Education Commons^™

Exploring Animal-Assisted Therapy As A Reading Intervention Strategy, Maria S. Kaymen

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

This study is an examination of animal-assisted therapy in an attempt to explore the ways it may serve as reading intervention program for struggling readers. Due to the low rate of literacy in the U.S., children are often put into reading intervention programs where they are required to read to an adult; potentially creating anxiety that may act as a deterrent to reading regularly, and thus contributing to the condition of aliteracy, that is, possessing the basic skills to read yet having no desire to do so. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the ways in which …

Honoring And Utilizing The Preoperational Thinkers' Artistic Processes In Art Education, J. B. Paquette

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Examines the relationship between thought processes and artmaking in preoperational learners (children from about two to seven years of age). Suggests that these children learn and communicate in the art room in a natural, revelatory, and quite ephemeral, way. Includes a sample art lesson plan for preoperational learners and investigates ways to connect with children's youthful thought processes in elementary art instruction.

How To Create A Successful Team Teaching Partnership, Travis Haskins

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that there is a movement towards inclusion and team teaching in schools throughout the nation. This movement has not only affected the students who are being mainstreamed, but the teachers who are now co-teaching these classrooms. This study used questionnaires, teacher interviews, and a teacher research journal to sample a southern New Jersey elementary school. The participants' responses provided insights to answer the question "How do teachers create a successful team teaching partnership?" The study suggests criteria for successful teams and discusses possible barriers which may hinder effective teaching partnerships. The four main themes which emerged from …

Increasing Expressive Vocabulary Through Non-Traditional Instruction, Lisa C. Washart

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined vocabulary teaching techniques. Its major purpose was to discover ways of teaching vocabulary to students that motivate them to use the words and allow them to understand and use these words appropriately. This study utilized a qualitative approach, examining instruction through the use of a case study. The study took place in an inclusive fifth grade classroom of twenty-five students. Sixteen of these students participated in the study. A checklist, student writing samples, and field notes were used to gather data surrounding varied forms of instruction and the ability of students to use newly learned words. Collected …

The Effect Of Learning Centers And Interactive Bulletin Boards On Student Vocabulary Word Knowledge, Kristin Marie Schleher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of different vocabulary strategies on student comprehension. A main focus of the research is to determine the impact of learning centers and interactive bulletin boards in helping students develop word knowledge in the subject area of social studies. This study takes place in a fourth grade general education classroom in an elementary school in southern New Jersey. The research includes qualitative data from student surveys and interviews, and teacher questionnaires and interviews, as well as the two vocabulary interventions: a learning center and an interactive bulletin board. The students completed …

The Impact Of Classroom Environment On Student Learning, Amy A. Turano

Theses and Dissertations

Classroom environment is a concern among almost all educators. This thesis discusses the four major factors of classroom environment: physical environment, time and instructional management, behavior management, and teacher effectiveness. A goal of this study is to contribute to teacher knowledge about how classroom environments impact student learning. A resource center and a first grade classroom were observed and the teachers of both classes were asked to complete a self-evaluation of their classroom's environment. Both teachers were found to have classroom environments that were conducive to learning.

Student Perception Of Behavior Management Systems, Jennifer L. Dayton

Theses and Dissertations

The following qualitative study focuses on how students perceive classroom behavior management systems. The process of research consisted of observation of students in their natural classroom setting, the completion of the Student Beliefs of Discipline Inventory Survey by the students, and informal interviews. A total of twenty seven fourth and fifth grade students participated in the study. The major themes of the study consisted of the students' perception of responsibility in the classroom and the common misbehaviors identified by the students. The results of the study concluded that a majority of the students want to have some responsibility for decisions …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Effects Of Prewriting On Fifth Grade Students' Writing Ability, Katie Montegary

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the use of a graphic organizer during the prewriting stage of the writing process improved the writing of narrative compositions in fifth grade students. For this study, the Four Square approach to writing was the selected prewriting strategy. Four Square Writing is a systematic approach to writing designed around a graphic organizer that teaches students how plan before they write. The students in this study were introduced to the approach through small group instruction over a five-week period. By interviewing students, comparing writing samples throughout the intervention, and assessing …

The Connection Between Gender And Literacy In A First Grade Classroom, Jessica V. Feldman

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative case study that explores the connection between literacy and gender in a first grade classroom environment. The subjects for this study are twenty first grade students in a regular education classroom located in a southern New Jersey elementary school. For this study, students were observed with the attempt to answer three questions: 1) What gender stereotypes have these first graders internalized coming into the classroom? 2) How are these gender beliefs expressed in the language arts classroom? 3) What are teachers doing to foster these biases in their students? Data collected includes student writings, discussions, …

Standardized Educational Assessments: The Effects On Teachers In A South Jersey Elementary School, Ashley P. Root

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore how standardized testing affects teaching methods. The major aspects of this qualitative study focus around two questions: How do the pressures and incentives inflicted by standardized achievement tests affect or change teacher instruction? The site for the research is in an elementary school in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. The population for this study consists of teachers ranging from kindergarten teachers to fifth grade teachers. My research is based on interpretation of data gathered by investigation and examination. I used observations, analysis of materials, survey responses, and questionnaires as the basis for my …

Response To Gender In The Classroom: A Look At A Teacher's Reaction To Her Students And Its Effect, Victoria A. Henwood

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to understand a teacher's response to boys and girls in the classroom and determine whether this has an effect on students' perceptions of gender. Using a qualitative study and analyzing interviews, observations, and a gender activity through a data analysis spiral (Creswell 1998) in a first grade classroom with a female teacher, I discovered a teacher's perception of gender influences her interactions with students. Through the gender activity, I found this interaction can help shape a student's perception of gender.

Inclusion: A View From Students And Teachers, Elizabeth A. Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine students' and teachers' opinions on the inclusion model and its implementation in classrooms today. This study was conducted in an elementary school (grades one through five) in a K-12 public school district in Roosevelt Township, New Jersey. The participants were 27 second and third grade multiage students as well as 7 second and third grade teachers with varied teaching experiences and certifications. Teacher participants completed open-ended questionnaires while student participants completed surveys in which they used a rating scale to assign their comfort level with varied example situations. Data from the surveys …

No More Worksheets: A Pre-Service Teacher's Look At Manipulatives, Kathren Field Barraclough

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of manipulatives during math. This is done by examining manipulatives in reference to student interest, diverse learners, student response, and student opinions. The study was conducted in an elementary school in the Winslow Township school district located in the Camden County region of South Jersey. All seventeen participants were taken from a collaboratively taught first grade classroom. Collection of data was done through the use of video tape, student journals, tests and my personal observations. Data was triangulated through the examination of multi-sources (video, journals, tests, observations), and themes, scores …

Exploring The Effect Of Literature Circles On Reading Comprehension And Motivation, Christina Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of literature circles on elementary school children. It was hypothesized that a third grade class that read independently through the use of the literature circle structure will show greater gains in reading comprehension and reading motivation than when the same third grade class does not experience the literature circle structure. The sample included a predetermined class of 24 third-grade students, which consists of 9 females and 15 males.

The non-treatment conditions consisted of small group guided reading lessons. The treatment conditions consisted of the implementation of literature circles. Student reading …

The Effects Of Collaborative Strategic Reading Among Third Grade Students, Inez Lee Barberio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of Collaborative Strategic Reading in a third grade class significantly improved test scores in vocabulary and comprehension in a given social studies unit exam. Two third grade classes were researched. The use of CSR was compared to the testing results of another third grade class that was taught through the use of traditional "textbook" teaching methods. The researcher taught the experimental group through the use of CSR while the control class was taught by their regular classroom teacher. Each class was tested using the same pretest and post-test. Mean …

The Effects Of Small Group Mathematical Instruction, Theresa A. Storms

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of small group mathematical instruction when compared to whole group mathematical instruction. The participants of the study consisted of 35 first grade students from two intact classes from a suburban school district in New Jersey. The control group included 21 students who received whole group mathematical instruction. The experimental group included 14 students who received small group mathematical instruction. All students were pre-tested, instructed in mathematics, and post-tested in their respective groups.

This study hypothesized that first grade students who received small group mathematical instruction would show a higher significant …

Reading Comprehension Evaluated Through Electronic Storybooks And Traditional Print Storybooks, Erika Lynn Crescenzo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether electronic text storybooks, when compared to printed storybooks, affect students' comprehension skills. Reading comprehension is a process by which the reader constructs meaning with the text. With electronic texts, the computer is able to control the number of words that are displayed to allow the student to read at their own pace. Dramatization along with special text features used in electronic storybooks presents the text in a way that differs from the traditional printed storybook. These changes grasp the readers' attention both visually and verbally. Eliminating the decoding of the text …

A Study Examining The Effect Of Multi-Sensory Stimulation On The Descriptive Writing Of Fourth Grade Students, Karen L. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if multi-sensory stimulation during writing exercises would increase the number of descriptive elements used by fourth grade students. Thirty-five students in two intact classrooms participated in the nonequivalent control group design study. A learning styles questionnaire was administered to both groups to ensure that all modality preferences were represented in each classroom. Two pretests in the form of writing prompts were given to each group. Two weeks later posttests identical to the pretests were administered to each group. During posttest writing exercises, the experimental group was exposed to multi-sensory stimulation. The control …

Teachers' Insights On Character Education, Meghan Kristin Salowe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore teachers' thoughts and concerns regarding the practice of teaching Character Education programs in elementary school. The subjects for this study are twenty-one elementary school teachers and the school's guidance counselor. This study used a survey instrument with closed-ended responses (Likert scale) as well as teacher interviews. A qualitative approach was utilized to analyze the data, which showed varying teacher perceptions on Character Education. A need for consistent teacher training and opportunities for teacher dialogue are some implications that emerged from my study.

The Effects Of A Word Study Spelling Program In A Differentiated Classroom, Lauren M. Cassano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a word study spelling program in a differentiated classroom could improve students' long-term retention of spelling words. This study compared a word study program with a more traditional spelling approach. The findings of the experiment indicated that no significant difference existed between the two different methods of instruction.

After receiving parental permission, the study began in a third grade classroom with 20 students. A pretest/posttest design was used in two phases. Phase I of the study used a traditional spelling approach using basal words obtained from the Scholastic reading series. …

Computer Use In Preschool: Effects On Social Interactions, Teresa Hartner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the impact of computers on the social behavior of preschoolers, specifically, (a) to study the frequency and level of peer interactions in the computer center, (b) compare these to interactions when the computer center was not available, and (c) investigate gender differences in the computer center.

Fourteen preschool children of various ethnic backgrounds were videotaped or observed for 15 minutes a day for two three week periods. During the first three weeks the computer, housekeeping, block and art centers were observed. During the second three weeks the computer center was not used. …

A Study Of The Academic Achievement Of Fifth Grade Bilingual Students In English-Only Classes, Karen Pritchard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether or not the length of time spent in a bilingual program had any effect on the academic achievement of students when they were placed in English-only classes. Six fifth grade Hispanic students and three classroom teachers participated in the study. Brief classroom observations were conducted. Testing results were collected for three different tests along with report card grades. All data were recorded and interpreted by the researcher. Narrative explanations were provided along with tables for clarification. Results indicated that although the majority of the subjects received passing report card grades, …

What Effect Might The No Child Left Behind Act Have On Administrators' And Teachers' Decisions To Promote Or Retain The Low Achieving Student In The Elementary Grades?, April M. Maska

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to determine how this Act impacts professional educators in their decisions regarding promotion or retention of the low achieving student. Regular Educators in the West Deptford School District were asked to participate to show whether NCLB impacts the professional educators within this district when deciding whether to promote or retain the low achieving student. A Likert survey was designed and'distributed to 51 professional educators within the district. Of the educators asked, 21 responded. The survey results were graphed and analyzed. The scores of the West Deptford School District participants were compared to a hypothetical school district of …

The Effective Use Of Manipulatives And Color Coding In The Achievement And Application Of Music Reading Skills Of Third Grade Recorder Students, Kathy J. Gunsallus-Donachy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover the positive effect on sight-reading ability of 100 third grade recorder students reading music notation when color-coding was applied to notes and manipulatives were used in note value instruction.

The problem was to compare effects on the learning and application of music reading skills between color-coded notes and monochromatics when students sight-read music playing their recorders.

The classes were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The researcher, also the music teacher, taught each class once a week for 50 minutes. The treatment extended approximately 23 weeks. The experimental classes …

A Study Investigating The Comparative Effects Of An Audiation Pause In Tonal Pattern Training On Fourth And Fifth Grade Children, Melodey A. Kleva-Forchic

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine variations of response time in tonal pattern training. The problem of the study is twofold. 1) To determine the comparative effect of fourth and fifth grade students who echoed tonal patterns immediately and students who echoed after a pause, and 2) to examine how the variations in response time in tonal pattern training effects the performance of high and low aptitude students.

The sample for this study consisted of approximately 140 fourth and fifth grade students who attended an elementary school located in a Southern New Jersey suburban community. The sample included …

The Relationship Between Home Music Environment, Including Both Parent And Sibling Responses, And Enrollment In An Elementary Instrumental Program, Jill Melamed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the home musical environment on participation in the elementary instrumental program. The problem of the study was to compare the musical home environment of fourth and fifth grade students who are enrolled in an elementary instrumental program versus those who are not.

Surveys were sent home with all 195 children in the fourth and fifth grade at an elementary school in southern New Jersey. The first section of the survey, which used a Likert-type scale, was completed by a parent. The second section of the survey, which used semantic …

Physical Activity Preferences Of Elementary Children, Mike Griffis

Student Dissertations & Theses

The current study investigated activity preferences of elementary-age students. It was hypothesized that gender differences would exist, with boys preferring competitive activities and girls preferring more cooperative activities. The results proved a significant relationship did exist between male students and activity type, as nearly 80 % of male students preferred competitive or elimination games over fitness and cooperative games. There was no significant relationship, however, between female students and activity type, as females didn’t show a preference between the two activity types. The present study also provides practical information for those physical educators wishing to avoid being gender-biased when designing …

Animals And Biographies: Integrated Units For Third/Fourth Looped Classes, Kimberly Lynn Bonsen

All Graduate Projects

This handbook was designed for teachers in a third-to-fourth grade looping classroom. The lessons integrate reading and writing, and the second year (fourth grade) builds upon skills and strategies introduced in the first year (third grade). The third grade set of lessons focuses study on animals while the fourth grade set of lessons focuses on biographies. The handbook contains a OLE/Lesson plan matrix, information for teachers before beginning both sets of lessons, twelve third grade lessons, thirteen fourth grade lessons, and extension activities for both animals and biographies. The final section in the handbook is an appendix that contains every …

Collaborating With Colleagues To Improve Student Learning Using The Connected Mathematics Project, Margaret D. Seifer

Graduate Student Independent Studies

I am a teacher of mathematics at Millburn Middle School, Millburn, New Jersey. During my nine years at Millburn, I have taught using the Connected Mathematics Program (CMP) for seven years to eighth graders and before that, I taught CMP in it's pilot stage to sixth graders.

This guide is a result of my thinking and learning during my time at Bank Street College. The guide is based on a journey through my learning as a professional developer. It is a tool which, I hope, will be of some use to other CMP leaders. It is hoped that if such …

The Effects Of Direct Instruction Reading On The Behavior Referral Rates Of Rural Elementary Students, David Jarman

Theses & Honors Papers

What exactly is effective instruction? This heavily debated question is still at forefront of educational reform. Many factors contribute to effective instruction in the classroom, but it is critical to define effective instruction prior to describing its components. To understand the concept of effective instruction we must operationally define effective instruction as summarized by Rosenshine and Berliner (1978). they viewed effective instruction as those teacher characteristics that had a positive relationship on student achievement. We know that providing students with the most effective instruction will lead to an increase in student academic achievement. We also know these characteristics can be …