Education Commons^™

Montessori Mathematics Curriculum And Lower Elementary Students Understanding Of Length Measurement, Katherine L. Mcintosh

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this action research project was to determine to what extent the Montessori Mathematics curriculum support lower elementary students’ understanding of length measurement. The research took place in a private Montessori school classroom with first and second-grade students. There were 22 students in the class, 11 first graders, and 11 second-graders. Data was collected through a pre and post-test, field notes, and observations. The students also kept a journal and performed self-assessments. Photographs were taken to record the students’ use of different measurement tools. Children’s literature about length measurement was read and discussed with the students. The data …

Pedagogical Praxis In An Age Of Privatization: The Contradiction Of Charter Schools, Tracy D. Haack

All NMU Master's Theses

This study investigates a perceived inconsistency between pedagogical theory and uncritical practice in education, specifically in charter schools. The researcher reflects on the historical creation of charter schools to fulfill the needs of struggling students in contrast to a perception of modern charter schools that are more rigorous or specialized.

The study includes thematically coded interview data from five Midwestern charter school educators in conjunction with site visits including two unspecified charters and two Montessori charters. Educators are asked to describe their evolving teaching philosophies, views on the purposes of education, and identify differences between charter schools and traditional public …

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

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

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

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 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 …

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

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Working It Out Together: Teaching The Steps Of Conflict Resolution To Preschoolers, Krista M. Macsata

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research explores conflicts among preschoolers and strategies for teachers to develop children’s social problem-solving abilities, such as teaching the steps of conflict resolution. Research was conducted in a Montessori preschool setting with children ages 2.5 to 5 years of age. Data was collected on the number of conflicts, types of conflicts, how conflicts were resolved (independently or with teacher assistance), and types of solutions implemented by students. Methods used to collect data included observation, group discussions, and student journals. Results indicated when the steps of conflict resolution were taught to preschool children, the number of conflicts resolved without …