Education Commons^™

A 21st Century Approach To Developing Engaged Writers In A Second Grade Classroom, Bekkirae House

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research for this project was designed to integrate students’ love of iPads and technology, and the need to develop fundamental writing skills while building active engagement in the writing process. The author was seeking to answer the following question, how do I transfer my students’ love of iPads and technology into their writing in order to build fundamental skills and engagement? After researching peer review and digital technology, it led the author to redesign existing lessons to launching writing workshop based on the ideas of cooperative learning in the classroom. The author writes about related research literature and focuses …

Professional Development Sessions For Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics In The Primary Classroom To Promote A Positive Mindset And Problem-Solving Skills, Brittany Erickson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research questions addressed in this project was, what are the best mathematical teaching practices for early elementary students to ensure they are prepared to transfer problem-solving skills to other areas of mathematics as well as other aspects of their lives? The author developed a series of two professional development sessions that focus on background knowledge and research in the area of mathematics, as well as effective teaching strategies that can be implemented into any primary mathematics classroom. It encompasses eight highly effective teaching practices influenced by the work of Huinker and Bill, to ensure students gain transferable conceptual math …

Helping The District’S Latino Families Become More Independent In Accessing Online Tools Provided By The School District, Leticia Stabrino

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, How can we help the district’s Latino families become more independent in accessing online tools provided by the school district? The author recounts how her personal experience as a teacher in South America and a Liaison in the United States paved her way to create this project. Through reviewing of literature, she exposes characteristics of the Latino culture, common barriers to communication in this community and different methods school districts use to communicate with families. With this information, she creates four instructional videos for Spanish speaking parents and explains how they will …

Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Professional Development Project, Rebecca Foster

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Why does culture play such an important role in education? Can culturally responsive teaching positively affect elementary student behavior and academic effort? It is imperative that students and teachers know each other beyond the subjective cultural experiences that each may bring to the classroom, and that educators possess an understanding of diverse cultures but not stereotype people into a one-size-fits-all cultural mold. Students need to be related to as full, complex, multidimensional people. It is more important now than ever to focus on student culture and learning differences. The political environment has changed so drastically in the last few years …

How Teachers Can Integrate Absent Narratives Into Their Manifest Destiny Curriculum To Better Understand The Experiences Of People Of Color, Daniel Gerber

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can teachers integrate absent narratives into their Manifest Destiny curriculum to better understand the experiences of people of color? It documents one teacher’s reasons for modifying a Manifest Destiny and Pre- Civil War unit in a mainstream, high school-level curriculum, that incorporates absent narratives of people of color negatively affected by American expansion. The author documents through research that many curriculum textbooks and standards do not adequately mention what happens to people of color when the U.S. takes over territory through expansion. The author includes research related to why absent narratives …

Visual Thinking Tools To Enhance Nonfiction Reading Comprehension In The Middle School, Anna Lund

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone explores the question; How can visual thinking tools be used as a foundation for middle school student’s critical approach to understanding nonfiction texts? Although adolescent learners in the U.S. have greater literacy demands placed on them in the 21st century than ever before, some remain poorly prepared for the rigor of post-secondary education and many content area specific teachers lack instructional techniques to support student literacy in their field. As such, I was drawn towards visual learning tools as avenues to get my students thinking more critically about nonfiction text. Through these understandings, I have assembled a visual …

Teaching Word Stress: A Curricular Resource For Adult English Language Learners At The High Beginner/Low Intermediate Levels, Ellen M. Clore-Patron

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine what materials were needed to inform the development of a curricular resource contributing to adult English language learners’ awareness and improved pronunciation of North American English word stress. A review of contemporary literature revealed that pronunciation instruction is key to adults’ acquisition of intelligible speech, and that instruction needs to focus foremost on prosodic features that are global to the needs of learners,

such as word stress. The author’s curricular resource includes a series of lesson plans and student- centered activities. To guide the development of the resource, the author employed a …

Electronic Portfolios: Best Practices To Help Increase Student Ownership And Engagement In The Third-Grade Classroom, Bridget Farrell

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project was created to explore the question: what are the best practices related to implementing electronic portfolios that will help increase my third-grade students’ sense of ownership and engagement? The project presents a synthesis of the research related to electronic portfolios; including a definition of electronic portfolio, the various types of electronic portfolios, best implementation practices, and how best practices can help increase students’ sense of ownership and engagement. The project includes the creation of a professional development session aimed at building and improving other educators’ knowledge and practice with electronic portfolio implementation, to positively impact students' learning.

An Exploration Of Portfolios As An Alternative Assessment To Standardized Testing, Carolyn Schmitz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, How can portfolios be used as an assessment of Common Core reading standards in an eighth grade middle school classroom? As standardized testing continues to drive educational policy and decision-making, the author questions if traditional standardized tests are what is best for students, educators, or families. Researching through the lenses of attitudes toward standardized testing as well as the effectiveness of standardized testing, the author ultimately pursues the research of the use of portfolios as an alternative means of formally assessing students. An examination of the existing literature reveals that portfolios hold …

Social Emotional Skills And Their Impact On Kindergarten Students, Sarah Hutchins-Haavisto

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone explores the link between social skills development in kindergarten and its continued impact upon students throughout their schooling. This capstone seeks to answer the question: How can teaching explicit social skills in the area of body awareness and communication impact prosocial behaviors in a kindergarten classroom? Based on the findings of the research, a kindergarten social skills curriculum was created that focuses on recognizing emotions, friendships, kindness, and giving. The curriculum works to provide comprehensive and developmentally appropriate lessons that are engaging, and include real world application of skills.

How Environmental Education Based Camps Can Create An Inclusive Opportunity To Ensure Children With Autism Have A Positive And Meaningful Experience, Emma Leslie

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected, environmental education has the ability to reach diverse audiences and create an environmentally literate community capable of making decisions that support sustainable practices. Diversity implies inclusion of all individuals, including those with autism. Autism is one of the most prevalent developmental learning disabilities in the United States and those with the neurobiological disorder experience challenges in areas such as social reasoning, language, cognition, sensory sensitivities and emotional regulation. Environmental education often occurs in informal learning environments, including day camp programs. While day camps provide the ideal setting for addressing deficits in peer …

Dragonfly’S Toolkit: An Innovative Curriculum Framework To Facilitate Socio-Emotional And Character Development Skills In Preschoolers, Celeste Finn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can teachers scaffold development of the social-emotional functioning of preschoolers to improve their emotional health? To answer this question, the project included researching and developing ways to improve a child’s social-emotional awareness and character development to create a classroom culture where relationships are secure and children can thrive. This project reviewed studies from numerous experts in areas of social-emotional learning, early childhood curriculum development, executive functioning and character development to form the theoretical foundations to create a social-emotional learning and character development curriculum for children ages three to five. The research …

Movement And Mindfulness In The Kindergarten Classroom, Kylie Rosenthal

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was: How will intentional movement and mindfulness opportunities in a kindergarten classroom impact the classroom environment, student behavior, and student achievement? The stress, emotional and behavioral management, self-regulation skills, and mental health of the students in her classroom led the author to research topics of the brain and movement, classroom environment and student wellbeing, the effects movement has on student achievement, examples of schools implementing movement and mindfulness, and yoga and mindfulness programs and curriculums. The research showed that movement and mindfulness provide many benefits to students’ emotional wellbeing, behavior, regulation, and academic …

Visualization Techniques To Support Students’ Reading Comprehension, Jessica Will

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how do students respond to the integration of visualization techniques integrated into their reading/literacy instruction? It documents one teacher’s creation of ten lessons that instruct students on visualization techniques. It integrated lessons that increased with visualization and verbalization skills. The author documents the details of the lessons and uses research literature to show validity of the study. She describes how to implement the lesson with success and struggles and how the results show that visualization plays a large role in helping students learn how to increase their reading comprehension.

A Lesson Unit On Aurally Differentiating Between The Phonologies Of English & Arabic: /P/ And /B/, Iten Ezz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project analyzes one of the common English pronunciation errors experienced by Arab learners of English which is /p/ and /b/. Such error is systematic, not accidental. The most important factors leading to this error are the interference of the first language and the difference in the sound systems between Arabic and English. A specific curriculum was developed to help Arab learners of English overcome their pronunciation error. The curriculum started with controlled activities, then practiced in authentic speech using interactive learning activities to ensure learners exposure to the target sounds.

Preparing Teachers For Their Zoo Trip With An Interactive Website, Jamie L. Hardcastle

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Zoos and aquariums have an attendance of 50 million children visitors every year with 12 million of those being student learners on field trips (Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 2018, Annual Survey Results, Informal Science Education). According to Willis, Weiser, and Kirkwood, (2014) field trips are not just a ‘day off’ from school, they serve to provide enriching experiences that help students to explore the world outside of their direct environment. To ensure that learning is happening before, during, and after the field trip takes preparation on part of the teacher. Anderson, et al. (2006) state that students should be …

Restorative Justice In Education Practices As Interventions That Support Teachers In Creating A Better Climate And Culture In Their Classrooms, Erin Tande

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Behavior management in schools is constantly changing. School-wide and classroom behavior processes are striving to find and create ways to reduce negative or unwelcomed behavior while increasing the school’s climate and culture. Schools committed to following Restorative Justice practices have reported stronger school community, reduced suspensions, and increased problem-solving skills during conflicts. This capstone uses a combination of research, assessment, testimonials, and pilot school studies to help answer the research question, What restorative justice in education interventions can be used to support teachers in creating better climate and culture in their classrooms? The research concludes Restorative Justice in Education practices …

Professional Development For Educators In Order To Support English Learner Students From Oral Cultures, Xue Xiong

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project addresses the question, How can I create professional development for educators in order to support English Learner (EL) students from oral cultures? This project uses a series of frameworks and theories to provide the best comprehensive two-part professional development for educators supporting EL students from oral cultures. It is tailored to educators by recognizing their unique needs as adult learners who receive ongoing training in their field. By catering to adult learners and drawing from both EL best practices and culturally responsive teaching, this professional development offers educators insight and tools to implement when working with EL …

Developing Conceptual Place Value Intervention Curriculum For Upper Elementary Students, Angela Klint

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Conceptual Place Value (CPV) is the ability to flexibly increment (add) and decrement (subtract) numbers mentally (Wright, Ellemor-Collins, & Tabor, 2012). Within this project I analyze how to improve math achievement for upper elementary students who struggle with CPV concepts. Using Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson developmental theories I examine the educational needs of the students within upper elementary school grades. In addition, I investigate how mathematical understanding start and grow throughout a child’s development. Using this research, I developed Conceptual Place Value intervention curriculum for upper elementary students. This project consists of 15 lessons for each of the eight different …

Steam Design Thinking And Innovation: A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary, Authentic Approach To Problem Solving In Mathematics, Liesa Klyn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

How might we design an interdisciplinary curriculum which incorporates collaboration and design-thinking to equip all students to tackle authentic, complex problems of critical relevance? This capstone project is an attempt to answer this question with an innovative mathematics curriculum that incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics into problem solving experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration across networks, leading by influence, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurship, oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity and imagination and resourcefulness. This curriculum seeks to make six major shifts in student learning;from product to process, from consumption to production, from adult …

How Technology Can Be Integrated Into The Seventh Grade Mathematics Classroom To Ensure A Positive Impact On Student Learning And Engagement, Melanie Strachota

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In recent years, there has been a movement for more technology in classrooms across the country. With this new movement, many teachers and students have been hesitant on where to begin and how to use technology in the classroom. This movement in education led for the author to explore the following research question: How can meaningful technology resources be integrated into the seventh grade mathematics classroom to ensure a positive impact on student learning and engagement? This Capstone records one teacher’s creation of a website designed to offer students and teachers an array of resources in one location for the …

Promoting Teacher Retention And Increasing Job Satisfaction By Preventing Burnout In The Early Childhood Workforce, Erin Bergevin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Burnout is a serious psychological condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach, 1982). When early childhood educators experience burnout, it undermines educational quality, puts children’s emotional development at risk, and compromises teachers’ mental health. Furthermore, burnout contributes to the alarmingly high rate of teacher turnover in the field of early childhood education. This project addresses the research question: How can early childhood program leaders learn to implement supportive strategies to promote teacher retention and increase job satisfaction? The project is comprised of a series of professional development sessions and a comprehensive resource handbook intended …

How To Use An Advisory Period To Cultivate High School Students’ Social And Emotional Growth, Elizabeth Lundquist

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone paper and project addressed the research question: How can high school teachers cultivate students’ social and emotional growth during an advisory period in order to promote positive behavior and increase overall student achievement? Social and emotional learning is established as a critical component of overall positive youth development. The author’s literature review examined the impact strong social and emotional skills can have on individual behavior, classroom community, school climate, and academic achievement. Her research also focused on the unique opportunity an advisory period provides as a time and place through which every student may receive instruction and additional …

An Environmental Education, Science Based, Curriculum On Raptors, To Help Bring A Focus And Awareness To The Raptors Found In Minnesota, Kayla Damiano

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The area of focus addressed in this capstone project was a curriculum on raptors, specifically raptors found in Minnesota. It documents one naturalist’s creation of a science-based unit that implements different aspects of students’ learning styles. Pedagogical concepts used in the development of this curriculum included the North American Association of Environmental Education’s (NAAEE) guidelines (NAAEE, 1996) as well as Understanding by Design – the second part of the framework: “backwards design” (Wiggins & McTighe, 2011). The author uses related literature to construct meaning and justification to the study to help support the details of the unit. She focused on …

Being Mila: Creating An Lgbtq Curriculum That Is Authentic, Follows Policies And Ethics, And Teaches Acceptance, Tam Friestad

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The literature and curriculum used in the classroom needs to change to reflect the students that are being taught. With the number of students and families being impacted by LGBTQ issues, one teacher decided to create a project addressing the research question of: How can I create an LGBTQ curriculum that is authentic, follows policies and ethics, and teaches acceptance? It will document the creation of a children’s book about a transgender child, as well as an accompanying Teacher Resource Guide. The author uses related literature reviews to create a book and resource guide that is authentic and developmentally appropriate. …

Combating Student Apathy: Helping Teachers Create Autonomy-Supportive Classrooms That Foster Motivation And Higher Achievement, David Schlotfeldt

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project was created as a resource for better understanding the question, How does providing students with autonomy-supportive instruction strategies and choice impact motivation to learn within the classroom? It condenses current research related to student motivation, with a specific focus on autonomy support, and explains how educators can better meet the motivational needs of their students. Resources rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) research is also provided through a motivational framework.

Involvement In Extracurricular Activities And Overall High School Experience: Academics, School Belonging, And Career/College Readiness, Michael Richards

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was to find out if there is a connection between extra-curricular (EC) activities and high school belonging, academics, and college/career readiness that makes school a more positive experience overall. The primary focus of this project was on finding if there is a positive impact on involvement in EC activities with regard to school belonging and college/career readiness along with higher achieving academics. An online survey was administered to the student body and there were individual interviews conducted. Along with analyzing literature, the researcher looks into his background of EC activities and how it …

Informing Educators On Best Practices For Former Refugee English Language Learners, Sarah Kiiskila

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Teachers need to be able to teach all their students, including students who have been in refugee situations and have experienced trauma due to fleeing their home countries.There are many people leaving their home countries for a variety of reasons and many are experiencing gaps in their literacy i.e., SLIFE students. In order to address the question How can I inform educators about best practices for teaching former refugee English Language Learners? research was done and four professional development sessions were made to inform educators on best practices for students who have been in refugee situations. To teach these students …

A Curriculum For Teaching Elementary-Aged Spanish-Speaking Students To Read In Spanish, Kelly Kum

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a heritage language curriculum that teaches Spanish literacy skills to Spanish-speaking students in second and third grade. This project was based on research that supports the importance of students maintaining their first language and developing reading skills in their first language to help them improve their reading abilities in English and improve their test scores. The creator based the curriculum on WIDA’s Spanish Language Arts Standards and used the Understanding by Design framework to develop the curriculum. The main focus of the curriculum is to teach decoding and phonics skills to …

How Can Student Learning Be Improved Through Project Based Curriculum That Gives Access To All Students?, Joseph Salzer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

How can student learning be improved by creating project based curriculum that gives access to all students? This project contains a unit curriculum guide for a 3 dimensional solids unit for a 10th grade geometry classroom. The curriculum is a project based curriculum based on the 7 essential pieces of project based learning of Larmer (2010). This is then woven with standards based practices to ensure that all learners have access. The project is broken up and intermixed with direct skill instructional days and time for feedback. It is necessary to make sure students are supported in project based learning …