Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Publication Date

3-2-1976

Abstract

Thoughtful Language discusses the frustration Seymour saw as students used workbooks. Her described teaching experiences and feelings lead to an evaluation of and objectives concerning the most significant language skills and student attitudes. The author read over three hundred books and/or articles concerning student-teacher attitudes, motives and the most effective English learning experiences; ninety-six references appear in the bibliography. That library research, the evaluation, and objectives form he bases of a language arts program that was established in the author's school. That program begins with all teacher-selected materials and assignments and leads to all student­selected materials and one weekly writing assignment. Grammar, spelling, punctuation syntax, and organization of ideas are presented as being most effectively taught through students' individual, writing and speaking; reading, through interest-based materials. CTBS pre- and post-testing showed these MEAN Grade Equivalent gains in .82 of a school year: Vocabulary .9; Comprehension 1.5; Mechanics 1.7; Expression 1.9; Spelling .9. A guide for reading and writing that contains teacher­developed materials (word attack skills, contextual clues, creative writing, formal organization of information in paragraphs and papers, etc.) and student-developed materials is offered. The final chapter is a complete guide (109 pp.) for mechanics and syntax.

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Elementary Education

Level of Degree

Masters

First Committee Member (Chair)

Richard D. Van Dongen

Second Committee Member

Herman Enoch Warsh

Third Committee Member

Patricia Clark Smith

Fourth Committee Member

Jeanne Carolyn Peterson

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