary classrooms on the beliefs held by elementary teachers about mathematics and mathematics teaching. Teachers participated in a year-long staff development project aimed at facilitating the incorporation of problem posing into their classrooms. Beliefs were examined via…
An Assessment of Turkish Elementary Teachers in the Context of Education for Sustainable Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sagdic, Ali; Sahin, Elvan

2016-01-01

The purpose of the current study is to describe beliefs, perceived barriers and teaching strategy preference of elementary teachers with respect to education for sustainable development. The sample of research survey consisted of 211 elementary teachers who are also participant of projects on environmental education entitled Green Pack and…
Preservice Teachers' Knowledge of Interdisciplinary Pedagogy: The Case of Elementary Mathematics-Science Integrated Lessons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

An, Song A.

2017-01-01

The purpose of the study is to explore how elementary preservice teachers' mathematics-science integrated teaching strategies changed as a result of participating in exemplary interdisciplinary activities with multiple themes across school curricula. The participating elementary preservice teachers (n = 28) were recruited for this study from the…
Embracing Curriculum Compacting: Teacher Candidates Supporting Differentiated Instruction in Elementary Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Livers, Stefanie D.; Paxton, Minda; O'Grady, Nicole; Tontillo, Michael

2018-01-01

This article discusses a collaborative effort to implement curriculum compacting activities with elementary students in conjunction with developing teacher candidates' abilities to teach mathematics. This endeavor included a partnership between a university and a local elementary school. All stakeholders benefited from this project: The elementary…
An Extensive Analysis of Preservice Elementary Teachers' Knowledge of Fractions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Kristie Jones

2008-01-01

The study of preservice elementary teachers' knowledge of fractions is important because fractions are notoriously difficult to learn and teach. Unfortunately, studies of preservice teachers' fraction knowledge are limited and have focused primarily on division. The present study included all four operations to provide a more comprehensive…
Challenges for Cooperative Learning Implementation: Reports from Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buchs, Céline; Filippou, Dimitra; Pulfrey, Caroline; Volpé, Yann

2017-01-01

Despite the well-established benefits of cooperative learning, implementation remains a challenge. This research aims to document these challenges at the elementary school level, drawing on teachers' beliefs regarding learning as well as the difficulties teachers report. Results indicate that the most frequent instructional strategies reported are…
Teacher's Guide for Optics. Elementary Science Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lange, Robert V.; And Others

This teacher's guide suggests activities that provide opportunities for upper elementary students to explore, by direct experiment, many of the properties of light. Equipment is listed and construction of a light source is detailed. Instructions are given for setting up a classroom with electrical equipment. Activities are described in units…
Practicing Elementary Teachers' Perspectives of "Investigations" Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogolla, Penina A.

This in-depth case study explored the successes and struggles of elementary teachers as they implemented "Investigations in Number, Data, and Space," a K-5 research-based mathematics curriculum that offered students connected and meaningful mathematical problems and in-depth thinking. Data collection and analysis were based on the Zone…
READING PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY STUDENT TEACHERS IN A DEVELOPING INSTITUTION.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ADAMS, EFFIE KAYE

A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED AT BISHOP COLLEGE, DALLAS, TEXAS, TO EXAMINE THE READING NEEDS OF PROSPECTIVE ELEMENTARY TEACHERS. SCORES ON THE NELSON DENNY READING TESTS, ADVANCED FORM A, ON THE OTIS QUICK SCORING TESTS OF MENTAL ABILITY, GAMMA FORM BM, AND GRADE POINT AVERAGES COVERING 4 YEARS OF COLLEGE WORK WERE ANALYZED FOR 29 NEGRO ELEMENTARY STUDENT…
The Elementary School Principal's Influence on Teachers' Curricular and Instructional Decisions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Larsen, Marci L.; Malen, Betty

Within the research on teacher planning and decision making the principal is seldom mentioned as a key shaper of teachers' curricular and instructional decision making. This paper presents findings of a case study of two elementary school principals. The study examined the congruence between principals' aims and teachers' decisions; the statements…
HOMEMAKING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

SICKLER, SUZANNE

THIS GUIDE PROVIDES BASIC INFORMATION ON ORGANIZATION, OPERATION, CURRICULUM, FACILITIES, AND RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOMEMAKING EXPERIENCE-CENTERED PROGRAM IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. IT MAY BE USED BY A HOMEROOM TEACHER WITH A VISITING HOMEMAKING TEACHER CONSULTANT OR BY A HOMEMAKING TEACHER IN SCHEDULED CLASSES. IT WAS DEVELOPED BY A…

Approaches to Inquiry Teaching: Elementary teacher's perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ireland, Joseph; Watters, James J.; Lunn Brownlee, J.; Lupton, Mandy

2014-07-01

Learning science through the process of inquiry is advocated in curriculum documents across many jurisdictions. However, a number of studies suggest that teachers struggle to help students engage in inquiry practices. This is not surprising as many teachers of science have not engaged in scientific inquiry and possibly hold naïve ideas about what constitutes scientific inquiry. This study investigates teachers' self-reported approaches to teaching science through inquiry. Phenomenographic interviews undertaken with 20 elementary teachers revealed teachers identified six approaches to teaching for inquiry, clustered within three categories. These approaches were categorized as Free and Illustrated Inquiries as part of an Experience-centered category, Solution and Method Inquiries as part of a Problem-centered category, and Topic and Chaperoned Inquiries as part of a Question-centered category. This study contributes to our theoretical understanding of how teachers approach Inquiry Teaching and suggests fertile areas of future research into this valued and influential phenomenon broadly known as 'Inquiry Teaching'.
Opinions of Teachers on Using Internet Searching Strategies: An Elementary School Case in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kabakci, Isil; Firat, Mehmet; Izmirli, Serkan; Kuzu, Elif Bugra

2010-01-01

The purpose of the current study is to determine opinions of teachers on using internet searching strategies in an elementary school. The study conducted through qualitative method was designed on survey research model. Participants were consisted of 21 teachers at an elementary school in Eskisehir in Turkey. Questionnaires consisting of…
Promoting Prospective Elementary Teachers' Learning to Use Formative Assessment for Life Science Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sabel, Jaime L.; Forbes, Cory T.; Zangori, Laura

2015-01-01

To support elementary students' learning of core, standards-based life science concepts highlighted in the "Next Generation Science Standards," prospective elementary teachers should develop an understanding of life science concepts and learn to apply their content knowledge in instructional practice to craft elementary science learning…
Language Development in the Early School Years: The Importance of Close Relationships with Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spilt, Jantine L.; Koomen, Helma M. Y.; Harrison, Linda J.

2015-01-01

This longitudinal study examined developmental links between closeness in teacher-child relationships and children's receptive language ability from the end of the preschool years into the early elementary years, while controlling for changes in peer interaction quality and child behavioral functioning. The sample included children and their…
Success, Difficulty, and Instructional Strategy to Enact an Argument-Based Inquiry Approach: Experiences of Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Choi, Aeran; Klein, Vanessa; Hershberger, Susan

2015-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the successes and difficulties that teachers perceived as they enacted an argument-based inquiry approach; and instructional strategies that teachers used within an argument-based inquiry approach. Nineteen elementary teachers from 14 Midwestern elementary schools were enrolled in an intensive 2-week professional…
Why elementary teachers might be inadequately prepared to teach reading.

PubMed

Joshi, R Malatesha; Binks, Emily; Hougen, Martha; Dahlgren, Mary E; Ocker-Dean, Emily; Smith, Dennie L

2009-01-01

Several national reports have suggested the usefulness of systematic, explicit, synthetic phonics instruction based on English word structure along with wide reading of quality literature for supporting development in early reading instruction. Other studies have indicated, however, that many in-service teachers are not knowledgeable in the basic concepts of the English language. They may be well versed in children's literature but not know how to address the basic building blocks of language and reading. The authors hypothesized that one of the reasons for this situation is that many instructors responsible for training future elementary teachers are not familiar with the concepts of the linguistic features of English language. This hypothesis was tested by administering a survey of language concepts to 78 instructors. The results showed that even though teacher educators were familiar with syllabic knowledge, they performed poorly on concepts relating to morphemes and phonemes. In a second study, 40 instructors were interviewed about best practices in teaching components and subskills of reading. Eighty percent of instructors defined phonological awareness as letter-sound correspondence. They also did not mention synthetic phonics as a desirable method to use for beginning reading instruction, particularly for students at risk for reading difficulties. In conclusion, providing professional development experiences related to language concepts to instructors could provide them the necessary knowledge of language concepts related to early literacy instruction, which they could then integrate into their preservice reading courses.
Equipping Preservice Elementary Teachers for Data Use in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reeves, Todd D.

2017-01-01

Current preservice teacher education practice related to data use has been deemed inadequate, in that it is unevenly distributed and often superficial. In response, this article describes a course-based classroom assessment data-literacy experience for preservice elementary teachers. Grounded in extant theory and research concerning data literacy…
Elementary School Mathematics Teacher Trainees' Metacognitive Awareness Levels: Turkey Case

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Memnun, Dilek Sezgin; Hart, Lynn Cecilia

2012-01-01

The aim of this research is to determine the metacognitive awareness levels of elementary mathematics teacher trainees and to investigate whether their awareness differs according to gender and class level. We also investigate the relationship between the metacognitive awareness levels of trainee mathematics teacher's and their overall performance…
Reconceptualizing Elementary Teacher Preparation: A case for informal science education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avraamidou, Lucy

2015-01-01

The purpose of this case study was to explore the ways in which 3 different informal science experiences in the context of an elementary methods course influenced a group of prospective elementary teachers' ideas about science teaching and learning as well as their understandings about the role of informal science environments to teaching and learning. In order to address this question, data were collected in a period of an academic semester through the following sources: journal entries for each of the 3 experiences, a personal teaching philosophy statement and a 2-hour long semi-structured interview with each of the 12 participants. Open coding techniques were used to analyze the data in order to construct categories and subcategories and eventually to identify emerging themes. The outcomes of the analysis showed that the inclusion of informal science experiences in the context of teacher preparation has the potential to support beginning elementary teachers' development of contemporary ideas about science teaching and learning related to inquiry-based science, the nature of scientific work and the work of scientists, connecting science with everyday life, and making science fun and personally meaningful. These findings are discussed alongside implications for policy, teacher preparation, and research under these themes: (a) addressing reform recommendations; (b) developing positive orientations toward science and science teaching; and (c) constructing understandings about scientists' work.
The influence of analogical reasoning instruction on the pedagogical reasoning ability of preservice elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, Mark Charles

Novice teachers with little prior knowledge of science concepts often resort to teaching science as a litany of jargon and definitions. The primary objective of this study was to establish the efficacy of analogy-based pedagogy on influencing the teaching performance of preservice elementary teachers, a group that has been identified for their particular difficulties in teaching science content. While numerous studies have focused on the efficacy of analogy-based instruction on the conceptual knowledge of learners, this was the first study to focus on the influence of analogy-based pedagogy instruction on the teaching performance of novice teachers. The study utilized a treatment/contrast group design where treatment and contrast groups were obtained from intact sections of a university course on methods of teaching science for preservice elementary education students. Preservice teachers in the treatment group were provided instruction in pedagogy that guided them in the generation of analogies to aid in the explanation phase of their learning cycle lessons. The process of generating and evaluating analogies for use in teaching was instrumental in focusing the preservice teachers' lesson planning efforts on critical attributes in target concepts, and away from misplaced concentrations on jargon and definitions. Teaching performance was primarily analyzed using coded indicants of Shulman's (1986) six stages of pedagogical reasoning ability. The primary data source was preservice teachers' work submitted for a major course assignment where the preservice teachers interviewed an elementary school student to gauge prior knowledge of Newtonian force concepts. The culmination of the semester-long assignment was the design of an individualized lesson that was presented by the preservice teachers to individual elementary school students. The results of this study strongly suggest that instruction in methods to include analogy-based pedagogy within a learning cycle lesson
Fostering Student Sense Making in Elementary Science Learning Environments: Elementary Teachers' Use of Science Curriculum Materials to Promote Explanation Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zangori, Laura; Forbes, Cory T.; Biggers, Mandy

2013-01-01

While research has shown that elementary (K-5) students are capable of engaging in the scientific practice of explanation construction, commonly-used elementary science curriculum materials may not always afford them opportunities to do so. As a result, elementary teachers must often adapt their science curriculum materials to better support…
Exploring Higher Education's Response to the Early Childhood Education Teacher Shortage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matczak, Melissa L.

2017-01-01

This qualitative single case study attempt is to explore how one institution of higher education can be responsive in meeting the needs of a teacher shortage in early childhood education and the factors impacting (hindering and helping) the collaborative partner process of designing an Applied Bachelor's in Science Degree in Elementary Education…
Student Teacher Thinking: A Comparative Study of Elementary and Secondary Student Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galluzzo, Gary L.; Minix, Nancy A.

1992-01-01

Using videotaped simulated recall interviews, researchers assessed elementary and secondary student teachers' thoughts and concerns. Both groups considered pupil learning the greatest concern. There were consistent differences in how the groups perceived classroom interactions. Both groups addressed a narrower range of concerns regarding teaching…
A Multi-Year Study of the Impact of the Rice Model Teacher Professional Development on Elementary Science Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viorica Diaconu, Dana; Radigan, Judy; Suskavcevic, Milijana; Nichol, Carolyn

2012-04-01

A teacher professional development program for in-service elementary school science teachers, the Rice Elementary Model Science Lab (REMSL), was developed for urban school districts serving predominately high-poverty, high-minority students. Teachers with diverse skills and science capacities came together in Professional Learning Communities, one full day each week throughout an academic year, to create a classroom culture for science instruction. Approximately 80 teachers each year received professional development in science content and pedagogy using the same inquiry-based constructivist methods that the teachers were expected to use in their classrooms. During this four-year study, scientists and educators worked with elementary teachers in a year-long model science lab environment to provide science content and science pedagogy. The effectiveness of the program was measured using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods that allowed the researchers to triangulate the findings from quantitative measures, such as content test and surveys, with the emerging themes from the qualitative instruments, such as class observations and participant interviews. Results showed that, in all four years, teachers from the REMSL Treatment group have significantly increased their science content knowledge (p < 0.05). During the last two years, their gains in science content knowledge, use of inquiry-based instruction and leadership skills were significantly higher than those of the Control group teachers' (p < 0.01, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Three themes resonated in the interviews with participants: science content knowledge growth, constructivist pedagogy and leadership skills.
Exploring How an Elementary Teacher Plans and Implements Social Studies Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thacker, Emma S.; Friedman, Adam M.; Fitchett, Paul G.; Journell, Wayne; Lee, John K.

2018-01-01

Social studies continues to be marginalized in elementary grades, yet the "C3 Framework" and its Inquiry Arc offer possibilities for high-quality elementary social studies instruction. However, the "C3 Framework" requires that teachers possess an adequate understanding of how to implement inquiry within the various social…
Enhancing Elementary Pre-Service Teachers' Plant Processes Conceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Stephen L.; Lotter, Christine; Fann, Xumei; Taylor, Laurie

2016-01-01

Researchers examined how an inquiry-based instructional treatment emphasizing interrelated plant processes influenced 210 elementary pre-service teachers' (PTs) conceptions of three plant processes, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and transpiration, and the interrelated nature of these processes. The instructional treatment required PTs to…
Structure and Typical Profiles of Elementary Teacher Students' View of Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hannula, Markku S.; Kaasila, Raimo; Laine, Anu; Pehkonen, Erkki

2005-01-01

The elementary school teachers' view of mathematics is important because it will influence the way they will teach mathematics. Based on a survey study in three Finnish universities we explored the structure of student teachers view of mathematics and also the different belief profiles that they had. The core of student teachers' view consisted of…
Technology Integration in Elementary Classrooms: Teaching Practices of Student Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Ping

2016-01-01

This study examines how and why student teachers integrated technology to enhance instruction in elementary classrooms. The participants were 31 student teachers who completed an assignment of eight weeks. Multiple data sets including observation notes of 347 lessons were obtained from three key groups for data triangulation. Results reveal that…
Teacher Experiences in Elementary Word Study Instruction: A Phenomenological Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mihalik, Gregory Stephen

2017-01-01

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of integrating word study spelling programs for second grade teachers across six elementary schools in Northern Virginia. Word study is a developmental spelling approach that can be used by teachers to differentiate instruction and meet student needs. Despite the growing…
Effectiveness of an Alternative Certification Program for the Preparation of Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Follo, Eric J.; Rivard, James J.

2009-01-01

This study focuses on the effectiveness of the alternative elementary teacher certification program at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. The program was developed in response to the projected teacher shortage, the need for teachers in subjects such as mathematics and science, the need for teachers in urban schools, and the need for…

Comparing the Preparedness, Content Knowledge, and Instructional Quality of Elementary Science Specialists and Self-Contained Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brobst, Joseph; Markworth, Kimberly; Tasker, Tammy; Ohana, Chris

2017-01-01

In this article, we report on the results of a study comparing the preparedness, content knowledge, and instructional practices of elementary science specialist (ESS) teachers with those of a matched sample of self-contained elementary teachers. Analysis of survey data collected for the two groups indicated that ESS teachers were more likely than…
Language Arts Concepts for Elementary School Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Paul C., Ed.; And Others

An anthology of literature on elementary school language arts concepts is presented. Its purpose is to provide specific content that may help prospective and practicing teachers to recognize the role of language content in teaching. The anthology is divided into seven parts. Part One presents a general picture of the language arts curriculum that…
Can teacher-child relationships alter the effects of early socioeconomic status on achievement in middle childhood?

PubMed

McCormick, Meghan P; O'Connor, Erin E; Parham Horn, E

2017-10-01

Using data from the NICHD SECCYD (N=1053), we used two-level hierarchical linear models with site fixed effects to examine whether teacher-child closeness and conflict moderated associations between two indicators of early socioeconomic status (maternal education and family income) and standardized measures of children's math and reading achievement at 54months, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Children whose mothers had lower levels of education and conflictual relationships with teachers exhibited lower reading achievement, on average, across elementary school. At the same time, children with less educated mothers who experienced increases in teacher-child closeness and decreases in teacher-child conflict exhibited improvements in reading achievement across elementary school. Finally, low teacher-child closeness elevated the risk for poor math achievement posed by low family income. Implications for intervention design and development are discussed. Copyright © 2017 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Emotional Experience, Expression, and Regulation of High-Quality Japanese Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hosotani, Rika; Imai-Matsumura, Kyoko

2011-01-01

The present study investigates the emotional experience, expression, and regulation processes of high-quality Japanese elementary school teachers while they interact with children, in terms of teachers' emotional competence. Qualitative analysis of interview data demonstrated that teachers had various emotional experiences including self-elicited…
An Analysis of Argumentation Discourse Patterns in Elementary Teachers' Science Classroom Discussions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Sungho; Hand, Brian

2015-01-01

This multiple case study investigated how six elementary teachers' argumentation discourse patterns related to students' discussions in the science classroom. Four categories of classroom characteristics emerged through the analysis of the teachers' transcripts and recorded class periods: "Structure of teacher and student argumentation,"…
Assessing the Impact of Teacher Professional Development on Science Instruction in the Early Elementary Grades in Rural US Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandholtz, Judith Haymore; Ringstaff, Cathy

2013-01-01

This study examined the extent to which significant changes after one year of a longitudinal, state-funded teacher professional development program were sustained during the second year. Participants taught in elementary schools located in small, rural school districts in the state of California in the United States. The research examined changes…
Breaking the Blame Cycle: A Small Partnership between Preservice Writing Teachers and Elementary Classrooms.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hedengren, Elizabeth Finch

A partnership between a class for preservice elementary teachers in the university and an elementary class in the public schools goes a long way to breaking down the cycle of blame, whereby parents and teachers on all levels blame each other for the poor quality of education offered to students. A small program at Brigham Young University (Utah)…
The Effects of Designing Webquests on the Motivation of Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halat, Erdogan

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of webquest-based applications on the pre-service elementary school teachers' motivation in mathematics. There were a total of 202 pre-service elementary school teachers, 125 in a treatment group and 77 in a control group. The researcher used a Likert-type questionnaire consisting of 34 negative…
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of Gender Differences in Children's Attitudes toward Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Catherine S.; Sinicrope, Rose

2013-01-01

Prospective elementary teachers hold preconceived ideas about elementary school students' attitudes toward mathematics. We found that there exists a gender bias with prospective teachers expecting girls to have negative attitudes toward mathematics and boys more likely to have positive attitudes toward mathematics. We found that these…
Study of Job Satisfaction among Elementary School Teachers in Shanghai

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhongshan, Zhang

2007-01-01

Teacher job satisfaction, as an important index of school efficacy, has drawn the attention of education administrators and researchers. In recent years, Chen Yunying and Sun Shaobang (1994), Feng Bolin (1996), and Chen Weiqi (1998) have conducted studies of job satisfaction among secondary and elementary school teachers in such places as Beijing,…
Investigating Classroom Teaching Competencies of Pre Service Elementary Mathematics Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gokalp, Murat

2016-01-01

The study has sought answers to two major questions: What is the current situation in Elementary Mathematics Education programs at Faculty of Education in terms of classroom teaching competencies? To what extent do pre service teachers acquire these competencies? The research was conducted on 202 senior pre service teachers studying at the…
The Walkthrough Observation: The Elementary Principals' and Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of the Walkthrough Observation Tool Affect on Professional Growth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walsh, Rick A.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of the elementary principals' and elementary teachers' experiences utilizing the Western Pennsylvania Principal's Academy Walkthrough Observation Tool as a meaningful tool for professional growth for during the years 2011 to 2013. The researcher utilized Charlotte Danielson's…
A Music Handbook for Elementary Classroom Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teply, Karleen I.

Designed as a resource for elementary teachers, this booklet contains proven classroom activities and lesson plans as well as a human resource guide to help incorporate music into the K-6 curriculum. Fourteen lesson plans grouped by grades K-3 or 4-6 comprise the first section. For each lesson instructional objective, time estimate, materials,…
The Relationships among Mathematics Teaching Efficacy, Mathematics Self-Efficacy, and Mathematical Beliefs for Elementary Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Briley, Jason S.

2012-01-01

Ninety-five elementary pre-service teachers enrolled in a mathematics content course for elementary school teachers completed 3 surveys to measure mathematics teaching efficacy, mathematics self-efficacy, and mathematical beliefs. The pre-service teachers who reported stronger beliefs in their capabilities to teach mathematics effectively were…
Inspiring Instructional Change in Elementary School Science: The Relationship Between Enhanced Self-efficacy and Teacher Practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandholtz, Judith Haymore; Ringstaff, Cathy

2014-10-01

This longitudinal study examined the extent to which teachers' participation in a 3-year professional development program enhanced their self-efficacy and prompted changes in science instruction in the early elementary grades. The study used a mixed-methods design, and included 39 teachers who taught in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade classrooms in rural school districts. Data sources, administered pre-program and at the end of each year, included a self-efficacy assessment and teacher survey. Interviews and classroom observations provided corroborating data about teachers' beliefs and science instruction. Results showed significant increases in teachers' overall self-efficacy in teaching science, personal efficacy, and outcome expectancy efficacy during the 3 years. Gains in self-efficacy were correlated with changes in reported instructional practices, particularly student participation activities. However, changes in self-efficacy tended not to be correlated with changes in instructional time. Contextual factors beyond teachers' direct control, such as curricular and testing requirements in mathematics and language arts influenced time allotted to science instruction.
Exploring Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Mental Models of the Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taskin-Ekici, Fatma; Ekici, Erhan; Cokadar, Hulusi

2015-01-01

This study aims to explore pre-service elementary teachers' understandings of the environment. A survey method was carried out in this study. A close-ended questionnaire and Draw-An-Environment Test (DAET) are administered to pre-service teachers (N = 255) after instruction of an Environmental Education course. A rubric (DAET-R) is used for…
Developing Prospective Elementary Teachers' Abilities to Identify Evidence of Student Mathematical Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spitzer, Sandy M.; Phelps, Christine M.; Beyers, James E. R.; Johnson, Delayne Y.; Sieminski, Elizabeth M.

2011-01-01

This study investigated the effects of a classroom intervention on prospective elementary teachers' ability to evaluate evidence of student achievement of mathematical learning goals. The intervention was informed by a framework for teacher education which aims to provide prospective teachers (PTs) with the skills needed to systematically learn…
Measuring Preservice Teachers' Knowledge of Instructional Tasks for Teaching Elementary Content

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Insook; Ko, Bomna

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure preservice teachers' knowledge of instructional tasks for teaching three manipulative skills in elementary physical education. Method: Data were collected to measure preservice teachers' entry and exit knowledge of instructional tasks that require selecting developmentally and sequentially…
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Conceptions of Unitizing with Whole Numbers and Fractions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tobias, Jennifer M.; Roy, George J.; Safi, Farshid

2015-01-01

This article examines prospective elementary teachers' conceptions of unitizing with whole numbers and fraction concepts and operations throughout a semester-long mathematics content course. Student work samples and classroom conversations are used to illustrate the types of unitizing understandings that prospective teachers bring to teacher…
Urban Elementary Teachers' Perspectives on Teaching Science to English Language Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Okhee; Maerten-Rivera, Jaime; Buxton, Cory; Penfield, Randall; Secada, Walter G.

2009-01-01

This descriptive study examined urban elementary school teachers' perceptions of their science content knowledge, science teaching practices, and support for language development of English language learners. Also examined were teachers' perceptions of organizational supports and barriers associated with teaching science to nonmainstream students.…

Japanese Elementary School Teachers and English Language Anxiety

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Machida, Tomohisa

2016-01-01

"Foreign language activities" (English) officially began in Japanese elementary schools in April 2011. Since that starting date, and despite insufficient knowledge and preparation, classroom teachers have been required to instruct in English. They also have been required to team-teach with native-English-speaking assistant language…
Infusing Science, Technology, and Society Into an Elementary Teacher Education Program: The Impact on Preservice Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henning, Mary Beth; Peterson, Barbara R.; King, Kenneth Paul

2011-01-01

In an effort to improve science and social studies instruction, preservice teachers developed original science, technology, and society units to teach in elementary and middle school classrooms during their clinical field experience. Data revealed that the preservice teachers fell into categories of being skeptics, open-minded instructors, or…
Teachers' Perceptions of Policy Influences on Science Instruction with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Elementary Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shaver, Annis; Cuevas, Peggy; Lee, Okhee; Avalos, Mary

2007-01-01

This study asked elementary school teachers how educational policies affected their science instruction with a majority of English language learners. The study employed a questionnaire followed by focus group interviews with 43 third and fourth grade teachers from six elementary schools in a large urban school district with high populations of…
Synthesizing Experiences in Arts Methods Courses: Creating Artists' Maps in Preservice Elementary Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huxhold, Dianna; Willcox, Libba

2014-01-01

Each semester, preservice elementary generalist teachers navigate to and through the multiple sections of our art methods courses. These elementary education majors bring concerns relating to dominant education discourse such as high stakes testing and accountability measures that relate to how they will be evaluated as future teachers. Often,…
The Effectiveness of Special Education Teacher Evaluation Processes: Perspectives from Elementary Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glowacki, Heather; Hackmann, Donald G.

2016-01-01

This study examined perceptions of Illinois public elementary school principals regarding the effectiveness of their school districts' evaluation systems for special education teachers in promoting professional development and job performance accountability. Using an online questionnaire, 330 of the state's 1,551 elementary principals responded to…
Integrative Pre-Service Elementary Teacher Training: The Role of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chiatula, Victoria Oliaku

2015-01-01

This primer summarizes interdisciplinary collaborative mathematics as an integrative approach to train pre-service elementary teachers to teach math utilizing Junior Achievement USA (JA) educational programs within an elementary Math Methods course. The primer provides a JA historical background/program overview, summarizes the interdisciplinary…
Prospective elementary teachers' conceptions of multidigit number: exemplifying a replication framework for mathematics education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobson, Erik; Simpson, Amber

2018-04-01

Replication studies play a critical role in scientific accumulation of knowledge, yet replication studies in mathematics education are rare. In this study, the authors replicated Thanheiser's (Educational Studies in Mathematics 75:241-251, 2010) study of prospective elementary teachers' conceptions of multidigit number and examined the main claim that most elementary pre-service teachers think about digits incorrectly at least some of the time. Results indicated no statistically significant difference in the distribution of conceptions between the original and replication samples and, moreover, no statistically significant differences in the distribution of sub-conceptions among prospective teachers with the most common conception. These results suggest confidence is warranted both in the generality of the main claim and in the utility of the conceptions framework for describing prospective elementary teachers' conceptions of multidigit number. The report further contributes a framework for replication of mathematics education research adapted from the field of psychology.
Learning to teach science for all in the elementary grades: What do preservice teachers bring?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howes, Elaine V.

2002-11-01

Implicit in the goal of recent reforms is the question: What does it mean to prepare teachers to teach science for all? Through a teacher research study, I have encountered characteristics that may assist prospective elementary teachers in developing effective, inclusive science instruction. I describe these strengths, link them to requirements for teaching, and suggest how science teacher educators might draw on the strengths of their own students to support teaching practices aimed at universal scientific literacy. My conceptual framework is constructed from scholarship concerning best practice in elementary science education, as well as that which describes the dispositions of successful teachers of diverse learners. This study is based on a model of teacher research framed by the concept of research as praxis and phenomenological research methodology. The findings describe the research participants' strengths thematically as propensity for inquiry, attention to children, and awareness of school/society relationships. I view these as potentially productive aspects of knowledge and dispositions about science and about children that I could draw on to further students' development as elementary science teachers.
Preparing Elementary and Secondary Pre-Service Teachers for Everyday Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Evagorou, Maria; Guven, Devrim; Mugaloglu, Ebru

2014-01-01

The purpose of the paper is to present the framework and design of modules aiming to teach socio-scientific issues and the related pedagogy to pre-service teachers. Specifically, the work presented in this paper is part of the PreSEES project, a Comenius/LLP project with the main aim of engaging elementary and secondary pre-service teachers in…
Teacher Use of Creativity-Enhancing Activities in Chinese and American Elementary Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartley, Kylie A.; Plucker, Jonathan A.

2014-01-01

The purpose of these exploratory studies was to examine Chinese and American elementary teachers' perceptions of how various classroom activities contribute to student creativity, and how often teachers report engaging their students in these activities. Third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers in the Midwestern United States (N = 51) and in…
Preservice Elementary Teachers' Understanding of Operations for Fraction Multiplication and Division

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitehead, Ashley; Walkowiak, Temple A.

2017-01-01

This study examined preservice elementary teachers' change in their understanding of fraction operations while taking a mathematics methods course focused on grades 3-5. The preservice teachers (n = 48) completed an assessment before and after the course's unit on the teaching and learning of fractions. Specifically, the preservice teachers were…
Professional Development of Mathematics Teachers Implementing Probabilistic Simulations in Elementary School Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Oliveira Souza, Leandro; Lopes, Celi Espasandin; de Oliveira Mendonça, Luzinete

2014-01-01

The inclusion of statistics and probability in the mathematics curriculum has always generated challenges to mathematics teachers of elementary schools. This article discusses activities that promote the professional development of such teachers. We present part of a doctoral research study of 16 teachers in which we discuss two case studies of…
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of Their Preparedness to Teach English Language Learners in the Mainstream Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Tara Sheehan

2014-01-01

Although researchers have investigated teachers' perceptions of their preparedness to instruct English language learners (ELLs) and value student culture in the classroom, there has been a lack of studies at an elementary school level. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the perceptions of elementary teachers about their use…
Elementary School Aerospace Activities: A Resource for Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kopp, O. W.; And Others

This publication is designed for use by elementary school teachers when introducing aerospace developments into classroom programs. Its materials, prepared at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are grouped into ten sections: (1) earth characteristics that affect flight; (2) flight in the atmosphere; (3) rockets; (4) technological advances; (5)…
Hybrid-Mentoring Programs for Beginning Elementary Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bang, EunJin

2013-01-01

This study examines four induction models and teacher changes in science teaching practices, as a result of several mentoring programs. It explores three different computer-mediated mentoring programs, and a traditional offline induction program--in terms of interactivity, inquiry-based teaching, and topics of knowledge. Fifteen elementary science…
Teachers' Use of Technology in Elementary Reading Lessons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDermott, Peter; Gormley, Kathleen A.

2016-01-01

Proponents claim technology will transform classroom teaching and improve children's engagement and learning. Opponents argue that such benefits are oversold because little evidence exists that technology improves teaching and learning. We examined how elementary teachers in an urban school that was well resourced with technology used it when…
Arthropods: Attitude and Incorporation in Preservice Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wagler, Ron; Wagler, Amy

2011-01-01

Invertebrates perform many beneficial and essential ecological services for humans. Despite this, the general public tends to view them negatively. Preservice elementary teachers often find themselves in a tenuous position because they possess the same negativity toward invertebrates as the general public but have been commissioned by United…
Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gamez, Octavio

2012-01-01

This study presents the results of a social constructivist mixed methods investigation into the perceptions and experiences of elementary teachers participating in professional learning communities (PLCs). In order to better understand the dynamics involved in PLCs, this research used a team development model from human resources literature. Of…
Addressing prospective elementary teachers' mathematics subject matter knowledge through action research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hourigan, Mairéad; O'Donoghue, John

2015-01-01

There is international dissatisfaction regarding the standard of mathematics subject matter knowledge (MSMK) evident among both qualified and prospective elementary teachers. Ireland is no exception. Following increasing anecdotal evidence of prospective elementary teachers in one Irish College of Education (provider of initial teacher education programme) demonstrating weaknesses in this regard, this study sought to examine and address the issue through two cycles of action research. The examination of the nature of prospective teachers' MSMK (as well as related beliefs in the main study) informed the design and implementation of an intervention to address the issue. A mixed method approach was taken throughout. In both cycles, Shapiro's criteria were used as a conceptual framework for the evaluation of the initiative. This paper focuses on the perceived and actual effects of the intervention on participants' MSMK. As well as its contribution at a local and national level, the study provides an Irish perspective on approaches taken to address the phenomenon internationally.
It's Elementary: Special Topics in Elementary Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crawford, Patricia A., Ed.; Burriss, Kathleen Glascott, Ed.

As elementary teachers work to educate and meet the needs of the students in their care, their job has become increasingly challenging and demanding. This volume addresses a variety of issues and topics related to elementary education around eight sectional themes relevant to the work of elementary teachers: celebrating diversity, classroom…

Teachers' Perspectives of Children's Mental Health Service Needs in Urban Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, James Herbert; Horvath, Violet E.; Wei, Hsi-Sheng; Van Dorn, Richard A.; Jonson-Reid, Melissa

2007-01-01

This study uses a phenomenological approach to investigate elementary school teachers' perspectives on children's mental health service needs. Focus groups were conducted at two elementary schools with differing levels of available social services in a moderate-sized urban midwestern school district. Data collection centered on six prominent…
Impacts of Contextual and Explicit Instruction on Preservice Elementary Teachers' Understandings of the Nature of Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bell, Randy L.; Matkins, Juanita Jo; Gansneder, Bruce M.

2011-01-01

This mixed-methods investigation compared the relative impacts of instructional approach and context of nature of science instruction on preservice elementary teachers' understandings. The sample consisted of 75 preservice teachers enrolled in four sections of an elementary science methods course. Independent variables included instructional…
Primarily Statistics: Developing an Introductory Statistics Course for Pre-Service Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Green, Jennifer L.; Blankenship, Erin E.

2013-01-01

We developed an introductory statistics course for pre-service elementary teachers. In this paper, we describe the goals and structure of the course, as well as the assessments we implemented. Additionally, we use example course work to demonstrate pre-service teachers' progress both in learning statistics and as novice teachers. Overall, the…
Elementary School Teachers' Beliefs and Emotions: Implications for School Counselors and Counselor Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warren, Jeffrey M.; Dowden, Angel R.

2012-01-01

An understanding of teacher beliefs and emotions is invaluable for school counselors developing comprehensive counseling programs. This study explored the relationships among elementary school teachers' beliefs and emotions. Teachers (n = 42) completed surveys related to efficacy beliefs, irrational beliefs, and emotions. Significant relationships…
Teachers' Perceptions of Effective Teaching: A Comparative Study of Elementary School Teachers from China and the USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meng, Lingqi; Muñoz, Marco

2016-01-01

This international study investigated Chinese and American elementary school teachers' perceptions of effective teaching. The sample comprised Chinese (n = 108) and US (n = 110) participating teachers. The Effective Teaching Quality Survey (ETQS) was adopted for this comparative education research, an instrument that operationalized Stronge's…
Factors Influencing Elementary Mathematics Teachers' Beliefs in Reform-Based Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawyer, Amanda Gantt

2017-01-01

I investigated a reform based teachers' beliefs about the nature of mathematics, teaching mathematics, and learning mathematics, and the factors leading to their formation. I interviewed and observed a reform-based elementary mathematics teacher with 13 years' experience teaching first grade. She held a Platonist/problem solver view of…
What Is a Fraction? Developing Fraction Understanding in Prospective Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reeder, Stacy; Utley, Juliana

2017-01-01

Classroom teachers need a well-developed deep understanding of fractions and pedagogic practices so they can provide meaningful experiences for students to explore and construct ideas about fractions. This study sought to examine prospective elementary teachers' understandings of fraction by focusing specifically on their use of fractions meanings…
The Retention of Hispanic/Latino Teachers in Southeastern Rural Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rodriguez, Oscar

2017-01-01

This qualitative study reviewed reasons so few Hispanic/Latino teachers remain employed with rural county public elementary schools. The study evaluated issues that present high retention and attrition concerns for Hispanic/Latino teachers in rural schools. In addition, the dissertation offered suggestions on ways to increase the representation of…
Urban Schools: Challenges and Possibilities for Early Childhood and Elementary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boutte, Gloria Swindler

2012-01-01

Addressing the seemingly perpetual turbulent landscape of urban schools, the role that elementary educators and teacher educators can play in reversing negative trends and trajectories is considered. Three urban education journals were examined over a 5-year period (2005-2010) to determine the emphasis on elementary students or schools. Of the 429…
Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Conceptions of Counterexamples

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeybek, Zulfiye

2017-01-01

This study aimed at investigating two main issues related to counterexample construction: the appropriateness of counterexamples and the types of arguments that are often used when refuting a false conjecture. Twelve pre-service elementary teachers who demonstrated a wide range of reasoning skills participated in this study. The data revealed…
An Experiment In Field-Based Elementary Teacher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swann, Margaret H.

The Experimental Program in Elementary Education (EXEL) at Shepherd College in West Virginia began in 1973 with authorization by the West Virginia State Department of Education. The program was developed with the hope of producing more confident and competent teachers. EXEL provides continuous field experience from the second semester of the…
African American Male Elementary Teachers' Perceptions on Factors That Influence Their Retention and Attrition: A Qualitative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Lemanski Chante'

2012-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe and explore American male elementary teachers' perceptions on factors that contribute to decisions to remain in or exit the teaching field, specifically elementary education. Ten African American male elementary teachers participated in the study. The theory from this study was the…
Mathematics Anxiety and Preservice Elementary Teachers' Confidence to Teach Mathematics and Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bursal, Murat; Paznokas, Lynda

2006-01-01

Sixty-five preservice elementary teachers' math anxiety levels and confidence levels to teach elementary mathematics and science were measured. The confidence scores of subjects in different math anxiety groups were compared and the relationships between their math anxiety levels and confidence levels to teach mathematics and science were…
Pre-service elementary teachers' understanding of scientific inquiry and its role in school science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macaroglu, Esra

The purpose of this research was to explore pre-service elementary teachers' developing understanding of scientific inquiry within the context of their elementary science teaching and learning. More specifically, the study examined 24 pre-service elementary teachers' emerging understanding of (1) the nature of science and scientific inquiry; (2) the "place" of scientific inquiry in school science; and (3) the roles and responsibilities of teachers and students within an inquiry-based learning environment. Data sources consisted primarily of student-generated artifacts collected throughout the semester, including pre/post-philosophy statements and text-based materials collected from electronic dialogue journals. Individual data sources were open-coded to identify concepts and categories expressed by students. Cross-comparisons were conducted and patterns were identified. Assertions were formed with these patterns. Findings are hopeful in that they suggest pre-service teachers can develop a more contemporary view of scientific inquiry when immersed in a context that promotes this perspective. Not surprisingly, however, the prospective teachers encountered a number of barriers when attempting to translate their emerging ideas into practice. More research is needed to determine which teacher preparation experiences are most powerful in supporting pre-service teachers as they construct a framework for science teaching and learning that includes scientific inquiry as a central component.
The Multifaceted Impact of Peer Relations on Aggressive-Disruptive Behavior in Early Elementary School

PubMed Central

Powers, Christopher J.; Bierman, Karen L.

2013-01-01

Following a large, diverse sample of 4096 children in 27 schools, this study evaluated the impact of three aspects of peer relations, measured concurrently, on subsequent child aggressive-disruptive behavior during early elementary school – peer-dislike, reciprocated friends' aggressiveness, and classroom levels of aggressive-disruptive behavior. Teachers rated child aggressive-disruptive behavior in first and third grade, and peer relations were assessed during second grade. Results indicated that heightened classroom aggressive-disruptive behavior levels were related to proximal peer relations, including an increased likelihood of having aggressive friends and lower levels of peer-dislike of aggressive-disruptive children. Controlling for first grade aggressive-disruptive behavior, the three second grade peer experiences each made unique contributions to third grade child aggressive-disruptive behavior. These findings replicate and extend a growing body of research documenting the multifaceted nature of peer influence on aggressive-disruptive behavior in early elementary school. They highlight the importance of the classroom ecology and proximal peer relations in the socialization of aggressive-disruptive behavior. PMID:22545840
Microteaching Lesson Study: Mentor Interaction Structure and Its Relation to Elementary Preservice Mathematics Teacher Knowledge Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Molina, Roxanne V.

2012-01-01

This study investigated Microteaching Lesson Study (MLS) and three possible MLS mentor interaction structures during the debriefing sessions in relation to elementary preservice teacher development of knowledge for teaching. One hundred three elementary preservice teachers enrolled in five different sections of a mathematics methods course at a…
Improving the Mathematics Preparation of Elementary Teachers, One Lesson at a Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berk, Dawn; Hiebert, James

2009-01-01

In this paper, we describe a model for systematically improving the mathematics preparation of elementary teachers, one lesson at a time. We begin by identifying a serious obstacle for teacher educators: the absence of mechanisms for developing a shareable knowledge base for teacher preparation. We propose our model as a way to address this…
Linking Teacher and Parent Ratings of Teacher-Nominated Gifted Elementary School Students to Each Other and to School Grades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rothenbusch, Sandra; Voss, Thamar; Golle, Jessika; Zettler, Ingo

2018-01-01

This study investigated teacher and parent ratings of teacher-nominated gifted elementary school students' verbal abilities, mathematical abilities, deductive reasoning, creative thinking, and engagement, and connected these ratings to school grades. Teacher and parent ratings were compared with regard to accuracy levels and halo effects.…
It's Never Too Early: Why Economics Education in the Elementary Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meszaros, Bonnie T.; Evans, Stella

2010-01-01

There never seems to be enough time to teach everything that administrators, policy advocates, parents, legislators, and the general public think should be addressed in the elementary classroom. Each year, elementary teachers are asked to add more and more to their already crowded curriculum. Add to this the pressures of state standards and making…
An Inservice Program for Elementary Teachers: Components, Instructional Procedures, and Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horak, Willis J.; And Others

A description and evaluation of a year-long science in-service program for elementary teachers is provided. Consisting of three components, the program was designed to expand teachers' understandings of physics and chemistry concepts and processes and to encourage more science teaching and science activities in their classrooms. The on-campus…

A Presumption of Competence: Elementary Pre-Service Teacher Knowledge about Dissolving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrell, Pamela; Subramaniam, Karthigeyan

2014-01-01

This study explored elementary pre-service teachers' content knowledge for dissolving before and after an instructional intervention over a 15-week science methods course. Pre-service teacher knowledge was examined using pre/post concept maps (Cmaps) and drawings with narrative descriptions. A mixed methods approach was used for both data…
Instructional Materials Commonly Employed by Foreign Language Teachers at Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çakir, Ismail

2015-01-01

This study aimed to determine the teachers' choices of instructional materials in teaching English at elementary schools. The reasons behind preferring or not preferring some certain instructional materials specified within the research were analysed. To this end, during the course of School Experience, 68 prospective English teachers observed 38…
Elementary Education Preservice Teachers' Understanding of Biotechnology and Its Related Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chabalengula, Vivien Mweene; Mumba, Frackson; Chitiyo, Jonathan

2011-01-01

This study examined preservice teachers' understanding of biotechnology and its related processes. A sample comprised 88 elementary education preservice teachers at a large university in the Midwest of the USA. A total of 60 and 28 of the participants were enrolled in introductory and advanced science methods courses, respectively. Most…
Does Collective Bargaining Influence the Pay Satisfaction of Elementary School Teachers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckman, David G.; Tran, Henry; Young, I. Phillip

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of collective bargaining on teacher pay satisfaction and offer knowledge of the factors contributing to the pay satisfaction of public elementary school teachers. The study focuses on how human capital, occupational characteristics, and job related characteristics impact the pay satisfaction of…
Teacher Leadership: A Delphi Study of Factors in Building Teacher Leadership Capacity in Elementary Educational Organizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castilleja Gray, Beatrice

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the most important factors that motivate or deter teachers in deciding to take on the informal or formal role of teacher-leader in Riverside County elementary school districts. Methodology: Endemic of a Delphi method, the instruments used within this study collected data…
Comparison of voice-use profiles between elementary classroom and music teachers.

PubMed

Morrow, Sharon L; Connor, Nadine P

2011-05-01

Among teachers, music teachers are roughly four times more likely than classroom teachers to develop voice-related problems. Although it has been established that music teachers use their voices at high intensities and durations in the course of their workday, voice-use profiles concerning the amount and intensity of vocal use and vocal load have neither been quantified nor has vocal load for music teachers been compared with classroom teachers using these same voice-use parameters. In this study, total phonation time, fundamental frequency (F₀), and vocal intensity (dB SPL [sound pressure level]) were measured or estimated directly using a KayPENTAX Ambulatory Phonation Monitor (KayPENTAX, Lincoln Park, NJ). Vocal load was calculated as cycle and distance dose, as defined by Švec et al (2003), which integrates total phonation time, F₀, and vocal intensity. Twelve participants (n = 7 elementary music teachers and n = 5 elementary classroom teachers) were monitored during five full teaching days of one workweek to determine average vocal load for these two groups of teachers. Statistically significant differences in all measures were found between the two groups (P < 0.05) with large effect sizes for all parameters. These results suggest that typical vocal loads for music teachers are substantially higher than those experienced by classroom teachers (P < 0.01). This study suggests that reducing vocal load may have immediate clinical and educational benefits in vocal health in music teachers. Copyright © 2011 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Strategy Ranges: Describing Change in Prospective Elementary Teachers' Approaches to Mental Computation of Sums and Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitacre, Ian

2015-01-01

This study investigated the sets of mental computation strategies used by prospective elementary teachers to compute sums and differences of whole numbers. In the context of an intervention designed to improve the number sense of prospective elementary teachers, participants were interviewed pre/post, and their mental computation strategies were…
Does Teaching Geometry with Augmented Reality Affect the Technology Acceptance of Elementary School Mathematics Teacher Candidates?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Önal, Nezih; Ibili, Emin; Çaliskan, Erkan

2017-01-01

The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of augmented reality technology and geometry teaching on elementary school mathematics teacher candidates' technology acceptance and to examine participants' views on augmented reality. The sample of the research was composed of 40 elementary school mathematics teacher candidates who were…
Computer Literacy and Use among Elementary Classroom Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bychowski, Deborah K.; Van Dusseldorp, Ralph

The current state of computer literacy and computer use among Anchorage School District elementary classroom teachers was assessed with a sample of four schools. Computer literacy was considered as the general range of skills and understandings needed to utilize a computer in the classroom effectively. A 17-item questionnaire, administered to 82…
Curriculum-Dependent and Curriculum-Independent Factors in Preservice Elementary Teachers' Adaptation of Science Curriculum Materials for Inquiry-Based Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Cory T.

2013-01-01

In this nested mixed methods study I investigate factors influencing preservice elementary teachers' adaptation of science curriculum materials to better support students' engagement in science as inquiry. Analyses focus on two "reflective teaching assignments" completed by 46 preservice elementary teachers in an undergraduate elementary science…
Understanding elementary teacher motivations for science fieldtrips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kisiel, James

2005-11-01

This investigation sought to identify the motivations that comprise teachers' agendas when leading student fieldtrips to science museums or similar sites. A survey distributed to upper elementary teachers resulted in a variety of open-ended responses that were analyzed and coded to identify recurring themes. In addition, ten teachers planning to lead a school trip to a natural history museum were interviewed and observed. Interview and observation data were used to triangulate findings and refine descriptions of actual practice. Eight fieldtrip motivations were identified including to connect with the classroom curriculum, to provide a general learning experience, to encourage lifelong learning, to enhance interest and motivation, to provide exposure to new experiences, to provide a change in setting or routine, for enjoyment, and to meet school expectations. Results indicated that connecting to the classroom curriculum was an important consideration, although teachers had different interpretations of what this meant. Further examination of the teachers' agendas suggested the influence of different contexts, including that of the school and the museum site. These findings lead to suggestions for facilitating school visits to informal settings by considering the teachers' fieldtrip perspectives and agendas.
Teachers' Perceptions on Current Piano Use in the Elementary General Music Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baker, Valerie A.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify teacher opinion of piano use, the amount of piano use, and current purposes for pianos in elementary general music classrooms. A geographically diverse sample of general music teachers (N = 189) completed a piano use survey. The data indicated that teachers felt piano was an important part of elementary…
Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs and the Lived Experience of Preservice Elementary Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kettler, Karen A.

The current study utilized a mixed methods approach to examine the science teaching efficacy beliefs (STEB) of preservice elementary teachers as they participated in a Science Methods course. The following questions were addressed using quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews: What are the STEB of preservice elementary teachers as they progress through a Science Methods course?; How do the STEB of preservice elementary teachers with higher and lower personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE) beliefs change as they progress through a Science Methods course?; What is the nature of the lived experiences of preservice elementary teachers with higher and lower PSTE beliefs as they progress through a Science Methods course?; and How does the meaning developed during the lived experience of preservice elementary teachers with higher and lower PSTE beliefs influence their STEB? The participants (n = 21) included preservice elementary teachers registered for a Science Methods course as part of the "Block" semester, during their final year of teacher preparation prior to the student teaching experience. Quantitative data was obtained via Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument- form B (STEBI-B) surveys taken at the beginning and end of the Science Methods course. This data was utilized to categorize participants into low, medium, and high efficacy groups, depending on how they scored in relation to one another. Qualitative data was obtained concurrently, through in-depth interviews with four "lower" efficacy participants and four "higher" efficacy participants, and was conducted after the "pre" survey and before the "post" survey, utilizing transcendental phenomenological methodology. Results showed a significant difference between pre- and post- survey data, indicating that the participants, as a whole, experienced an increase in PSTE during the Science Methods course (p<0.001). An examination of the specific subgroups (low, medium, and high efficacy) show a
Levels of use of an elementary school inquiry-based instructional innovation among a selected group of teacher participants in the Delaware Elementary Science Initiative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchelle, Henry Ellsworth Wirt, III

Science education in Delaware's public elementary and middle schools has experienced much change in recent years as a result of the adoption of state standards and, in particular, the adoption by school districts of the Smithsonian/National Science Resources Council-sponsored inquiry-based instruction modules as part of the "Elementary Science Initiative." As part of this adoption process, each participating elementary teacher and middle school science teacher receives extensive training in the use of several discrete science kits. The trainings include reinforcement and development of content knowledge, in addition to the modeling of and practice with complementary pedagogy. One measure of the effectiveness of the science kit training process (and perhaps the Initiative itself) is the teachers' levels of use of the Initiative. The purpose of this study was to determine the participating teachers' use of the science kit innovation through the use of the Concerns-based Adoption Model Levels of Use Questionnaire. Eight K--5 elementary classroom teachers who had completed at least three science kit trainings participated. The results of this study indicate that on the Overall Level of Use Rating Scale, teachers who had completed training in at least three science kits generally scored at the Routine (IVA) level. All of the teachers, regardless of the wide range in the number of years of experience, had achieved the Mechanical Use level in Overall (III) LoU, and 6 of the 8 participants (75%) were operating at no less than the Refinement (IVA) Overall LoU level.
Acceptability of Language Interventions: A Comparison of Preschool and Elementary Teachers' Responses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turan, Yasemin; Ostrosky, Michaelene M.; Halle, James W.; DeStefano, Lizanne

2004-01-01

This study used structured analogue situations to examine factors that might influence teachers' preferences and opinions about language interventions. These factors included respondent groups (preschool vs. elementary school teachers), type of treatment approach (naturalistic vs. therapeutic), person delivering the intervention (classroom teacher…
Acceptability Of Language Interventions: A Comparison Of Preschool And Elementary Teachers' Responses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turan, Yasemin; Ostrosky, Michaelene M.; Halle, James W.; DeStefano, Lizanne

2004-01-01

This study used structured analogue situations to examine factors that might influence teachers? preferences and opinions about language interventions. These factors included respondent groups (preschool vs. elementary school teachers), type of treatment approach (naturalistic vs. therapeutic), person delivering the intervention (classroom teacher…
Chance, choice and opportunity: Life history study of two exemplary female elementary science teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hitt, Kathleen Milligan

The purpose of this two-year study was to investigate why two female elementary teachers became exemplary science teachers, despite conditions which do not promote such achievement. Each teachers' progress was examined using life history methodology. The study's theoretical grounding included females' academic and attitudinal success in science education. Purposeful sampling of peers, administrators, and college professors produced two research participants. Both teachers participated in interviews, observations, and member checks lasting over one year. Data were analyzed inductively, resulting in two life histories. Comparing the life stories using confluence theory (Feldman, 1986) indicated four major categories for consideration: risk-taking; life-long learning; gender equity; and mentors. Risk-taking is necessary for female elementary teachers because of their often poor educational background. Few female role models support efforts for achievement. Life-long learning, including extensive reading and graduate-level classes, supports female teachers' personal and professional growth. Exposure to new ideas and teacher practices encourages curricular change and refinement in science education. Gender inequity and the male-packaging of science is an issue to be resolved by female elementary teachers. Mentors can provide interaction and feedback to refine science instructional practices. Professors, peers, and mentor teachers support instructional and content knowledge efforts. Recommendations for science education in classroom practices, preservice teacher education and continuing professional development include female-friendly approaches to science instruction. Decreased competitive practices through cooperative learning and gender inclusive language encourages female participation and achievement in classrooms. Hands-on, inquiry-based instruction and verbalization encourages female students' achievement in science education. Preservice teachers must receive
Personal Beliefs and Job Satisfaction of Illinois Elementary General Music Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kellermeyer, Rebecca J.

2009-01-01

The retention of elementary general music teachers is of primary concern to the music education community. Teachers complete four years of college with additional coursework or masters degrees to improve and enhance their teaching expertise. With increased amounts of time and money involved in the training of these music teaching professionals,…
Theory and Practice in a Science Education Course for Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lacueva, Aurora

2014-01-01

In this action research work, I analyze the theory-practice integration in teacher preparation within the context of a science and technology (S&T) education teaching methodology course aimed at future elementary teachers. The course was designed, developed and evaluated taking into account this relationship as one of its axes. The results…
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Elementary School Success Profile for Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webber, Kristina C.; Rizo, Cynthia F.; Bowen, Natasha K.

2012-01-01

Objectives: This study examines the factor structure and scale quality of data collected with the online Elementary School Success Profile (ESSP) for Teachers from a sample of teachers of 1,145 third through fifth graders. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using Mplus and weighted least squares means and variances adjusted (WLSMV)…

Sexual Orientation Topics in Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs in the USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jennings, Todd; Sherwin, Gary

2008-01-01

This investigation is a descriptive study documenting the inclusion of sexual orientation (gay and lesbian) topics in a sample of 65 public university elementary teacher preparation programs across the USA (representing the preparation of 14,000-19,000 new teachers annually). Findings indicate that only 55.6% of programs address sexual orientation…
Rethinking Difficulties of Teaching Inquiry-Based Practical Work: Stories from elementary pre-service teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Mijung; Tan, Aik-Ling

2011-03-01

To alleviate teachers' reluctance toward practical work, there has been much discussion on teachers' pedagogical content knowledge, teaching materials, and failsafe strategies for practical work. Despite these efforts, practical work is still regarded as a challenging task for many elementary science teachers. To understand the complexity of teachers' conflicts in practical work, this study examines teachers' ideas about teaching and learning that influence teachers' decision-making and action on teaching practical work. More important than knowing technical-rational aspects of practical work is to understand the internal contradictions that teachers have to resolve within themselves regarding their capabilities and beliefs about science teaching and practical work. Using stories and experiences of 38 third-year university students in a science method course in Korea, we seek to understand the conflicts and negotiations that they experience as they make decisions regarding practical work throughout their course. Reflective writings and group discussions on their lived experiences and concerns were used to probe participants' ideas on teaching using practical work. From written and verbal data, themes were saturated in terms of the aspects which could (dis)encourage their practice. Results suggest that there are multifactorial challenges in pre-service teachers' understandings and concerns in practical work. Besides time, materials, and curriculum, pedagogical assumptions and values also compositely challenge the minds of teachers. As the pre-service elementary teachers negotiated within themselves the importance of science in classroom and social levels, the question is raised about their identities as pre-service elementary teachers to appreciate the balance between science teaching and practical work.
Elementary teachers' perceptions about the effective features of explicit-reflective nature of science instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adibelli-Sahin, Elif; Deniz, Hasan

2017-04-01

This qualitative study explored elementary teachers' perceptions about the effective features of explicit-reflective nature of science (NOS) instruction. Our participants were four elementary teachers from a public charter school located in the Southwestern U.S.A. The four elementary teachers participated in an academic year-long professional development about NOS which consisted of NOS training and NOS teaching phases. After each phase of the professional development, we specifically asked our participants which features of the explicit-reflective NOS instruction they found effective in improving their NOS conceptions by presenting pre- and post-profiles of their NOS conceptions. We identified nine features perceived by the participants as effective components of explicit-reflective NOS instruction: (1) specific focus on NOS content, (2) participation in hands-on NOS activities, (3) introductory NOS readings, (4) multiple types/forms of reflection, (5) multiple exposure to NOS content, (6) structural consistency in the presentation of NOS content, (7) the evaluation of secondary NOS data from elementary students, (8) the analysis of national and state science standards in terms of NOS content, and (9) NOS teaching experience.
A Study of the Relationship between Demographic Factors and Elementary School Teacher Burnout: The Iranian Case

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mazidi, Mohammad; Khoshbakht, Friba; Mahboobe, Alborzi

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between certain demographic factors and elementary school teachers' burnout. The sample consisted of 144 elementary school teachers (98 male and 76 women) selected through cluster random sampling. Data were collected by: (1) Personal Information Form developed by the researchers, and…
Elementary Teacher Assessments of Principal Servant Leadership, Their Experience with Team Learning and Student Academic Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zahn, Brian

2011-01-01

This study compared teacher assessments of principal servant leadership and their experience with team learning in high, moderate, and low student academic achieving elementary schools. The participants were from fifteen moderate need elementary schools located in southern New York State counties. One hundred sixty two teachers responded to a 36…
De-Marginalizing Science in the Elementary Classroom by Coaching Teachers to Address Perceived Dilemmas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berg, Alissa; Mensah, Felicia Moore

2014-01-01

This study identifies and explores the dilemmas experienced by three first-grade teachers in teaching elementary school science. The impact of coaching and teachers' career stages on how teachers reconcile their dilemmas was examined. Results of this comparative case study indicate teachers perceived tensions between focusing instructional…
Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers: Are New Mexico's Education School Graduates Ready to Teach Reading and Mathematics in Elementary Classrooms?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenberg, Julie; Jacobs, Sandi

2009-01-01

As a follow up to National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ's) national studies of how well elementary teachers are prepared to teach reading and mathematics, NCTQ looks at preparation in both subjects in all undergraduate teacher preparation programs in New Mexico. This analysis evaluated New Mexico's eight undergraduate elementary teacher…
Elementary Teachers' and Principals' Concerns in the Implementation of Inclusion in a South Texas School District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arce, Lauren Y.

2017-01-01

This study addressed the in-depth concerns that elementary regular education teachers, elementary special education teachers, and campus administrators in one South Texas school district have for the use or non-use of inclusionary practices as a means of educating students with special needs. These concerns that teachers and campus administrators…
Teachers in Elementary and Secondary Education. Historical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Center for Education Statistics (ED/OERI), Washington, DC.

Information presented in this report is based on responses from school and district administrators to a survey of existing teacher demand and shortages in elementary and secondary schools during the 1983-84 school year. The survey instrument consisted of three parts, each of which collected a different type of data: (1) "head counts" for the…
Elementary School Teacher Candidates' Perceptions of Good Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Ji-Eun; Kim, Kyoung-Tae

2005-01-01

This study describes a classroom action research activity regarding a group of elementary school teacher candidates' perceptions of good mathematics problems. A questionnaire containing 20 problems was given, and the candidates were asked to rate the quality of each problem on a 5-point scale. The results revealed that the majority of the teacher…
The Relationship Between Teachers' Mathematical Content and Pedagogical Knowledge, Teachers' Perceptions, and Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, Patricia F.; Nishio, Masako; Smith, Toni M.; Clark, Lawrence M.; Conant, Darcy L.; Rust, Amber H.; DePiper, Jill Neumayer; Frank, Toya Jones; Griffin, Matthew J.; Choi, Youyoung

2014-01-01

This study of early-career teachers identified a significant relationship between upper-elementary teachers' mathematical content knowledge and their students' mathematics achievement, after controlling for student- and teacher-level characteristics. Findings provide evidence of the relevance of teacher knowledge and perceptions for teacher…
Computing and Engineering in Elementary School: The Effect of Year-Long Training on Elementary Teacher Self-Efficacy and Beliefs about Teaching Computing and Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rich, Peter Jacob; Jones, Brian; Belikov, Olga; Yoshikawa, Emily; Perkins, McKay

2017-01-01

STEM, the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is increasingly being promoted in elementary education. However, elementary educators are largely untrained in the 21st century skills of computing (a subset of technology) and engineering. The purpose of this study was to better understand elementary teachers'…
Teachers' beliefs about mental health needs in inner city elementary schools.

PubMed

Walter, Heather J; Gouze, Karen; Lim, Karen G

2006-01-01

To survey teachers' beliefs about mental health service needs in inner city elementary schools. A total of 119 teachers from six elementary schools in a major city in the midwestern United States were surveyed to assess their beliefs about the major mental health problems facing their schools, the major barriers to surmounting those problems, their preferences for mental health topics for in-service education, and their education, experience, knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy pertaining to mental health issues. Disruptive behavior was endorsed by approximately 50% of teachers as the largest mental health problem facing their schools, and lack of information/training was endorsed as the greatest barrier to surmounting mental health problems. The highest-rated topics for in-service education were disruptive behavior disorders and implementing behavior plans. Although most teachers had taught students with mental health problems, most had had little education in mental health and little consultation with mental health professionals. Correspondingly, teachers' knowledge about mental health issues was limited, and they did not feel confident about their ability to manage mental health problems in their classrooms. Teachers would benefit from education, training, and consultation from mental health professionals if they serve as effective gatekeepers to mental health services.
Science education in an urban elementary school: Case studies of teacher beliefs and classroom practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Ken; Shumow, Lee; Lietz, Stephanie

2001-03-01

Through a case study approach, the state of science education in an urban elementary school was examined in detail. Observations made from the perspective of a science education specialist, an educational psychologist, and an expert elementary teacher were triangulated to provide a set of perspectives from which elementary science instruction could be examined. Findings revealed that teachers were more poorly prepared than had been anticipated, both in terms of science content knowledge and instructional skills, but also with respect to the quality of classroom pedagogical and management skills. Particularly significant, from a science education perspective, was the inconsistency between how they perceived their teaching practice (a hands-on, inquiry-based approach) and the investigator-observed expository nature of the lessons. Lessons were typically expository in nature, with little higher-level interaction of significance. Implications for practice and the associated needs for staff development among urban elementary teachers is discussed within the context of these findings.
Professional development in inquiry-based science for elementary teachers of diverse student groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Okhee; Hart, Juliet E.; Cuevas, Peggy; Enders, Craig

2004-12-01

As part of a larger project aimed at promoting science and literacy for culturally and linguistically diverse elementary students, this study has two objectives: (a) to describe teachers' initial beliefs and practices about inquiry-based science and (b) to examine the impact of the professional development intervention (primarily through instructional units and teacher workshops) on teachers' beliefs and practices related to inquiry-based science. The research involved 53 third- and fourth-grade teachers at six elementary schools in a large urban school district. At the end of the school year, teachers reported enhanced knowledge of science content and stronger beliefs about the importance of science instruction with diverse student groups, although their actual practices did not change significantly. Based on the results of this first year of implementation as part of a 3-year longitudinal design, implications for professional development and further research are discussed.
Increasing the Rate of Presentation and Use of Signals in Elementary Classroom Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carnine, Douglas W.; Fink, William T.

1978-01-01

Two issues relevant to competency-based teacher training were investigated with 13 elementary teachers--the specification of acceptable implementation levels for validated techniques and the necessity and feasibility of providing training on those techniques. (Author)
Elementary Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Prerequisite Algebra Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Welder, Rachael M.; Simonsen, Linda M.

2011-01-01

The current study investigated the effects of an undergraduate mathematics content course for pre-service elementary teachers. The participants' content knowledge was quantitatively measured using an instrument comprised of items from the Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Measures (Hill, Schilling, & Ball, 2004). Using a one-group…
Personality Factors of Elementary and Secondary Pre-Service Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baldwin, Beatrice; And Others

Research has indicated that numerous factors influence teaching performance, including nonacademic traits such as personality attributes, self-concept, commitment to teaching, and gender. This study compared the personality characteristics of elementary and secondary preservice teachers. Subjects were junior- and senior-level students (N=186) in…
Developing a Professional Identity as an Elementary Teacher of Nature of Science: A self-study of becoming an elementary teacher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akerson, Valarie L.; Pongsanon, Khemmawadee; Weiland, Ingrid S.; Nargund-Joshi, Vanashri

2014-08-01

This study explores the development of professional identity as a teacher of nature of science (NOS). Our research question was 'How can a teacher develop a professional identity as an elementary teacher of NOS?' Through a researcher log, videotaped lessons, and collection of student work, we were able to track efforts in teaching NOS as part of regular classroom practice. A team of four researchers interpreted the data through the Beijaard et al. professional identity framework and found that it was not as simple and straightforward to teach NOS as we predicted. Development of professional identity as a teacher of NOS was influenced by contextual factors such as students, administration, and time, as well as personal struggles that were fraught with emotion. Development took place through an interpretation and reinterpretation of self through external factors and others' perceptions, as well as the influence of sub-identities.
Views of Students, Parents, and Teachers on Homework in Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidovitch, Nitza; Yavich, Roman

2017-01-01

The current study seeks to examine the perception of the three main populations that have a part in the educational and pedagogic domain: teachers, parents, and elementary school students, while comparing between religious and secular schools. The major hypothesis of the study is that teachers, parents, and students do not have congruent views on…

Perceptions of science and art: An interdisciplinary investigation of preservice elementary teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleming, Michelle Ann

Science and art have been intertwined throughout history. Leading educational organizations and researchers support interdisciplinary connections to maximize teaching scope and effectiveness. Preservice elementary teachers face unique challenges in developing appropriate pedagogical content knowledge in a variety of disciplines, including science and art. This multi-method, case study investigated the relationship between science and art as an example of two disciplines that seem disparate but actually have strong similarities. Attitudes and perceptions towards science and art, and the teaching of science and art were studied with a cohort of twenty-six preservice elementary teachers at a large, Midwestern university. Data was generated from pre- and post-tests, interviews, and observations in the elementary science and art methods courses. Interests and attitudes towards teaching science increased, and participants came to perceive science as a more creative and imaginative endeavor. Perceived self-efficacies towards teaching science and art increased significantly. Attitudes towards art and perceptions of outcome expectancy and cooperative peer relationships in both science and art did not change. Qualitative results suggested inadequate and naive views of science and art at the beginning and more developed views of science and art by the end of the coursework. Creativity and imagination in scientific and artistic inquiry was a pervading theme in the post-course data. Implications are discussed for elementary teacher education and further research in this area.
Preservice Elementary Teachers and Explanation Construction: Knowledge-"for"-Practice and Knowledge-"in"-Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zangori, Laura; Forbes, Cory T.

2013-01-01

Effectively designed science learning environments revolve around students' sensemaking through the use of evidence to ground explanations about natural phenomena. However, little research has been conducted to investigate elementary teachers' learning to promote students' sensemaking in elementary (K-5) classrooms. The purpose of this…
Collaboration between the University Pre-Service Teacher Education Program and the Local Elementary School on English Remedial Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chien, Chin-Wen

2015-01-01

This study analyzed 24 pre-service elementary school English teachers' design and delivery of remedial education to the fifth and sixth graders in the collaboration between the university pre-service teacher education program and the local elementary school in a city in northwest Taiwan. The pre-service teachers were encouraged by the elementary…
Writing Like a Scientist: Exploring Elementary Teachers' Understandings and Practices of Writing in Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glen, Nicole J.; Dotger, Sharon

2013-10-01

This qualitative study examined the connections between elementary teachers’ conceptions of how scientists use writing and how the teachers used writing during science lessons. Data collected included lesson observations, interviews, handouts to students, and curriculum resources. The findings revealed that teachers in this study thought scientists write for several purposes: the presentation of data, observations, experiences, procedures, and facts. The teachers used writing tasks that mirrored this with their students. The teachers also had a limited definition of creativity in writing, and when they had students write creatively in science it was to add in fictional elements. Implications of this study include providing teachers with better models for how and why scientists write, including these models in more inquiry-based science lessons, and directly relating concepts of nature of science to elementary science writing.
Trends in teachers' recommendations for changing elementary and junior-high school science programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stronck, David R.

Since 1978 many studies have called for changes in the practices of science teaching. These changes in instruction will occur only when the teachers decide to change their practices. This study uses surveys to consider the question of what were the trends in the teachers' recommendations for changes in elementary and junior-high school science programs between the years of 1978 and 1982. Large samples of teachers in British Columbia, Canada, responded anonymously to questionnaires in these years: 3040 teachers in 1978 and 1631 in 1982, with return rates ranging from 77.5% to 85%. These teachers described themselves as shifting their classroom practices toward ones that emphasize passive learning and memorization. The British Columbia Science Assessments recommend more inservice programs to stop this trend. There were very few differences in the teachers' recommendations for changes in the schools. The elementary-school teachers had major changes in their rankings of only two activities: they increased their ranking of activity-centered learning and reduced their ranking of outdoor education.
Developing Elementary Science PCK for Teacher Education: Lessons Learned from a Second Grade Partnership

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradbury, Leslie U.; Wilson, Rachel E.; Brookshire, Laura E.

2017-06-01

In this self-study, two science educators partnered with two elementary teachers to plan, implement, and reflect on a unit taught in second grade classrooms that integrated science and language arts. The researchers hoped to increase their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for elementary science teaching so that they might use their experiences working in an elementary context to modify their practices in their elementary science method instruction. The research question guiding the study was: What aspects of our PCK for elementary science teaching do we as science educators develop by co-planning, co-teaching, and reflecting with second grade teachers? Data include transcripts of planning meetings, oral reflections about the experience, and videos of the unit being enacted. Findings indicate that managing resources for science teaching, organizing students for science learning, and reflecting on science teaching were themes prevalent in the data. These themes were linked to the model of PCK developed by Park and Oliver (Research in Science Education, 38, 261-284, 2008) and demonstrate that we developed PCK for elementary science teaching in several areas. In our discussion, we include several proposed changes for our elementary science methods course based on the outcomes of the study.
Exploring Teacher Knowledge and Actions Supporting Technology-Enhanced Teaching in Elementary Schools: Two Approaches by Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Figg, Candace; Jamani, Kamini Jaipal

2011-01-01

Two approaches to teaching with technology to highlight practice-based teacher knowledge and actions for teaching technologically enhanced lessons are presented. Participants were two elementary pre-service teachers teaching during practicum. Qualitative data sources included verbatim transcripts of participant interviews, field notes of planning…
Inside Connections: Local Teachers' Perspectives on Parental Engagement in an Urban Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Wayne A.

2007-01-01

This study examines the engagement of local teachers and parents in a low-income urban elementary school. Based on participant observation and interviews with 10 teachers who have residential histories in their school's neighborhood, this phenomenological study examines the ways in which the presence of teachers in the neighborhood and their…
Elementary Teachers' Perspectives of Mathematics Problem Solving Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruun, Faye

2013-01-01

Participants in this study were asked to report what strategies were most often used in their attempts to foster their students' problem solving abilities. Participants included 70 second through fifth-grade elementary teachers from 42 schools in a large state of the south central region in the U.S. Data analyses of the interviews revealed that…
Separate Reading Exams Await Would-Be Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawchuk, Stephen

2012-01-01

A handful of states are gradually adopting licensing tests that measure aspiring elementary teachers' ability to master aspects of what's arguably their most important task: teaching students to read. In the most recent example of what appears to be a slow but steady push, Wisconsin became the latest state to adopt a rigorous, stand-alone test of…
Opinions of Upper Elementary Students about a "Good Teacher" (Case Study in Turkey).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aksoy, Naciye

This study examined the opinions of 170 Turkish elementary students in grades 6-8 about what makes a good teacher. Students completed surveys that asked about how they would describe a good teacher, what a teacher should do to be good, and what they would do and would not do if they were good teachers. Questions were open-ended to elicit student…
The Role of Struggle in Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Experiences as Students and Approaches to Facilitating Science Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Rachel E.; Kittleson, Julie M.

2012-01-01

Science education researchers are concerned with preparing pre-service elementary teachers (PSETs) to teach in ways that support students to learn science in a meaningful way. Preparing elementary teachers to teach science is complicated given that they tend to be generalists and may not have the same experience with science as secondary teachers.…
In-Service Turkish Elementary and Science Teachers' Attitudes toward Science and Science Teaching: A Sample from Usak Province

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turkmen, Lutfullah

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to reveal Turkish elementary teachers' and science teachers' attitudes toward science and science teaching. The sample of the study, 138 in-service elementary level science teachers from a province of Turkey, was selected by a clustered sampling method. The Science Teaching Attitude Scale-II was employed to measure the…
The Effect of the Teaching Practice Course on Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Technology Integration Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ünal, Erhan; Yamaç, Ahmet; Uzun, Ahmet M.

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the teaching practice course on preservice elementary teachers' TISE level. In this research both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. The participants were 43 pre-service elementary teachers from a state university in Turkey. In the quantitative part of the study, these…
The Teacher's Role. Implementing Title IX and Attaining Sex Equity: A Workshop Package for Elementary-Secondary Educators. Outline and Participants' Materials for Application Sessions for Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCune, Shirley; And Others

This 2-day workshop package was developed to address the needs of elementary and secondary school teachers with regard to Title IX and sex equity. The role of elementary and secondary school teachers in reinforcing sex fairness and in eliminating sex bias in teacher education curricula and in the classroom is the focus of the workshop. The…
Northern California Elementary School Principals' Perceptions of Teacher Equity Characteristics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Serrato, Victor

2017-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand elementary school principals' perceptions about what teachers need to know and be able to do in the classroom in order to teach all students equitably. In addition, this study sought to understand what attitudes and belief systems are needed by teachers in order for them to effectively meet…
An Investigation on the Elementary Teachers' Knowledge about Air Pollution Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yilmaz-Tuzun, Ozgul; Tuncer, Gaye Teksoz; Aydemir, Murat

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the elementary teachers' knowledge about air pollution. Ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, and renewable energy were also addressed in this study to get holistic picture about air pollution. A total of 183 teachers from the 91 schools in Ankara participated to the study. The data obtained were…
Making a Case for Using Visual Inquiry Discussion in Preparing Elementary Social Studies Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Cathy M.

2013-01-01

This dissertation research examines a teacher educator's instructional practices and preservice teachers' learning in two elementary social studies methods courses. As self-study, it focuses on learning to teach preservice teachers how to select and use visual images to teacher history and social studies. The research uses the Grossman Framework…
Developing Preservice Elementary Teachers' Knowledge and Practices through Modeling-Centered Scientific Inquiry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwarz, Christina

2009-01-01

Preservice elementary teachers face many challenges in learning how to teach science effectively, such as engaging students in science, organizing instruction, and developing a productive learning community. This paper reports on several iterative cycles of design-based research aimed at fostering preservice teachers' principled reasoning around…
Contributory Factors to Teachers' Sense of Community in Public Urban Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirkhus, Debra

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that contribute to teachers' sense of community within public, urban, elementary schools. Because previous research has touted the benefits of teacher communities within schools (Kruse, 2001; Leana & Pil, 2006; Ware & Kitsantas, 2007) educational leaders are challenged with creating…

The Mathematics Education of Elementary Teachers: Issues and Strategies for Content Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hart, Lynn C., Ed.; Oesterle, Susan, Ed.; Auslander, Susan Swars, Ed.; Kajander, Ann, Ed.

2016-01-01

This book is an edited volume addressing specific issues of significance for individuals involved with the undergraduate mathematics content preparation of prospective elementary teachers (PSTs). Teaching mathematics content courses to this group of students presents unique challenges. While some PSTs enter their teacher preparation with weak…
Determinants of Teachers' Recognitions of Self-Regulated Learning Practices in Elementary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lombaerts, Koen; Engels, Nadine; van Braak, Johan

2009-01-01

The authors examined the relations among teacher characteristics, contextual factors, and the recognition of self-regulated learning (SRL). Participants of the survey study were 172 elementary school teachers in the Brussels Capital Region and surrounding area (Belgium). The authors assessed the interrelations of several measures on personal…
Building a Knowledge Base: Understanding Prospective Elementary Teachers' Mathematical Content Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thanheiser, Eva; Browning, Christine; Edson, Alden J.; Kastberg, Signe; Lo, Jane-Jane

2013-01-01

This survey of the literature summarizes and reflects on research findings regarding elementary preservice teachers' (PSTs') mathematics conceptions and the development thereof. Despite the current focus on teacher education, peer-reviewed journals offer a surprisingly sparse insight in these areas. The limited research that exists…
Profile of Specialist Teachers in Elementary Schools: Fine Arts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bachelor, Barry G.

The characteristics of elementary teachers of music, art, and drama in 14 southern California counties are profiled. The source data for the profile were the Professional Assignment Information Forms of the California Basic Educational Data System, completed annually by every certificated employee in California's public schools. The…
Standards for Elementary Teacher Certification: A Fifty State Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dumas, Wayne; Weible, Thomas

A study of the minimum program standards established by 50 state education agencies for preparation and certification of elementary school teachers focused on the status of general education requirements, professional education requirements, and requirements for areas of concentration. Two reference points were employed in analysis of the…
Summer Science: A Teacher's Handbook for a Summertime Program in Elementary Electricity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McVoy, K. W.

This publication was designed to serve as a teacher's handbook for a four week "shop" adventure in elementary electricity for 12- or 13-year-old boys who would ordinarily not take an interest in electrical things. These projects could easily be adapted to aid any elementary physics treatment of electronics. Projects were designed to meet two main…
Preservice elementary teachers' alternative conceptions of science and their self-efficacy beliefs about science teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koc, Isil

The present study was conducted to investigate the extent to which preservice elementary teachers held alternative conceptions in fundamental elementary science concepts from earth/space science, life science, and physical science along with their self-efficacy beliefs about science teaching and to determine the relationship between these two issues. Eighty-six preservice elementary education majors enrolled in the four sections of the course titled "07E:162 Methods Elementary School Science" offered in the Science Education Center, College of Education, the University of Iowa during the 2005-2006 academic year participated in this study. Twelve preservice elementary teachers participated in follow-up interviews. Data were collected through the use of Alternative Conceptions in Science Instrument constructed by Schoon and Boone (1998), Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEBI-B) constructed by Enochs and Riggs (1990), a participant information form, and through utilization of interviews. The results from the alternative conception instrument indicated that the majority of preservice elementary teachers held a number of alternative conceptions with most being in the physical sciences followed by earth/space, and then life science. Various sources of alternative conceptions emerged during the interview sessions. Participants mainly cited science teachers, science textbooks, and previous science experiences as sources of their alternative conceptions. On the other hand, the analysis of the self-efficacy instrument and follow-up interviews revealed generally positive self-efficacy beliefs. Findings from the study also confirmed that science courses completed in high school and college do not seem to have influenced participants' number and types of alternative conceptions regarding earth/space science, life science, and physical science and self-efficacy beliefs about science teaching. The results also indicate that participants with the lowest number of
Fostering Third-Grade Students' Use of Scientific Models with the Water Cycle: Elementary Teachers' Conceptions and Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vo, Tina; Forbes, Cory T.; Zangori, Laura; Schwarz, Christina V.

2015-01-01

Elementary teachers play a crucial role in supporting and scaffolding students' model-based reasoning about natural phenomena, particularly complex systems such as the water cycle. However, little research exists to inform efforts in supporting elementary teachers' learning to foster model-centered, science learning environments. To address this…
An Application of Systems Analysis Techniques in the Development of Instructional Television Units for Inservice Elementary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert Morris

A theoretical model for the production of teacher centered inservice videotapes was developed and applied to produce a structured inservice course in aerospace activities for elementary teachers. Space-science education specialists interested in elementary education viewed segments of the course and were successful when they attempted the…
Preservice Elementary Teachers Use Drawings and Make Sets of Materials to Explain Multiplication and Division by Fractions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rule, Audrey C., Ed.; Hallagan, Jean E., Ed.

2006-01-01

Background: Multiplication and division by fractions are among the most troublesome concepts in the elementary mathematics curriculum. Recent studies have shown that preservice elementary teachers in the United States do not have deep understandings of these concepts. Effective ways to improve preservice teachers' conceptual understanding of these…
A Portrait of Elementary Visual Arts Educators: Investigating the Pedagogy, Characteristics and Beliefs of Three Exceptional Elementary Art Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunter-Doniger, Tracey

2012-01-01

This qualitative research study explores the characteristics and pedagogical practices of three exceptional elementary art teachers. From this collective inquiry of case studies, three factors specific to these art teachers began to surface time and time again. These are the Context Driven A.R.T. Factors. A.R.T. is an acronym for Advocacy,…
Efficacy development in science: Investigating the effects of the Teacher-to-Teacher (T2T) professional development model in Hilo elementary schools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinner, Pascale Creek

Conderman and Sheldon Woods (2008) suggest that although science plays a central role in our world today, science instruction seems to be minimized particularly at the elementary grade levels. Research has investigated the construct of efficacy (Bandura, 1977, 2006a; Riggs & Enochs, 1990; Ramey-Gassert, Shroyer & Staver, 1996; Tschannen-Moran, Hoy & Hoy, 1998, 2001). Professional and conceptual development in teachers has also been explored (Gordon, 1990; Sheerer, 1997; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2007). The purpose of this research was to describe the changes in efficacy elementary teachers experience as they participated in science professional development. Data from a Math/Science Partnership (MSP) grant sample suggested significant changes in science self-efficacy and improved pedagogy. Mixed methods revealed connections resulting in a multi-faceted Progression of Efficacy Growth flowchart. The results suggest that utilizing the Teacher-to-Teacher (T2T) professional development model has created a pathway for more science teaching across the Hilo elementary schools.
Teachers' perceptions of students' mathematics proficiency may exacerbate early gender gaps in achievement.

PubMed

Robinson-Cimpian, Joseph P; Lubienski, Sarah Theule; Ganley, Colleen M; Copur-Gencturk, Yasemin

2014-04-01

A recent wave of research suggests that teachers overrate the performance of girls relative to boys and hold more positive attitudes toward girls' mathematics abilities. However, these prior estimates of teachers' supposed female bias are potentially misleading because these estimates (and teachers themselves) confound achievement with teachers' perceptions of behavior and effort. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (ECLS-K), Study 1 demonstrates that teachers actually rate boys' mathematics proficiency higher than that of girls when conditioning on both teachers' ratings of behavior and approaches to learning as well as past and current test scores. In other words, on average girls are only perceived to be as mathematically competent as similarly achieving boys when the girls are also seen as working harder, behaving better, and being more eager to learn. Study 2 uses mediation analysis with an instrumental-variables approach, as well as a matching strategy, to explore the extent to which this conditional underrating of girls may explain the widening gender gap in mathematics in early elementary school. We find robust evidence suggesting that underrating girls' mathematics proficiency accounts for a substantial portion of the development of the mathematics achievement gap between similarly performing and behaving boys and girls in the early grades. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.
Preparation for Practice: Elementary Preservice Teachers Learning and Using Scientific Classroom Discourse Community Instructional Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Elizabeth; Dema, Oxana; Harshbarger, Dena

2014-01-01

Despite historical national efforts to improve elementary science education, science instruction continues to be marginalized, varying by state. This study was designed to address the ongoing challenge of educating elementary preservice teachers (PSTs) to teach science. Elementary PSTs are one of the science education community's major links…
Integrating Inquiry-Based Science and Education Methods Courses in a "Science Semester" for Future Elementary Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madsen, J.; Fifield, S.; Allen, D.; Brickhouse, N.; Dagher, Z.; Ford, D.; Shipman, H.

2001-05-01

In this NSF-funded project we will adapt problem-based learning (PBL) and other inquiry-based approaches to create an integrated science and education methods curriculum ("science semester") for elementary teacher education majors. Our goal is to foster integrated understandings of science and pedagogy that future elementary teachers need to effectively use inquiry-based approaches in their classrooms. This project responds to calls to improve science education for all students by making preservice teachers' experiences in undergraduate science courses more consistent with reforms at the K-12 level. The involved faculty teach three science courses (biology, earth science, physical science) and an elementary science education methods course that are degree requirements for elementary teacher education majors. Presently, students take the courses in variable sequences and at widely scattered times. Too many students fail to appreciate the value of science courses to their future careers as teachers, and when they reach the methods course in the junior year they often retain little of the science content studied earlier. These episodic encounters with science make it difficult for students to learn the content, and to translate their understandings of science into effective, inquiry-based teaching strategies. To encourage integrated understandings of science concepts and pedagogy we will coordinate the science and methods courses in a junior-year science semester. Traditional subject matter boundaries will be crossed to stress shared themes that teachers must understand to teach standards-based elementary science. We will adapt exemplary approaches that support both learning science and learning how to teach science. Students will work collaboratively on multidisciplinary PBL activities that place science concepts in authentic contexts and build learning skills. "Lecture" meetings will be large group active learning sessions that help students understand difficult
Sources of Stress for Teachers Working in Private Elementary Schools and Methods of Coping with Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aydin, Bahri; Kaya, Ayça

2016-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine the sources of stress for classroom teacher and branch teachers working in private elementary schools and methods that are used by them in order to cope with the stress. In this research, qualitative and quantitative methods have been used jointly. The group consisted of 258 private elementary school teachers…
The Use of Lego Technologies in Elementary Teacher Preparation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadjiachilleos, Stella; Avraamidou, Lucy; Papastavrou, Stavros

2013-10-01

The need to reform science teacher preparation programs has been pointed out in research (Bryan and Abell in J Res Sci Teach 36:121-140, 1999; Bryan and Atwater in Sci Educ 8(6):821-839, 2002; Harrington and Hathaway in J Teach Educ 46(4):275-284, 1995). Science teachers are charged with the responsibility of incorporating both cognitive and non-cognitive parameters in their everyday teaching practices. This often results in their reluctance to teach science because they often lack disciplinary and/or pedagogical expertise required to promote science learning. The purpose of this study is to propose an alternative instructional approach in which Lego vehicles were used as a tool to promote pre-service elementary teachers' development and to examine whether there are non-cognitive parameters that promote or obstruct them from using Lego Technologies as a teaching tool. The context of the study was defined by a teacher preparation program of a private university in a small Mediterranean country. A sample of 28 pre-service elementary teachers, working in five 5-6-member groups were involved in scientific inquiries, during which they had to use vehicles in order to solve scientific problems related to concepts such as gear functioning, force, and motion. The nature of their cognitive engagement in the scientific inquiry process, non-cognitive parameters contributing to their cognitive engagement, and the impact of their involvement in the process on their development were examined through qualitative analysis of pre- and post-inquiry interviews, presentations of their solutions to the scientific problems and of their personal reflective journals.
The Effect of Teacher Education Programs on Future Elementary Mathematics Teachers' Knowledge: A Five-Country Analysis Using TEDS-M Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Qian, Hong; Youngs, Peter

2016-01-01

This article addresses the problem of how opportunities to learn in teacher education programs influence future elementary mathematics teachers' knowledge. This study used data collected for the Teacher Education and Development Study in Mathematics (TEDS-M). TEDS-M measured the mathematics content knowledge (MCK) and the mathematics pedagogical…
Bringing Digital Storytelling to the Elementary Classroom: Video Production for Preservice Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shelton, Catharyn C.; Archambault, Leanna M.; Hale, Annie E.

2017-01-01

This study presents and evaluates a 7-week learning experience embedded in a required content-area course in a teacher preparation program, in which 31 preservice elementary teachers produced digital storytelling videos and considered how this approach may apply to their future classrooms. Qualitative and quantitative data from preservice…
What Coping Strategies and Support Mechanisms Have Elementary Teachers Found Most Effective?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byrd, Kristie M.

2017-01-01

This basic qualitative research study explored the lives of 14 elementary teachers in their classroom environment to answer two central research questions which are: what coping strategies do teachers find most effective and what coping mechanisms provided by administration helps them cope with classroom stress? Data were collected through…

Too Many Pieces: A Study of Teacher Fragmentation in the Elementary School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klugman, Edgar; And Others

Fragmentation of elementary school teachers' time and attention is an almost universal problem. Frequent coming and going of children to and from the classroom for legitimate purposes disrupts and distracts the teacher and other students. Children receiving special education services frequently leave the classroom for half-hour periods, thus…
Career Education at the Elementary School Level: Student and Intern Teacher Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Welde, Annelise M. J.; Bernes, Kerry B.; Gunn, Thelma M.; Ross, Stanley A.

2016-01-01

A teacher-training program was introduced in Southern Alberta, Canada, to enable intern teachers to integrate career education projects into their mainstream elementary school courses. This non-experimental, descriptive evaluation used content analysis to examine the effectiveness of 25 career education projects and their corresponding 56 types of…
Changes in Elementary Teachers' Implementation of Comprehension Strategies While Engaged in Collaborative Coaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Teresa J.

2012-01-01

Students in a rural elementary school in the southeastern United States were not performing well in comprehension development. Educators at the school needed more information on ways to enhance student understanding and performance. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how elementary teachers' implemented comprehension…
Elementary Teacher Education in the Top Performing European TIMSS Countries: A Comparative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sabrin, Mohammed

2018-01-01

This paper analyzed elementary teacher education (hereafter 'TED') programs in the top performing European (TIMSS) countries to help inform future elementary TED policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodological emphasis revolved around how much emphasis should be placed on general content knowledge (GCK), as opposed to general pedagogical…
Improving Preservice Elementary Teachers' Writing in a Science Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Everett, Susan; Luera, Gail; Otto, Charlotte

2008-01-01

The authors investigated whether a series of mini prewriting assignments linked to a formal paper describing an original research project would improve preservice elementary teachers' writing abilities in a science context. They compared 38 final reports from students who completed the prewriting assignments with 38 reports randomly selected from…
Prospective Elementary and Secondary School Mathematics Teachers' Statistical Reasoning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karatoprak, Rabia; Karagöz Akar, Gülseren; Börkan, Bengü

2015-01-01

This study investigated prospective elementary (PEMTs) and secondary (PSMTs) school mathematics teachers' statistical reasoning. The study began with the adaptation of the Statistical Reasoning Assessment (Garfield, 2003) test. Then, the test was administered to 82 PEMTs and 91 PSMTs in a metropolitan city of Turkey. Results showed that both…
Tailoring Inservice Training in Science to Elementary Teachers' Needs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bethel, Lowell J.

1982-01-01

Elementary school teachers feel inadequately prepared to teach science and spend little class time on science instruction. Until undergraduate science preparation improves, inservice training must take up the slack. An inservice program developed by the Science Education Center at the University of Texas' College of Education shows positive…
Music-Themed Mathematics Education as a Strategy for Improving Elementary Preservice Teachers' Mathematics Pedagogy and Teaching Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

An, Song A.; Tillman, Daniel A.; Paez, Carlos R.

2015-01-01

This study investigated the effects upon elementary preservice teachers' mathematics teaching self-efficacy and interdisciplinary lesson design strategies, which resulted from an educational intervention that emphasized integrated music-mathematics instruction. The participating elementary preservice teachers (n = 152) were recruited for this…
The Relationship between Elementary School Teachers' Perceptions of Principals' Leadership Effectiveness and Teacher Burnout

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Owens, Sallye Applewhite

2013-01-01

Burnout, an ever-present concern in the teaching profession, is arguably related to principals' leadership effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between elementary school teachers' levels of burnout and their perceptions of their principals' leadership effectiveness. Data were gathered using the Maslach Burnout…
Formative Assessment Practices in Reading Instruction in Pre-Service Teachers' Elementary School Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luttenegger, Kathleen Carroll

2009-01-01

In this article, the author describes a project wherein she conducted a qualitative case study of four elementary student teachers from a large, research university in the Rocky Mountain Region, USA. The student teachers were in a traditional teacher education programme in which they took a series of courses followed by 16 weeks of student…
Introducing Engineering in Elementary Education: A 5-Year Study of Teachers and Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diefes-Dux, Heidi A.

2015-01-01

Engineering, when integrated into K-12 education, may offer a number of potential student learning and future success benefits. In a 5-year study, four cohorts of elementary teachers of grades 2 to 4 in a single US school district were provided with teacher professional development with engineering education. Teachers were prepared to teach…
Perspectives on Failure in the Classroom by Elementary Teachers New to Teaching Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lottero-Perdue, Pamela S.; Parry, Elizabeth A.

2017-01-01

This mixed methods study examines perspectives on failure in the classroom by elementary teachers new to teaching engineering. The study participants included 254 teachers in third, fourth, and fifth grade who responded to survey questions about failure, as well as a subset of 38 of those teachers who participated in interviews about failure. The…
The Challenges in Developing a Mathematics Curriculum for Training Elementary Teachers in Papua New Guinea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vagi, Oneau; Green, Rosemary

2004-01-01

As Papua New Guinea undergoes a period of major education reform that includes the establishment of an elementary education programme, the development of an elementary teacher education curriculum is proving to be a challenging task. As a background this paper provides contextual information about the elementary education programme and highlights…
Elementary School Teacher Training Based on Needs and Interests of Teachers and The Effectiveness of The Improvement of Students Competence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suyitno, A.; Sugiharti, E.; Pujiastuti, E.

2017-04-01

Teachers need always to improve their competence because of the growth of science very rapidly as well as elementary school teachers. However, the provision of training will not produce an increase in the competence effectively if it is implemented without considering the needs and interests of teachers. The novelty factor which is highlighted through this research results, want to answer a problem, namely: how to conduct an effective training based on the needs and interests of teachers so that the effects of training can improve the competence of teachers? After going through research for two years with a qualitative approach which was preceded by a visit to the school and a series of interviews, treatment of training model, FGD, and triangulation then have been produced a way to implement of training based on the needs and interests of teachers. The training model includes face to face training which structured and scheduled according to the needs of elementary school teachers, followed by workshops, simulations, then the coach holds guidance in the classroom, and ends with reflections.
Burnout in Prospective Elementary School Teachers: Is It Related to Reasons for Choosing the Elementary School Teaching Major, Beliefs about the Teaching Career and Satisfaction with the Choice?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dundar, Sahin

2014-01-01

The present study was carried out to examine the relationships between elementary school teacher candidates' motivations for choosing the teaching profession, beliefs about the teaching profession, satisfaction with the choice, and burnout. The study was carried out with 171 senior elementary school teacher candidates at one public university in…
A survey of specific individualized instruction strategies in elementary science methods courses in Tennessee teacher education institutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazari, Alan A.

The purpose of the study was to determine the status of individualized science instruction in Tennessee teacher education institutions. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the extent of teaching about and/or use of 31 strategies for individualizing instruction in elementary science teaching methods courses. The individualized instruction frameworks, with strategies for individualizing instruction, were developed by Rowell, et al. in the College of Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A review of the literature on the preparation of preservice elementary science teachers for individualized instruction in K-8 classrooms revealed very limited research. This investigation sought to identify how the elementary science teacher educators prepared their preservice elementary science teachers to (1) learn about the children they will teach, (2) determine differences among learners, (3) plan for individualized science instruction in the elementary school classroom, and (4) help attend to individual student differences. The researcher prepared and used a 31-item survey to poll elementary science teacher educators in Tennessee. The participants included K-8 educators from 40 state-approved teacher education institutions. The high teacher education institution response rate (72.5%) brought input from institutions of varying sizes, operated privately or publicly across the state of Tennessee. In general, Tennessee elementary science teacher educators reported that they tended to teach about and/or use a fair number of the 31 individualized instruction strategies that involve both learning about K-8 students and their differences. On the other hand, many of these educators provided preservice teachers with quite a bit of the strategies that lead to planning for individualized science instruction and to attending to individual student differences. The two strategies that were the most taught about and/or used in elementary science methods by Tennessee
Development of a Survey to Measure Self-Efficacy and Attitudes toward Web-Based Professional Development among Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kao, Chia-Pin; Tsai, Chin-Chung; Shih, Meilun

2014-01-01

The major purpose of this study was to develop a survey to measure elementary school teachers' self-efficacy for web-based professional development. Based on interviews with eight elementary school teachers, three scales of web-based professional development self-efficacy (WPDSE) were formed, namely, general self-efficacy (measuring teachers'…
Measuring Elementary Teacher Stress and Coping in the Classroom: Validity Evidence for the Classroom Appraisal of Resources and Demands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lambert, Richard G.; McCarthy, Christopher; O'Donnell, Megan; Wang, Chuang

2009-01-01

The Classroom Appraisal of Resources and Demands (CARD, elementary version) was used to investigate teacher stress among a sample of elementary teachers (n = 521). The CARD measures teacher stress by examining the subjective experience of both classroom demands and resources provided by the school, and thereby attempts to capture the situationally…
The Effect of Explicit-Reflective and Historical Approach on Preservice Elementary Teachers' Views of Nature of Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pekbay, Canay; Yilmaz, Serkan

2015-01-01

This study aims to explore the influence of nature of science (NOS) activities based on explicit-reflective and historical approach on preservice elementary teachers' views of NOS aspects. Mixed-method approach including both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. The sample consisted of 83 preservice elementary teachers of a public…
An Examination of Prospective Elementary Science Teachers' Perspective towards Socio-Scientific Argumentation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kutluca, Ali Yigit; Aydin, A.

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the altering perceptions and opinions of prospective elementary science teachers regarding argumentation while they were engaged in argumentative discourse. The participating teachers were engaged in socio-scientific argumentation for 9 weeks involving a 6-step process on a course "Special Topics in…

From Teachers' Perspectives: The Social and Psychological Benefits of Multiage Elementary Classrooms.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marshak, David

This paper on multiage classrooms provides first steps toward a systemic understanding of the defining qualities of multiage classrooms and, from teachers' perspectives, the benefits of such classrooms for students, teachers, and parents. The multiage classroom movement in elementary schools is viewed as not just restructuring, but also as the…
Rethinking Difficulties of Teaching Inquiry-Based Practical Work: Stories from Elementary Pre-Service Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Mijung; Tan, Aik-Ling

2011-01-01

To alleviate teachers' reluctance toward practical work, there has been much discussion on teachers' pedagogical content knowledge, teaching materials, and failsafe strategies for practical work. Despite these efforts, practical work is still regarded as a challenging task for many elementary science teachers. To understand the complexity of…
Engineering Professional Development: Elementary Teachers' Self-efficacy and Sources of Self-efficacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Donna Louise

Currently, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is a popular buzz word in P-12 education as it represents a means to advance American competitiveness in the global economy. Proponents of the engineering component of STEM advocate additional benefits in teaching engineering, such as its capacity to engage students in collaboration, and to apply critical thinking, systems thinking, negotiation, and communication skills to solve real-life contextual problems. Establishing a strong foundation of engineering knowledge at a young age will provide students with internal motivation as it taps into their curiosity toward how things work, and it also prepares them for secondary science courses. Successful STEM education is often constrained by elementary teachers' low perception of self-efficacy to teach science and engineering. Elementary teachers with low self-efficacy in science are more likely to spend less instructional time teaching science, which suggests that teachers with little to no training in engineering might avoid teaching this topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to examine the effects of engineering professional development on elementary (K-6) teachers' content and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and perceptions of self-efficacy to teach engineering, and (b) to identify and explain sources influencing self-efficacy. Professional development was conducted in a metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest. Results revealed that after the engineering professional development, teachers experienced statistically significant gains in content, PCK, and self-efficacy to teach engineering. Increases in self-efficacy were mainly attributed to mastery experiences and cultivation of a growth mindset by embracing the engineering design process.
The Early Elementary Attendance Project. Final Report on First Two Years.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frank, Marilyn; MacPherson, Douglas

The purpose of the Early Elementary Attendance Project was to improve school attendance in the early grades (kindergarten and first grade) in order to develop good attendance habits that would continue through the post elementary grades. A home/school worker approached families of students (N=77) with poor attendance records with a helping…
Television viewing through ages 2-5 years and bullying involvement in early elementary school.

PubMed

Verlinden, Marina; Tiemeier, Henning; Veenstra, René; Mieloo, Cathelijne L; Jansen, Wilma; Jaddoe, Vincent W V; Raat, Hein; Hofman, Albert; Verhulst, Frank C; Jansen, Pauline W

2014-02-12

High television exposure time at young age has been described as a potential risk factor for developing behavioral problems. However, less is known about the effects of preschool television on subsequent bullying involvement. We examined the association between television viewing time through ages 2-5 and bullying involvement in the first grades of elementary school. We hypothesized that high television exposure increases the risk of bullying involvement. TV viewing time was assessed repeatedly in early childhood using parental report. To combine these repeated assessments we used latent class analysis. Four exposure classes were identified and labeled "low", "mid-low", "mid-high" and "high". Bullying involvement was assessed by teacher questionnaire (n=3423, mean age 6.8 years). Additionally, peer/self-report of bullying involvement was obtained using a peer nomination procedure (n=1176, mean age 7.6 years). We examined child risk of being a bully, victim or a bully-victim (compared to being uninvolved in bullying). High television exposure class was associated with elevated risks of bullying and victimization. Also, in both teacher- and child-reported data, children in the high television exposure class were more likely to be a bully-victim (OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.42-3.13 and OR=3.68, 95% CI: 1.75-7.74 respectively). However, all univariate effect estimates attenuated and were no longer statistically significant once adjusted for maternal and child covariates. The association between television viewing time through ages 2-5 and bullying involvement in early elementary school is confounded by maternal and child socio-demographic characteristics.
Growing the Tree of Teacher Knowledge: Ten Years of Learning to Teach Elementary Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mulholland, Judith; Wallace, John

2005-01-01

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is a much debated and studied construct. In this article, we adopt an all-embracing view of PCK to examine the development of one elementary science teacher's knowledge over a 10-year period. We portray this teacher's knowledge at three critical points in her career--as a student teacher, beginning teacher, and…
Comparing Beginning and Experienced Teachers' Perceptions of Classroom Management Beliefs and Practices in Elementary Schools in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Unal, Zafer; Unal, Aslihan

2009-01-01

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a difference in teachers' classroom management styles exists based on years of teaching experience. Data were collected from 282 elementary school teachers employed by 11 elementary schools in Turkey. The Attitudes and Beliefs on Classroom Control Inventory was used to collect the…
Level of Work Related Stress among Teachers in Elementary Schools.

PubMed

Agai-Demjaha, Teuta; Bislimovska, Jovanka Karadzinska; Mijakoski, Dragan

2015-09-15

Teaching is considered a highly stressful occupation, with work-related stress levels among teachers being among the highest compared to other professions. Unfortunately there are very few studies regarding the levels of work-related stress among teachers in the Republic of Macedonia. To identify the level of self-perceived work-related stress among teachers in elementary schools and its relationship to gender, age, position in the workplace, the level of education and working experience. We performed a descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional study that involved 300 teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a specially designed questionnaire. We found that the majority of interviewed teachers perceive their work-related stress as moderate. The level of work-related stress was significantly high related to the gender, age, position in workplace, as well as working experience (p < 0.01), while it was significant related to level of education (p < 0.05). Significantly greater number of lower-grade teachers perceives the workplace as extremely stressful as compared to the upper-grade teachers (18.5% vs. 5.45%), while the same is true for female respondents as compared to the male ones (15.38% vs. 3.8%). In addition, our results show that teachers with university education significantly more often associate their workplace with stronger stress than their colleagues with high education (13.48% vs. 9.4%). We also found that there is no significant difference of stress levels between new and more experienced teachers. Our findings confirm that the majority of interviewed teachers perceived their work-related stress as high or very high. In terms of the relationship between the level of teachers' stress and certain demographic and job characteristics, according to our results, the level of work-related stress has shown significantly high relation to gender, age, levels of grades taught as well as working
Why Do They Stay? Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of Job Satisfaction and Retention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perrachione, Beverly A.; Rosser, Vicki J.; Petersen, George J.

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify intrinsic and extrinsic variables that influence teacher job satisfaction and retention. A survey was sent to 300 randomly selected Missouri public elementary school teachers in grades K-5 having 5 or more years of teaching experience. The results from 201 respondents suggest that three intrinsic…
Increasing Elementary School Teachers' Awareness of Gender Inequity in Student Computer Usage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luongo, Nicole

2012-01-01

This study was designed to increase gender equity awareness in elementary school teachers with respect to student computer and technology usage. Using professional development methods with a group of teachers, the writer attempted to help them become more aware of gender bias in technology instruction. An analysis of the data revealed that…
Elementary Teachers' Perception of Professional Capital within Their Community of Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Allison Edwards

2017-01-01

Many teachers, after having worked in isolation for so long and a business capital model of education reform, do not understand the concept of professional capital and its impact for transforming education. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary teachers' perception of professional capital within their community of practice. The data…
Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Motivation and Ill-Structured Problem Solving in Korea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Min Kyeong; Cho, Mi Kyung

2016-01-01

This article examines the use and application of an ill-structured problem to pre-service elementary teachers in Korea in order to find implications of pre-service teacher education with regard to contextualized problem solving by analyzing experiences of ill-structured problem solving. Participants were divided into small groups depending on the…
Developing the Practice of Teacher Questioning through a K-2 Elementary Mathematics Field Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Catherine

2015-01-01

This article presents findings from research on a field experience designed to help elementary preservice teachers learn the practice of teacher questioning during formal and informal interviews to analyze student mathematical thinking in K-2 classrooms. The practice of teacher questioning is framed as choosing a mathematical goal, analyzing…
The Influence of Principal Actions That Develop Social Capital as Perceived by Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chapman, Stephen J.

2014-01-01

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify principal actions and strategies that support teachers in the development of social capital as perceived by teachers in high performing Dallas County elementary schools. This study addressed the following research questions: 1. What principal actions or strategies help teachers develop…
An Evaluation of a Media Literacy Program Training Workshop for Late Elementary School Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scull, Tracy Marie; Kupersmidt, Janis Beth

2011-01-01

The present study examined the efficacy of a media literacy education, substance abuse prevention training workshop for late elementary school teachers. Analyses revealed that the randomly assigned intervention (n = 18) and control (n = 23) teachers were similar in demographic characteristics and pre-training beliefs and knowledge. Teachers who…
Seeking Restorative Experiences: Elementary School Teachers' Choices for Places that Enable Coping with Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gulwadi, Gowri Betrabet

2006-01-01

Teacher stress and coping research and restorative environments research were converged in this study to explore how elementary school teachers in Chicago seek out everyday places in their milieu to implement restorative coping strategies. Seventy-one survey responses revealed that teachers' spontaneous place choices are related to sources of…
Commonalities and Differences in Teacher Leadership at the Elementary, Middle, and High School Levels.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stone, Mary; And Others

This paper reports the findings of three integrated studies initiated by principal/researchers in an elementary, middle, and high school. The purpose of integrating the studies was to compare and contrast teacher leadership in the following areas: characteristics of teacher leadership, motivation for teachers to assume leadership roles, supports…
Sources of Science Teaching Self-Efficacy for Preservice Elementary Teachers in Science Content Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menon, Deepika; Sadler, Troy D.

2018-01-01

Self-efficacy beliefs play a major role in determining teachers' science teaching practices and have been a topic of great interest in the area of preservice science teacher education. This qualitative study investigated factors that influenced preservice elementary teachers' science teaching self-efficacy beliefs in a physical science content…
Culturally Responsive Teaching with New Taiwanese Children: Interviews with Class Teachers in Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Su-Ling; Hsiao, Yun-Ju; Hsiao, Hsi-Chi

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to understand how elementary school teachers implemented culturally responsive teaching in their classes in Taiwan. Data were collected through interviews from five teachers with new Taiwanese children in their classes. The results indicated that teachers practised culturally responsive teaching based on the…
An Exploration of Elementary Teachers' Beliefs and Perceptions About Science Inquiry: A Mixed Methods Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamadeh, Linda

In order for science-based inquiry instruction to happen on a large scale in elementary classrooms across the country, evidence must be provided that implementing this reform can be realistic and practical, despite the challenges and obstacles teachers may face. This study sought to examine elementary teachers' knowledge and understanding of, attitudes toward, and overall perceptions of inquiry-based science instruction, and how these beliefs influenced their inquiry practice in the classroom. It offered a description and analysis of the approaches elementary science teachers in Islamic schools reported using to promote inquiry within the context of their science classrooms, and addressed the challenges the participating teachers faced when implementing scientific inquiry strategies in their instruction. The research followed a mixed method approach, best described as a sequential two-strand design (Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2006). Sequential mixed designs develop two methodological strands that occur chronologically, and in the case of this research, QUAN→QUAL. Findings from the study supported the notion that the school and/or classroom environment could be a contextual factor that influenced some teachers' classroom beliefs about the feasibility of implementing science inquiry. Moreover, although teacher beliefs are influential, they are malleable and adaptable and influenced primarily by their own personal direct experiences with inquiry instruction or lack of.

An Effective Model of In-Service Workshops for Elementary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manning, Patricia C.; Dziuban, Charles

After needs assessments were conducted in six Florida school districts, strategies were developed for implementing creative and relevant workshops emphasizing curricular innovations and individualized instruction. Procedures and techniques evolved from 50 workshops given to 1500 elementary school teachers. Among the activities were: multimedia…
How to Measure Elementary Teachers' Interest in Teaching Chemistry?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herranen, Jaana Kristiina; Vesterinen, Veli-Matti; Aksela, Maija Katariina

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to create an instrument to measure elementary teachers' interest in teaching chemistry. The interest in chemistry teaching instrument (ICTI) was created to measure both the affective and cognitive components of interest. After establishing the face and content validity of the instrument, the internal consistency of the…
Teacher Leaders Building Foundations for Data-Informed Teacher Learning in One Urban Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicholson, Julie; Capitelli, Sarah; Richert, Anna E.; Wilson, Carrie; Bove, Claire

2017-01-01

We examine how teacher leaders (TLs), working in a low-income urban elementary school, supported their colleagues to learn how to collect quality formative data and to discuss it in collaborative conversations in order to make their students' learning visible. The TLs faced challenges reflecting consequences resulting from the district's high…
[Role adaptation process of elementary school health teachers: establishing their own positions].

PubMed

Lee, Jeong Hee; Lee, Byoung Sook

2014-06-01

The purpose of this study was to explore and identify patterns from the phenomenon of the role adaptation process in elementary school health teachers and finally, suggest a model to describe the process. Grounded theory methodology and focus group interviews were used. Data were collected from 24 participants of four focus groups. The questions used were about their experience of role adaptation including situational contexts and interactional coping strategies. Transcribed data and field notes were analyzed with continuous comparative analysis. The core category was 'establishing their own positions', an interactional coping strategy. The phenomenon identified by participants was confusion and wandering in their role performance. Influencing contexts were unclear beliefs for their role as health teachers and non-supportive job environments. The result of the adaptation process was consolidation of their positions. Pride as health teachers and social recognition and supports intervened to produce that result. The process had three stages; entry, growth, and maturity. The role adaptation process of elementary school health teachers can be explained as establishing, strengthening and consolidating their own positions. Results of this study can be used as fundamental information for developing programs to support the role adaptation of health teachers.
To What Extent Do Professional Training, School Demographics, Teacher Bilingualism, and Teacher Attitude Predict the Instructional Strategies that Elementary School Content Area Teachers Use with English Language Learners?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rader-Brown, Lucy M.

2010-01-01

Using responses from a survey of elementary teachers from the state of Ohio, this study analyzed the influences of teachers' professional training (both pre-service training and in-service professional development), teachers' attitude towards ELLs, teachers' bilingualism, schools' percent of ELLs, and schools' resources (both socioeconomic status…
The Power of Reflective Professional Development in Changing Elementary School Teachers' Instructional Practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavedon, Carolina Christmann

With the new goal of K-12 education being to prepare students to be college and career ready at the end of high school, education needs to start changing at the elementary school level. The literature suggests that teachers need reflective professional development (PD) to effectively teach to the new standards and to demonstrate change to their current instructional practices. This mixed-method multiple-case study investigated the impacts of a reflective professional development (PD) in changing elementary school teachers' instructional practices. Teachers Instructional Portfolios (TIPs) were scored with a TIP rubric based on best practices in teaching mathematics problem-solving and science inquiry. The TIPs were also analyzed with a qualitative coding scheme. Case descriptions were written and all the collected data were used to explain the impacts of the reflective PD on changes in teachers' instructional practices. While we found no predictive patterns in relation to teachers changing their classroom practices based on the reflective PD, we claim that teachers' desire to change might contribute to improvements in instruction. We also observed that teachers' self-assessment scores tend to be higher than the actual TIP scores corroborating with the literature on the usage of self-assessment to evaluate teachers' instructional practices.
Providing a Full Circle of Support to Teachers in an Inclusive Elementary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waldron, Nancy L.; Redd, Lacy

2011-01-01

Providing a full circle of support to teachers in an inclusive elementary school, the Newberry Elementary School (NES) principal and staff have worked for 5 years to ensure the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. The authors would like to share their perceptions of how this full circle (the multiple systems) of…
Elementary Teachers' Formative Evaluation Practices in an Era of Curricular Reform in Quebec, Canada

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Lynn; Deaudelin, Colette; Desjardins, Julie; Dezutter, Olivier

2011-01-01

This study examines the formative evaluation practices of 13 experienced elementary school teachers in Quebec, Canada at the level of teacher-student interaction. The qualitative study is based on both semi-structured and stimulated recall interviews as well as videotapes of classroom activities. The participating teachers were found to be using…
Intersections of Life Histories and Science Identities: The Stories of Three Preservice Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avraamidou, Lucy

2016-01-01

Grounded within Connelly and Clandinin's conceptualization of teachers' professional identity in terms of "stories to live by" and through a life-history lens, this multiple case study aimed to respond to the following questions: (a) How do three preservice elementary teachers view themselves as future science teachers? (b) How have the…
Elementary School Teachers' ICT Use in the Classroom and Their Motivators for Using ICT

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uluyol, Çelebi; Sahin, Sami

2016-01-01

Teachers play a significant role in integrating information and communication technology (ICT) in schools, and motivated teachers reflect higher levels of ICT use in their classroom. In this study, we used semistructured interviews to investigate elementary school teachers' ICT use and their motivators for doing so. The participants consisted of…
Level of Work Related Stress among Teachers in Elementary Schools

PubMed Central

Agai–Demjaha, Teuta; Bislimovska, Jovanka Karadzinska; Mijakoski, Dragan

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Teaching is considered a highly stressful occupation, with work-related stress levels among teachers being among the highest compared to other professions. Unfortunately there are very few studies regarding the levels of work-related stress among teachers in the Republic of Macedonia. AIM: To identify the level of self-perceived work-related stress among teachers in elementary schools and its relationship to gender, age, position in the workplace, the level of education and working experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional study that involved 300 teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that the majority of interviewed teachers perceive their work-related stress as moderate. The level of work-related stress was significantly high related to the gender, age, position in workplace, as well as working experience (p < 0.01), while it was significant related to level of education (p < 0.05). Significantly greater number of lower-grade teachers perceives the workplace as extremely stressful as compared to the upper-grade teachers (18.5% vs. 5.45%), while the same is true for female respondents as compared to the male ones (15.38% vs. 3.8%). In addition, our results show that teachers with university education significantly more often associate their workplace with stronger stress than their colleagues with high education (13.48% vs. 9.4%). We also found that there is no significant difference of stress levels between new and more experienced teachers. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that the majority of interviewed teachers perceived their work-related stress as high or very high. In terms of the relationship between the level of teachers’ stress and certain demographic and job characteristics, according to our results, the level of work-related stress has shown significantly high
Examining the Relationship between Collective Teacher Efficacy and the Emotional Intelligence of Elementary School Principals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pierce, Stephanie

2014-01-01

Education research has established a significant relationship between collective teacher efficacy and student achievement. This study considered the relationship between emotional intelligence of elementary school principals and collective teacher efficacy as perceived by teachers' and principals' self-report. Study findings suggest that…
Developing Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy through Field-Based Science Teaching Practice with Elementary Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Ingrid M.

2015-01-01

Thirty preservice teachers enrolled in a field-based science methods course were placed at a public elementary school for coursework and for teaching practice with elementary students. Candidates focused on building conceptual understanding of science content and pedagogical methods through innovative curriculum development and other course…
Handwriting Instruction: An Analysis of Perspectives from Three Elementary Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharp, Laurie; Brown, Tiffany

2015-01-01

Handwriting is an essential skill for learners, but advancements with technology have greatly altered perceptions towards handwriting and handwriting instruction. This study sought to determine the current state of handwriting through an exploratory analysis of the teaching experiences of three practicing elementary teachers with varying…
Calculus of Elementary Functions, Part I. Teacher's Commentary. Revised Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herriot, Sarah T.; And Others

This course is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics including algebra, axiomatic geometry, trigonometry, and analytic geometry. It does not assume they have acquired a background of elementary functions. This teacher's guide contains background information, suggested instructional procedures, and…
Reading, Reforms, and Resources: How Elementary Teachers Teach Literacy in Contexts of Complex Educational Policies and Required Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waldron, Chad H.

2014-01-01

This descriptive, mixed method study investigated the literacy-related contextual factors and local curricular decision-making of experienced elementary literacy teachers in one large U.S. public school district. The study's guiding research question was: How do elementary in-service teachers teach literacy within the contexts of required literacy…
Fostering Second Graders' Scientific Explanations: A Beginning Elementary Teacher's Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beyer, Carrie J.; Davis, Elizabeth A.

2008-01-01

Teaching science as explanation is fundamental to reform efforts but is challenging for teachers--especially new elementary teachers, for whom the complexities of teaching are compounded by high demands and little classroom experience. Despite these challenges, few studies have characterized the knowledge, beliefs, and instructional practices that…
Elementary School English Teachers' Professional Learning from Teaching Demonstrations as Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chien, Chin-Wen

2017-01-01

This study used interviews, observations and documentary evidence to analyze the professional learning of sixteen elementary school English teachers and two expert teachers during the pre-observation conference, observation, and post-observation conference from three-step teaching demonstrations. This study has the following major findings. First,…
Making Teacher Change Visible: Developing an Action Research Protocol for Elementary Mathematics Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rice, Linda J.; McKeny, Timothy S.

2012-01-01

Professional development is a well-established component of teacher change, and action research can make that change visible. In this study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 237 elementary teachers and intervention specialists from 33 federally-designated Appalachian counties of Southeastern Ohio who participated in the…
Evaluation of a Teacher Technology Training Program for Elementary Teachers in a Private School Setting: An Action-Oriented Dissertation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bankirer, Nathaniel

2018-01-01

While teachers recognize the importance of technology integration into the classroom, they require training, support, and resources to do so effectively. This action research dissertation focuses on the resources necessary to provide teacher technology training at a private elementary school. It reports on the final evaluation stage of the…

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