Abstract
This paper briefly examines the advantages and shows the importance that this topic be taught and instructed by trained professionals in order for the exercise to have the most benefit. Advantages listed are teaching healthy living habits, better concentration in lessons and higher self esteem.

From the Paper
"The evidence is clear that physical education needs to be an important part of education at the elementary school level. It needs to be taught by trained physical education teachers who understand the need to instill a love of an active lifestyle and who have access to adequate materials and equipment to do their jobs well. This will enrich the quality of their lives because a variety of vital activities are part of their life, and it will help them establish and maintain good physical health. All children should be included in such a program, including those with physical limitations (Kalakian, 2001)."

Tags:sport, education, physical, excercise, children, school

Abstract
This paper contains information on the legislation that makes assessment tests mandatory, the consequences of making these tests of such great importance and a solution to refocus the system so that it is more geared toward helping the individual child than intimidating teachers and administrators.

From the Paper
"Under the "No Child Left Behind Act" teachers and principals will be held accountable for the performance of their students and will face consequences if test scores are not meeting the AYP (average yearly progress). Because of this act, assessment tests have become overly stressful for teachers and students alike and have caused teachers and administrators to go to great lengths to make sure their students succeed on these tests, even if it means cheating. The level of accountability created and placed on assessment test scores has defeated the original purpose of assessment testing and has taken away valuable instruction time in the classroom by making assessment testing the focus of the classroom. I believe there are better ways to make sure that no child gets left behind. I believe that if we focus on meeting the needs of the individual student by helping him or her achieve grade level performance, without holding them back, we will be closer to that goal. Teachers do not need to be threatened to do a better job, they need support systems to help them better handle the children of today. In this report I will explain the current legislation, the consequences imposed if a school does not meet the AYP, the problems created by the system currently in place, and lastly I will explain how we can implement a new, more effective system that will make assessment tests serve their original intended purpose."

Tags:children, curriculum, education, school, teachers, teaching

Abstract
This paper is a study of how students in elementary schools with widespread computer usage in the classroom exhibit improved motor skills, enhanced mathematical thinking, increased creativity and earn higher scores on tests that involve critical thinking skills and problem solving ability.

From the Paper
"Over the last few years, technology has advanced rapidly and there have been hundreds of published studies investigating its effect on education and indicating the benefit of a variety of technology-rich educational environments for learners. Some of the current literature supports the idea that a variety of technologies can be powerful components in accomplishing educational goals, particularly for elementary school students. Students are able to "develop a broad, deep, and creative understanding of community, culture, economics and international politics, past and present, and acquire the social skills to work across differences and distances" (Riel, 1993) by providing "an array of tools for acquiring information and for thinking and expression [allowing] more children more ways to enter the learning enterprise successfully. "

Tags:technology, teachers, students, skills, knowledge

Abstract
This paper examines the primary factors that influence parental choices involving public school education versus private school education such as affordability and quality. It establishes the basic underlying economic factors surrounding this difficult choice and determines whether the demand is strong for private school education. It evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each type of school and the impact of parental interest in both types of schools on the availability of teaching positions.

From the Paper
"Public schools possess many advantages for students. In quality school districts, teachers provide many benefits for students geared towards learning and socialization. For example, Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, VA offers Latin, Russian, Japanese, thermodynamics and artificial intelligence, and 153 of the school's 392 seniors were National Merit Semifinalists in 2000 (Carnahan 172). In contrast, schools in large metropolitan areas are often overcrowded and riddled with crime and as a result, learning is limited. In the United States as a whole, only three in ten students are proficient in science at their grade level (Human Events 16)."

Tags:teaching, positions, parents, quality, cost, classes

Abstract
This paper presents a proposal for an experimental study to improve New York public school children's eating habits at an early age in order to change their forecast of obesity for these future adults. The paper contends that minimizing or eliminating sugar intake and increasing nutritional subsistence value and physical activities should produce healthier children and increase their academic focus level. By having access to adequate nutritional products and consistent monitoring of nutrition and daily increased activities should create healthier children in the targeted communities. This should trickle over to the home life through the outreach part of the program.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Hypotheses
Research Questions
The Study Rationale
The Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Limitations of the Study
The Research Methodology
Design
Inclusion Criteria
Sampling Recruitment of Subject
Intervention
StatisticalAnalysis

From the Paper
"The design of the intervention is to take three schools from each borough in the New York area and change the cafeteria menus for these schools. In addition, the school grounds will become sugar free. This means taking away all the candy and soda vending machines and replacing them with healthy food machine products. Students will be deterred from buying unhealthy products from outside venders who sell products on school grounds right outside of the school. Candy and soda will be considered contraband under this program, and outlawed at the school. Subjects of the study would have a home aspect of the research which would continue the study in the students' home through logs, home visits, controlled food products and weekly incentives to the families of the study."

Tags:logs, sugar, control, access, validity

Abstract
This essay first explores the issues underlying parental involvement in educational settings for a variety of cultural groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics, families with low socioeconomic status, and other overlooked groups. The paper then looks at ways in which educators and administrators can increase parental involvement in the classroom as a means of creating a stronger school community.

From the Paper
"A 2004 study by Hill et al. found that parent involvement in school from 7th through 11th grade helped decrease behavioral problems, which in turn related to achievement and aspirations. However, this was only the case for parents with higher educational levels themselves. For the lower parental education group, the only aspect classroom involvement helped was with aspirations. One reason for this result may be a cyclical process identified in a study by Englund et al. (2004) Parents who themselves are well-educated will provide better instruction to their children prior to schooling. This educational support early in life correlates with a higher IQ, and a higher IQ increases parent expectations for their child and parent involvement in the classroom."

Tags:classroom, community, culture, education, expectations, family, ideas, involvement, parental, parents, school, teacher

Abstract
This paper begins with an overview of some of the major ideas of human development. The overview includes a discussion of Eric Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, and Jean Piaget's four major stages of cognitive development. The paper suggests that teachers who understand these theories have a better chance of applying them in the classroom and boosting their students' self-esteem. Finally, a soft and relaxing classroom environment, emotionally responsive teachers, effective discipline strategies and multi-cultural classrooms are discussed as ways of putting the development theories into practice.

From the Paper
"They also want to do many things that adults do and in the process, and if they overstep their bounds a little, they might feel a little guilty. One example of this is when a 3 year old wanted to make breakfast for her parents one Sunday morning. She got out all of the condiments, milk, and eggs from the refrigerator, and set them on the floor. She was about to start "cooking" when her mom got up. The child was in trouble, because she tried to do "adult" things, but was developmentally unable to complete her "mission". Her parents were worried about her safety, but she didn't see it that way and felt bad about what happened."

Tags:bandura, developmental, education, erikson, piaget, psychology, teachers, teaching

Abstract
Parent involvement has been identified through research and within the law as a key component to student success in school. This paper attempts to answer the question of whether parent involvement impacts student achievement for primary special education students with mild to moderate educational needs. Three objectives are followed in order to answer this question. They include: (1) identify successful parent involvement practices, (2) develop a plan to increase parent involvement and implement it with parents and teachers, and (3) provide professional and parent development on parent involvement to improve upon current practices.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Research Questions/Objectives
Participants/Site Selection/Justification
Methodology
Instrumentation
Procedures
Data Analysis
Conclusions/Expected Results
Bibliography
Budget
Projected Timeline
Appendix

From the Paper
"Research on the effect of parent involvement on specific areas of educational achievement and with specific populations has also been conducted, particularly in the area of reading. Monique Senechal (2006) found that parent involvement has a positive impact on children's reading acquisition. More specifically she noted, "Having parents teach specific literacy skills to their children was two times more effective than having parents listen to their children read and six times more effective than encouraging parents to read to their children" (Senechal, 2006). She found that parent involvement had a positive impact for children from kindergarten to grade 3, the most critical years for reading acquisition, and that the interventions were as effective for children experiencing reading difficulties as they were for normally-developing children (Senechal, 2006). "

Tags:Learning, Disabilities, special, education

Abstract
The paper discusses the Indian boarding schools that represent an early attempt to subjugate the Native American culture. The author believes that the schools disappeared due to reports of mistreatment of the children and financial concerns. The author states that the schools should serve as a reminder that our nation has learned much about cultural diversity.

From the Paper
"Boarding schools first became vogue prior to the American Civil War. During this time, idealistic reformers put forth the idea that Indians could become "civilized" with the proper education and treatment. Prior to this time, most white Americans had seen the American Indian population with great fear. Captain Richard Henry Pratt was one of the leading proponents of this movement and believed that he could "kill the Indian and save the man." "

Tags:subjugate, native, mistreatment, children, financial, cultural, diversity

Abstract
The author feels that the Crayola' website, which has hundreds of lessons plans for all age groups, can be used almost exclusively as a source of lesson plans, ranging from science to pop art to multicultural and classical art styles. The paper describes the "Abstract Animals" lesson, very fitting for third graders, which teaches kids how to use simple shapes and colors to draw animals and other objects after the style of more modern representational artists. The author uses this lesson plan within a comprehensive interdisciplinary art curriculum that teaches about the relevance of art within its social and historical setting.

From the Paper
"The third section is called "Directions," and for a change is precisely what it claims to be. The directions for this lesson are, in short, to show the children images of various animals and forms and to use tracing paper to draw simple geometric shapes over the forms. (For example, an elephant's head would be a circle with two large ovals for the ears and a long thin oval for the trunk.) Subsequently these designs are redrawn with marker on construction paper and colored in with chalk."

Tags:age, benefits, directions, modern, representational