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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Efficacy Of Classroom Management Software On Parent-Teacher Communication, Michelle L. Ellis May 2015

The Efficacy Of Classroom Management Software On Parent-Teacher Communication, Michelle L. Ellis

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research was conducted with the parents of a private Montessori preschool kindergarten class. The study implemented the use of Montessori Compass software and measured its effectiveness to improve parent-teacher communication. The use of messaging, daily activity reports, and photo albums were implemented within the Montessori Compass classroom management software. The study compared the response times between when the information was sent and accessed by traditional email, messaging, and daily activity reports. Other traditional methods of communication such as person interactions, phone conversation, and paper transmission were studied and compared. Survey responses provided feedback on the effectiveness of the …


Character Education Using Literature And Discussions, Molly A. Leifeld May 2015

Character Education Using Literature And Discussions, Molly A. Leifeld

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Laminack and Wadsworth (2012) “believe the single most important thing we can teach our children is kindness” (p. 1). I hoped to teach kindness characteristics to students in my first, second and third-grade classroom, as well as, lessen students’ frequency of unkind behaviors. I utilized Laminack and Wadsworths’ (2012) curriculum Bullying Hurts: Teaching Kindness through Read Alouds and Guided Conversations as my action research focus. Throughout my study, I used a tally chart and observation journal to track the frequency and types of behaviors students demonstrated. Also, students completed a behavioral self-assessment before and after implementation to assess their opinions …


Creating A Normalized Montessori Classroom, Heather L. Somerton-Burkhardt May 2015

Creating A Normalized Montessori Classroom, Heather L. Somerton-Burkhardt

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this report is to describe the findings of a study on how the implementation of the Accelerated Reader Program, use of five different management strategies, as well as the introduction of routines and rituals affects students' ability to create a normalized 1st through 3rd grade Montessori classroom. The research was conducted with a lower elementary Montessori classroom within a public school setting. More than half of the students had never experienced a Montessori environment. The data collecting methods used were a summative assessment, tally sheets, field notes, attitude scale inquiries, and semi-structured conversations with the students. The …


Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson May 2015

Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract This action research studied the impact of Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) cursive instruction on handwriting skills for kindergarten students. The study occurred in an early childhood (ages 3-6) classroom at a private Montessori school. Eight students received multisensory HWT cursive instruction twenty minutes per day for six weeks. Sources of data included participant print and cursive writing samples analyzed with a rubric, HWT print assessments, scored attitude scales of participants’ feelings about handwriting, a tally sheet of writing works chosen, and a teacher journal. Following the intervention, participants’ scored higher on the HWT assessment, especially in the section regarding …


Aligning State Developmental Standards To Toddler And Early Childhood Montessori Practical Life And Sensorial Materials, Erin H. Conway, Amanda E. Fink May 2015

Aligning State Developmental Standards To Toddler And Early Childhood Montessori Practical Life And Sensorial Materials, Erin H. Conway, Amanda E. Fink

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine whether a progress report that aligns the Montessori materials to child development benchmarks would increase parent understanding of the Montessori materials, as well as give teachers a means of reporting growth that is systematic and consistent. Trial reports were created aligning the toddler and early childhood practical life and sensorial curriculum areas to the state standards. Parents were asked to compare the current reports with the new reports. The postimplementation survey results suggested that 97% of parents better understood the alignment between the Montessori materials and child development and 100% of teachers …


Communicating Effectively With Parents In The Montessori Environment, Lindsey A. Seril May 2015

Communicating Effectively With Parents In The Montessori Environment, Lindsey A. Seril

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to examine the most effective ways of communicating with parents in the Montessori environment, and to see if incorporating technology and communication skills into the classroom would improve parent-teacher communication and relationships. This study was conducted with the parents of children ages two and a half to six years old in a private Montessori classroom. Classroom management and communication technology in the form of Montessori Compass was introduced into the classroom in order to see the impact on parent-teacher communication. Techniques for improved communication with parents were also used during parent-teacher interactions to …


The Effects Of A Peace Curriculum On Reducing And Resolving Conflicts Among Children Ages 3-6 Years, Maria T. Morningstar May 2015

The Effects Of A Peace Curriculum On Reducing And Resolving Conflicts Among Children Ages 3-6 Years, Maria T. Morningstar

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

An important part of a child’s development is learning how to relate to other children appropriately (Sidorowicz & Hair, 2009). The purpose of this study was to determine whether teaching children about peace would help them to reduce or resolve conflicts in the classroom. The study took place in a suburban Montessori classroom of 26 children, ages three to six years. The Research Methodology section of this Action Research report details the peace lessons and materials used in the peace curriculum. The data collection included observations of children’s conflicts and resolutions, conferences with the children and teachers, and children’s journal …


The Space Between The Notes: The Effects Of Background Music On Student Focus, Duna L. Strachan May 2015

The Space Between The Notes: The Effects Of Background Music On Student Focus, Duna L. Strachan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Student behaviors were tallied in three similar Montessori early childhood classes while children practiced social, motor and academic skills with and without background music. Teacher impressions of work period productivity were tallied along with information from teacher notes and student self-assessments. Music came from Pandora stations such as “Relaxation Radio” or “Yoga Radio.” Music was selected for slow tempo (approximately 60 beats per minute or the rate of the adult heart) and relaxing instrumental quality, played at a soft volume and during times when students were not expected to pay attention to other auditory input such as stories, songs, lessons …


The Effects Of Technology On Engagement And Retention Among Upper Elementary Montessori Students., Justin E. Tosco May 2015

The Effects Of Technology On Engagement And Retention Among Upper Elementary Montessori Students., Justin E. Tosco

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a study on the effects of integrating technology into lessons in a Montessori upper elementary classroom in Raleigh, North Carolina. The research looked at both the student engagement and the retention of information when technology was included in Montessori lessons. This study spanned a six-week period and was conducted with 25 fourth through sixth grade students. Data collection included a pre-lesson questionnaire, a teacher engagement report form, a teacher observation form, a post-lesson feedback form, and a short answer lesson response form. The results of this data analysis showed …


The Effects Of Interactivity, Scaffolding And Modeling On Children’S Attention And Engagement During Read Aloud Time, Sara Agnello, Mary Yengle May 2015

The Effects Of Interactivity, Scaffolding And Modeling On Children’S Attention And Engagement During Read Aloud Time, Sara Agnello, Mary Yengle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract In the early academic years, read aloud time is frequently incorporated in the daily classroom schedule. For our investigation, we wondered if certain strategies (interactivity, scaffolding, and modeling enthusiasm) would help to foster deeper connections, conversation, and literary skills when used during read aloud time. We observed teacher-directed read aloud time in two Montessori environments, one with toddlers ages 2-3, and one with elementary children ages 6-9. We used various sources of data collection methods to help us track student engagement and focus, with and without the strategies implemented. The results of the study showed that more children stayed …


Instilling Reverence For Montessori Materials Through Rituals Of Grace And Courtesy, Stephanie M. Van Fleet May 2015

Instilling Reverence For Montessori Materials Through Rituals Of Grace And Courtesy, Stephanie M. Van Fleet

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research studied the impact of grace and courtesy lessons on the classroom environment. The study occurred in a private Montessori elementary (6-9 year old) classroom. Eighteen students received daily presentations of grace and courtesy lessons over a four-week period for a total of 20 lessons. Sources of data included photographs, environmental assessments, observations and student evaluations. The presenting of grace and courtesy lessons resulted in improved assessments of the classroom environment, decreased teacher intervention when material misuse was observed and an increase of positive teacher interaction. Students began to complete the entire process or ritual of a work …


Increasing Intrinsic Motivation And Reading Comprehension In Children, Lucy Amundson May 2015

Increasing Intrinsic Motivation And Reading Comprehension In Children, Lucy Amundson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract This action research studied the impact of strategic methods employed to help increase in intrinsic motivation of children to read while increasing comprehension ability. The study occurred in a private Montessori elementary classroom (grades 1-4). Eight students were exposed to a variety of literature genres strategically introduced and displayed and had the ability to choose literature at their leisure, participated in a book club, and completed weekly comprehension examines. Sources of data include dialogue recorded through teacher journaling, comprehension exam data, tally sheet containing data regarding book selections and also student self-evaluations. Following the implementation of the motivational techniques, …


Beyond Good Manners: Gratitude And Student Engagement In Lower Elementary, Vanessa Callaghan May 2015

Beyond Good Manners: Gratitude And Student Engagement In Lower Elementary, Vanessa Callaghan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Choice On Reading Comprehension In 2nd-3rd Grade, Julie P. Fraumeni-Mcbride May 2015

The Effects Of Choice On Reading Comprehension In 2nd-3rd Grade, Julie P. Fraumeni-Mcbride

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Poor literacy rates are the cause of low school performance for children across America. In particularly, low income schools continue to struggle with declining literacy rates. Issues with literacy are ultimately attributed to lack of comprehension during reading. This research tested the effects of choice on reading comprehension in 2nd and 3rd grade students at high and low income schools. In addition, students were monitored while reading silently and aloud to see if either had an effect on reading comprehension. Data was collected from 32 students from high and low income schools before, during and after reading in order to …