Search

The gender-sensitive analysis of influencing factors on mathematical performance of primary school pupils can yield valuable insights into facilitating this vital phase of pupils' educational trajectory. We view gender-sensitive mathematical performance in primary school based on works of Niklas (Psychologie in Erziehung und Unterricht, 62, 106, 2015) and Luttenberger et al. (Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 311–322, 2018). All elements of their models can be assigned to structural traits of origin, home learning environment, interacting variables, and mathematics performance. These are presented and described in terms of gender. In our four-year long longitudinal study (n = 239) with four measurement points in primary school, the interplay and predictive power of these elements were analysed with structural equation model. Among the structural traits of origin, socio-economic status and migration background are relevant concerning precursor skills. The home learning environment is not relevant for precursor skills or later mathematics performance. The precursor skills and self-concept appear to be significant for mathematics performance whereas enjoyment of the subject does not matter. Gender affected only two measuring points of mathematics performance, so that the results support the gender similarity hypothesis according to Hyde (The American psychologist, 60, 581–592, 2005.) According to our study, school entry is not shaped by gender differences in social background, affective characteristics, or precursor skills. The results emphasize gender equality at the start of school, so that it is of interest for future studies to determine when and on the basis of which criteria performance differences develop in mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of JMD: Journal für Mathematik-Didaktik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Primary school (i.e., Kindergarten to Grade 3) educators typically support students' social and emotional learning (SEL) through targeted lessons delivered in the classroom; however, integrating SEL strategies into other subject areas both within and outside the classroom context can expand their ability to support students' SEL. Research suggests that outdoor learning (OL) can help promote students' social and emotional development. Thus, this study explored qualitative data generated through focus group interviews with 36 Canadian primary school educators who implemented OL to understand their perspectives on the benefits of OL for primary school students, including whether SEL promotion was perceived as a key benefit. Most of the themes generated through thematic analysis pertained to students' social and emotional development and aligned with SEL competencies defined in a dominant SEL framework. One overarching theme suggested that educators perceived the emergent, unstructured nature of OL as driving the SEL-related benefits. Findings suggest that educators can leverage the OL context to help integrate SEL more deeply into their teaching practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early years of formal education, young students develop a number of formative academic, motor, behavioral, and socioemotional skills that lay the foundation for future learning. Since student mental health in the early grades predicts academic achievement in later grades, mental health interventions are essential at the primary school level. Not only are teachers expected to provide academic instruction, they are now involved in providing students with mental health services, despite a lack of training to do so. The current study sought to gather the perspectives of 38 primary-level educators to gain understanding about mental health knowledge, current approaches to mitigating mental health challenges, and barriers that prevent them from successfully addressing student mental health issues. Using thematic analysis, three themes developed: (1) Educators indicate supporting primary students' mental health is within their role; (2) Systems-level constraints prevent effective mental health supports; and (3) Staff desire increased mental health resources. Implications for educators and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Primary Four students (fourth graders) in Singapore have difficulties initiating or persevering in the problem-solving process even though the curriculum has focused on problem solving since 1992. This study served to examine the role of metacognition in self-regulated problem solving. The study, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design involving a convenience sample of 63 students from two intact mixed-ability Primary Four classes, examined the impact of using a metacognitive scheme that focuses on the understanding and planning stages of Pòlya's four-stage approach on students' mathematical problem-solving behavior, performance and attitudes. The findings revealed that the metacognitive-based scheme had a positive impact on students' understanding of the problem posed, solution planning, confidence in and personal control of problem-solving behavior and emotions. It had also helped them to initiate and persevere in the problem-solving process to achieve a higher level of problem-solving success. Limitations and instructional implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to enhance the teaching and learning of matter and its properties for grade 6 students. The development of a conceptual change approach instructional unit was undertaken for this purpose. Pre- and post-concept surveys, classroom observations, and student and teacher interviews were used to collect data. The teaching activities not only challenged and encouraged students' conceptual change but also indicated that teachers needed to develop their content knowledge and teaching strategies. The participants developed more scientific conceptions and were able to apply these in appropriate contexts. This study illustrates how a conceptual change approach can be accomplished in the Thai context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the adequacy of an expanded simple view of reading (SVR) framework for English language learners (ELLs), using mediation modeling approach. The proposed expanded SVR included reading fluency as an outcome and phonological awareness and naming speed as predictors. To test the fit of the proposed mediation model, longitudinal data from 308 ELLs from different linguistic backgrounds were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We examined the mediating role of Grade 2 word-level reading skills in the association between Grade 1 phonological awareness, naming speed, and listening comprehension and Grade 3 reading comprehension and reading fluency. The results indicated that word-level reading skills fully mediated the association between phonological awareness, reading comprehension and reading fluency. Word-level reading skills partially mediated the association between naming speed and reading fluency. Listening comprehension contributed directly to reading comprehension and reading fluency. It appears that reading development in ELLs is better understood when reading fluency is added to the SVR framework as an outcome and naming speed as a building block of SVR. Theoretical aspects of the mediation model in relation to ELL reading development are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]