This thesis reports on a qualitative study that documented one teacher’s research-based practice of teaching students to read in a Grade 9 ESL Academic mathematics course. Specifically, this thesis focuses on the description of the range of strategies and reading-based activities that the teacher used; the experiences and influences that led him to include reading strategies in his regular instructional practice; and, the challenges that he faced when integrating these strategies routinely as part of his daily mathematics program. The complexity of simultaneously teaching mathematics and reading strategies in the context of a Grade 9 ESL Academic course is also discussed. The study was conducted early in the second semester of the 2007-2008 school year. A variety of data collection methods were used: interview, classroom observation, and document collection. The findings of the study provide concrete examples of designing lessons that embed the use of reading strategies (e.g., vocabulary development, reading supplementary text, and reflection) to teach or inform mathematics concepts. The large number of ESL students in the observed class underscored the importance of incorporating reading strategies into the mathematics program in order to facilitate ESL students’ language learning processes. The teacher under study focused on using additional literature as an aid to develop students’ deeper understanding of mathematics concepts and introduced reading strategies as a means to improve students’ reading comprehension of supplementary text; however, he did not apply these strategies to lessons directed at the comprehension of specific mathematics text. The conclusions suggest that mathematics teachers require substantive classroom-based evidence and support from Ministry of Education personnel, subject specialists, school administrators, and peers in order to be convinced of the value of reading in mathematics class and to embark on their own program for implementing reading strategies and reading-based activities into regular mathematics learning activities. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2008-11-06 13:51:42.326

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Regional inequalities in the developing countries have in recent years led to increasing attention to various proposals of deconcentration and decentralization, which in turn have triggered renewed interest in rural developnent and the potential significance of small urban centres. Yet little is known about the social, econanic and geographical relations of these centres with whom the majority of the rural population have contact. This thesis is a geographical study of small urban centres paying particular attention to their role in rural development in Sierra Leone. In choosing these centres as subjects of study, the author echoes other scholars, that the instances where they play a positive role are few and that to get than to do so would entail transformations within the economy and society which though necessary may prove so difficult under the present political and economic structures. The study is divided into two sections. Section I (Chapters IIII) forms the theoretical framework. Section II (Chapters IV - VII) is devoted to testing the hypotheses in the study area. The thesis starts with introducing the aims and objectives of the study, definition of tents and concepts used and justifies their application in the study area. The data and methodology are also fully discussed and the structure of the study outlined (Chapter I). The second chapter reviews various economic and spatial theories and literature on small urban centres forming the theoretical framework on which the hypotheses drawn are based. Studying small urban centres without paying attention to the macro-economic. and political context in which they are set and operate may prove futile. The third chapter therefore examines those aspects bf the study area which are considered relevant to this investigation. Section II of the thesis starts with tracing the origins of these centres and finds out how these origins have influenced their functions and thereby structures. Here a retrospective approach is adopted by tracing their pre-urban origins and discussing the factors which contributed to their urban status. The implications of these origins for rural development are pointed out (Chapter IV). In assessing their present role (Chapter V) the numbers and spatial distribution of these centres and their relative centrality are examined. From the furtional units within these centres, centrality ratios are calculated to determine whether these centres are adequately provided for. The limitations imposed on the positive role they can play in rural development by their lack of adequate numbers and low centrality is examined and their implication on using the present framework for the delivery of goods and services is assessed. Chapter VI is devoted to an examination of the relationships of small urban centres and their immediate rural hinterlands, through the consumer travel patterns to secure goods and services fron these centres. Where no positive links exist the chances of such centres acting as stimuli for rural development are indeed limited. The functional relationships of these centres through consumer travel patterns form the subject of investigation in Chapter VII. These relationships give us an idea on the way these centres function with other members in the urban hierarchy. The analysis is based on the hierarchical concepts of central place theory. The conclusion (Chapter VIII) sunmarizes the findings of the study and makes recamiendations where it is deemed necessary and in each case pointing out the implications of, such recaT1m ndations.

The thesis presents a social history of the development of solicitors as a professional group in Manchester during the period 1800-1914. This is the first work on the history of Manchester solicitors and one of the few histories of the profession outside London. It is based on primary source material which has not previously been subject to investigation. The study explores the development of solicitors through the period by examining their reaction to the pressures imposed by an increasingly industrial and urbanizing society. It considers the importance of the role of provincial solicitors in the development of the profession nationally and the part Manchester solicitors played in this development. The relationship between Manchester solicitors and the community and their place in the local societal structure is also examined.

This study is concerned with the teaching and learning of Arabic as a second or a foreign language in Malaysia in general and in the Faculty of Islamic Studies of the National University of Malaysia in particular. Its main purpose is to evaluate the existing Arabic program in the Faculty, and to provide some suggestions for its improvement. This thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapter one provides some background to the teaching and learning of Arabic in Malaysia. The historical development of religious teaching and learning institutions in Malaysia, and the teaching and learning of Arabic in the existing Arabic and religious institutions in Malaysia are discussed. In addition, this first chapter also discusses the role and the status of Arabic in Malaysia in order to lay the ground for understanding the actual needs for Arabic in Malaysia. Chapters two and three are concerned with the review of the literature in second and foreign language program design. They discuss the factors involved in SL teaching and learning, the general framework to be used in designing SL program, methods and approaches for specifying goals and objectives for such program, and the syllabuses and teaching methodologies for SL teaching and learning. At the end of chapter three, general criteria for the design and evaluation of Arabic programs are described. Chapter four is concerned with the teaching and learning of Arabic to noi cttive speakers. It focuses on the historical development in TASL, issues and problems in TASL, and the teaching and learning of Arabic in the Faculty of Islamic Studies. In addition, this chapter defines the research problem, scope of the study, hypo thesis, and the research methods followed. Chapters five, six and seven are concerned with the description, analysis and discussions of the results. The results reveal that the existing Arabic program in the Faculty of Islamic Studies is not compatible with the needs for Arabic in Malaysia and in the Faculty itself. It is found that the major components of the existing program, namely objectives, syllabus content and teaching methodologies, are not compatible with the present stated goal of the program. The prescription and the design of the program components do not seem to comply with general principles for SL program design. In the light of these conditions, suggestions are provided for the improvement of the Arabic program in the Faculty. These suggestions include some important areas for further research.

This study of the position of women in Islamic society during the period of the Prophet in the early seventh century A.D. compares their status with the status of women in pre-Islamic Arabia, and investigates the changes, if any, which the new faith brought to the women believers. The thesis is composed of three chapters. The purpose of the first chapter is to outline the nature of the socio-economic and legal status of women in Arabia before Islam; it surveys the concept of Jahiliyyah, the tribal society as a whole, the practice of burying daughters alive, marriage, polygamy and divorce. The second chapter contains an over view of the new moral and legal status granted to women under Islamic law, according to the specific rules governing the rights and duties of the people as laid down by the Prophet himself. This can therefore be taken as the ideal example, in all aspects. of the true Islamic community. The third chapter contains cases of illustrious and influential women in the first seminal period of Islam: Khadija, the first believer and first wife of the Prophet, Aisha, the young wife and important transmitter of tradition and Faimah, the Prophet's daughter and other various examples of women in different aspects.

This thesis describes the results of an empirical study addressing the nature of family group visitors to a recently built art gallery. Specifically, the aims of this research were: To clarify what 'family' means in the context of family group visitors to a new art gallery * To explore the motivations of family group visitors in new art galleries * To explore the experience of family group visitors looking at modem art in new art galleries * To observe the behaviour of family group visitors looking at modem art in new art galleries * To provide evidence about family groups by collecting empirical data rather than relying on assumptions about family group visitors The research findings were obtained using qualitative and qualitative methods, analysis of interviews, survey data and statistical analysis, empirical observation, from the literature, from the researcher's own interpretation and the comments and quotations gathered throughout the research. The study begins by presenting a comprehensive taxonomy of family visitor studies research to date. A case study then tests seven hypotheses, shedding light on aspects of family group visiting that have been only partially illuminated in previous studies. The case study demonstrates the significance of the demographic findings; defining, accurately measuring and describing family group visitors to temporary exhibitions of modern art and makes an original contribution to methodology by advancing previous video observational research, harnessing the potential of CCTV film footage as an observational tool using existing in-house surveillance technology. Conclusions include: *A high proportion of grandparent family visitor groups within the sample, with important implications for the future development of the over 50 age group and their grandchildren, as an audience for contemporary art. * Family group visitors expect to enjoy looking at modem art, and typically visit several times, without however, increasing their knowledge of modem art; the study shows that family visitors are 'perpetual beginners' despite previous visits to modern art exhibitions. * Children are instrumental in the visit and engage in 'teaching behaviour' towards adult family members, showing and discussing the exhibits with parents and particularly, grandparents. The significance of the research is highlighted and future research topics are suggested.

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