Readers\u27 workshop in the elementary classroom

In this research project, Reader\u27s Workshop is defined and explored in relation to an elementary classroom setting. The literature review describes the importance of independent reading, the structures and components of readers\u27 workshop, how readers\u27 workshop motivates and engages readers, and finally how to get started with readers\u27 workshop in the elementary classroom. Following the literature review, there is a three-year professional development plan that lays out the key components of readers\u27 workshop and its format for training a staff on how to implement this structure into their elementary classroom. Year one of the professional development project discusses what reader\u27s workshop is, the major components of it and how to build a classroom library. Year two of the project discusses the components such as mini lessons, conferencing, and guided reading during workshop time in a more in-depth approach that year one. Finally, year three is focused on sharing time and using data to drive instruction through the format of reader\u27s workshop

Approaches to measuring the frequency of achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia causing FGFR-3 mutations in human sperm

Achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia are two forms of skeletal dysplasias caused predominantly by single base mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR-3). The mutation for achondroplasia is a G1138A/C substitution and the mutation for hypochondroplasia (occurring about 50% of the time) is a C1620A/G substitution. Recent genetic studies have shown that spontaneous mutations for achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia occur exclusively on the paternally derived chromosome, suggesting that these mutations occur preferentially during spermatogenesis. For unknown reasons, the mutation rates at these FGFR-3 nucleotides appear to occur at a much higher frequency than nucleotide specific mutation rates observed in other human genetic diseases. The purpose of this study was to develop an assay that could detect the frequencies of achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia causing mutations in human sperm. A Needle-in-a-Haystack PCR/RE/LCR selection technique has been developed that measures single base changes, commonly single base substitution mutations, at sensitivities of one mutant allele in one cell in up to 107 wild-type cells. This technique was modified and designed for the achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia base sites 1138 and 1620 of the FGFR-3 gene. With the development of this technique, future studies could focus on determining the frequencies of the mutations in the sperm of fathers of affected children and the frequencies of the mutations in the sperm of the normal population. These studies will help elucidate the paternal age effect, have important implications in genetic counseling and provide a novel method by which to study genetic disease in humans

The middle school: A review of current literature

Education in the United States has presented many patterns of school organization. Separate junior and senior high schools were suggested in the early 1900 1 s, but the grade levels and ages for distinguishing these divisions were unclear (Wiles & Bondi, 1981). The junior high was designed to bridge the gap between elementary and high school. It usually included grades 7-8-9. An alternative to the junior high school, the middle school, began to emerge in the late 1950 1 s. The middle school was designed to facilitate grades 6-7-8. Its development was primarily to relieve overcrowding and to provide an educational environment to effectively educate young teens (Wiles & Bondi, 1981). Many experts in the field of education support the middle school concept as a means to better meet the educational and developmental needs of adolescents. The middle school concept can concisely be defined as an educational environment created to meet the unique needs and characteristics of emerging adolescents

Leading early childhood education in Iowa schools

Over the last 15 years, Iowa’s Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs (SWVPP) have undergone significant growth. By the end of the 2021-2022 school year, 323 out of 327 (99%) of Iowa public school districts offered preschool (Iowa Department of Education, 2022c). As a result, well over 450 Iowa administrators are potentially responsible for leading their district’s preschool program. The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to gain an understanding of the experiences, knowledge, and pedagogical needs of licensed Iowa administrators that are responsible for their district’s SWVPP. Data was collected through a survey and analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and the constant comparative method. Analysis revealed that participants most valued an understanding of management, structures and working with people’s feelings. Additionally, the pedagogical knowledge areas of teaching and learning were also found to be important. Data indicated there is a need for continued learning in pedagogical knowledge and practices for administrators of SWVPP

Impact of Pretreatment Neutrophil Count on Chemotherapy Administration and Toxicity in Dogs with Lymphoma Treated with CHOP Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: Prechemotherapy absolute neutrophil count (ANC) cutoffs are arbitrary and vary across institutions and clinicians. Similarly, subjective guidelines are utilized for the administration of prophylactic antibiotics in neutropenic dogs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of various ANC cutoffs on chemotherapy administration in dogs with lymphoma treated with CHOP chemotherapy and to determine whether an association between prechemotherapy ANC and subsequent toxicity exists. The secondary objective was to evaluate a currently used ANC cutoff to indicate prescription of prophylactic antibiotics. ANIMALS: Dogs diagnosed with lymphoma treated with CHOP chemotherapy (n = 64). METHODS: Six hundred and fifteen ANCs were stratified into 6 classes. The 3 ANC cutoffs 1.5 × 103 /μL, 2.0 × 103 /μL, and 2.5 × 103 /μL were assessed. The presence of an association between prechemotherapy ANC class and toxicity was determined. Afebrile neutropenic dogs with ANC <1.5 × 103 /μL but above the criteria for prophylactic antibiotics were evaluated. RESULTS: Chemotherapy was not administered in 7% of visits with an ANC cutoff of 1.5 × 103 /μL; chemotherapy would not have been administered in 10% and 16% of visits with an ANC cutoff of 2.0 × 103 /μL or 2.5 × 103 /μL, respectively. There was no association among the 3 lower prechemotherapy ANC classes and toxicity. All dogs with ANC 0.75-1.5 × 103 /μL recovered spontaneously without medical intervention. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The number of dose delays was minimized with a prechemotherapy ANC cutoff of 1.5 × 103 /μL, and the prechemotherapy ANC class 1.5-1.99 × 103 /μL was not associated with an increased toxicity. Further investigation of an ANC cutoff near 0.75 × 103 /μL in which to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics is indicated

A COMPARISON OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOTHING AND SELF-ESTEEM BY FEMALE ADOLESCENTS FROM A METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Self-esteem as related to dimensions of apparel in occupational, social, and leisure situations has been measured with the elderly and college students, but not with adolescents. Theorists recognize the role of clothing as a communicator of information in social interaction and as an aid in the establishment of self-identity. Clothing and appearance are important to the development of self-esteem among adolescents. This study sought to determine the relationship between the importance of clothing and self-esteem in social, school, and leisure situations among adolescents in a metropolitan city (500,000 SMSA) to elucidate the development of self through personal appearance. Seventh- and eighth-grade female students responded to a self-administered questionnaire composed of Newton\u27s Clothing Comfort Dimensions, Importance by Situation (1984) and the Karmos Sliding Person Test of Self-Esteem (1977). Correlations were used to analyze relationships between ratings of the importance of clothing and self-esteem. ANOVA was used to analyze differences between ratings of the importance of clothing and self-esteem by selected demographics. Design consistency was evaluated through split-half t-tests. Decisions were made using p (LESSTHEQ) 0.05. Statistically significant positive relationships were found between the importance of clothing and self-esteem scores in leisure situations. No significant relationships existed between the importance of clothing and social or school situations. Scores for the importance of clothing and self-esteem were combined into a total score, and contrasts between nominal groups on the total score were computed. No significant differences were found in the nominal groups of parents\u27 occupational status and student\u27s activity level. A relationship was found between the importance of clothing and self-esteem in leisure situations. As self-esteem decreased, clothing became less important in leisure situations; however no relationships were found in social or school situations. Clothing was found to be unimportant for females with low self-esteem; however, for students with high self-esteem, clothing was very important. More attention to influential self-esteem builders is needed to help adolescents, parents, and society find specific methods to build constructive behaviors