Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Feedback On Learning And Mindset For Female Students In Mathematics Using Comments To Improve Mindset And Learning In Math: A Professional Development Workshop, Elizabeth Christenson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research shows that the type of feedback given on math assessments can impact the learning and mindset of students. This is especially important for girls since fewer girls study higher level math even though they have the same capability for math as boys. Using comments instead of grades can improve mindset and give students the information they need to improve their learning. This project was strongly influenced by the work of Jo Boaler and Carol Dweck. In order to share this information with teachers and to provide support in developing the skill of giving comment feedback a set of professional …

Components Necessary To Create A Flipped Model Of Instruction For Accelerating 4th-8th Grade Gifted/Talented Students, Samantha Boyd

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research demonstrates that gifted students need to have the option for content acceleration for their intellectual needs, this is especially true for mathematics. The curriculum designed for this project uses the Understanding by Design curriculum planning model, in order to help gifted/talented students accelerate through the pre-algebra (7th grade MN math standards) using a compacting and flipped model of instruction. Gifted and talented students can be identified through many facets, and be identified with a variety of different areas for giftedness. These students who are gifted may need acceleration in order to best meet their academic needs as a …

How Culturally Responsive Teaching Can Support Small Group Math Instruction, Ryan Moran

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

For this project, the author studied culturally responsive teaching methods and mathematics instruction strategies applicable to teaching fractions to third grade English Learners (ELs) in a small group. Throughout his career as an educator, the author consistently observed the need for additional EL math support . Therefore, the guiding question addressed by the author’s capstone project is How can culturally responsive mathematics strategies be implemented in a small-group EL setting? The research conducted in this project was used to create a 10-day, small-group fraction curriculum designed for third grade ELs.

How Different Grouping Methods Can Improve Students’ Mathematical Achievement In An Appropriate Setting, Hyangmee Oh

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This research is about finding an appropriate grouping method in a classroom to improve students’ mathematical achievement in a small urban public charter school. It is looking for an answer to the question: Can an inquiry-based discourse taught using an ability-grouping method affect 8th grade students’ mathematical achievement as evidenced quantitatively through numerical self- surveys and scored standardized testing?

Each year, a school will have a different demographic with each student’s own unique math abilities. Thus, we need a solution to best and flexibly group students to adapt to each student’s math abilities based on the unique classroom environment. The …

Strategies To Enhance The Positive Effects Of Bilingualism, Danielle Mcmillan

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Supporting bilingual students is critical not only for the bilingual students but also for monolingual students. Prominent bilingualism in the classroom can translate to higher test scores, increased engagement, and long-term impacts on brain agility. This capstone project seeks to answer the question: What strategies are available to educators to enhance the positive effects of bilingualism in their students? The final result of this project is a website which includes a series of strategies focused on the four domains of language which seeks to meet the educational needs of both bilingual and mainstream students. The website includes a description of …

Content Specific Math Instruction To Improve English Language Learners' Comprehension Of Comparison Math Word Problems, Abigail Snyder

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can math instruction and comprehension of comparison word problems for ELL students be enhanced through content specific vocabulary on, many, more, and fewer, and combinations of these words? The research demonstrated a need for vocabulary knowledge for English Language Learners to comprehend mathematical word problems and acquire academic English. The project involved creating a ten day vocabulary unit addressing strategies for learning vocabulary found in the research. The Understanding by Design process was used in creating this project. This project utilizes the Math Expressions curriculum by Fuson (2009), utilized in the …

Comprehensible Input And Output In The Math Immersion Classroom: A Professional Development Series, Kimberly Kulhanek

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The one-way immersion classroom provides a unique environment for students to learn content through instruction in their non-native language. However, students in early elementary grades typically have not had enough exposure to the target language to maintain sentence-level dialogue. The professional development series designed for this project uses the concepts of growth mindset, cognitively guided instruction, comprehensible input, and comprehensible output to increase students' ability to process and explain their mathematical thinking in the target language. Both growth mindset and cognitively guided instruction have been used in classrooms for years, but there has been little research into their implementation in …

How Discourse And Collaboration Can Be Used In Mathematics Classrooms To Promote Engagement And Learning, Emily Elsner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Educators are always looking for ways to promote engagement and achievement for their students. One thing secondary mathematics teachers can do to encourage engagement and achievement is to have students collaborate with each other on group-worthy tasks and engage in mathematical conversations and discourse. Chapter one of this Capstone gives background information as to why this work is important to the author and the author’s personal experiences with collaboration and discourse in mathematics. In chapter two, lots of research and literature is reviewed on the topics of mathematical mindsets, discourse, and collaboration. This chapter gives teachers ways to have students …

Implementing The Math Workshop Model: Techniques And Benefits, Nicole Middendorf

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question investigated in this Capstone Project was: what are the necessary components of professional development to support second grade teachers in implementing math workshop? Many instructional techniques that have been incorporated into math classrooms in the past have led to lower levels of understanding and decreased abilities for students to reach higher levels of thinking. When using The Math Workshop model, it provides a framework that allows educators to meet the individual needs of every student through multiple methods and activities. The information provided in the literature review outlines the goals and components of implementation steps for a …

Self-Regulation And Self-Advocacy Skills In A Fifth Grade Mathematics Classroom, Courtney Loynachan

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Social emotional learning has recently been at the forefront of many educational discussions because of its link with children’s academic success (Weissberg & Cascarino, 2013). Since mathematics is a cumulative subject, students who struggle to self-regulate and self-advocate at a young age will spend less time on task and be at risk to fall behind their peers academically. The research question addressed in this project was: how can social emotional learning strategies around self-regulation and self-advocacy be integrated into mathematics instruction at the fifth-grade level? An extensive literature review revealed that a strong student-teacher relationship and a plan to set …

Professional Development Sessions For Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics In The Primary Classroom To Promote A Positive Mindset And Problem-Solving Skills, Brittany Erickson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research questions addressed in this project was, what are the best mathematical teaching practices for early elementary students to ensure they are prepared to transfer problem-solving skills to other areas of mathematics as well as other aspects of their lives? The author developed a series of two professional development sessions that focus on background knowledge and research in the area of mathematics, as well as effective teaching strategies that can be implemented into any primary mathematics classroom. It encompasses eight highly effective teaching practices influenced by the work of Huinker and Bill, to ensure students gain transferable conceptual math …

Developing Conceptual Place Value Intervention Curriculum For Upper Elementary Students, Angela Klint

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Conceptual Place Value (CPV) is the ability to flexibly increment (add) and decrement (subtract) numbers mentally (Wright, Ellemor-Collins, & Tabor, 2012). Within this project I analyze how to improve math achievement for upper elementary students who struggle with CPV concepts. Using Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson developmental theories I examine the educational needs of the students within upper elementary school grades. In addition, I investigate how mathematical understanding start and grow throughout a child’s development. Using this research, I developed Conceptual Place Value intervention curriculum for upper elementary students. This project consists of 15 lessons for each of the eight different …

Steam Design Thinking And Innovation: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary, Authentic Approach To Problem Solving In Mathematics, Liesa Klyn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

How might we design an interdisciplinary curriculum which incorporates collaboration and design-thinking to equip all students to tackle authentic, complex problems of critical relevance? This capstone project is an attempt to answer this question with an innovative mathematics curriculum that incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics into problem solving experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration across networks, leading by influence, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurship, oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity and imagination and resourcefulness. This curriculum seeks to make six major shifts in student learning;from product to process, from consumption to production, from adult …

How Technology Can Be Integrated Into The Seventh Grade Mathematics Classroom To Ensure A Positive Impact On Student Learning And Engagement, Melanie Strachota

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In recent years, there has been a movement for more technology in classrooms across the country. With this new movement, many teachers and students have been hesitant on where to begin and how to use technology in the classroom. This movement in education led for the author to explore the following research question: How can meaningful technology resources be integrated into the seventh grade mathematics classroom to ensure a positive impact on student learning and engagement? This Capstone records one teacher’s creation of a website designed to offer students and teachers an array of resources in one location for the …

How Can Student Learning Be Improved Through Project Based Curriculum That Gives Access To All Students?, Joseph Salzer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

How can student learning be improved by creating project based curriculum that gives access to all students? This project contains a unit curriculum guide for a 3 dimensional solids unit for a 10th grade geometry classroom. The curriculum is a project based curriculum based on the 7 essential pieces of project based learning of Larmer (2010). This is then woven with standards based practices to ensure that all learners have access. The project is broken up and intermixed with direct skill instructional days and time for feedback. It is necessary to make sure students are supported in project based learning …

How Can Guided Math Techniques Be Integrated Into A Third Grade Multiplication Unit?, Erin Schmidt

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question investigated in this Capstone Project was: How can guided math techniques be integrated into a third grade multiplication unit? Many instructional techniques that are incorporated and used in the classroom only allow the content to connect and reach a small portion of the students. When using instructional techniques like whole-group, many students are bored because the content is too easy or lost because the content is too challenging. This project explores utilizing the instructional technique of guided math. Guided math provides a framework that allows educators to meet the individual needs of every student through multiple methods …

How Can A 9th Grade Math And Science Curriculum Become Integrated As Part Of A Project-Based Academy?, Evan Pierson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research shows that project-based learning and integrated curriculums in many cases have a positive impact on student engagement, attitudes, and academic achievement. This project takes units from a general science and math curriculum at the ninth grade level and blends them to create an integrated unit relating to motion. The unit contains a wide array of math and science activities and labs that encourage students to think critically but also allows them to easily see the similarities between the two content areas. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the unit to meet their individual needs or attempt a similar endeavor with …

The Benefits And Challenges Of Integrating Self-Assessed Grading Into A 7th Grade Math Classroom, Michael Schramm

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project documents one teacher’s exploration of self-assessment as a strategy for teaching and learning in middle school math, addressing the research question, “What are the benefits and challenges of integrating self-assessed grading into a 7th grade pre-algebra curriculum?” It explores research relevant to the idea of self-assessment in middle school, focusing on constructivism, self-regulated learning and self-efficacy. It also includes a review of research about the implementation of self-assessment strategies. The author concludes with a curriculum aimed at helping teachers implement self-assessment in their own classrooms. The centerpiece of the curriculum is an outline of a structure and materials …

Effective Note-Taking Strategies In The High School Math Classroom, Michael Swenson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this action was, how can I implement effective note-taking strategies to improve my students’ performance on assessments? It details how one teacher implements Cornell notes and Foldables over the course of one trimester in two different Algebra 2 classes. A mixed methods approach was used to better understand effects of each strategy on three unit exams, three vocabulary quizzes, student surveys, and six student interviews. He describes the effects of each strategy on student achievement and concludes that: 1) Cornell notes and Foldables did improve student achievement on unit exams with Cornell notes showing higher …

The Relationship Between The Development Of Math Operation Proficiency And Student Confidence, Douglas Elfstrom

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question of this study was, What is the relationship between math operation fluency and a student’s confidence and perception of math in general? A multi-faceted intervention was developed to address both students’ multiplication fact proficiency and student confidence, with middle school students in Special Education. Pre and post assessment data was analyzed to determine the effect of this intervention on student fact proficiency and confidence. Findings suggest that students that progressed throughout the intervention period by mastering multiplication fact families also generally had an increase in math confidence. Implications for future work include determining how to improve this …

High School Mathematics: A Venue For Political Resistance To White Supremacy, Morgan Kendall Fierst

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The teaching of mathematics in the United States is biased, unjust, and racist. It pretends to be a politically neutral subject despite its inherent white supremist structures and systems. Three main structural component of mathematics education support White Supremacy and need to be dismantled and restructured: inequitable access, the dehumanization of students, and the emphasis of the individual. Mathematics education can be a venue for political resistance to White Supremacy. This project outlines a yearlong advanced algebra curriculum that is rooted in student voice, community engagement, and social connection and includes: essential foundational work, curriculum design, a pacing guide, course-learning …

Designing Pedagogy For Existing Mathematics: Measurement Curriculum In A Language Immersion School, Jihee Jina Kim

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project addressed the research question of how instruction in the multilingual classroom learning environment can be beneficial in a language immersion school? How should the first-year teacher start to deliver effectively for students in multicultural circumstances? This document created curriculum for the subject of measurement taught by a first-year language immersion school teacher and included appropriate teaching pedagogy according to students’ individual circumstance in second grade mathematics. The author has keenly researched current, various perspectives from teachers, parents, and students as well as other facts regarding language immersion schools. Where there are students of different educational backgrounds, the teacher …

Influencing Factors For Academic Tracking In High School Mathematics, Matthew Minowitz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone thesis is: What are prominent influencing factors related to academic tracking in mathematics? The thesis discusses influencing factors through a qualitative analysis of archival school data, student surveys, and student interviews. The research takes place in a “fringe rural” suburban public high school of a Midwest city with graduating class sizes between 200 and 250 students. This research identifies factors which have influenced student placement into high school mathematics tracks which are one year behind grade-level and two years ahead of grade-level. Conclusions from the study include findings related to family influences (eg. …

Instructional Strategies To Promote Engagement For Students Of Poverty In A Mathematics Classroom, Jessica Lind

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, what instructional strategies can I employ with my high school students of poverty to better engage them in learning mathematics? It documents one teacher’s creation of a presentation designed for high school mathematics teachers who are looking for strategies to engage their students in the classroom. The presentation discusses the barriers of learning for students of poverty and gives several suggestions for teachers to help students overcome these barriers. The presentation also discusses six teaching strategies and gives a sample lesson plan of each strategy in a high school classroom setting. The …

How Can Students Benefit From Chinese Immersion Schools, Li Zheng

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question in this article is to find out in what ways students can benefit from Chinese immersion schools. It documents in depth of three areas: Chinese language skills, students’ academic success, and classroom learning environments. The author integrates research data and interviews about Chinese immersion schools students and teachers. Findings suggest that Chinese immersion schools encourage students’ Chinese language skills, improve students’ academic success, and provide effective classroom learning environments.

Can Frequent Use Of Number Talks Increase The Comprehension, Understanding, And Fluency Of Fractions, Decimals, And Percentages In Alternative High School Students?, Mark Duffy

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Following a nine-week math talk intervention across three classes and two alternative high school sites, an analysis is made of the effectiveness of number talks on building basic skills in understanding fractions, decimals, and percentages amongst alternative high school students. This intervention was embedded within a probability and statistics course. This intervention used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data to determine how large an impact these talks had on the students. While the sample size involved was small, increased understanding of these core skills was evident.

How Can Inquiry-Based Learning Be Successfully Implemented In The Secondary Mathematics Classroom, Aaron Kadera

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can inquiry-based learning by successfully integrated in the secondary mathematics classroom? It documents one teacher’s creation of a set of inquiry-based curriculum modules intended for use in AP Calculus AB and Precalculus courses. The curriculum created by the author aims to guide students to construct new knowledge through a process of settling doubt within a community of learners; a process known as an inquiry cycle. He analyzes both the intended use and flexibility the curriculum modules, discusses how to measure their effectiveness, and how to adopt different strategies in the case …

Developing Academic Language In The Context Of A Fourth Grade Mathematics Geometry Curriculum Unit, Rachel J. Pazandak

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone project was: How can a mathematics geometry curriculum unit be organized to support and develop academic language for fourth grade students through meaningful engagement strategies? The author reviewed literature in the areas of English as a Second Language and mathematics and synthesized best practice methods for teaching common to the two disciplines. The author found that explicit teaching, practice, and support of academic language is vital and beneficial for linguistically diverse learners, with attention to word, sentence, and discourse dimensions. Mathematics is rich in language, particularly when lessons are structured to allow students …

Self-Efficacy And The Transfer Of Collabortive [Sic] Learning To Independent Assessments In The Mathematics Classroom, Ashley K. Andrews

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This capstone investigates the research question: What instructional strategies best allow middle school students to develop self-efficacy as they transfer collaborative learning to individual assessments in the mathematics classroom? The author conducted action research in urban schools with an at-risk student population. Within the action research framework, the author applies a qualitative approach to examine instructional strategies that encourage all students to become flexible learners. This capstone ultimately argues that clear expectations and mindset largely impact student success, regardless of the task. It discusses the influence of mindset on student engagement during both collaborative and independent tasks.

Effective Strategies For Students To Become More Successful Math Word Problem Solvers, Nissa Benedict

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, what effect do different strategies have on middle and high school student comprehension and success in solving math word problems? It details one teacher’s creation of a unit that focuses on three specific word problem solving strategies for high school students. The unit implements the problem solving process, schemabroadening problem solving, and using diagrams, based on various scholars’ research into each strategy. The author details the goals of the unit and uses related research literature to validate the study. She reflects on possible struggles while implementing the unit and the possibilities the …