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The effectiveness of a behavior modification program combining cooperative learning with peer and self-evaluation was field tested with a group of 20 students in a 9th-grade class in beginning small engines. The students represented a mix of racial/cultural and economic backgrounds, were of average intelligence, and exhibited a variety of poor work habits and disruptive behavior. After an analysis of literature on disruptive behavior and its possible causes, a set of intervention strategies was formulated that included the following: a cooperative group learning program based on a set of project-developed illustrated engine parts assembly instruction sheets; instruction in self- and peer evaluation procedures and regular use of project-developed evaluation forms; and use of student-developed quizzes. The strategies were field tested for 6 weeks. Postintervention data confirmed a decrease in disruptive behaviors and poor work habits and an increase in student performance levels after the field test. (Appendixes constituting approximately one-third of this document include the following: tables summarizing initial data regarding students' work habits, disruptive behaviors, and performance; student sheets and illustrations dealing with engine parts assembly; sample peer and self-evaluation forms and data forms; sample student-generated quizzes; poststudy data; and illustrated study sheets. Contains 25 references.) (MN)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert