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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Impact Of Geometry Montessori Education On Students’ Skills And Mindsets, Laura E. Ledesma Ortiz Dec 2023

The Impact Of Geometry Montessori Education On Students’ Skills And Mindsets, Laura E. Ledesma Ortiz

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Montessori education has gained recognition due to its long-lasting positive effects on students. However, no studies have targeted its effectiveness on geometry education. This action research project investigated the impact and effectiveness of switching a non-sequential geometry curriculum with the Montessori method and curriculum on students' attitudes and geometrical skills. During six weeks, a population of 16 grade 6 students received weekly lessons that followed the Montessori method and curriculum while their skills were measured and compared against the British Columbia (BC) geometry curriculum. Students were interviewed before and after the intervention to track changes in their learning attitudes. Teacher …


The Impact Of Direct Integration Of Social Emotional Lessons With Montessori Upper Elementary Children, Gina Awadallah Dec 2023

The Impact Of Direct Integration Of Social Emotional Lessons With Montessori Upper Elementary Children, Gina Awadallah

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study aimed to analyze the impact of direct social-emotional lessons on students' emotional intelligence in a Montessori upper elementary classroom. This study explored the impact of combining social-emotional vocabulary with social-emotional learning (SEL) skill development. The study used quantitative and qualitative data, including pre- and post-assessments, follow-up work, observation logs, and SEL elements added to the students’ weekly work plans. SEL curriculum materials and follow-up work were created for this study following the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework and their SAFE acronym: sequenced, active, focused, and explicit. The data showed that teaching SEL …


Implementing Environmentally Conscious Skills Into Toddlers’ Routines, Martha Sanchez Romero Dec 2023

Implementing Environmentally Conscious Skills Into Toddlers’ Routines, Martha Sanchez Romero

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine the effects of implementing environmentally conscious skills in the daily routine of toddlers in a Montessori classroom. Evidence supports that routine helps normalize and internalize practiced skills. I collected quantitative and qualitative data from a mixed toddler class, over eight weeks at an independent school setting with 24, 18 months to 36 months. I utilized through pre- and post-questionnaires, tally sheets, and observational record- keeping. The results showed that toddlers were more successful with activities that were part of their daily routine, in increasing their purpose and coordination versus those found on the shelf. …


Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer Dec 2023

Developing Self-Regulation, Terriann Vandeventer

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This research seeks to determine if children can develop self-regulation through games and activities in early childhood. This research was completed over six weeks in a classroom of three- to six-year-old students in a Montessori school. The researcher presented weekly games to the students to develop self-regulation skills such as listening, following directions, and body awareness. The researcher completed student surveys using qualitative and quantitative data from teacher observations to support their findings. The research found that games and activities can develop self-regulation skills in young children, lead to positive self-regulation behavior, decrease negative regulation skills, and increase self-awareness."


The Impact Of Cognitively Guided Instruction On Students’ Mathematical Mindsets, Christina Keller Dec 2023

The Impact Of Cognitively Guided Instruction On Students’ Mathematical Mindsets, Christina Keller

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of an inquiry-based word problem-solving framework, known as Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), on students’ mathematical mindsets in an early elementary Montessori classroom. Students received one word problem-solving lesson per week over a six-week period. Students completed a pre-intervention and post-intervention mathematical mindset rubric, as well as CGI assessment. Both qualitative and quantitative results show that students had an increase in their variety of word problem-solving strategies, were able to solve word problems more accurately, and showed increased levels in self-efficacy, perception, and affinity towards math. Based on these results, CGI …


Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell Dec 2023

Leveraging Ai Tools To Reduce Teacher Stress And Workload, Kassidy Waddell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper investigates the integration of AI-powered tools, specifically ChatGPT, to develop individualized lesson plans with the aim of alleviating teacher stress and reducing workload. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks such as Self-Efficacy Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study explores the potential of AI technology to enhance classroom experiences. The research questions addressed in this study include 1) to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in a classroom setting and 2) to assess whether integrating ChatGPT into a Montessori classroom can positively impact student and teacher learning. Qualitative data was collected over a five-week intervention …


The Impact Of Uninterrupted Work Periods On A School Leader’S Self-Efficacy, Heather Harvey Dec 2023

The Impact Of Uninterrupted Work Periods On A School Leader’S Self-Efficacy, Heather Harvey

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper examined the impact of an uninterrupted work period on a school leader’s sense of self-efficacy. The subject of this self-study was the Assistant Head of School at a private, non-profit Montessori school in the Southeastern United States. The interventions took place over five weeks, each consisting of a planned 90-minute work period without interruptions or distractions. The participant was instructed to use the time to focus on a project that required concentration. The subject reported their feelings of self-efficacy and job satisfaction on surveys throughout the study period to measure if they increased their feelings of …


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 …


The Efficacy Of Google Slides On Adult Learning Outcomes In A Montessori Teacher Training Center, Devon Harper Dec 2020

The Efficacy Of Google Slides On Adult Learning Outcomes In A Montessori Teacher Training Center, Devon Harper

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated how to establish effective instruction and learning tools, specifically, Google Slides within Google Classroom, in an online Montessori Teacher Training Center. Effective instruction includes ways to simulate the positive experiences found in an inperson model, such as community building and collaborative learning. This study investigated training modules, surveys, document collection, and interviews of enrolled adult learners and program instructors. Students and instructors had similar previous experience with Gmail and Google Docs, and less experience with Google Slides. Following the intervention, students reported that Google Slides worked well as an asynchronous learning tool, and the positivity …


Community And Collaboration: The Effects Of Participation In An Online Leadership Cohort On The Self-Efficacy Of School Leaders, Jennifer A. Harris May 2020

Community And Collaboration: The Effects Of Participation In An Online Leadership Cohort On The Self-Efficacy Of School Leaders, Jennifer A. Harris

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project was conducted to see if participation in an online leadership cohort would affect the self-efficacy of school leaders. Using an online platform, seven Montessori heads of schools from the United States gathered to discuss topics of greatest importance to them. The schools represented were public, private, non-profit, proprietary and charter. The heads of schools ranged in experience from 3 to 33 years. They met once a week, for four weeks, for an hour each session to discuss four topics most relevant to the group, as determined by their suggestions. Data was collected using pre and post …


Work Conferences And Student Engagement, Hannah K. Ebner May 2016

Work Conferences And Student Engagement, Hannah K. Ebner

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

WORK CONFERENCES AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT 2 Abstract The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of individual, weekly work conferences on students' levels of intrinsic motivation, work engagement, and enthusiasm for learning. The study was conducted with 28 fourth through sixth graders in a mixedage, public Montessori classroom. Data was collected as notes during teacher observations, conversations with students, and during the work conferences themselves. Accountability and relational support increased through student-teacher dialogue about work. These two factors improved the overall student productivity, enthusiasm, and organization, as well as the work culture of the classroom. The conferences helped …


Roleplaying To Develop Self Regulation, Baylen N. Wagner May 2016

Roleplaying To Develop Self Regulation, Baylen N. Wagner

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study investigated the use of child-led play in an after school club as a means to reduce peer conflict and increase cooperation. Prior literature suggests that children behave differently during imaginative play and exhibit greater natural behavior regulation when adult involvement is limited or removed. A small group of child participants, aged 9-14 years, were given materials necessary for a roleplaying game where players take on imaginary characters and cooperatively complete dangerous quests. One child acted as game leader, designing the adventure’s challenges and providing rules adjudication. The children attended six game sessions and completed questionnaires after …


The Effects Of Purposeful Work, Structured Play, And Leadership Meetings On Aggressive And Destructive Behaviors, Hannah R. Cohen May 2016

The Effects Of Purposeful Work, Structured Play, And Leadership Meetings On Aggressive And Destructive Behaviors, Hannah R. Cohen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to examine whether purposeful work, structured play, and student led leadership meetings would decrease aggressive and destructive behaviors occurring in a school’s outdoor spaces. This study incorporated student leadership meetings, structured games, and outdoor purposeful works. This seven-week study involved 30 children between the ages of 2.5 and six years in a private Montessori school in a suburban area. An analysis of results revealed that when new purposeful works were introduced aggressive behaviors would temporarily increase, then decrease for a two to three week period of time, and eventually return to the starting level.


The Effects Of Motivational Strategies To Increase Teachers’ Commitment And Enthusiasm, Donna A. Fiumara Jan 2016

The Effects Of Motivational Strategies To Increase Teachers’ Commitment And Enthusiasm, Donna A. Fiumara

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore motivational strategies that can be used to increase faculty and staff’s motivation in a small private Montessori school, located in New Jersey. Ten members of the faculty and staff participated in this action research project over the course of six weeks. Pre-data collection included an online motivational quiz that identified each faculty and staff member’s top three motivators. Short term goals were created by the participant with the administrator in a pre-conference based on the motivator results of each individual’s pre-test. The administrator used the motivational strategies of each faculty and …


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 …