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Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

2019

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Full-Text Articles in Education

Effects Of Military Life On Children’S Academic Performance, Renee Marie Edwards May 2019

Effects Of Military Life On Children’S Academic Performance, Renee Marie Edwards

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Children with at least one military parent are in public classrooms all over the United States. The military lifestyle is one of a kind, and it is essential for educators to understand its effects. Through use of literature review and interviews with local elementary teachers, this capstone examines the effects of the military lifestyle on their children’s academic performance. Military life can cause some emotional, social and behavioral problems among children depending on what they are currently experiencing. It is important for educators to understand what military children are experiencing in order to best support them academically and emotionally.


Importance Of Combining Physical Activity And Health And Wellness In To Physical Education Within Schools., Chandler Mckean May 2019

Importance Of Combining Physical Activity And Health And Wellness In To Physical Education Within Schools., Chandler Mckean

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This senior capstone project brings to light the importance of physical activity and health and wellness education in connecting a child’s mind and internal body, to their physical outer body. This project examines the physical education curriculum in its entirety and displays the current pros and shortcomings in physical education within schools. Today, the education system strives to educate its students to the best of their abilities. This focus has begun to push away non-academic classes, such as physical education, to devote more time and resources in other areas, e.g. math, sciences, and language arts. Through the use of literature …


Cultural Representation In The Classroom, Priscilla R. Rodriguez May 2019

Cultural Representation In The Classroom, Priscilla R. Rodriguez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is to establish the importance of cultural-representation in schools where the majority of the students identify as Latino. The participants for the Capstone Project included a classroom of third-grade students in a public elementary school located on California’s Central Coast. The supporting literature provides additional information on why incorporating culturally-relevant literature is needed. The issue is what books are available to the students that talk about their culture. By providing culturally-relevant books to students in the classroom in hopes to promote a more positive relationship with reading and a personal relationship with attending school. For …


Implementing Social Activism Into An Elementary Classroom, Chelsea Riotutar May 2019

Implementing Social Activism Into An Elementary Classroom, Chelsea Riotutar

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Social Activism is a key aspect to educating and being educated. For this Capstone, the researcher discusses on the outcomes to implementing a social activism curriculum into an elementary classroom. The participants for the Capstone Project included fifth-grade students in a public elementary school located in a small agricultural city. Through a literature review and detailed lesson plan, the researcher has further discussed and described implementations through multiple subjects which serve and acknowledge all students in the classroom. As a result, the researcher has found a need for a social activism curriculum in this problem-solving elementary school. With an arrangement …


Educating Adults With Disabilities On Stress Coping Techniques, Sydney Coyle May 2019

Educating Adults With Disabilities On Stress Coping Techniques, Sydney Coyle

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For average adults, managing stress may be a challenge. Adults with disabilities may be particularly challenged because they may not have the cognitive abilities to process information and emotions as the typical adult. Adults who have disabilities such as down syndrome and autism may have difficulty finding stress reduction strategies that best suit them and their experiences. To address this issue, I will be conducting three days of curriculum and activities on stress management and coping for the adults receiving services at Hope Services in Salinas, California .


Using Social-Emotional Learning To Help Behavioral Problems, Hannah Taylor Byrd May 2019

Using Social-Emotional Learning To Help Behavioral Problems, Hannah Taylor Byrd

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project focused on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) to help manage behavioral problems that students may face. A class of 25 fourth-grade students attending a public K-5 school participated in this Capstone Project. SEL teachings were condensed into a four-week lesson plan which focused on various skills, catered to help this class’ specific deficits. To match the students’ needs, the lessons were designed to promote positive participation and raise self-esteem so students feel comfortable sharing out during discussions. The students learned what perseverance and encouragement meant to them and participated in activities relating to these skills. By the end of …


"Name Her Reiko!": The Ikemiya Diaspora, Morgan Ikemiya May 2019

"Name Her Reiko!": The Ikemiya Diaspora, Morgan Ikemiya

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This creative-nonfiction project encapsulates a Japanese family diaspora to America beginning in the late 1880s. Through short stories, poems, and monologues, the author expresses familial struggles such as living in a foreign land and being Japanese in White America. The author reflects on her grandparents' time in the Japanese internment camps where they faced hardship and hegemonic oppression as well as her father's experience of growing up Japanese-American in Los Angeles. The stories weave together history, hardship, and race to create a unique diaspora story.


Increasing Awareness Of Romantic Behaviors In Former Foster Youth, Kimberly Beardshear May 2019

Increasing Awareness Of Romantic Behaviors In Former Foster Youth, Kimberly Beardshear

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Because of their inexperience, emerging adults often have a difficult time navigating healthy romantic relationships. For many, the skills necessary for quality relationships are usually learned through parents, friends, or mentors. Foster youth, in particular, may struggle more in developing and sustaining romantic relationships due to the lack of or inconsistent parental guidance or mentoring. To address this, I have created a two-hour lesson for emerging adult foster youth attending Hartnell College in Salinas, California. The content will be comprised of the characteristics of a healthy relationship, role-play scenarios, identifying unhealthy relationship behaviors, and how to use healthy relationship behaviors.


Applying Parental Involvement In Early Literacy, Luis Moya May 2019

Applying Parental Involvement In Early Literacy, Luis Moya

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Early literacy for young children has been linked with academic achievement, reduced grade retention, higher graduation rates, and enhanced productivity in adult life (Monterey County First 5, 2016). Parents may not always know how to engage in literacy development strategies or how they can participate in literacy exposure. Bringing awareness about early literacy parents is a key component to enhancing young children’s development. To address this need,my project will consist of providing an informative presentation about the importance of early literacy with families who attend the Library and Read, Grow, Play program for families with children 0 to 5 at …


Teaching Emotions In Early Childhood, Rocio Anaya May 2019

Teaching Emotions In Early Childhood, Rocio Anaya

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many preschoolers may not yet be able to identify how they feel and be able to regulate their emotions. These children can experience a hard time expressing their feelings and engage in emotional outbursts that are detrimental to their goals, which also challenge their caregivers. To address this problem among preschoolers, I have created a three-day lesson plan on emotion regulation for children at the Marina Child Development Center in Marina, California.


Teaching 4th Grade Students About Nutrition, Raquel Gaytan May 2019

Teaching 4th Grade Students About Nutrition, Raquel Gaytan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most children do not know how to make healthy food choices and understand why they have to have a good nutrition. It is important for children to know why having a good nutrition is important for their bodies and health. Without good understanding of nutrition, children are not able to care for their health. To address the children's’ lack of knowledge, I created a 3-day lesson on nutrition and delivered it to a 4th grade classroom in Del Rey Elementary in King City, California.


Disability Awareness In Young Children, Guadalupe Y. Espinoza May 2019

Disability Awareness In Young Children, Guadalupe Y. Espinoza

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Young children who attend schools nowadays are likely exposed to many more types of diversity ranging from race, ethnicity, religion, and social class to name a few in comparison to the past. One area of diversity in specific is the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, and because children are so young in age, they may not be aware of disabilities or even identify when a peer or a surrounding adult has a disability. In schools the idea of raising disability awareness to an extent where students not only understand but recognize disabilities, perhaps, is one of the most challenging aspects …


Greek Affiliation As A Contributing Factor To College Academic Success: A Case Study, Michaela Reuben May 2019

Greek Affiliation As A Contributing Factor To College Academic Success: A Case Study, Michaela Reuben

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This study explores how an individual’s college academic success can be impacted by affiliation with a Greek organization. This research analyzes how Greek-affiliated students compare academically to non-Greek students, how the bonds between an individual and their Greek organization impact the academic success of the average individual, and the methods of academic support that Greek organizations provide to its members. Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory is utilized as a framework of analysis. According to this theory, individuals who identify as being a member of a group adopt the behaviors and values of the group. Because Greek organizations implement some form …


Women Faculty Of Color, Higher Education, And Sociocultural Change, Luz Areli Medina May 2019

Women Faculty Of Color, Higher Education, And Sociocultural Change, Luz Areli Medina

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone will focus on women faculty of color who are underrepresented in faculty positions in predominantly white institutions. Although not all women faculty of color experience discriminatory treatment we can not ignore the lived experiences of these women who are in a disadvantage within academia. The lack of diversification, unequal representation, and socio-cultural understanding prompts society to take a closer insight to determine the necessary steps in facilitating institutional change within higher education. In order to promote equality for women faculty of color I recommend changing the institutionalized policies, developing quality support and mentoring groups in order to hinder …


Benefits Of Play For The Social And Emotional Development Of Children In Kindergarten, Chelsea Andrade May 2019

Benefits Of Play For The Social And Emotional Development Of Children In Kindergarten, Chelsea Andrade

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There is an increasing push to focus on academics at a young age and take play out of learning. Research shows that play is beneficial for the social and emotional development of children. Play helps children to learn self-control, emotion-regulation, communication, conflict resolution, and so much more. This senior capstone project explored how play is beneficial for the social and emotional development of children in kindergarten. Through a literature review and surveys conducted with fourteen kindergarten teachers in Monterey County, results showed how beneficial play is for kindergarten students. The results from surveys also revealed how teachers in Monterey County …


Inclusion And Racial Diversity Curriculum In Preschools, Vanessa Sanchez May 2019

Inclusion And Racial Diversity Curriculum In Preschools, Vanessa Sanchez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Preschool aged children begin to observe the things that makes individuals different in the world around them. Teachers have the opportunity to teach children the importance of recognizing the differences and accepting towards others who are racially different. Lessons around racial diversity will help children extend their knowledge about others and help develop positive attitudes towards racial diversity . To address the need for preschool aged children to learn about diversity in a positive way, I created a 3 day lesson plan about racial diversity executed at CSUMB child care center.


Effects Of Latino Parental Involvement In Their Children’S Academics, Sonia Gutierrez May 2019

Effects Of Latino Parental Involvement In Their Children’S Academics, Sonia Gutierrez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parental involvement is a large factor in a child’s life. It has been around for many years and has been interconnected with students’ academic achievement regardless of race and socioeconomic status. Research indicates that Latino parents are less involved in their children’s academics due to their personal definition of parental involvement. However, Latino parents really want to get involved in their children’s education, but there are barriers that limit the type of parental involvement they exhibit. Teachers and administrators value parental involvement and try to encourage all parents to participate but at times do not understand the struggles some Latino …


Effects Of U.S. English Only Language Instruction On Elementary Latino Students, Juana Palma May 2019

Effects Of U.S. English Only Language Instruction On Elementary Latino Students, Juana Palma

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Due to the influx of immigrants into the United States, the U.S. has been a polyglot nation containing a diverse array of languages among its student population. Americans believe that English is part of the American culture. Consequently, the English Only movement was an effort to amend English as an official language to the U.S. constitution. Latinos have been the target group because Spanish has been seen as a threat to the English language. In schools, after the Lau vs. Nichols case in 1974, limited English proficiency students are required instructions in English. In 1998, California passed Proposition 227 that …


Effects Of University Pen Pals On The Literacy Development Of Elementary School Students, Tami Chanthorn May 2019

Effects Of University Pen Pals On The Literacy Development Of Elementary School Students, Tami Chanthorn

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A study done in a local school to research college student pen pals with first graders and found that students want to learn more about their pen pals, to write, and to strive to produce coherent communication with their university pen pals. Given this study, this senior capstone examines the effects of university pen pals on literacy development of elementary school students through use of literature review and a university pen pals project conducted with a class of elementary school students in the Monterey Bay area. The findings reveal that elementary school students are motivated to learn about higher education, …


Teaching In A Digital Age: Internet Safety Education, Christina Putnam May 2019

Teaching In A Digital Age: Internet Safety Education, Christina Putnam

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper is an exploration into internet safety education for elementary age students. The participants for this Capstone Project included 22 fourth-grade students that attend a free after school program, located in the Bay Area of California. This paper took a look at the issues that arise for children on the internet and what is important for them to know for their well being while using it. This Capstone will describe a four-week program created in effort to better educate students on how to stay safe and act appropriately while being a part of the online community. The findings that …


Inclusion In Physical Education, Taylor Thompson-Hall May 2019

Inclusion In Physical Education, Taylor Thompson-Hall

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Cross-age peer tutoring will be used to help create an inclusion setting for students with and without disabilities. The participants for the capstone project included five fifth graders and five students with special needs that are in grades first to third. The site the research was conducted at is an elementary school located in Seaside, California. Fifth graders were trained on how to be an effective tutor in order to be able to help the special need students increase their motor performance by teaching them how to throw a ball overhand. The research found that cross-age peer tutoring was an …


Ethnic Identity Development, Maria Gutierrez Chavez May 2019

Ethnic Identity Development, Maria Gutierrez Chavez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Ethnic identity, or the set of self-ideas one has about one’s own ethnic group membership, is not seen as an area of development in K-12 classrooms, therefore, the researcher set to uncover benefits of aiding this development. Participants for the Capstone Project included 25 fifth-grade students in a public elementary classroom located on California’s Central Coast. The researcher found evidence suggesting students’ self-esteem is related to one’s ethnic backgrounds, as well as finding that students really enjoy learning about their own cultures and identities. The researcher believes this research is imperative in relation to her own personal career goals as …


Increasing Adolescent Girls’ Awareness Of Intimate Partner Violence, Kacie Cox May 2019

Increasing Adolescent Girls’ Awareness Of Intimate Partner Violence, Kacie Cox

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Most girls often enter into their first romantic relationship during adolescence. Unfortunately, research indicates that some of these girls fall victim to abuse and violence from their romantic partners, known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). There is often little to no discussion regarding IPV until something serious occurs. To address this lack of awareness, I created a 2-session program for teenaged Girl Scouts from Central California Coast troops about what IPV is, why it happens, and how to prevent it.


Increasing Growth Mindsets In Rural Adolescents, Jessica Hernandez May 2019

Increasing Growth Mindsets In Rural Adolescents, Jessica Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Individuals who have fixed mindsets may be pessimistic, lack self-esteem, and have a poor self-image because they believe that their abilities are fixed and cannot be changed. Many adolescents who grow up in small, rural, isolated areas may develop a fixed mindset because of few opportunities in their immediate environment and little change or progress evident in their communities. In order to address the potential development of fixed mindsets, I created a two-day lesson on cultivating growth versus fixed mindsets for high school juniors at Needles High School in Needles, California.


Motivating Students With Learning Disabilities To Succeed In Education, Ana Reyes-Ortiz May 2019

Motivating Students With Learning Disabilities To Succeed In Education, Ana Reyes-Ortiz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many students with learning disabilities may feel incapable of achieving in their academic goals and are in need of greater motivation. They may believe that abilities are innate and fixed and that their ability to learn and achieve is unchangeable. However, they may not be aware of growth mindset strategies that can support their academic success. To address the need for motivation, I created three lessons to teach seventh grade students in a resource classroom at Aptos Jr. High strategies for a growth mindset and to stay motivated throughout their academic challenges.


Educating Children On The Benefits Of Physical Activity, Nancy Recinos May 2019

Educating Children On The Benefits Of Physical Activity, Nancy Recinos

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The increased use of technology has lead to a decrease in physical activity engagement by elementary aged children, and children are often unaware of how a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of childhood diseases and illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes. In order to increase understanding about the importance of physical activity, I designed a two-day curriculum on the benefits of physical activity and presented it to a class of third grade students at Natividad Elementary School in Salinas, California.


Environmental Conservation Curriculum For Preschoolers, Veronica Lampreda May 2019

Environmental Conservation Curriculum For Preschoolers, Veronica Lampreda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Preschool children are often not exposed to the importance of environmental conservation. Preschool curriculum typically focuses on social, physical, emotional, and simple academic lessons such as alphabets and numbers, which overpower any curriculum geared towards environmental conservation. To address the lack of knowledge on this topic in preschool settings, I created a curriculum about the three r’s of environmental conservation; reduce, reuse, recycle. I implemented a three day curriculum to four and five year old children at the Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) Child Development Center, in Monterey, California.


Increasing Parents’ Awareness On College Readiness, Jennifer Diaz May 2019

Increasing Parents’ Awareness On College Readiness, Jennifer Diaz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Attaining higher education can lead to more opportunities that result in a more stable life. However, individuals who are minorities or first generation may not understand the processes to attend college and may not be aware of the assistance available to make it possible to attend. In order to address the issue of the lack of knowledge about the college system, I will be delivering 2 day 40 minute information session regarding college to parents of the after school program LIFE, who serves children from K-8th grade in Salinas, California.


Mathematical Perceptions: Changing Mindsets In Elementary School Classrooms, Marissa M. Bartelt May 2019

Mathematical Perceptions: Changing Mindsets In Elementary School Classrooms, Marissa M. Bartelt

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In classrooms throughout the country, you can hear students moan about the difficulty in learning mathematics. This senior capstone examines the students’ mindsets about mathematics in Monterey County through the use of literature review, classroom observations, and interview with teachers. The findings reveal that students’ mindsets can be changed over time if teachers have the right tools and appropriate training to help students.


Importance Of Implementing Native American History In School Curricula, Kirsten Kite May 2019

Importance Of Implementing Native American History In School Curricula, Kirsten Kite

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Even though there is legislation in place to implement Native American History in schools such as Senate Bill 48, there is room to improve. This senior capstone examines the importance of implementing Native American history in school curricula through the use of literature review, teachers interview and student surveys. The finding revealed that teachers do not have sufficient materials or resources to teach Native American history, and students do not have an adequate understanding of its history as well prior to graduating high school. In addition, teaching Native American history from an unbiased perspective is both beneficial to Native American …