Education Commons^™

Urban Gardening Grows Relationships: The Importance Of Urban Gardening To The Self And The Earth, Ashley King

Graduate Student Independent Studies

There are many texts for young readers that focus on gardening and the pleasant experiences it can bring. However, there is a distinct lack of texts that address urban gardening specifically as well as the reasons why gardening, in and outside of cities, is so important. This independent study had a purpose of providing a book for young readers that will engage them in a celebration of gardening and the environment around them. The text of the book follows a young girl who gardens not only to build relationships with her peers, but also to take care of and appreciate …

Outside Classroom: Unstructured Outdoor Play In Early Childhood Education, Valerie Lockhart

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study examines the benefits of unstructured outdoor play in early childhood education through the lens of an original children's book and correlative research.

My Brain Wakes Up, Nicole Mcdonough

Graduate Student Independent Studies

An original work of fiction designed to open the conversation between students and teachers about the striking contrasts and innate beauty in how differently each of our brains are made. It is at once a work of fiction, an interview of children, an opportunity for personal reflection, and an invitation for all learners to honor our unique creativity.

The Philippines' Masskara Festival : A Nonfiction Picture Book, Monica Denise V. Javelosa

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study focuses on festivals in the Philippines and includes a nonfiction picture book intended to pique children's curiousity about their own region.

Manhattan Monarch, Melinda Chan

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Manhattan Monarch is an original children's book intended for early childhood students ages four years and up. It is the story of a Monarch butterfly floating high above the cityscape who invites the reader on an adventure through Manhattan. Includes colorful photographs that capture the butterfly's migration all the way from Manhattan to Mexico.

Another New Teacher : A Children's Book And Teacher's Guide To Addressing Teacher Change, Cheyenne M. Gleason

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A children's picture book which explores the topic of teacher change during the school year. The purpose of this book is to open up a space for conversation around teacher change in classrooms that experience a change in the teaching staff mid-year.

Where The Wild Things Are And Why They Will Endure: An Analysis Of The Longevity Of Maurice Sendak's Work, Ana Appel

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study looks to explain why Maurice Sendak's works have achieved a place in the classic cannon of children's literature. It starts by discussing children's literary theory and looks at the era of children's literature within which Sendak wrote, his illustrations, and his writing. The study then looks at psychoanalytic themes in his work. It analyzes the use of the conscious, unconscious, id, and ego. It further describes the use of archetypes of the collective unconscious in Sendak's work and why this connects to many readers. Then, the study describes bibliotherapy, books as therapeutic aids, and discusses how Sendak's books …

Delilah The Dinosaur With Type 1 Diabetes: Addressing The Social-Emotional Needs Of The Young Child Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes, Andrea Tuttman Gellerstein

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study is intended to support very young children, ages 4-8, who are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their families. The following work provides a thorough examination of literature regarding the social-emotional effects of type 1 diabetes on the young child and his or her family; the specific developmental challenges that can arise due to an early type 1 diabetes diagnosis; and a detailed review of the current fictional children's literature available to this population. Finally, as a culmination of this research, this project includes an original, fictional story intended to address the social-emotional needs of the young …

Ash Cans & Corn Fed Hares: Book One Of The Ny Explorer's Club, Corinne Flax

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Ash Cans & Corn Fed Hares is a work of semi-historical fiction (set in the present, dealing with facts of the past), which can be used in a classroom or in a home to help students/children forge connections with past and present. The book also helps students find and use some of the research resources available in New York. Ash Cans showcases alternative methods of information gathering in the context of adventure and mystery, while focusing on the importance of individual meaning-making.

Don't Yuck My Yum : A Tasty Alphabet Book, Rebekah Friedman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Don't Yuck My Yum is an alphabet book that moves the reader through the experience children have when they are gathered in a restaurant for a party where each child orders a food that is somehow ruined. The phrase, "Don't Yuck My Yum", used as a refrain, is the children's angry response to receiving the disappointing plate, meaning, "don't ruin my delicious food." Because it is an alphabet book, there are 26 children, one for each letter, and a child's name that begins with each letter and a corresponding food. The story is punctuated every four stanzas with the refrain, …

The Silver Scarab : An Epic Of Ancient Egypt : An Original Book For Children In Their Middle Years, Adam Gidwitz

Graduate Student Independent Studies

An original historical-adventure novel for children on Ancient Egypt. It tells the tale of two children, the son of a great military figure and the daughter of the Pharaoh. The protagonists encounter kidnappers, assassins, and gods; but their greatest challenge is to forge their own identities in the shadow of their own powerful parents. Includes a discussion of how the novel was written.

Finding Our Way Back Home: Reintroducing Mythology Into The Lives Of Children, Faith Klavan

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Mythology is present in almost all aspects of modern life. Though many books, movies, video games and advertisements make reference to ancient myths, the myths themselves are no longer readily accessible to children. This thesis provides a rationale for writing a children's book which retells an ancient Greek myth. An outline for the book, entitled Perseus, as well as two sample chapters, are included. The thesis deals with mythology's relevance to the modern child asserting that it can help him/her deal with issues such as step-parents, separation anxiety and the need for individuation. The thesis also discusses the ways in …

How Many Blocks To The Empire State Building? : An Original Story, Enakshi Bose

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Presents a children's story for eight and nine year old children that poses several mathematical questions, including the central one of how many blocks it is from the 215th Street subway station in Inwood to the Empire State Building. Photographs and maps enhance the mathematical concepts involved. Discusses the developmental appropriateness of the book's content and how the material meets various standards in mathematics.

Querida Prima, Dear Prima : A Story For Children Seven To Ten Years Old, Stephanie Hermann

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This project is an original bilingual story of two cousins who live in two different countries. The United States and Costa Rica. They bridge their separation by writing letters and emails throughout the story. Through this correspondence they learn about each other and the have more in common in their seemingly distinct worlds than they realize. The text of the book is written in English. The correspondence between the two characters is in English with Spanish translations.

This thesis includes a rationale which explains the need for this book in a world that recognizes the importance of bilingualism and on …

From Bulbs To Flowers, Elizabeth Vazquez

Graduate Student Independent Studies

In this thesis, I first developed the notion of a bulb as a means of introducing science to young children (ages five to eight).

First, bulb experiments were implemented. After a literature search, it was discovered that few books introduce scientific concepts with a storyline for young children. Therefore, I developed such a book in the process of writing the thesis. Lesson plans on bulbs for teachers were also developed and can be used in conjunction with the book or independently.

Emma Rose : An Original Short Story For Early Adolescent Children, Mary Carol Johnson

Graduate Student Independent Studies

:Emma Rose" is a short story about an overweight seven year old girl whose mother helps her cope with the pain of being teased because of her obesity. Although Emma Rose is only seven, the story speaks to children between the ages of ten and twelve in that it addresses early adolescent issues such as: peer pressure and acceptance, moral reasoning, self-image, and the role of adult guidance in the search for self.

In addition to the story itself, this paper describes and analyzes children's responses to the story and shows how the central issues faced by Emma Rose reflect …

A Surprisingly Special Summer : A Story For Eight-To Ten-Year-Old Children, Connie Biewald

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A Surprisingly Special Summer is a story for children from about eight to ten years old. It's an earthbound fantasy, a story that takes place in the real world but involves a fantastical character and gives an account of the events caused by her presence. The fantastical character is Allura, a tiny person discovered by two children in a fortune cookie. She spends an exciting and growth-filled summer with them. They have many adventures and learn a great deal from one another.