Loading...
2 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Relationships between primary teachers’ beliefs and their practices in relation to writing instructionPublication . Gaitas, Sérgio Miguel Protásio; Martins, Margarida AlvesTeachers’ beliefs are directly connected to their practices and have an impact on students’ educational experiences and results. The aim of this study was to describe and examine the relationship between beliefs and practices linked to teaching students to write in the first four years of primary school. A total of 255 Portuguese primary school teachers participated in the study. A 52-item questionnaire was used to evaluate their beliefs, preferred activities and classroom organisation procedures in relation to writing instruction. Beliefs and classroom organisation procedures were subjected to factor analysis, whereas activities were considered individually. The analysis of teachers’ beliefs revealed two different factors: (1) code-based beliefs and (2) meaning-based beliefs. The analysis of teachers’ classroom organisation revealed three different factors: (1) pairs or small groups; (2) individual; and (3) whole classroom. Most of the participating teachers emphasised both explicit teaching and informal learning methods. There were significant associations between beliefs and activities and beliefs and classroom organisation procedures supported by code vs. meaning beliefs. However, the different associations revealed in the study showed that teachers combine multidimensional aspects in their writing instruction theory and practice.
- Enhancing children’s literacy learning: from invented spelling to effective reading and writingPublication . Albuquerque, Ana; Martins, Margarida AlvesThis longitudinal study aimed at testing the long-term impact of invented spelling activities conducted in kindergarten on children’s literacy skills throughout primary school until the end of Grade 3. The participants were 100 Portuguese 5-year-olds that were randomly assigned into two equivalent groups and took part in 10 training sessions: invented spelling (experimental condition) or storybook reading (control condition). Writing and reading skills were tested in kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 3. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in kindergarten and benefited more from formal school teaching instruction. Lasting effects were found as the invented spelling condition presented statistically significant higher scores in reading and writing in primary education. These findings support empirical evidence for enhancing young children’s learning in favour of their later literacy performance.