Education Commons^™

Using Literature Circles To Increase Reading Comprehension And Student Motivation, Michelle Jacobs

Theses and Dissertations

Many educators arrange students in guided reading groups based on their reading lexile. Usually the books selected for guided reading are from a basal reading series and are used to teach different reading components and strategies. However, the books don’t always reflect student cultures, making it difficult for students to hold discussions and make connections. Oftentimes, students are unmotivated to read the assigned books and rarely engage in discussions. Based on research conducted by Daniels (2006), when kids are engaged in well-structured book clubs their comprehension and their attitude towards reading both improve. With ongoing changes in education, educators must …

The Impact Of Blogging On The Facilitation Of Critical Literacy In Adolescent Students, Kelsey Wiemer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how using blogging with adolescent students could foster critical literacy. During the study, students researched an alternative perspective from World War II and completed six blog posts on a variety of topics over the course of four weeks. At the completion of the study, students' blog posts and comments revealed five different categories: (1) problematizing generally accepted texts or beliefs, (2) an interest in empowering silenced voices, (3) inquiry-driven discussion, (4) the incorporation of multiple perspectives (5) and changing attitudes towards blogging. Additionally, their writing demonstrated evidence of four different components of …

Response To Intervention, Sarah Iannuzzi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this conceptual study was to determine the effectiveness of Response to Intervention. The history of Response to Intervention, research studies on a variety of Response to Intervention models, areas for further research and implications for the future of Response to Intervention are analyzed in this extensive literature review.

Reading Between The Play Lines, A Play-Based Research Study: Children At Play Acquiring Literacy Skills Socially And Through Self-Discovery, Brianne Siderio

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this qualitative research were to observe a group of kindergarten students during play exploration and determine how kindergarten students acquire literacy skills socially and through self-discovery. Students demonstrated a wide acquisition of literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language during play exploration. Students acquired these skills socially among peers and through self-discovery while experimenting and exploring with play materials. Themes that emerged from play exploration sessions and interpretations of play episodes and student work are discussed. Implications for future research in the area of play in kindergarten are considered.

Improving Student Engagement In Preschool Classrooms With Developmentally Appropriate Read Aloud Opportunities, Kimberly Russomanno

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various presentations of read aloud and engagement in a preschool classroom in order to improve emergent literacy and listening comprehension. Engagement was looked at as well in respect to teacher expectations and what the research unveiled. The research took place over four weeks in a half day preschool inclusion program. The research looked at traditional story book reading, interactive shared reading, e-books, repeated readings and story props for retelling of familiar stories. Read aloud sessions were recorded over the four week period to look for patterns in student and …

Longitudinal Effects Of School Climate On Middle-School Students' Academic, Social-Emotional And Behavioral Outcomes, Jennifer Lynn Engelland-Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of youth are at risk for low academic achievement, school dropout, risky behavior, bullying, and mental health concerns, especially those living in rural areas. Protective factors can reduce the likelihood of children and adolescents experiencing these negative outcomes. Research shows that positive school climate is a powerful protective factor for youth. The present study investigated the longitudinal relations between middle school students' school climate perceptions and their academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development over two years. Specifically, 510 students in grades 5-9 from six rural schools rated their support and influence at school as well as their internalizing problems, personal …

What Happens When You Use Multicultural Mentor Texts As Read Alouds To Generate Ideas For Writing Personal Narratives?, Catherine Mcconathey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine what happens when you use multicultural mentor texts as read alouds to generate ideas for writing personal narratives in 3rd grade readers and writers. By utilizing these mentor texts as read alouds this study seeks to determine what effects they have on writing personal narratives. The students in this study listened to weekly teacher read alouds and participated in writing activities over a five week period. Through teacher observations, whole class discussions, student writing journals and essays the study showed a greater depth of understanding, interest, and increase in writing in student …

An Investigation Of How Self-Assessment Impacts Oral Reading Fluency, Lisle Duffey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to consider the impact of using rubrics to self-assess fluency on first graders. Qualitative sources of data included a teacher research journal with observation notes and reflections, audio recordings of students reading, and informal group interview responses. Numerical data included initial and final words correct per minute scores for each week, as well as initial and final phrasing and expression rubric scores for each week. The data was triangulated and analyzed to identify trends and draw conclusions. The findings suggested that the use of fluency rubrics for self-assessment and the use of iPads for …

Full Time Attendance In An Early Childhood Education Center Improves Emergent Literacy Skills, Dana Samuelsen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the predetermined amount of attendance of preschool per week had an effect on the present understanding of early literacy skills in preschool aged children. Archival data, of forty-nine participants, was used to identify amount of attendance in a private early childhood education program. Early literacy skills were assessed by the child care center's previous academic reviews reported by teachers from 2010 to 2014. The "PreK Academic Review" was used to collect data on early literacy skills and oral language abilities. The teachers recorded the students' abilities by marking each category as …

Dyad Reading Experiences Of Second-Grade English Learners With Fiction And Nonfiction Texts, Michelle Lynn Klvacek

Theses and Dissertations

Dyad reading, a modified version of the Neurological Impress Method, does not seem to be widely used, although it appears to have the potential to support students at multiple levels of reading proficiency. Dyad reading was implemented in this study with two second-grade English Learners (ELs) paired with English-proficient partners using both fiction and nonfiction texts. This qualitative study employed an action research method, using the following data sources: video observations, student interviews, weekly dyad observations, anecdotal notes, and weekly written reflections.

This study reveals that implementing dyad reading is complex. Participants needed modeling and practice with dyad reading procedures, …

Orchestrating Mathematical Discussions: A Novice Teacher's Implementation Of Five Practices To Develop Discourse Orchestration In A Sixth-Grade Classroom, Jeffrey Stephen Young

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examined my attempts during a six-lesson unit of instruction to implement five practices developed by Stein, Engle, Smith, and Hughes (2008) to assist novice teachers in orchestrating meaningful mathematical discussions, a component of inquiry-based teaching and learning. These practices are anticipating student responses to a mathematical task, monitoring student responses while they engage with the task, planning which of those responses will be shared, planning the sequence of that sharing, and helping students make connections among student responses. Although my initial anticipations of student responses were broad and resulted in unclear expectations during lesson planning, I …

Can We Do Better When Students Are A Threat To Self? A Review Of Legal And Policy Implications For Current Practices On College Campuses, Jennifer Ann Hemingway

Theses and Dissertations

Many colleges/universities believe that a student who is a threat to self increases campus risk and liability (Appelbaum, 2006; Massie, 2008; Pavela, 2006 & 2010). This study uses integrated policy analysis to (1) define the policy problem regarding college students who are a threat to self; (2) analyze the current legal opinion of the courts regarding institutional liability when college students are a threat to self; (3) examine the 2010 change to the direct threat provision in Title II legislation; (4) determine the implications for institutional policies and practices. The analysis illustrates, according to the courts and changes in Title …

Formative Assessment Strategies: Levels Of Use By High School English And Mathematics Teachers, Danielle Love Hauser

Theses and Dissertations

The levels of use of formative assessment strategies and types of feedback by high school English and mathematics teachers were examined. A non-experimental, quantitative survey approach was used to test whether the levels of use of formative assessment strategies vary by content area taught (English vs. mathematics), teacher's perceptions of their knowledge of these practices, and other teacher demographics (e.g., gender, years of experience, degrees/ qualifications). Survey items on formative assessment strategies included specific items from Classroom Assessment for Student Learning Doing It Right Using It Well. Feedback survey questions were based on Nyquists' typology of feedback. One-hundred twenty-five surveys …

Use Of C-Map As A Cognitive Tool In Collaborative And Individual Concept Mapping For Enhancing Ell Students' Reading Comprehension, Enaz Yousef Rasheed Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

Among those who teach English to English Language Learners (ELL), reading comprehension is considered an essential language skill critical for knowledge acquisition and information exchange. However, in various parts of the world, including Jordan, reading comprehension has been reported as a difficult area for ELL students to master.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in-depth the impact of the use of the reading software C-map as a cognitive tool in collaborative and individual concept mapping to promote reading comprehension among ELL readers. The independent variable of this study was concept mapping, which functioned on three levels: collaborative, individual, …

Old Ideas In New Skins: Examining Discourses Of Diversity On The Websites Of 10 Urban-Serving Universities, Simone Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Deficit discourse, the idea that minorities "lack" intellectually, runs through current ideas about diversity in higher education. Diversity is viewed as a policy that helps the deficient. Recent litigation about diversity, Fisher v. University of Texas (2013), embodied the alignment of deficit and diversity. This study examined portrayals, visual and textual, of diversity on the websites of ten urban-serving universities, using a method of critical discourse analysis and a lens of critical race theory, to uncover the ways they defined diversity and if notions of deficit were attached. This study also addressed the ways these universities, a part of the …

Literature Circles: In Class And Online Discussions, Jenna Purifico

Theses and Dissertations

In compliance to the new literacy shifts in education, a qualitative study was conducted with the intention to aid improvement in literacy instruction. The course of the study spanned for four weeks in one third grade classroom within the same school building. This study was designed to see what would happen when third graders met to discuss what they read within literature circles not only in the classroom face to face but online as well through a discussion board. Students read leveled, historical fiction novels pertaining to a theme of Native Americans. It was concluded that literature circles online and …

What Happens When Qr Codes Are Used To Increase Student Engagement, Motivation And Independence In A Fourth Grade Basic Skills Classroom?, Stephanie Baruffi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what happens when QR Codes are used to increase students' engagement, motivation and independence in a 4th grade BSI classroom. Twelve students participated in the research model. Data collected included surveys, audio taped interviews, and audio taped discussions, personal teacher journal, and student surveys. The data was analyzed recursively across all data sets to determine patterns and themes. Themes that emerged were difficulties scanning the QR Codes on the iPads, creating QR Codes independently, and limited timing issues. Also, one of the major findings of this study was that the students who …

Identification Of Specific Learning Disability In New Jersey: An Illuminative Evaluation, Jennifer Garwood

Theses and Dissertations

Many studies have examined changes in state legislation and guidance in response to IDEIA (2004) with regard to identification of specific learning disability (SLD). However, it is difficult to find research examining the diagnostic practices for SLD within various states. Investigators in the present study aim to isolate the significant features of practices used to identify SLD in New Jersey, delineate relationships between district characteristics and diagnostic practices, and detect trends in the use of response to intervention (RTI). This qualitative research study utilizes an illuminative evaluation model, in which survey and interview data was analyzed to explore aspects of …

What Happens When Parents And Students Engage In A Collaborative Book Club?, Samantha Dulude

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigates the potential benefits of students and their parents engaging in a collaborative book club using various texts and reader response activities. The parents and students completed a pre and post survey describing their literacy interests and engagement. Parents read various books with their children. Both parent and their child discussed the stories through a blog page and reader response activities. Narrative analysis was utilized and various themes surfaced from the data. For example: Character traits, parent-child interaction and bonding, and the value of reader response activities.

The Impact Of Using Mentor Texts And The Writing Workshop With First Grade Writers, Kelly Turner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that using mentor texts in conjunction with the writing workshop would have on struggling first grade writers. A group of eight first grade students participated in the study. The participants had varying writing ability levels. During the study, the students were provided writing instruction with a variety of mentor texts during mini-lessons. After each lesson, the students were given between thirty to sixty minutes to write. The workshop sessions concluded with the students sharing self-selected writing pieces. This format was followed four days a week for the duration of four …

Encouraging Parent-Student Literacy Conversations: Hosting An Upper Elementary Family Literacy Event, Morgen Lehr, Lisa Remchuk

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore how a partnership might be forged between parents and teachers to develop the literacy skills of upper elementary school students in grades 3-5. The family literacy event used in this study consisted of two sessions held at the students' school. The first session was a parent-only learning experience, and both parents and students were invited to participate in the program's second session. The content of the family literacy event used in this study focused on encouraging critical, high-quality literature conversations at home to benefit students' literacy development. Teacher researchers collected …

What Is The Effect Of Language Arts Small Group Instruction In The Form Of Student Directed Centers Or Teacher Directed Small Groups On The Social And Educational Relationships Of Teachers And Students Within A Primary Grade Classroom?, Jennifer Gorgo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that student directed center work had on the social and educational relationships of teachers and students in a second grade classroom. The study showed that the effect was a positive one. Students showed academic growth along with growth toward a positive self-concept. Through surveys and academic work one was able to see that the students were better able to express themselves socially and academically. While the students were working together, they were creating learning communities that were facilitating academic growth as well as social growth amongst their peers and teachers. …

Repeated Reading For Students With Special Needs, Julie Sara

Theses and Dissertations

This research study seeks to determine the effects of implementing variations of the repeated reading strategy with fourth and fifth graders with special needs when reading informational text. The purpose of this study was to teach students new techniques to improve word accuracy and comprehension and to better inform instruction. Four students in a multiple disabled self-contained classroom participated in this five week study. In addition to base-line data that was collected, data on timed repeated reading, paired repeated reading, listening-while-reading repeated reading, and vocabulary instruction prior to repeated reading was also analyzed. An interest inventory measured students' reading motivation …

A Democracy, If We Can Keep It: Democratic Engagement Policy In Higher Education, Maegan Gorham

Theses and Dissertations

Students will be called upon as American citizens to be knowledgeable, engaged, contributing citizens, and higher education plays a part in the development of this role. Engagement must surpass simple volunteerism in order to more fully realize the potential benefit of democracy and democratic engagement activities. In turn, institutions must respond effectively and responsibly, making informed decisions about educating all students in the safest manner possible. This exploratory policy analysis, with embedded legal research, explores the policy issue, "Is higher education the appropriate venue for instruction on democratic engagement and, if so, do the benefits and rewards of instruction on …

The Impact Of Military Experience On The Higher Education Experiences Of Veterans, Jeff Dougherty

Theses and Dissertations

Veterans have been an integral part of the student population on higher education campuses since the conclusion of World War II. The purpose of this study was to examine veterans' perceptions of how their military experiences affected their experience as college students. Twenty-six veterans were interviewed at six Illinois higher education institutions. Study findings suggest five ways in which the military experience helped veterans adjust to college: (a) veterans were experienced with group collaboration; (b) veterans held high expectations of themselves; (c) veterans were organized and task-oriented; (d) veterans were experienced learners, and; (e) veterans had experience and ability to …

Active Learning: Strategies That Help First Graders Transition And Build Literacy Skills, Kacey Weber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research inquiry was to investigate what happens when first grade students that have not had the benefits of Preschool or Kindergarten education engage in active learning activities. The study was aimed at looking into how such activities can help with the transition into formal education, as well as with building the grounding literacy skills necessary for success in elementary education. The study was conducted in a first grade classroom with 31 students. The qualitative research paradigm was followed and data collected included student surveys, a Sociogram, student work, teacher observations, student interviews, and observational field notes. …

Accountability And Transformative Literacy, Kristin Williams

Theses and Dissertations

In a conceptual study of accountability measures and transformative teaching practices, this extensive literature review investigates the accountability measures in schools such as high-stakes tests and teacher evaluation methods. The study also examines how teachers and schools can meet obligations by federal mandates while still incorporating effective and critical literacy practices using democratic literacy frameworks and approaches toward democratic whole school reform.

Effective Conversations About Literature In Esl, Andrea Ortiz-Soto

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how to facilitate effective conversations about shared texts in English as a Second Language lessons. Since effective instructional talk between students and teachers help English learners develop speaking and listening skills, as well as improve their understanding of written texts, students need lots of opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations about literature. In the course of this study, six bilingual students practiced to express and elaborate their ideas. They learned to ask their teacher and their peers inferential and critical questions, and respond to those in turn. They discussed stories as well …

Raising The Standard: An Assessment Of Peer Collaboration As An Enhancer Of Speech Evaluation Fidelity, Terrell Kody Frey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the state of speech evaluation training in the basic communication course at Illinois State University. Specifically, a new type of pedagogy known as the "peer workshop" is integrated into the course as a potential supplement to the speech evaluation training procedures. Quantitative and qualitative methods reveal how the course has become engrained into the academic expectations of the student body and identify written peer feedback as a necessary focus of future training in the classroom. Specific theoretical and pedagogical implications, as well as limitations and future directions, are discussed in detail.

Language Development In Kindergarten Students Using Melodic Learning, Tara Hart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate a non-traditional method of enhancing language through the use of songs, chants, and rhymes. To investigate this, data was systematically collected and then analyzed in order to determine the specific benefits on the development of oral and written language from the use of these strategies. Prior to the study, each student was assessed using the second edition of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2). Using the Word Analysis assessment, they were tested on their ability to identify uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, rhyme, determine initial sounds of words, and read sight …