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Articles 1 - 18 of 18
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Left Out: Chronic Absenteeism In Elementary Schools, Catarina Morrissette
Left Out: Chronic Absenteeism In Elementary Schools, Catarina Morrissette
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In Massachusetts in 2022, approximately 33,000 students were chronically absent (missing ten percent of the 180-day school year) students (Buyinza, 2022). The purpose of this research project was to learn what strategies and programs work to support elementary students who are chronically absent, and why students are missing school. Chronic absenteeism impacts all academics but particularly reading levels; social skills and future career opportunities are also negatively impacted (DESE, 2022). Having resources to support educators and their students during these trying times is important for the success of a child’s educational future. As part of this project, teachers, administrators, school …
Read This Book!: Defending Multicultural Literature From Recent Censorship, Chloe Devine
Read This Book!: Defending Multicultural Literature From Recent Censorship, Chloe Devine
Honors Program Theses and Projects
The aim of this research is to highlight the importance of multicultural children’s literature in the field of education as it relates to the call for a more multicultural approach to education, as well as through the consideration of the recent uptick in book censorship across the country. Specifically, I will turn my attention towards children’s literature that features Black characters and experiences, which are often featured within the multicultural realm. Despite the fact that research has consistently shown that multicultural children’s literature has benefits for Black children as well as creating an engaging reading experience for all readers, efforts …
The Evolution Of The Child Character With Learning Differences, Mary Viera
The Evolution Of The Child Character With Learning Differences, Mary Viera
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In this paper, I will analyze the various representations of learning disabilities in selected children’s literature from the early twentieth century to recent literature published in the last decade. In the typical American classroom specific learning disabilities account for about 20% of students. It is the largest classified group to receive services in special education, and also the broadest: “Learning disabilities are disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements or direct attention” (NIH, 2022). I will use the term “learning differences” as it encompasses all children who learn differently …
How International Student Teaching Benefits A Classroom, Kasey Donahue
How International Student Teaching Benefits A Classroom, Kasey Donahue
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In this day and age, more students are considering whether or not they should student teach abroad. International student teaching is not a program that all universities offer. However, at the universities that have the program, student teachers are noticing the effect that the experience has on them in the long run. Interviews with five different teachers who considered completing their student teaching abroad and followed through with it have reflected positive outcomes. The makeup of our classrooms are rapidly changing with many different cultures and nationalities being represented. In order to provide an equitable and inclusive classroom environment, teachers …
Culturally Responsive Teaching, Kimberly Shorey
Culturally Responsive Teaching, Kimberly Shorey
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Many classrooms, across all academic domains (reading, math, science, and social studies), are not culturally inclusive in terms of student race and ethnicity. As teachers, we can address this problem by promoting and incorporating culturally inclusive practices as we present subject content. Culturally responsive teaching promotes equitable student growth and development in the academic classroom. The primary purpose of this research was to build a website that shares culturally responsive teaching methods that educators can implement for their students. This online resource shares techniques for implementing an array of culturally diverse books into the curriculum, integrating cultural aspects into math …
Black History In The Early Childhood And Elementary Classrooms: Teacher Beliefs And Practices, Shannon Mccormack
Black History In The Early Childhood And Elementary Classrooms: Teacher Beliefs And Practices, Shannon Mccormack
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Educators across the United States have struggled with meaningfully yet appropriately addressing race within History and Social Studies lessons at the Early Childhood and Elementary level. Previous research has revealed the importance of these conversations and the benefits that learning accurate history has for students of all racial backgrounds. The literature has also revealed the discomfort and apprehensiveness that educators may feel while confronting and teaching about our nation’s complex and often grim history. The purpose of this research was to analyze teachers’ beliefs and comfortability regarding addressing race in the classroom and how that translates to their teaching practices. …
The Effects Of Critical Literacy Theory On Listening Comprehension And Student Engagement, Jay Girvan
The Effects Of Critical Literacy Theory On Listening Comprehension And Student Engagement, Jay Girvan
Honors Program Theses and Projects
The purpose of conducting this study is to better understand and assess the current critical literacy practices of classroom teachers and to gain a better understanding of how well these strategies increase engagement and reading comprehension of texts, especially those that address social justice issues. As outlined by the principles of critical literacy theory, teachers are encouraged to help readers understand the author’s intent. By comparing read-alouds not using critical literacy strategies and others with the preferred approach, researchers will be able to examine the differences in both student engagement and listening comprehension. Alongside anecdotal records and post reading comprehension …
Anxiety In Elementary Classrooms, Stephanie Kane
Anxiety In Elementary Classrooms, Stephanie Kane
Honors Program Theses and Projects
As the number of students with anxiety increases, elementary school professionals are becoming more aware of the signs, behaviors, and negative outcomes that are shown in a young student with anxiety. This study examined the impact that anxiety has on elementary students’ social and academic growth in the classroom. Interviews were conducted with seven elementary school teachers, two school counselors, and one school nurse from a variety of districts in Eastern Massachusetts. The purpose of the study was to identify the different ways that young students express their anxieties and the effect that this has on their schooling. Several different …
An Exploration Of Manipulatives In Math Education, Jade Monte
An Exploration Of Manipulatives In Math Education, Jade Monte
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Pre-existing literature has shown that the education system needs to re-evaluate mathematical teaching practices in a manner that can boost students’ confidence in mathematics. Thus, the research is to investigate the use of manipulatives in reducing students’ anxiety by increasing their learning experience and engagement in mathematics. Furthermore, the purpose of this thesis is to explain the interconnectedness of math manipulatives, student engagement, and problem-solving. An in-depth literature review is conducted, which contains definitions, important benefits and methodologies of manipulatives, as well as the teacher’s role regarding these three terms. When manipulatives, student engagement, and problem-solving are in harmony, students …
Where They Live: Homelessness, School Location, And Academic Success, Alison Knoll
Where They Live: Homelessness, School Location, And Academic Success, Alison Knoll
Honors Program Theses and Projects
The trauma and stress of homelessness on both children and their families can be devastating and damaging, especially to elementary school children. A teacher’s understanding of the social emotional needs of housing insecure children is critical to their student's social emotional and academic well-being. This study will map the location of schools in major urban areas in Eastern Massachusetts and identify the homeless shelters, transitional homes, and community resources within the area. The purpose of this research is to make clear the relationship between a school's locations and the needs of the children they serve. This study will also provide …
Supporting English Learners In Stem, Alyssa Richardson
Supporting English Learners In Stem, Alyssa Richardson
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In my teacher preparation courses at Bridgewater State University, I studied how to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds, readiness levels, and learning styles. During the Fall 2019 semester in particular, I had the opportunity to spend time in a grade 1 Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) classroom. In this classroom, all 25 students were English Learners (ELs). During my time in this classroom, I observed the teacher employ strategies to not only help the students achieve academic goals, but also to help build their confidence and learn American social practices. For example, every morning the class began with …
Bridging The Gaps In Elementary Life Science Lessons, Kaitlin Cook
Bridging The Gaps In Elementary Life Science Lessons, Kaitlin Cook
Honors Program Theses and Projects
The United States is experiencing a rise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers while facing a shortage of STEM workers. This could partly be due to a decline in the amount of time allowed for science in elementary schools or possibly because many life science lessons in elementary school lack originality and may not stimulate an interest in science. Lack of captivating STEM education prior to college may be contributing to the decline of students graduating with STEM based degrees. My thesis focuses on getting out of the routine of using monotonous life science lesson plans. I identify …
Comparing Science/Technology/Engineering Mcas Scores To Math And English Language Arts In Different Demographics, Kiley Camara
Comparing Science/Technology/Engineering Mcas Scores To Math And English Language Arts In Different Demographics, Kiley Camara
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In the United States, standardized tests are used to ensure that students are provided with the same essential knowledge their peers are getting. Standardized tests not only show children’s academic performance, but also demonstrate how the teachers are performing in comparison to other schools. The No Child Left Behind Act was created to help schools provide adequate resources for both the teachers and students in higher need schools. Massachusetts’ standardized tests are called the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). The MCAS allows the Commonwealth to evaluate each school’s and district’s results in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Engineering/Technology in the …
Bringing Science To Life In The Fifth-Grade Classroom Through Hands-On Learning, Kelly Gately
Bringing Science To Life In The Fifth-Grade Classroom Through Hands-On Learning, Kelly Gately
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Science helps provide insight into the unknown and provides an outlet for exploration of living things. Children are innately curious about how thing work, and they are eager to ask questions. Science is the perfect outlook for students to fully engage in their inquisitiveness, but yet, many classrooms are skipping over science lessons or choosing to heavily focus on other subjects, such as reading and writing. Science is often taught as an elective, integrated with other subjects or it is only focused on for a short period of time. Unfortunately, when this subject does receive attention, lessons are heavily text-book …
Let’S Get Growing: Exploring How Teachers Use Expository Texts In Gardening Lessons For K-1 Students, Lindsey Thomas
Let’S Get Growing: Exploring How Teachers Use Expository Texts In Gardening Lessons For K-1 Students, Lindsey Thomas
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In this research study, I explored how teachers bring expository texts into their lessons and find ways in which nonfiction children’s books are used in science lessons. This project had two goals: to research teachers’ use of expository texts in science lessons related to a garden project for students in kindergarten to first grade and to look at the most effective ways to incorporate Massachusetts standards of reading with science in the classroom. Throughout this honors thesis project, I created a book set of nonfiction texts relating to garden topics such as the parts of a plant and how plants …
Differentiated Reading Instruction: Strategies To Reach All Students, Jennifer Rogerson
Differentiated Reading Instruction: Strategies To Reach All Students, Jennifer Rogerson
Honors Program Theses and Projects
Many elementary education teachers employ differentiated teaching strategies during reading instruction to ensure all students’ needs are being addressed, based on well-established evidence that not every child learns the same way. Differentiated instruction is not as simple as altering expectations or standards. In order to provide academically diverse learners an equal opportunity to access and demonstrate learning, changes need to be made in the instructional delivery method, assessment method, or both. By using differentiated instruction and employing various delivery methods and assessments, teachers can develop an inclusive classroom environment where students have opportunities to be successful regardless of their learning …
Oral Language Interactions Between Students And Teachers In One-Way And Two-Way Immersion Programs, Kristin Arnold
Oral Language Interactions Between Students And Teachers In One-Way And Two-Way Immersion Programs, Kristin Arnold
Honors Program Theses and Projects
No abstract provided.
The Effect Of Both Per Pupil And Science Expenditure On Fifth Grade Science Mcas Scores In Three School Districts In Massachusetts, Kaitlin Kummer
The Effect Of Both Per Pupil And Science Expenditure On Fifth Grade Science Mcas Scores In Three School Districts In Massachusetts, Kaitlin Kummer
Honors Program Theses and Projects
In this research study, I focused on the correlation between per pupil expenditures of three school systems - a low funded suburban school, a moderately funded suburban school, and a well-funded urban school - and the scores students received on their fifth grade state standardized test for science (MCAS). These three school systems have different demographics, and varying levels of both state aid and average family income. As a result, each school system spends different amounts on their science programs and on each individual student’s education for the school year. Previous research has found that school size and per pupil …