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For several years emerging trends in special education services have favored inclusion for students with disabilities. Concurrent to this evolution of philosophy in special education has been the advent of what could be considered inclusive instructional practices--those methods that aid in the successful inclusion of students with disabilities. These inclusive practices include co-teaching, cooperative learning, peer-mediated instruction, positive behavioral support, embedded learning strategies, and content-enhancements (Ehren, Lenz, & Deshler, 2005; King-Sears, 1997). As inclusive placements become an increasingly common standard of practice, particularly for students with learning disabilities, the need to assist general educators in establishing inclusive classrooms becomes a major priority. It is logical then to prioritize the propagation of inclusive practices in general education classrooms--practices that would take into account the natural diversity of student populations likely to be present in American classrooms. Cooperative learning, in the form of Literature Circles, is offered in this study as a highly effective method for laying the groundwork for inclusion. This study, rooted in the theory of anchored instruction, attempted to address the need for incorporating inclusive practices by investigating the potential for students with learning disabilities to implement Literature Circles by viewing video models. This research evaluated the impact of video models on three levels--the extent to which the video models improve the ability for students with learning disabilities to a) learn the foundational information and rationale of a strategy, b) implement the strategy effectively, and c) improve academic outcomes by implementing the strategy. Finally, an attempt was made to further probe student perception of learning a strategy from a video model through focus group interviews. Data was collected using a quasi-experimental design. Forty-nine classrooms were randomly assigned to video-based and traditional treatments. Students attempted to implement Literature Circles in their middle school social studies classes. Following data collection, quantitative statistical analysis was completed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to examine group differences in knowledge of the essential elements of the strategy, implementation of the strategy, and content achievement. Qualitative analysis of student focus group responses was completed by scrutinizing transcripts for general themes (Erickson, 1986). This study made a connection between lines of research on video-based anchored instruction for students with learning disabilities and video-anchors in teacher preparation. The full sample of 196 students, including 43 students with learning disabilities, demonstrated significantly more effective implementation of Literature Circles. Students in the video model focus group indicated that they benefited from the explicit, positive peer models demonstrated in the video. The continued proliferation of visual images in the form of video-based models represents a positive step toward increasing available resources to students and teachers and ultimately improving outcomes for students with learning disabilities.

A presente pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, propôs-se a investigar estratégias voltadas a alunos do Ensino Fundamental I para promover o início da alfabetização e letramento científico, a serem desenvolvidos ao longo da Educação Básica. Para isso, partiu das seguintes questões: Como trabalhar de forma a levar o aluno à aprendizagem de ciências naturais e desenvolvimento de habilidades fundamentais à formação do indivíduo alfabetizado e letrado cientificamente, como previsto nos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN)? Que tipo de texto seria mais interessante para a prática pedagógica com vistas a essa aprendizagem? Trabalhando com alunos do 3º ano do Ensino Fundamental, ciclo I, de uma escola pública da Rede Municipal de Ensino de Guaratinguetá-SP, a pesquisa utilizou rodas de leitura como metodologia de ensino-aprendizagem de conteúdos de Ciências Naturais. Elegendo como suporte os textos de divulgação científica da revista Ciência Hoje das Crianças - CHC, a pesquisa desenvolveu as etapas de aplicação das atividades das rodas de leitura, avaliadas através da observação e análise das interações verbais e atividades complementares de representação verbal, icônica e cênica do conhecimento, além de sessão de jogos. Os resultados revelam o papel central do parceiro mais capaz atuando na ZDP durante as interações, contribuindo favoravelmente para a introdução do aluno no universo da ciência como um saber escolar, iniciando o seu processo de alfabetização e letramento científico e desenvolvendo melhor compreensão e interesse pelos conteúdos das Ciências Naturais. Diante disso, abriram-se perspectivas para a elaboração de uma heurística que o professor poderá levar em consideração se tiver como objetivo uma atuação eficiente na ZDP e a iniciação do aluno nos processos de alfabetização e letramento científico. / The present research, with qualitative approach, aimed to examine strategies focused on Elementary School students to promote the beginning of early and scientific literacies, both to be developed along Basic Education. To that end, it was based on the following questions: How to work in a way that takes the student to the learning of natural sciences and the development of abilities that are fundamental to the formation of the early and scientific literate individual, as fixed by the National Curriculum Parameters (NCP)? What kind of text would be more interesting to the pedagogical practice with focus on that learning? Working with students from the 3rd grade of the Elementary School, cycle I, of a public school of the Municipal Education System of Guaratinguetá-SP, the research used literature circles as a methodology for teaching and learning Natural Sciences contents. Electing scientific divulgation texts of the magazine Ciência Hoje das Crianças - CHC as support, the research developed the stages of application of the literature circles activities, evaluated through the observation and analysis of the oral interactions and complementary activities of oral, iconic and scenic representation of the knowledge, besides game sessions. The results reveal the main role of the more capable partner acting in the ZPD during the interactions, contributing favorably to the introduction of the student into the universe of science as a school knowledge, initiating his early and scientific literacies process and developing better comprehension and interest in the Natural Science contents. As a result, many perspectives were open up to the elaboration of a heuristic that the teacher will be able to take into account if he has an effective operation in the ZPD and the student initiation in the early and scientific literacies processes as goals.

A presente pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, propôs-se a investigar estratégias voltadas a alunos do Ensino Fundamental I para promover o início da alfabetização e letramento científico, a serem desenvolvidos ao longo da Educação Básica. Para isso, partiu das seguintes questões: Como trabalhar de forma a levar o aluno à aprendizagem de ciências naturais e desenvolvimento de habilidades fundamentais à formação do indivíduo alfabetizado e letrado cientificamente, como previsto nos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN)? Que tipo de texto seria mais interessante para a prática pedagógica com vistas a essa aprendizagem? Trabalhando com alunos do 3º ano do Ensino Fundamental, ciclo I, de uma escola pública da Rede Municipal de Ensino de Guaratinguetá-SP, a pesquisa utilizou rodas de leitura como metodologia de ensino-aprendizagem de conteúdos de Ciências Naturais. Elegendo como suporte os textos de divulgação científica da revista Ciência Hoje das Crianças - CHC, a pesquisa desenvolveu as etapas de aplicação das atividades das rodas de leitura, avaliadas através da observação e análise das interações verbais e atividades complementares de representação verbal, icônica e cênica do conhecimento, além de sessão de jogos. Os resultados revelam o papel central do parceiro mais capaz atuando na ZDP durante as interações, contribuindo favoravelmente para a introdução do aluno no universo da ciência como um saber escolar, iniciando o seu processo de alfabetização e letramento científico e desenvolvendo melhor compreensão e interesse pelos conteúdos das Ciências Naturais. Diante disso, abriram-se perspectivas para a elaboração de uma heurística que o professor poderá levar em consideração se tiver como objetivo uma atuação eficiente na ZDP e a iniciação do aluno nos processos de alfabetização e letramento científico. / The present research, with qualitative approach, aimed to examine strategies focused on Elementary School students to promote the beginning of early and scientific literacies, both to be developed along Basic Education. To that end, it was based on the following questions: How to work in a way that takes the student to the learning of natural sciences and the development of abilities that are fundamental to the formation of the early and scientific literate individual, as fixed by the National Curriculum Parameters (NCP)? What kind of text would be more interesting to the pedagogical practice with focus on that learning? Working with students from the 3rd grade of the Elementary School, cycle I, of a public school of the Municipal Education System of Guaratinguetá-SP, the research used literature circles as a methodology for teaching and learning Natural Sciences contents. Electing scientific divulgation texts of the magazine Ciência Hoje das Crianças - CHC as support, the research developed the stages of application of the literature circles activities, evaluated through the observation and analysis of the oral interactions and complementary activities of oral, iconic and scenic representation of the knowledge, besides game sessions. The results reveal the main role of the more capable partner acting in the ZPD during the interactions, contributing favorably to the introduction of the student into the universe of science as a school knowledge, initiating his early and scientific literacies process and developing better comprehension and interest in the Natural Science contents. As a result, many perspectives were open up to the elaboration of a heuristic that the teacher will be able to take into account if he has an effective operation in the ZPD and the student initiation in the early and scientific literacies processes as goals.

Empathy and cultural understanding of groups that are marginalized due to religious, ethnic or sexual background is essential for peace in schools, neighborhoods, and society at large. Literacy classrooms can be a safe environment in which students can develop their own understandings and empathies. Although worthwhile, much of the research lacks details of student reactions to the people and cultures read about in historical narratives, as well as a focus on pedagogical practices that could give students a deep understanding of the culture. This study analyzed the empathetic responses of 13 sixth grade students to themes presented in a Mexican American narrative text, The Circuit. The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of student empathy and how empathetic responses reflect a rich historical and visual context. Key data sources of this interpretive study included large group discussions, small group discussions, written journal responses, and interviews. The results of this study indicated that students' empathetic responses are varied and complex and seem to reflect familiarity with topics in the text and personal background. Minimizing the cognitive demand of cultural content seemed to be a key pedagogical factor in helping students reach deeper levels of empathy. Suggestions are given for educators looking to teach empathy through cultural texts. Possible areas of research are recommended.

La présente recherche collaborative vise à mieux cerner le concept de justification à la suite d’une lecture littéraire. Plus précisément, nous avons identifié les stratégies justificatives utilisées par des élèves de 2e année (N=5) et de 4e année (N=6) et les enseignantes de 2e et de 4e année (N=2, soit une enseignante par niveau) lors de l’élaboration de leurs réponses à la suite d’une lecture oralisée par les enseignantes. Nous voulions également vérifier si le degré d’étayage offert avait un impact sur la fréquence et la diversité des stratégies justificatives utilisées par les élèves de 2e et de 4e année. Trois dispositifs didactiques ont été utilisés : la lecture interactive, la lecture REP (Réfléchir-Échanger-Partager) et le cercle de lecture. Les enseignantes de 2e et de 4e année ont utilisé les mêmes albums et les mêmes questions liées aux quatre dimensions de la lecture (compréhension, interprétation, réaction, jugement critique plus particulièrement lié à l’appréciation d’un texte littéraire) avec leurs élèves lors des discussions. Les enseignantes ont également évalué les justifications écrites des élèves et elles ont exprimé à voix haute les critères d’évaluation sur lesquels elles se sont appuyées pour juger de la qualité d’une justification. Nos résultats indiquent que 16 stratégies justificatives sont utilisées par les élèves ou les enseignantes : Appel à un extrait, une citation ou un exemple tirés du texte; Appel à un exemple qui n’est PAS tiré du texte ou de son expérience personnelle; Appel aux illustrations; Appel à une comparaison; Appel à des images fortes ou à des métaphores; Appel à un message à portée philosophique; Appel à son expérience personnelle; Appel à la visualisation; Appel aux propos des pairs, de l’enseignante ou de l’autorité; Appel à des informations implicites; Appel aux intentions des personnages; Appel aux intentions de l’auteur ou de l’illustrateur; Appel à porter un jugement; Appel à des indices linguistiques; Appel à utiliser le métalangage du schéma narratif et Appel à des mots précis pour exprimer sa justification. Les élèves de 4e année utilisent davantage de stratégies justificatives, soit en fréquence, mais également en variété lors de l’élaboration de leurs justifications. Ils sont également les seuls à utiliser la stratégie justificative Appel à des indices linguistiques. Nous avons recensé plusieurs techniques utilisées par les enseignantes de 2e et de 4e année pour soutenir les élèves lors de l’élaboration de leurs justifications. D’ailleurs, nos résultats indiquent que les capacités justificatives des élèves varient selon le degré d’étayage offert par les enseignantes (Approche partagée et guidée). Pour la lecture interactive, les élèves de 2e année « apprennent à utiliser » leurs stratégies justificatives dans ce dispositif grâce aux stratégies modélisées, partagées et guidées et les élèves de 4e année « développent leur autonomie » en utilisant leurs stratégies justificatives en lecture interactive de façon autonome. Nous constatons également que l’emploi des stratégies justificatives de haut niveau par les enseignantes pousse les élèves à utiliser des stratégies qu’ils utilisent peu ou pas habituellement. La lecture REP est le dispositif didactique qui a permis de générer le plus de stratégies justificatives de la part des élèves de 2e année. Grâce à sa structure, plusieurs niveaux d’étayage sont possibles, ce qui permet aux élèves de 2e et de 4e année de s’entraider dans la construction de leurs justifications (approche guidée par les pairs). Le cercle de lecture, tel qu’utilisé par les enseignantes dans le cadre de cette recherche, s’avère le dispositif le moins efficace pour les élèves de 2e année. La baisse du nombre de stratégies justificatives observées est directement liée au faible niveau d’étayage offert par l’enseignante. En revanche, le cercle de lecture apparaît comme un dispositif didactique plus pertinent pour les élèves de 4e année. C’est d’ailleurs le dispositif qui a généré le plus de stratégies justificatives de leur part. Par sa structure, il permet aux élèves d’aider leurs pairs (approche guidée par les pairs), mais également de coconstruire la discussion. Finalement, les deux enseignantes qui ont participé à ce projet de recherche identifient davantage de stratégies justificatives utilisées par leurs élèves et elles ont modifié leurs critères d’évaluation pour juger de la qualité d’une bonne justification lors de la deuxième phase d’évaluation. Nous croyons que d’orienter la formation vers l’évaluation en aide à l’apprentissage permettrait aux enseignants du Québec de mieux identifier, rétroagir et réguler les stratégies justificatives de leurs élèves. / This collaborative research aims to better understand the concept of reading response. More specifically, we have identified the strategies used by 2nd (N=5) and 4th grade students (N=6) and teachers (N=2) when developing their responses. We also wanted to check whether the degree of support offered had an impact on the frequency or diversity of the response strategies used by 2nd and 4th grade students. Three didactic methods were used: the interactive read aloud, the think-pair-share strategy and literature circles. Teachers in Grades 2 and 4 used the same literature books and the same questions related to the four dimensions of reading (comprehension, interpretation, reaction and critical judgement) with their students during the discussions. The teachers also assessed the students' written responses and we identified the criteria they used to judge the quality of a good response. Our results indicate that 16 response strategies were used by students or teachers to develop their response to literature: Use of an excerpt, a quote or an example from the text, Use of an example that is NOT taken from the text or its personal experience, Use of an illustration, Making a comparison, Use of a strong image or metaphor, Use of a philosophical message, Use of a personal experience or a connection with one's life, Visualization, Reinvesting the response of a peer, teacher or authority, Use of implicit information or inferences, Use of characterization, Noticing author’s purpose and illustrator’s intent, Use of a judgment, Use of linguistic cues, Use of structures and features of the narrative text to describe an element of the story and finally, Use of specific and precise words to respond. Grade 4 students use more response strategies, not only in frequency, but also in variety when developing their reading responses. They are also the only ones to use the response strategy: Use of linguistic cues. Several techniques are used by 2nd and 4th grade teachers to support students in developing their responses. Our results indicate that the students' responses strategies vary according to the degree of support offered by the teachers (shared and guided approach). 8 Regarding the results related to the interactive read aloud, 2nd grade students "learn to use" their strategies in this didactic method through modeled, shared and guided strategies. 4th grade students "develop their autonomy" by using their response strategies independently during interactive read alouds. We also find that the use of high-level response strategies by teachers pushes students to use response strategies that they don’t usually, or rarely, use. The Think-Pair-Share strategy is the didactic method that has generated the most response strategies on the part of 2nd grade students. Thanks to its structure, several levels of support are possible, which allows the students to help each other in the construction of their responses (peer-guided approach). Literature circles turn out to be the least effective method for 2nd grade students. The drop in the number of response strategies observed is directly linked to the low level of support offered by the teacher. On the other hand, literature circles are an interesting didactic method for 4th grade students. It is the method that generated the most response strategies. By its very structure, it allows students to help their peers (peer-guided approach), but also to co-construct the discussion. Finally, the teachers who participated in this research project identified more response strategies at the end of this project than they did before it began. We also note that their evaluation criteria for judging the quality of a good response deepened during the second evaluation phase. More research is needed to better understand the teaching practices that promote the development of reading response. We believe that orienting training towards formative assessment would allow teachers in Quebec to better identify, give feedback and support the response strategies of their students.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is an increasingly common developmental disability. Students diagnosed with ASD can be challenging to incorporate into mainstream classrooms due to a lack of understanding and negative attitudes of neurotypical peers towards those students. This thesis aims to address the problem in a unit plan centered on the use of young adult literature with a main protagonist on the Spectrum in the English Language Arts classroom. Specifically, it argues the use of such texts in conjunction with a literature circles unit in providing better understanding and greater acceptance of students with ASD. The unit and lesson plans were written to reflect how Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, Bishop’s windows, doors, and mirrors , and the texts students read can influence their thinking and behavior. Using goodreads and local ELA book lists, I selected four YAL texts which portrayed the main character with ASD as they go about their daily lives. These texts were then incorporated into the twenty-lesson unit plan which aims at supporting positive attitudes and acceptance of neurotypical students towards their peers with ASD.