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Impacts Of Makerspaces And Design Thinking On Creativity In Third-Grade Students, Renae Mcgauvran
Impacts Of Makerspaces And Design Thinking On Creativity In Third-Grade Students, Renae Mcgauvran
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research aimed to determine the impacts of makerspaces and design thinking on student perceptions of creativity. The study occurred in a rural North Dakota third-grade classroom during science instruction. There were two sections of 17 and 18 students, respectively. Students participated in makerspace activities, including designing and constructing their own paper house or school. Data was collected through pre- and post-surveys, an adjective checklist, and teacher observations of student behavior. Pre-assessment findings suggest students had a relatively positive view of creativity before the intervention. Findings suggest student perceptions of creativity improved following the intervention. Further research on the …
The Effects Of Goal Setting And Self-Reflection On Student Work Completion And Work Habits In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment, Kari F. Frentzel
The Effects Of Goal Setting And Self-Reflection On Student Work Completion And Work Habits In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment, Kari F. Frentzel
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study implemented goal setting and self-reflection as self-regulated learning strategies and explored how these affected student work completion and on-task behavior. Students in this environment struggled with self-regulated learning and were observed to not complete work on time and needed redirection to focus on work during the work cycle. The study took place in an upper elementary Montessori environment at a private international school. Thirteen 4th grade students (ages 9-10) participated in the study. During this study, students were given lessons on goal setting and self-reflection and had group discussions about effective goal setting. Students set daily goals for …
"Mindfulness Breathing In Support Of Emotional Self-Regulation In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment", Emily Farris
"Mindfulness Breathing In Support Of Emotional Self-Regulation In A Montessori Upper Elementary Environment", Emily Farris
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to examine whether the implementation of mindfulness breathing exercises aided in emotional self-regulation. This study incorporated various breathing techniques five days a week for five to ten minutes each day. The six-week study involved 14 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a private Montessori school in the southern region of the United States. Data collection included daily observations of the breathing exercises, pre and post-behavioral self-assessments, a daily reflection tool by the researcher, and a student feedback form. Results showed an increase in regulated behavior and breathing techniques being used …
The Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning Strategies On Promoting Positive Behavior On Elementary Students, Lauren Stang, Andrea Wells
The Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning Strategies On Promoting Positive Behavior On Elementary Students, Lauren Stang, Andrea Wells
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The focus of this action research project was to implement social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons to help promote positive behaviors in the classroom. Participants in the six week study included 16 first graders and 21 fourth graders, in two different classrooms, in Central Minnesota. During the intervention both classrooms participated in daily morning meetings, constructed classroom norms, weekly journals and SEL lessons. Data sources included daily behavior frequency tally charts, behavior office referrals, pre/post feedback forms, student journals and a teacher lesson log. After analyzing the data collected during this research project, the researchers concluded that weekly social-emotional teaching had a …
The Impact Of Read Aloud With Socratic Discussion On The Literacy And Critical Thinking Skills Of The Elementary Student Submitted On May 21, 2020 In Fulfillment Of Final Requirements For The Maed Degree Lesley Kirk Saint Catherine University St. Paul,, Lesley Kirk
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study aims to uncover a link between read aloud with Socratic discussion and its impact on literacy and critical thinking skills. In researching this relationship, both quantitative and qualitative data tools were used. Participants in the study included 60 students from a charter Montessori school in the Southwest United States ranging from grade 1 to 6. Students participated in a six-week intervention. The intervention included a 60-minute read aloud with Socratic discussion session conducted twice a week. The findings indicate that there is a general increase in literacy and reading comprehension skills. In addition, the study was also shown …
The Effects Of Goal Setting On Student Work Completion In A Lower Elementary Montessori Classroom, Amy Pommereau
The Effects Of Goal Setting On Student Work Completion In A Lower Elementary Montessori Classroom, Amy Pommereau
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This investigation explored if and how direct instruction on goal-setting and working toward a goal over a four-week period impacted the number of activities students independently completed in class. The amount of math and language work completed and the way the participants felt about their ability to manage their time and goals were measured and evaluated. The study took place at a diverse elementary school in the Midwest. The classroom involved is the only Montessori lower elementary classroom in the district. The 26 students were ages 6-9 at the time of the study. Students were taught how to set a …
The Relationship Between Creativity And Teamwork: The Effect Of Improved Teamwork On The Creative Output Of Gifted Students, Brian Stroinski
The Relationship Between Creativity And Teamwork: The Effect Of Improved Teamwork On The Creative Output Of Gifted Students, Brian Stroinski
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it sought to determine how to improve students’ cooperative learning skills and the ability to work in teams among gifted students. Secondly, whether and to what effect improved cooperative learning skills had on creativity among gifted students. Teamwork was improved through a direct instruction unit on teamwork, where students participated in coding activities, role-plays, and other cooperative games. Destination Imagination challenges were used to determine teamwork and creativity scores and students participated in a survey of their own and their teammates performance on the challenges. The participants were 38 gifted students from …
Increasing Motivation Toward Math In A Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom, Caitlin Sweeney
Increasing Motivation Toward Math In A Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom, Caitlin Sweeney
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study investigated how the introduction of math-based games influences children’s motivation to practice math. It was conducted in a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom, serving first through third grade and twenty-one students participated. The students played one of three games every day throughout the study. Their motivation toward math was tracked through observational data and their daily work journals. Additionally, each participant answered pre and post intervention questions to ascertain their mindset toward math. The data shows that the intervention had minimal impact on the students’ motivation toward math, although some students did increase the frequency of their math practice. …
Effects Of Social/Emotional Lessons In An Elementary Montessori Environment, Lauren L. Kolb
Effects Of Social/Emotional Lessons In An Elementary Montessori Environment, Lauren L. Kolb
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project was completed to test the impact of a series of lessons centered around empathy and building social skills on the students and community of a Montessori elementary classroom. The setting was a suburban school in a classroom of 15 children ages six to nine. The students were primarily Caucasian and coming from middle class families. Data was collected using a tally sheet, observational field notes, a series of journal prompts and a pre/post survey. Both Grace and Courtesy lessons and storytelling sessions were part of the intervention plan. The children participated in a variety of ways …
The Impact Of Using Seesaw Between Students, Parents, And Teacher In An Elementary Setting, Andrea Jarvis, Zachary Martin
The Impact Of Using Seesaw Between Students, Parents, And Teacher In An Elementary Setting, Andrea Jarvis, Zachary Martin
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project was completed to study the impact that the online communication tool, Seesaw, had on the students, parents, and teacher relationship in an elementary setting. The setting was in two urban schools, one being in Fargo, ND and the other being in Central Minnesota. This study took place with a total of 37 children who are predominantly Caucasian. Data was collected using the following four data sources: Data Notification Tool, Pre and Post-Survey send to parents, and the 1-4 Star Ratings using the Data Folder for pictures and videos of student work. Samples of student work were …
The Effects Of Purposeful Vocabulary Instruction, Kelsey Raasch
The Effects Of Purposeful Vocabulary Instruction, Kelsey Raasch
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The goal of this action research project was to identify the effects of purposeful Tier II vocabulary instruction in a second grade classroom in a suburb of Minnesota. The study participants included 21 second grade students. Students took a baseline assessment to identify comprehension and vocabulary skills before the study was done. After the baseline assessment, students participated in the following interventions focusing on Tier II vocabulary words: once weekly shared reading with Tier II vocabulary words, learning and incorporating ten Tier II vocabulary words into sentences, and completing a partner performance assessment on one Tier II vocabulary word from …
Does Storytelling Affect Story Writing In A Lower Elementary Classroom?, Jennifer N. Johnson
Does Storytelling Affect Story Writing In A Lower Elementary Classroom?, Jennifer N. Johnson
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study investigated the impact an oral storytelling component had on students’ story writing. The study took place over six weeks in an Elementary classroom at a small independent Montessori school. Eight Lower Elementary students (ages 6-9) listened to stories told by the teacher, or orally told ideas for their stories, prior to thirty minutes of story writing. Also, approximately halfway through the study, the students participated in a storytelling workshop conducted by a professional storyteller. Data sources included pre-intervention and weekly writing samples, engagement observations, a writing rubric to code the writing samples and a student writing attitude scale …
Music, Community, And Cooperation In A Lower Elementary Classroom, Heidi S. James
Music, Community, And Cooperation In A Lower Elementary Classroom, Heidi S. James
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The following research assesses how daily singing and music in an elementary classroom impacted the sense of community, care of materials and cooperation during clean up time. This study involved daily singing of a set of songs with lyrical themes of cooperation and unity, and then playing of recorded versions of the same songs during clean up time. The eight-week study involved 16 participants between the ages of 6 and 9 at a private school in Minnesota. Each individual completed a pre and post-survey. During clean up time, observations of helpful behaviors were recorded, and any relevant quotations noted. Results …
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
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 …
Roleplaying To Develop Self Regulation, Baylen N. Wagner
Roleplaying To Develop Self Regulation, Baylen N. Wagner
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research study investigated the use of child-led play in an after school club as a means to reduce peer conflict and increase cooperation. Prior literature suggests that children behave differently during imaginative play and exhibit greater natural behavior regulation when adult involvement is limited or removed. A small group of child participants, aged 9-14 years, were given materials necessary for a roleplaying game where players take on imaginary characters and cooperatively complete dangerous quests. One child acted as game leader, designing the adventure’s challenges and providing rules adjudication. The children attended six game sessions and completed questionnaires after …
Mindfulness-Based Practice In An Elementary Classroom, Lauren M. Coiner
Mindfulness-Based Practice In An Elementary Classroom, Lauren M. Coiner
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Abstract The purpose of this research was to teach children how to control and deepen their focus through mindfulness practice. The study integrated a daily practice of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) movements, breathing, and focus training. The six-‐week study involved fourteen children between the ages of 5 and 9 years from a private school in the Bay Area of California. Data collection included a pre-‐and post-‐ assessment for each child, daily observations, and parent observations. Results of the pre-‐and post-‐assessments revealed mixed opinions on the connection between deepened focus and mindfulness practice. Observation data showed an overall increase in …
The Effects Of Character Education On Social-Emotional Behavior, Diane M. Dodds
The Effects Of Character Education On Social-Emotional Behavior, Diane M. Dodds
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The addition of character education to school curricula has become an increasingly popular response to today’s heightened emphasis for students to succeed on academic high stake tests, leaving little regard for the development of social-emotional competencies. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of character education on the social-emotional behavior of elementary students in a private Montessori school. The study consisted of 18 students in a grade 1-4 classroom over a period of five weeks. Data was collected through daily tallying of negative behavior and through incident forms as well as student pre- and post-test evaluations regarding …
The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In The Elementary Classroom, Stephanie W. Beard, Katherine L. Moe, Julie L. Wieczorek
The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In The Elementary Classroom, Stephanie W. Beard, Katherine L. Moe, Julie L. Wieczorek
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The benefits of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are being recognized in education for helping reduce misbehaviors. This paper includes research from three primary classrooms: kindergarten, first grade music, and second grade. Data was collected over the course of six weeks. Teachers recorded the number of times each student received a warning, consequence for misbehavior, positive behavior slip, or demonstrated a misbehavior using individual student tracking sheets, tally sheets, and a reflection journal. Throughout the six weeks, students were given a check-in sheet to record their understanding and learning of the behavior system. Students recorded a much greater understanding …
The Effects Of Choice On Reading Comprehension In 2nd-3rd Grade, Julie P. Fraumeni-Mcbride
The Effects Of Choice On Reading Comprehension In 2nd-3rd Grade, Julie P. Fraumeni-Mcbride
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Poor literacy rates are the cause of low school performance for children across America. In particularly, low income schools continue to struggle with declining literacy rates. Issues with literacy are ultimately attributed to lack of comprehension during reading. This research tested the effects of choice on reading comprehension in 2nd and 3rd grade students at high and low income schools. In addition, students were monitored while reading silently and aloud to see if either had an effect on reading comprehension. Data was collected from 32 students from high and low income schools before, during and after reading in order to …
The Effects Of The Math Daily 3 Structure On Student Achievement And Growth In An Elementary School Setting, Lauren Ktytor, Kate Waechter
The Effects Of The Math Daily 3 Structure On Student Achievement And Growth In An Elementary School Setting, Lauren Ktytor, Kate Waechter
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research project was to determine if The Math Daily 3 Structure would increase student achievement and academic growth in the domains of operations and algebraic thinking and number and operations in base ten. The study was conducted in second and fourth grade classrooms over a six-week period. The participants included 18 males and 17 females between the ages of 7 and 11. Data collection methods included a student self-evaluation, observational record, and baseline and summative assessments with a grading scale that measures end of the year expectations. In both second and fourth grade, the students showed …