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Full-Text Articles in Education

Mindfulness Activities In Teacher Spiritual Preparation, Suzette Quiros Dec 2016

Mindfulness Activities In Teacher Spiritual Preparation, Suzette Quiros

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project examined the effects of mindfulness activities on teacher spirituality. It was conducted during a two-month Early Childhood Montessori teacher training course with eight female teachers between the ages of 25 and 50. Data was collected with the use of attitude scales, self-reflection journals, field notes and conversations. Conclusions showed participants perceived an increase in spirituality and gained inner peace, patience, kindness, humility, self-respect. They also showed they gained the ability to let go of negative energy, achieving calmness and positivism. Further research could be conducted to see the effects of teacher spirituality on the classroom environment …


Beneficial Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization, Leah Linebarger Dec 2016

Beneficial Effects Of Practical Life Activities And Normalization, Leah Linebarger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated the effects on involving children in the practical life curriculum on normalization in the Montessori toddler and primary classrooms. 30 students, their parents and 7 teachers were participants. 12 students and their parents were from a toddler classroom and 18 from two separate primary classrooms. Data was collected pre and post study via questionnaires on the parents’ goals for their children. Many of the goals listed such as socialization skills, independence and emotional stability can be met through engaging the child in practical life activities and as the child meets these goals should normalize. A …


The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices And Activities On Student Attention And Work Engagement In A Multi-Age 4th To 6th Grade Montessori Classroom, Jamie L. Schaub Aug 2016

The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices And Activities On Student Attention And Work Engagement In A Multi-Age 4th To 6th Grade Montessori Classroom, Jamie L. Schaub

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to test whether the implementation of mindfulness exercises would increase focus and work engagement of students. This study incorporated breathing and visualization exercises three times a week. The 5-week study involved 44 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a private Montessori school in Northern Michigan. Data collection included daily tallies of on and off task behavior, daily observations of work engagement, pre and post questionnaires about mindfulness completed by each child, and oneon- one discussions with each participant. Results showed an increase in the number of students on task and …


The Effects Of Purposeful Physical Activity On Student Concentration In A Montessori Children’S House, Sheena M. Goerg May 2016

The Effects Of Purposeful Physical Activity On Student Concentration In A Montessori Children’S House, Sheena M. Goerg

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to determine the impact of purposeful gross-motor movements on student concentration in a Montessori Children’s House. The intervention took place over a period of eight weeks in a private Montessori school in a “Children’s House” of 20 primary aged children (ages 2.5 to 6). Data was collected using hourly observations of the concentration levels of the class as a whole prior to and after implementation; tally sheets reflecting daily use of movement materials, daily reflective journals, and interviews with the children. Results show concentration levels were positively affected by the use of the …


Transition Strategies In Early Childhood Settings, Crystal P. Cunningham(Black) May 2016

Transition Strategies In Early Childhood Settings, Crystal P. Cunningham(Black)

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine if daily lessons in yoga, mindfulness, and transition skills positively affect the transition from lunch to recess in a Montessori environment. The seven‐week study involved 17 children between two and a half to five years old. Data collection included a pre-and post‐assessment and observations which documented the type of disruptions, amount of disruptions, and the resolution to the disruptions. Results of the pre-and post‐assessments revealed that practice of the skills needed in a transition resulted in more independence. The mindfulness exercises resulted in less distractions while waiting in line during a transition. …


Using Self-Monitoring To Increase Self-Regulation In Young Children, Latoya T. Jones May 2016

Using Self-Monitoring To Increase Self-Regulation In Young Children, Latoya T. Jones

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

SELF-REGULATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN 3 Abstract The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of a self-monitoring system on the social-emotional behaviors of children in a mixed-age early childhood classroom. The study took place over the course of six weeks at a public Montessori school with twelve participants ranging from ages 4 to 7. Data was collected using a teacher questionnaire, observation tallies, teacher notes, and student feedback. Findings indicated that disruptive behaviors increased and children’s ability to communicate their emotions and recognize emotions in others only slightly increased. Although the results displayed minimal changes in students' ability …


Implementing Technology In The Primary Montessori Classroom, Mitzi R. Jones May 2016

Implementing Technology In The Primary Montessori Classroom, Mitzi R. Jones

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY MONTESSORI CLASSROOM 2 Abstract The purpose of this research was to find out if implementing technology that parallels the Montessori language sequence would increase student engagement with literacy work. Would an increase in student interest facilitate the potential for them to meet the expected goals for alphabetic knowledge? This study was conducted in a primary Montessori classroom consisting of four year-old students identified as being “at risk” for school readiness. Prior to beginning the project, observations of student work with the language materials was conducted to create a log of lessons completed by each student. An …


The Effects Of Purposeful Work, Structured Play, And Leadership Meetings On Aggressive And Destructive Behaviors, Hannah R. Cohen May 2016

The Effects Of Purposeful Work, Structured Play, And Leadership Meetings On Aggressive And Destructive Behaviors, Hannah R. Cohen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to examine whether purposeful work, structured play, and student led leadership meetings would decrease aggressive and destructive behaviors occurring in a school’s outdoor spaces. This study incorporated student leadership meetings, structured games, and outdoor purposeful works. This seven-week study involved 30 children between the ages of 2.5 and six years in a private Montessori school in a suburban area. An analysis of results revealed that when new purposeful works were introduced aggressive behaviors would temporarily increase, then decrease for a two to three week period of time, and eventually return to the starting level.


Fostering Self-Sufficiency Through Problem-Solving, Elizabeth G. Hamilton May 2016

Fostering Self-Sufficiency Through Problem-Solving, Elizabeth G. Hamilton

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

“ What is this picture?” “This arrow is missing.” Montessori teachers hear these questions daily. These requests, while valid, often come at inopportune times, interrupting the adults work. This study aimed to see if children could gain independence through problem solving thus decreasing interruptions. 26 children and 4 adults were in this experiment. The intervention had two aspects. The first, a series of Grace and Courtesy lessons to help the children problem-solve common work related issues. The second was incorporation of a waiting necklace that the children would wear if they required an adult. Effectiveness was measured by evaluating the …


The Effects Of Reading Fluency In The Elementary Montessori Classroom, Melissa R. Bullerman, Ashley M. Godinez May 2016

The Effects Of Reading Fluency In The Elementary Montessori Classroom, Melissa R. Bullerman, Ashley M. Godinez

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

READING FLUENCY IN ELEMENTARY Abstract The purpose of this research was to identify ways of improving reading fluency for elementary children in grades first through sixth. Children scoring below the 40th percentile on reading standardized test scores, determined our testing population. Four data collections tools were used, including a child-centered survey, a reading fluency rubric, teacher observations, and fluency graphs. The Read Naturally Program was used as the reading fluency intervention. Students made fluency progress in both the upper and lower elementary levels. This research highlights the importance of reading fluency interventions. Further research might focus on self reflection for …


Grace In The Face Of Conflict: Can Grace And Courtesy And Peace Curriculum Lessons Create A Peaceful Classroom?, Baer A. Hanusz-Rajkowski May 2016

Grace In The Face Of Conflict: Can Grace And Courtesy And Peace Curriculum Lessons Create A Peaceful Classroom?, Baer A. Hanusz-Rajkowski

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

GRACE IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT 2 Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine if consistent and purposeful Grace and Courtesy lessons would result in a decrease in student conflicts and disruptive behaviors. The study was conducted in a private Montessori school in Metropolitan NYC. The subjects were 21 Early Childhood (ages 3 to 6) students. Sources of data included a checklist of Grace and Courtesy lessons, a Zone Map to document places of conflicts/disturbances, and a Redirection/Incident journal documenting redirections and incidents by child, and the lessons given them. The conclusion was that there was not enough …


The Effects Of Meditative Activities For Primary-Aged Children, Vanessa I. Padua-Evans May 2016

The Effects Of Meditative Activities For Primary-Aged Children, Vanessa I. Padua-Evans

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to optimize the development of the will, a level of self-regulation, and cognitive function of primary-aged children through the habitual use of designated meditative activities. Past research and studies relating to meditation, neuroscience, the sensory needs of children and human development have determined that age-appropriate meditation exercises with preschool children would foster the development of self-regulation (Schwatz, 2011; Semple, Lee & Rosa, Miller, 2009; Thompson & Raisor, 2013; Zelazo & Lyons 2011). This four week study integrated tangible meditation tools and outlets: a yoga mat, bolster, a booklet with pictures of four restorative yoga …


The Effects Of Reviewing A School’S Mission And Vision On Teacher Stress, Erica J. Adams May 2016

The Effects Of Reviewing A School’S Mission And Vision On Teacher Stress, Erica J. Adams

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to see what effect reviewing a school’s mission and vision would have on teacher stress in an urban, public charter Montessori school located in the Midwest. Four teachers participated in this research over the course of three weeks. Teachers were given laminated notecards containing the school’s mission and vision statements and were asked to read the notecards throughout their days and to log when they read these notecards. Teachers completed pre and post-intervention attitude scales to gauge perceived stress levels. Teachers were invited to take notes throughout the intervention, and I wrote a narrative …


The Effects Of A Collaborative Team On Early Intervention In A Preschool, Tiffany L. James Jan 2016

The Effects Of A Collaborative Team On Early Intervention In A Preschool, Tiffany L. James

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract The purpose of this project was to see what effects collaboration had on early intervention in a preschool. Fourteen guides at a Montessori preschool in Texas were asked to complete a beginning survey, attend weekly collaborative meetings for seven weeks, attend a focus group and complete an ending survey. Data showed that collaboration helped the teachers feel more valued and supported when helping all kinds of different learners. For the purpose of this study, different learners included children with behavioral concerns, learning disabilities and support needs. Interventions ranged from activities or exercises for individual children to lessons given to …


T He Effects Of Loose Parts And Nature-Based Play On Creativity In The Montessori Early Childhood (3-6 Year Old) Classroom, Leah C. Yavuz Jan 2016

T He Effects Of Loose Parts And Nature-Based Play On Creativity In The Montessori Early Childhood (3-6 Year Old) Classroom, Leah C. Yavuz

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine if the addition of natural loose parts, or manipulatives, to the outdoor play yard would increase creativity in the classroom. This study took place in a private Montessori school with 14 children ages 3 to 6 years old over a five-week period. Various methods were used to gather information to determine any change in creativity. Observations of creative behaviors, concentration (state of flow), and spontaneous collaboration were collected as well as drawing tests for creative thinking, and samples of creative writing and artwork. The results of the study found that the loose …


Effects Of Directed Movement On Focus, Catherine A. Zoeckler Jan 2016

Effects Of Directed Movement On Focus, Catherine A. Zoeckler

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if directed movement would positively affect the focus for all children. Children with underdeveloped executive functions frequently disrupt the learning of others. This study was implemented in a mixed-age lower elementary classroom populated by 27 children ages 6 to 9 years. The project covered a total of six weeks, four of which included directed movement for at least three days of the week. Prior to implementing movement into the classroom, three lessons were presented that related to brain function, focus and mindfulness. Pre-study student work samples, teacher observations of the work period …