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The Pacific Communities with High-performance in Literacy Development (Pacific CHILD) Professional Development Model research project was initiated in response to an overwhelming need in PREL's Pacific service region for improvement of teachers' knowledge and instructional practices in early reading. This report examines the question of the quality of the professional development provided through Pacific CHILD, how quality of this model program was measured, and the findings on the quality of professional development. (Contains 8 tables and 2 figures.)

Standard 3 of the California History-Social Science Framework requires that students in grade one know and understand U.S. symbols, icons, and traditions, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, the U.S. flag, essential documents, landmarks, and national holidays. The flag is a unifying theme for this unit of study. Students analyze the symbolism of the flag, learn patriotic songs about the flag, and examine ways the flag is displayed. Four weeks are suggested to complete this lesson plan. The unit provides background information on the topic, lists focus questions, gives literacy links, and considers the topic in detail: "Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; and "Culminating the Topic." The lesson plan suggests assessment methods and presents extended and correlated activities. (Contains a list of 34 print resources and 16 media resources for the sample topic. Appended are the lyrics of "You're a Grand Old Flag"; information on flag etiquette; the Pledge of Allegiance; and graphic organizers on patriotic songs, patriotic symbols, and landmarks.) (BT)

Students study U.S. national holidays, symbols, songs, and landmarks to understanding and appreciation the meaning and significance of the nation's ideals of liberty, justice, and equality. Through lessons, discussions, discovery activities, and cooperative group work, students understand how and when various U.S. traditions represent and convey the country's ideals. The U.S. flag is a unifying theme for the unit. Students analyze its symbolism, learn patriotic songs about the flag, seek information about monuments associated with the flag, and look for ways the flag is used to observe and celebrate national holidays. Students acquire an understanding about the nation's traditions and a sense of pride in the country. Students realize the emotional power of the nation's symbols and songs and appreciate the citizens and events honored on national holidays or with national monuments and landmarks. Suggested time for unit implementation is 4 weeks. The lesson plan discusses the significance of the topic; lists focus questions; offers literacy links; and provides information and student activities, dividing the topic into "Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; and "Culminating the Topic." It suggests assessment activities, explains assessment methods, offers extended/correlated activities, and lists resources for the sample topic. Appended are song lyrics, poems, flag facts, the Pledge of Allegiance, additional information, and sample worksheets. (BT)

This document contains a student guide and a teacher guide on the topic of waves. The investigation includes three activities which lead students to an understanding of how waves are formed and how they move in water. Activity A introduces students to the parts of a wave. A demonstration using a stream table leads them to discover different factors which determine the size of a wave. Activity B introduces wave motion. Students observe how waves move in a rope and in water. Activity C explains how breakers are formed and the effects they may have on the shoreline. Students use the stream table and various building materials to devise structures for protecting a harbor from the action of waves. The student guide includes an introduction, list of objectives, and descriptions of three activities, for each of which materials lists, procedures, review questions, and answer sheets are given. The teachers guide includes keywords, teacher notes, answers to the review questions, and evaluation items. (CW)

This investigation is designed to help students understand storm surges on Lake Erie. Activity A includes experiments and discussions intended to help students understand what causes storm surges on Lake Erie. Activity B considers how storm surges affect water levels and, in turn, coastal areas. The student booklet contains questions, experiments, graphs, and a test for both major sections of the investigation. The accompanying teachers guide contains some additional background information and the answers to the questions in the student booklet. (TW)

A simulation of alternating current thin film electroluminescent device operation with positive space charge present in the phosphor layer of the device is presented. The simulation is based on modeling the space charge distribution using a single sheet charge model. The simulation is performed for two cases of space charge creation: by impact ionization of deep levels in the phosphor or by field emission from traps in the phosphor. Results of the simulation show that spacecharge creation by either mechanism is capable of causing overshoot in both capacitance voltage and internal charge phosphor field (Q-Fp) Plots.