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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Impact Of Explicit Phonemic Awareness Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Jaclyn Partridge May 2022

The Impact Of Explicit Phonemic Awareness Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Jaclyn Partridge

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project involved an investigation of the effects of explicit phonemic awareness instruction on letter-sound fluency. The sample included 16 kindergarten students at a public pre-primary elementary school in the north-central region of the United States. Students participated in daily whole group lessons with explicit phonemic awareness instruction and guided practice. Data tools included pre- and post-assessments in letter-sound fluency, phoneme isolation and manipulation. Standardized assessment data in letter-sound fluency, onset sound fluency compared Fall assessments to Winter assessments and showed the level of risk for later difficulties in reading. Quantitative data showed growth in students’ phonemic awareness …


The Effects Of Using Computer And Ipad Story-Writing Applications For Creative Writing With Kinder Year Students In A Montessori Early Childhood Program, Ruth Ann Christensen Dec 2017

The Effects Of Using Computer And Ipad Story-Writing Applications For Creative Writing With Kinder Year Students In A Montessori Early Childhood Program, Ruth Ann Christensen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study investigated the viability and implications of technology-assisted story writing with kinder year students. Seven kinder year students at a private Montessori school participated in the study. Pre- and post-study conferences and Likert scales determined story writing skills and attitudes. These were followed by one-on-one storywriting sessions using a variety of story-writing tools. Students were given the choice of story-writing method at each session. Individual sessions were evaluated and completed stories compared to a rubric of fundamental story-writing elements. Stories written by the students improved with the use of computer and iPad programs, but independent story writing was not …


Goal Setting And Choice On Student Motivation, Donna K. Dodge Apr 2017

Goal Setting And Choice On Student Motivation, Donna K. Dodge

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research is to determine what effect weekly conferences and goal setting opportunities have on the motivation of kindergarten children, in a multi-age (3-6 year-old) Montessori early childhood classroom in the Midwest. The goal was for children to become selfmotivated to choose and practice independent work that is developmentally appropriate. Data was collected before, during, and after the project using an observational checklist to determine the effectiveness of implementing goal setting and conferences with students. The research showed that writing goals in a journal was helpful for the majority of students. The students involved in the study …


Parent Involvement In Kindergarten, Martine A. Reinhardt Dec 2016

Parent Involvement In Kindergarten, Martine A. Reinhardt

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research investigated the effects of parent engagement strategies on the level of parent involvement in kindergarten. Parents may have barriers preventing them from becoming more involved in their child’s schooling. Many parents have younger children they take care of, work full time jobs, and are unaware of how they can get more involved at home. In this study, various strategies were implemented to help increase levels of engagement. Parents were asked to track the amount of time they spent working with their child at home on school related activities. Activities and ideas were sent home to generate discussions …


Filling The Gap: Phonological Awareness Activities For A Montessori Kindergarten, Shauna A. Aranas May 2016

Filling The Gap: Phonological Awareness Activities For A Montessori Kindergarten, Shauna A. Aranas

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Phonological Awareness in Kindergarten 2 Abstract This action research was conducted to determine if small group explicit phonological awareness (PA) instruction using materials from Early Reading Mastery (Klein, 2015) and Words Their Way (Bear et al., 2006) would increase students’ ability to segment phonemes (i.e., break words into sounds) and build three letter consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. The research was completed in a full-day public suburban Montessori kindergarten. Data was collected using phonological awareness tests, a teacher adapted spelling test, tally sheet, and researcher’s log. Pre-test data was used to create homogenous small groups for the four-week intervention. Explicitly worded lessons …


Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson May 2015

Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract This action research studied the impact of Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) cursive instruction on handwriting skills for kindergarten students. The study occurred in an early childhood (ages 3-6) classroom at a private Montessori school. Eight students received multisensory HWT cursive instruction twenty minutes per day for six weeks. Sources of data included participant print and cursive writing samples analyzed with a rubric, HWT print assessments, scored attitude scales of participants’ feelings about handwriting, a tally sheet of writing works chosen, and a teacher journal. Following the intervention, participants’ scored higher on the HWT assessment, especially in the section regarding …


The Effects Of Developing A Positive Class Culture On Student Participation In A Kindergarten Classroom, Ashley Garaas Dec 2014

The Effects Of Developing A Positive Class Culture On Student Participation In A Kindergarten Classroom, Ashley Garaas

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study was conducted in a kindergarten classroom at a public elementary school; it included 14 students, nine boys and five girls. This investigation lasted five weeks to examine the effects of developing a positive class culture on student participation in class discussions. Data was collected on pre-, mid-, and post- student input forms, student participation spreadsheet, notes on student conferences, and notes in teacher reflection journal. The results from the student input forms and student participation spreadsheet showed a slight increase in positive attitude and participation level throughout the study. The teacher data showed an increase in …


Increasing Subtraction Automaticity Using The Think Addition Strategy And Taped Problems, Kellly Jean Hanlon, Brooke Meissel Aug 2014

Increasing Subtraction Automaticity Using The Think Addition Strategy And Taped Problems, Kellly Jean Hanlon, Brooke Meissel

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of our research project was for kindergarten and first grade students to reach grade level proficiency in subtraction automaticity. The study took place in a public elementary school kindergarten classroom of 19 students and a first grade classroom of 18 students. The students were taught the Think Addition strategy and practiced Taped Problems to increase their subtraction fact automaticity. The data sources included an observational checklist, attendance tracking sheet, and district power point assessment and rubric. The data from the intervention showed an increase in subtraction fact automaticity. The teacher observations revealed students using the new subtraction strategy …


The Effects Of Feedback On Student Learning In A Kindergarten Classroom, Diane Gunlock Aug 2014

The Effects Of Feedback On Student Learning In A Kindergarten Classroom, Diane Gunlock

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study was conducted in a kindergarten classroom at a public elementary school, and it included 18 students, 10 boys and eight girls. My study examined the effect of feedback on learning by utilizing rubrics and target statements to increase student self-motivation and engagement. Data was collected from a pre- and post- student feedback form, a rubric, a student observation form, a student discussion form and a teacher reflection journal. The student observation forms and student discussion forms indicated that students displayed a higher level of self-motivation, engagement in the learning environment and acquisition of the skills necessary …


Supporting Kindergarten Classroom Teachers: Improving Literacy With Young English Learners, Rachel Higgins May 2014

Supporting Kindergarten Classroom Teachers: Improving Literacy With Young English Learners, Rachel Higgins

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this research was to determine to what extent will Kindergarten teachers’ feeling of efficacy when working with EL students increase when given: personalized support in using the SIOP model, technology opportunities for students to work on academic vocabulary in their first language, and training on how to make their lesson content more comprehensible to their EL students. The study involved two Kindergarten teachers in two suburban elementary schools. Data collection methods included two pre- and post-project surveys, three collaborative lesson planning sessions, three classroom observations, and three post-observation meetings. Neither participant felt it was beneficial to add …


Improving Kindergarten Students’ Knowledge By Enhancing Engagement In Literacy Centers, Magdalene B. Pearson Dec 2013

Improving Kindergarten Students’ Knowledge By Enhancing Engagement In Literacy Centers, Magdalene B. Pearson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research was conducted in a kindergarten classroom with 18 participating students, in a Northern Midwest elementary school. Baseline data was collected by assessments in the areas of letter identification, onset sounds, rhyming, and concepts of print. Literacy centers were set up for students using differentiated activities in these areas. Conferencing with students and formative assessments were used for monitoring student progress and engagement in the literacy centers of Read to Self, Word Works, Writing Center and Listening Center. The students were assessed again at the end of the research period. The results of this study showed increased learning …