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Full-Text Articles in Education

Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization In The 3–6-Year-Old Classroom, Lori North Dec 2022

Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization In The 3–6-Year-Old Classroom, Lori North

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"This study aims to determine the effects Practical Life activities have on the process of normalization of students in a Montessori primary classroom. The research took place over six weeks and included 22 participants. Each day the participants were given Practical Life lessons, such as dry pouring, rolling up a work mat, walking around the ellipse, etc. Students who can concentrate and work freely in the Montessori classroom are moving toward normalization. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to examine the effects of how Practical Life activities assist the process of normalization of children ages 3-6. Findings suggest that …


The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette Dec 2022

The Influence Of Yoga And Meditation On Intrinsic Motivation In Early Childhood Education, Nicole Laviolette

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"The objective of this action research was to see if daily voluntary yoga and meditation influence intrinsic motivation in a 3-6-year-old Montessori classroom. The time frame of this study was over six weeks in the beginning of the school year at an urban public Montessori school. The children who participated in the study were eighteen 3-6-year-old students. The experiment included using two apps, one for meditation and one for yoga, every morning for forty-five minutes. Children were welcomed to join when they were ready and leave when they felt refreshed. Some positive effects of our research were an increase in …


Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis Dec 2022

Focusing On Grace And Courtesy In The Hopes Of Achieving A More Peaceful Classroom Community, Marshetta Davis

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Children are at risk of becoming adults who are unable to live, work and thrive together within communities across the United States of America due to lack of respect for themselves, other humans and things in the world which goes along with social courtesies. The researcher was an early childhood education teacher who holds a Montessori certification. For six weeks, the participants in the study were able to focus on Grace and Courtesy lessons in which they participated by observing the teacher modeling care of self, care of others, and care of things with careful attention with, mindful movement, and …


Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres Dec 2022

Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine if an equity audit of the Montessori social studies curriculum and learning about the researcher’s culture impacted professional self-efficacy and resilience. This six-week intervention and study was a self-study through daily regimented activities. Three weeks were used to learn more about the researcher’s own culture and history. Three additional weeks were dedicated to the equity audit process, where the researcher revised original lessons or created new, culturally sustaining lessons to augment the curriculum. The data collected was completed daily using four tools: an attitude scale, a guided questionnaire, a reflective journal, and finally during …


Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing Aug 2022

Improving Student Concentration Through Caregiver Education, Arianna Fearing

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research was conducted in a primary classroom at a Montessori school. Using caregiver education that focused on the importance of limiting screen time, it aimed to increase student concentration during the work cycles. The research collected data through pre and post caregiver attitude scales and questionnaires as well as concentration and observation logs during the morning work cycles. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the data revealed a successful intervention with an increase in student concentration. This study can serve as a framework for future research projects that look at how caregiver education, focusing on different topics, …


"What Are The Effects Of Parental Informational Nights/Parenting Classes On The Parent’S Understanding Of The Montessori Method?", Mackenzie Brown, Kayla Gamble May 2022

"What Are The Effects Of Parental Informational Nights/Parenting Classes On The Parent’S Understanding Of The Montessori Method?", Mackenzie Brown, Kayla Gamble

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"This action research paper aimed to identify the benefits of parent informational classes within the Montessori method. Parents participated in three informational sessions. The sessions discussed Montessori philosophy and each of the core areas in the Montessori classroom. Data was measured using pre-and post-surveys, allowing parents to elaborate on their understanding. Parents were also able to provide questions and feedback regarding areas they desired to learn more. Parents expressed that the informative classes provided them a better understanding of the Montessori philosophy and provided ideas for incorporating the method into their homes. The research concluded the importance of involving and …


The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds May 2022

The Effect Of A Culturally Diverse Art Curriculum On The Early Childhood Student’S Cultural Competency, Erin Reynolds

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project was completed to test the effects of a culturally diverse art program on early childhood students’ cultural competency. The setting was a Montessori early childhood classroom of 22 children. There were two Asian students, one African American student, and 19 Caucasian students. Data were collected using a student conference form, self-portrait rubric, and tally sheets - continent symbol matching, group discussions and art activities. A group presentation took place each week about an artist from one the six inhabited continents which included a biography and examples of their artwork. Following the presentation an art activity was …


The Effects Of Leading With Empathy On Faculty Morale In A Montessori Setting, Andrea O'Brian May 2022

The Effects Of Leading With Empathy On Faculty Morale In A Montessori Setting, Andrea O'Brian

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"The purpose of this action research was to study whether a change of actions in school leadership, specifically leading with empathy, would effect faculty morale in a Montessori school. There is a common understanding that actions of school leadership are critical to creating a positive work environment. From the literature reviewed, while there are many factors that influence the morale of faculty, the actions of school leadership had the most significant impact and were also the simplest to implement in terms of cost and resources. The theory of servant leadership provided a framework for this research because it supports my …


What Evidence Of Change Emerges When Students With Behavioral And Learning Challenges Are Placed In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment In Rural China?, Jiao J. Zhang May 2022

What Evidence Of Change Emerges When Students With Behavioral And Learning Challenges Are Placed In An Early Childhood Montessori Environment In Rural China?, Jiao J. Zhang

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Under current circumstances, educational issues such as the achievement gap, non-cognitive development, Executive Function, and students with challenging behaviors impact day-to-day classroom practices and fundamentally reshape the results of education. The purpose of this research was to utilize the Montessori environment and principles, as well as the “normalization” approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, to help students with behavioral and learning challenges find the balance of their mental developmental processes and maximize their academic achievement at the same time. This action research conducted focused-group case studies of the Montessori Normalization process for children possessing behavioral and learning challenges at a …


The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn May 2022

The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study examines the effect of combining vigorous exercise with cognitively engaging games on children’s executive functioning skills such as self-direction, engagement, and focus. Over four weeks, the research took place in a Montessori early childhood classroom with 17 children ages 2.6 to 6. The four-week study included a one-week baseline week to collect initial data on the capabilities of self-direction and comprehensive data on energy levels and engagement. The children participated in a 14-minute movement activity with 7 minutes of vigorous exercise and 7 minutes of cognitive-engaging games. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative data tools to examine …


The Effect Of Antiracist Children’S Literature On Developing Racial Awareness In Early Childhood, Brittany L.M. Ladd May 2022

The Effect Of Antiracist Children’S Literature On Developing Racial Awareness In Early Childhood, Brittany L.M. Ladd

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

In this study, I asked the question, “What effect will antiracist children’s literature have on a white, homeschooled, 5-year-old child’s developing awareness of race and racial issues?” Over the course of four weeks, my child and I read and discussed antiracist children’s literature, and then I recorded my child’s signs of developing racial awareness using qualitative and quantitative data tools. In analysis of this data, I discovered that my child’s developing awareness focused more heavily on race and the understanding of skin tones than on racial issues such as a sense of equality. This finding aligns with early child developmental …


The Influence Of Role-Play Scenarios And Mindful Reflection On A Small Group Of Diverse Daycare Providers’ Responses To Classroom Situations, Charlene Kam May 2022

The Influence Of Role-Play Scenarios And Mindful Reflection On A Small Group Of Diverse Daycare Providers’ Responses To Classroom Situations, Charlene Kam

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research investigated the effectiveness of roleplay and reflection among four teachers guiding twenty-four students in a Primary Montessori environment. The teachers have limited Montessori training. They differ in age, teaching philosophy, cultural and educational backgrounds. This study asked teachers to roleplay strategies that felt counter to traditional practices. The 7-week intervention consisted of ten 15-minute scripted roleplay sessions, five 15- minute unscripted roleplay, and oral and written reflections. I gathered data using pre- mid- and post-self-assessment surveys, written reflection with prompts, and a reflection survey containing predetermined questions. The surveys showed an increase in the teachers’ awareness of …


Parents Opinions Matter: The Impact Of Incentives On Parent/Child Workshops Within The Raising A Reader Program, Samantha Kennedy May 2022

Parents Opinions Matter: The Impact Of Incentives On Parent/Child Workshops Within The Raising A Reader Program, Samantha Kennedy

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research focused on the incentives parents/guardians found valuable when participating in parent/child workshops within the Raising a Reader program. The research took place over six weeks within the public school system in a low-income, rural district in Maryland. All parents and guardians with children in prekindergarten and kindergarten classes received invitations to be a part of the research. The research utilized artifact data from previous parent surveys, inquiry data consisting of pre and post assessments, and observational data during parent/child workshops. Data findings suggest that parent/child-centered incentives are most valuable to parents, including spending time with, reading with, …


The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle May 2022

The Effects Of Guided Reading In A Primary Montessori Classroom, Taylor Bates, Mary Brocklesby, Katie Mcgarrigle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to decide if conducting guided reading instruction three times a week in a primary Montessori classroom would make an impact on reading levels among kindergarten students. The research took place over six weeks in a public Montessori school. The school is a Title One school located in a rural area of South Carolina. The population who participated in the study were 26 kindergarten students aged five to six from three different classrooms. Our intervention included using a variety of reading strategies such as pointing to each word, using picture clues, sounding out words, …