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Memory Thief
No full textTwin brother and sister Benji and Kelly wander off at the local county fair after witnessing their parents argue. When Benji runs into a group of bullies, he escapes into a tent called The Memory Emporium, where he meets a strange old man inside named Louis. The old man shows him a magically vivid memory of a fighter pilot, in the hopes of getting Benji to pay to see other memories Louis has collected from people over the years.
Benji quickly realizes the ability to take memories could help his parents stop fighting with each other, and he asks Louis to teach him how to become a “memory thief.” But Louis isn\u27t the only person with the ability to show and manipulate memories. There\u27s also the mysterious Genevieve, a Memory Thief with much more nefarious motives.
Benji learns how to manipulate memories himself, but having that power comes at a cost to his family, and possibly to his own mind as well. Genevieve’s powers get out of control as she steals more and more memories from people in town―including Benji’s sister, Kelly. Benji must learn to use this newfound power, as he is the only one able to stop Genevieve.https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/publications/1046/thumbnail.jp
Systematic Phonics Instruction Within Word Study at the Primary Grades
Get PDFThe purpose of this mixed-methods study was to compare nonsense word reading, phoneme segmentation fluency and overall reading achievement of four low performing first and second graders before and after replacing teacher constructed word activities with systematic synthetic phonics instruction (SSPI). In addition to quantitative data, qualitative interview data was collected from four district interventionists who provided insight into instructional experiences. Nonsense word reading fluency of this sample produced mixed responses to instruction. All four students made gains in phoneme segmentation fluency after SSPI. The researcher suggests continuing the current implementation of Guided Reading Plus by highly trained teachers
Why Beginning Teachers Persist in the Profession and the Impact of Induction and Mentoring
Get PDFWith 46% of new teachers leaving the profession within the first five years, many states have mandated induction programs. This study sought to understand what beginning teachers in rural Maine perceive as the greatest factors impacting their persistence in education, and the perceived impact of induction and mentoring on their persistence. A mixed-methods approach yielded findings that indicated the greatest perceived factors are: working with students, collaborating with peers, and administrative support. Induction and mentoring perceptions were both positive and negative. Recommendations are directed at school leaders who must support teachers by providing time for collaboration and networking, and implementing purposeful induction and mentoring activities.(1 As cited in Andrews, Gilbert & Martin, 2012
The Effect on Preschool Children’s Social and Emotional Behavior After the Implementation of the Opening the World of Learning (OWL) Curriculum
No full textThe purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the social and emotional effects on preschool children after the implementation of the OWL curriculum. Data was collected from a preschool classroom at Educare Central Maine. The results from the parents survey show that the majority of parents feel that their child improved or at least stayed the same in social and emotional skills. The DECA results show that the OWL curriculum had little to no effect on these same skills
From Marginalia to Juvenilia: Jane Austen\u27s Vindication of the Stuarts
No full textWhile Jane Austen\u27s 1791 History of England is generally considered a parody of Oliver Goldsmith\u27s History of England: From the Earliest Times to the Death of George II and history writing, this essay asks readers to consider Austen\u27s work as something beyond burlesque. In studying Austen\u27s text as a vindication, and in terms of martyrology, it becomes clear that Austen takes seriously her task in defending Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I. In putting Austen\u27s juvenilia into conversation with her marginalia written beforehand in the family\u27s volume of Goldsmith\u27s History of England and Vicesimus Knox\u27s Elegant Extracts, this essay shows that Austen\u27s vindication of the Stuarts extends beyond the History and Mary and Charles I as she defends the Stuart heirs, including the Jacobite pretenders. In addition to addressing Austen\u27s Stuart sympathy, this combined analysis of the juvenilia and marginalia contextualizes Austen\u27s adolescent writing in terms of generic multiplicity, as well as the distinction between private and public writing spheres
Some Original Sources for Modern Tales of Thales
No full textThis article will provide a brief outline of some stories about Thales of Miletus that often appear in modern publications, tracing each item back to the oldest existing historical sources. Interactive applets illustrate methods of measurement attributed to Thales
Teaching Matters: Essays by UMF Faculty
Get PDFEssays by faculty at the University of Maine at Farmington.https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/publications/1086/thumbnail.jp
Alignment of the Eight Instructional Design Principles: Effective Mathematics Instruction and District Adopted Math Programs
No full textIn Maine, recent statewide testing showed a 3% increase in students who are partially or substantially below proficient in mathematics. Maine teachers are essential contributors to students’ paths to higher achievement. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Maine teachers’ beliefs of effective instruction and adopted math programs align with the Eight Research-Based Instructional Design Principles. An electronic survey was sent to 1,091 potential participants who are grade one, two, and three teachers in Maine. Fifty participants responded and, the researcher evaluated teacher habits of using effective instruction and the structure of math programs to provide opportunities to use these effective instructional practices. Findings reveal many inconsistencies between teacher use of effective mathematical instructional practices and structures of math programs to support the practices
How Flexible Groupings in Kindergarten May Affect Behavior
No full textThe purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine the perspectives of flexible groupings from parents and staff members and how it affects behaviors in kindergarten. The study took place at Mallett School, Farmington, Maine. The participants in this study were 20 parents and 10 staff members. A survey was completed by parents and staff members were involved in interviews. The researcher also collected behavioral data from the school guidance counselor for the years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. The conclusions of this study showed that disruptive behavior has decreased in kindergarten classrooms since flexible groupings were employed
The Effects of Freeplay on Self-Regulatory Skill Development
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine how access to freeplay during the school day influences self-regulatory skills during academic tasks. When students learn to self-regulate through play, the transition into learning can be more efficient. The association between free-play and self-regulation were examined using quantitative parent survey data and qualitative classroom observations in a Kindergarten class. Findings indicate that when freeplay time is given students are more ontask during content instruction. Findings also indicate that parents feel freeplay should be part of the Kindergarten schedule