Education Commons^™

Increasing Motivation Toward Math In A Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom, Caitlin Sweeney

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study investigated how the introduction of math-based games influences children’s motivation to practice math. It was conducted in a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom, serving first through third grade and twenty-one students participated. The students played one of three games every day throughout the study. Their motivation toward math was tracked through observational data and their daily work journals. Additionally, each participant answered pre and post intervention questions to ascertain their mindset toward math. The data shows that the intervention had minimal impact on the students’ motivation toward math, although some students did increase the frequency of their math practice. …

The Effect Engagement And Positive Relationships Have On African American Students' Math Success In A Large Suburban High School, David Schlager

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Nationwide, African American students have significantly lower advanced placement credits, standardized test scores, and grades (Musu-Gillette, Brey, McFarland, Hussar, Sonnenberg, 2017). The literature review will explore reasons why African American students are underperforming and emphasize the different methods that can lead to higher academic achievement in math. Data from multiple articles were investigated, and the similarities and differences between the influences and best practices for African American students were addressed. Once these best practices were identified, a case study was conducted and conclusions were drawn. This action research project will focus on how engagement and relationships can increase mathematical performance …

The Effects Of Incorporating Coding On Student Experience And Understanding Of Middle School Mathematical Concepts, Ashley Tewes

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to study the effects of incorporating coding into a middle school math classroom on student experience with and understanding of mathematical concepts. The project used five data sources to examine these effects. Two of the data sources were used to examine the effects on student experience; 1) a survey to gauge student perception and 2) a chart to measure student engagement by tracking their time on task. Three of the data sources were used to examine the effects on student understanding; 1) a pre-assessment given before the coding project, 2) a post-assessment …

Small Group Math Instruction In The Middle School Classroom, Jessica Balt

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study includes the impact of small group instruction in the middle school classroom. This study takes place at Dakota Meadows Middle School in Mankato, MN. The participants included 24 seventh grade students who are only partially proficient in math according to their standardized state assessments. Data was collected using a pretest, formative assessments, posttest and a student survey (See Appendices A, B, C, D). There was growth from the pretest scores to the posttest scores as well as growth in formative assessment scores. The student survey indicated most students felt the small group instruction benefitted them positively. Small group …

The Effects Of The Math Daily 3 Structure On Student Achievement And Growth In An Elementary School Setting, Lauren Ktytor, Kate Waechter

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to determine if The Math Daily 3 Structure would increase student achievement and academic growth in the domains of operations and algebraic thinking and number and operations in base ten. The study was conducted in second and fourth grade classrooms over a six-week period. The participants included 18 males and 17 females between the ages of 7 and 11. Data collection methods included a student self-evaluation, observational record, and baseline and summative assessments with a grading scale that measures end of the year expectations. In both second and fourth grade, the students showed …

Finding The Balance With Student Assessments, Zachary A. Calcutt, Crystal L. Helms

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract The intent of this research was to create more authentic Montessori-based assessments for third grade math that aligned to the South Carolina State Standards and to meet the needs of data collection for our school and district. The research study took place in two lower elementary Montessori classrooms within a public Montessori school setting. Combined there were seventeen eight to nine year olds, with five males and twelve females. Each child came from different socioeconomic status and from diverse racial backgrounds, including African American, Caucasian, and East Indian. The five sources of data collection used in this research included: …

The Effects Of Using A Systematic Approach During Mathematical Instruction, Heather Arroyo

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this study was to determine the effect of using a systematic concrete-representational-abstract approach during mathematical instruction on student outcomes. The research study took place in a first grade public school elementary classroom with 19 students. The sources of data collection were from a pretest and post-test, lesson exits, student journal entries, and teacher reflections. The data revealed an overall increase in student results from the pretest to the post-test. The lesson exits exhibited a steady increase in understanding. The teacher reflections also revealed information that monitored when the process should move on to the next stage. In …

Student-Authored Word Problems And Their Impact On High School Mathematics Students’ Engagement, Jacob Heidelberger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Student-Authored Word Problems and Their Impact on High School Mathematics Students’ Engagement

Jake Heidelberger

May, 2012

Abstract

The focus of this action research was the impact of writing their own word problems on student engagement and attitudes toward word problems. I focused on two sections of Advanced Algebra 2, mostly junior year students, during the linear functions as mathematical models unit of study. Data were collected from preliminary and concluding surveys, daily exit slips, and student interviews. After reviewing the traditional approach to solving word problems, I asked my students to use the problems we worked through as a guide …