The Effects of the Daily Five, Developed by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser, on Classroom Literacy Instruction

Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to gain a better perspective on the Daily Five reading and writing approach in order to learn ways to implement a more efficient literacy block in my future classroom. I wanted to achieve an understanding for a structure of a whole-language approach that encourages students\u27 independence and engagement while fostering their reading and writing development. Also through this study, I have developed my own personal skills in order to become a better educational researcher. Through my research, I answered the following question using the data collected: What are the effects of the Daily Five, developed by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser, on classroom literacy instruction? Study Approach My study approach consisted of a qualitative study that lasted for a six week time period of data collection. My data methods were composed of producing and administering authentic one-on-one interviews with five general education teachers currently using the Daily Five literacy approach in their instruction and classroom observations of the Daily Five. The demographics of the school district where I conducted interviews consisted of schools located in the Western New York area. The schools will were located in a suburban setting. Rationale I pursued this topic because I feel that for elementary-aged students, the process of learning to read and write is essential and those skills may be some of the most important they will acquire in school. The reading and writing process is a life-long journey that continues to grow and build upon previously learned skills (Boushey & Moser, 2006). I wanted to gain a better understanding for a researched-based method of teaching that is centered on promoting the gradual release theory (Pearson & Gallagher, 1983), fostering independence, active learning, and providing students substantial time to read and write, and be able to implement the method in my classroom. Interviewing teachers who currently use this practice, allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge of the program. Teachers were truthful and honest about their feelings regarding the program because the interview study allowed them to remain anonymous with their responses. Performing classroom observations and taking anecdotal notes allowed me the ability to gain a first-hand perspective on the approach and determine how well students responded to the practices of the Daily Five ideology

Teachers’ Perceptions of Intensive Professional Development on the Daily Five™ in Literacy Instruction: A Multiple Case Study Exploration

This multiple case, qualitative study explored the experiences of six early childhood teachers as they implemented a structured, differentiated literacy framework (The Daily Five™) in a rural northeast Tennessee school system. This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of professional development, specifically the professional development components of coaching including ongoing online discussion, collaboration, and reflective journaling, on changing their literacy planning and instruction. Data were collected through interviews, journal entries, and transcribed meeting conversations. Findings revealed that teachers perceived coaching and collaboration as instrumental professional development components that directly contributed to changing their literacy planning and instruction. Both coaching and collaboration offered necessary support for teachers to feel successful as they made changes in thinking and practice. However, teachers did not find the reflective practice of journaling helpful as they sought to make changes in planning and instructional strategies. The results of this study are significant for teachers and administrators as they seek to increase meaningful professional development aimed at improving literacy instruction

Spoiled! How Relentless Enforcement and $1,000 Tickets Are Ruining Chinatown's Largest Fruit and Vegetable Market

On Forsyth Street in Chinatown, in what is certainly the busiest fruit and vegetable market in any low-income New York neighborhood, the city's police and health departments are undermining access to healthy food through strict enforcement of vending regulations and near-daily sweeps, resulting in ticketing, arrests, and the confiscation and destruction of fresh produce and vending equipment. Data recently released by the Environmental Control Board (ECB) reveal that 949 ECB summonses were issued to fruit and vegetable vendors at the street market on Forsyth Street between Canal and Division Streets in 2009 and 2010, an average of 1.3 tickets per day. When criminal court, parking and sanitation summonses are added in, we estimate Forsyth Street Market vendors have received more than 2,000 total tickets over the past two years. Our three-month investigation reveals that this aggressive enforcement has driven vendors out of business, diminished the market, and curbed access to healthy food for Chinatown residents

The effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in intoxicated-lead rat offsprings

Objective: Lead exposure or lead poisoning is known to cause a large spectrum of physiological, biochemical, and behavioural disorders in animals. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of vitamin C on the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the glutathione reductase activities in intoxicated- lead rat offsprings. Methods: This study was performed on the pups from female Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups and the treatments were administered through drinking water. Group1 (control group) consumed distilled water. Group 2 (lead group) consumed a solution of lead acetate (300mg/L). Group3 (lead + vitamin C) consumed a solution of lead (300mg/L) which was supplemented with vitamin C (2g/L). Group4 (vitamin group) consumed a solution of vitamin C (2g/L). The enzyme activities were determined in all the 4 groups. Results: The administration of lead showed a decrease in the enzyme activities. The superoxide dismutase activity was increased after the administration of lead in combination with vitamin C. The lead treated rats showed significantly lower body weights at birth and at weaning. The vitamin C treatment showed a significant increase in the body weight. The haemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in the lead-treated rats. The addition of vitamin C to the lead treatment and vitamin C alone could elevate the haemoglobin levels significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lead alterates the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities. There was an increase in the superoxide dismutase activity following the treatment with vitamin C. This study suggests that the treatment with vitamin C during lactation has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of lead intoxication. The administration of vitamin C prevents haemoglobin reduction in the erythrocytes

Nutritional Management in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Challenges and opportunities

PCOS is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting women of reproductive age. Its etiology remains unresolved but it is thought to have a genetic basis as well as interactions with other environmental factors. This disease is diagnosed through the Rotterdam 2003 criteria but there is no definite treatment for the disorder. However, cure involves targeting the multiple symptoms of PCOS where weight loss is the first-line intervention. Obesity may not be the universal feature of PCOS, but studies have shown that there is a high prevalence among diseased females. Since the patients are more likely to be obese, they are also more likely to develop insulin resistance. The proper diet for PCOS thus targets these two characteristics of the disorder and through their management, the other symptoms of PCOS including hirsutism, acne and infertility are targeted. Saturated fats consumption should be reduced to a minimum whereas the unsaturated fat intake must be balanced with the carbohydrate and protein intake. Carbohydrate intake should not be abundant in the diet because high GI foods prove to reduce insulin sensitivity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. As for the protein intake, it should not exceed 20% of the total macronutrient calorie intake. A healthy lifestyle must be followed which includes at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times a week. A properly managed diet combined with a balanced lifestyle addresses insulin resistance, cardiovascular health and metabolism, all of which target PCOS symptoms and alleviate them

The Crescent Student Newspaper, March 8, 1978

Student newspaper of Pacific College (later George Fox University). 12 pages, black and white.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/the_crescent/1934/thumbnail.jp