Education Commons^™

Perspectives Of Middle School Students On Their Engagement And Relevance In Science, Dylan E. Young, Kamil Hankour, Javonti Braxton, Martinique Sealy, Hui Sun, Christine Bae

Undergraduate Research Posters

The purpose of this study is to explore urban middle school students' thoughts and attitudes about engagement, belonging, use of their funds of knowledge (FoK), and discourse in their science classrooms. Historically, students from this population often feel disengaged and alienated from science, which is why it is important to study their point of view; and, there is currently a dearth of literature that does so (Emdin et al., 2021; Fredricks et al., 2018). The engagement model used includes behavioral, cognitive, affective and social dimensions (Wang et al., 2016). The data was collected in a study that involves collaboration between …

Multiple Case Studies Using Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports, Stacy Brouillette

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this replicated multiple case study was to describe practices of the implementation process of a schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) approach at three purposely selected Washington state middle schools.

Methodology: A descriptive, qualitative, replicated multiple case study approach was selected for this study. Artifact reviews were conducted and an appropriate data collection tool was utilized to collect data. Observations of the sites where PBIS was being implemented were conducted with an appropriate observation tool to gather data. Interviews were conducted with qualitative questions asked. These data collection methods were then triangulated to find patterns …

Multiperspectivity Through Alternative History In The Classroom, Anggita Parameswari Latif

Graduate Masters Theses

This paper aims to evaluate existing teaching approaches in middle school history classrooms that incorporate alternative history materials. Alternative history focuses on the question of what might have happened differently, or ‘what if?’ The study focuses on addressing the following question: How does the understanding of one event’s significance on the chain of historical occasions contribute to students’ engagement in discussing past and current conflicts, based on teachers’ points of view? Interviews with 10 education practitioners focused on exploring the ways students can learn to see history creatively while developing tolerance. Existing approaches are explored through the viewpoints of conflict …

Feedback And Growth Mindset: Nurturing A Growth Mindset Through Feedback With Middle School Students, Lori Carpenter

Master of Education Program Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore how a teacher can nurture a growth mindset in students using feedback and assessment, inviting them to take initiative and responsibility in their learning process. The research questions sought to answer how a teacher’s beliefs about the malleability of intelligence and ability impacts students’ beliefs and mindset as well as to explore the practices used by teachers in giving feedback to students that nurture a growth mindset. Five teachers, along with their classes of middle school students, were surveyed to assess mindset towards learning. To dig deeper into the questions of …

The Bonhomie Project: An Anti-Bullying Program For Middle School Students, Alexandria A. Gauthier

Honors Senior Capstone Projects

Bullying is a prevalent issue in society today. The Bonhomie Project is a program developed to engage sixth grade students in learning about bullying and methods to help halt the cycle of bullying in their school. Students learn about the three "key players" of bullying, the various types of bullying, and how to stand up against bullies. This program utilizes R.J. Palacio's award winning novel, Wonder, with students answering questions and discussing the parts of the novel in small groups; students also participate in activities that build up kindness instead of tearing each other down with bullying, and at …

Exploring Newton's Laws Of Motion With A Balloon Car, Sarah Ferguson, Tia Chavis, Jenna Brown, Teandra James, David Youssef

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

The article presents a lesson plan for middle education which teaches concepts to explore Newton's first, second and third laws of motion.

Young Citizens Of The World Unite! A Case For The Model United Nations In Middle School Classrooms, Stacie K. Pettit, Craig D. Albert, Juan Walker, Laura Rychly

Middle Grades Review

In this manuscript, the authors describe the benefits and theoretical connections the Junior Model United Nations (JMUN) program has with middle school classrooms. The lens used to view the JMUN program is informed by literature on the needs of young adolescents, inquiry learning, and global citizenship. Findings from this literature illuminate nuances in the interaction between inquiry learning through the C3 Framework and active learning participation. Implications for middle school students, in-service teachers, and teacher candidates are discussed.

Instructional Math Technology In Secondary Special Education: Teacher-Reported Practices And Perceptions, Joice M. Higa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Students with disabilities often have difficulty meeting established math proficiency levels. Without these skills, students may face increased challenges in transitioning to adulthood, including fewer post-secondary educational opportunities, limited career options, and decreased long-term income. Addressing low math skills is important to improving options for students with disabilities. Research indicates that technology-based interventions have the potential to improve academic outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the math instructional technology used in secondary math classrooms with students with disabilities. The study also examined teacherperceived barriers and desired supports related to the integration of technology. A three-round Delphi method …

The Impact Of The Summarization/Paraphrasing Strategy, Frayer Model, And Student Engagement On Reading Comprehension, Yolanda Janiece Reilly

Education Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods research examined student achievement in reading comprehension as measured by the North Carolina End-of-Grade Test for Reading Comprehension, and specific reading strategies (Frayer Model & Summarization/Paraphrasing strategy) in Grades 6–8 classrooms. The purpose of this research was to determine if a difference exists in student reading comprehension achievement between students instructed using the Frayer Model and students instructed using the Summarizing/Paraphrasing strategy, when used with fidelity, and which reading strategy students found to be more engaging between the Frayer Model and Summarization/Paraphrasing strategy. Engagement is a major factor in education that impacts achievement in the classroom as well …

Working Together: A Caring Relation Between A Teacher And A Mathematics Educator, Elizabeth Suazo Flores

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Using Noddings’s (1984) caring theory, Elizabeth Suazo Flores—a third-year PhD student in mathematics education—describes how a caring relationship developed between her and an eighth grade mathematics teacher, Lisa. Noddings’s (1984) caring theory provided insights into their community-based experience, which was characterized by trust and open-mindedness.

High School Content-Area Teachers’ Responses To An Exploratory, Investigative, And Experimental Professional Development Program For Content Area Literacy, Laura E. Ferreira Vesga

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent literacy rates for students who struggle, particularly those with disabilities are alarming, especially in light of increased educational standards. As higher standards place a greater emphasis on reading and writing, addressing students’ literacy needs in the content areas has become a topic of interest in reading education. Although there is much debate about how to address this need, it is clear that content area teachers need support addressing literacy in their subject areas.

An exploratory case study design was used to examine the responses of high school content area teachers to an EIE (exploratory, investigative, and experimental) professional development …

Use Of Student Created Video Podcasts To Promote Foreign Language Grammar Acquisition In Middle School, Sergio Parra

CCE Theses and Dissertations

The use of video podcasts in education has emerged as a phenomenon that has gained a considerable amount of attention over the last few years. Although video podcasting is becoming a well-established technology in higher education, new multimedia instructional strategies such as student-created video podcasts in grades K-12 are under-researched.

The study investigated the effects of video podcasts created by students to promote foreign language grammar acquisition at the middle school level and find how students described such experience. The current investigation was conducted by using the explanatory sequential design, which is a mixed methods research design that occurs in …

Students' Reasoning Around The Functional Relationship, Michele Carney, Angela Crawford

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

Proportional reasoning is related to flexible use of the scalar and functional relationships that exist in proportional situations. More specifically, in regard to the functional relationship, students’ understanding of the multiplicative comparison that exists between two quantities in a ratio is a key concept. We conducted student interviews with 12 high performing students to examine their conception of the functional relationship. Analyses provided initial evidence that the majority of students did not conceive of the multiplicative comparison when solving problems designed to press the functional relationship, indicating students’ written work that makes use of the functional relationship should not imply …

Gang Risk Factors And Academic Readiness In A Southern Middle School, James Martinez, Jeremy Tost, Shani Wilfred, Larry Hilgert

Georgia Educational Researcher

The current Georgia study examines middle-school-aged gang and non-gang members regarding the risk factors of gang membership and potential effects of these risk factors on academic achievement. Participants, 406 eighth grade students from a suburban middle-school, completed a 42-item survey assessing an array of demographic and risk factor variables. In addition, students provided self-report information regarding their success on national standardized testing used to measure academics readiness. Of the 28 variables analyzed, lower academic readiness was associated with ethnicity and/or gang membership. Findings are discussed in light of the complexity of the gang issue and the importance of recognizing the …

Literacy Matters In Science And Mathematics, Gladys T. Hamilton

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019)

Where are literacy opportunities in the CCGPS Science and Mathematics standards? Lets dig into the standards and discovery the opportunities.

Multilevel Analysis Of Fifth Grade Teacher Qualifications And Their Students' Science Achievement, Nigel Noll

ETD Archive

The No Child Left Behind Act mandated every student be taught by a highly qualified teacher (HQT). Criteria to determine if teachers meet the HQT mandate fail to account for differences in grade levels, subject areas, and student demographics. This study posited that the relationship between measures of teacher quality and student achievement vary according to contextual factors. Fifth grade is unique in that it marks students' transition from upper elementary to middle school grade levels thus, fifth grade may be classified as either an upper elementary grade or middle grade. This classification determines HQT requirements specifically, classification affects the …

Alignment Of Intended Learning Outcomes, Curriculum And Assessment In A Middle School Science Program, Reid J. Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study focused on the intended learning outcomes, curriculum and assessment in the science curriculum offered at a regional independent Middle School in the state of Victoria, Australia. In-school assessment has indicated that the current science curriculum of this Middle School may not develop students' skills in scientific literacy as effectively as intended. One hypothesis to explain this deficit is that there is a misalignment of intended outcomes, curriculum materials and assessment. This study aimed to determine the extent to which the intended curriculum and assessment in this Victorian middle years' science program is aligned to its stated goals and …

The Effects Of An Advisory Program On Middle-Level Student Learning, Jeffrey Stawick

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore if a middle school advisory program significantly effected student learning. Educators who advocate for the middle school concept for middle-level education claim that purposefully designed advisory programs can have specific beneficial effects. However, a limited body of knowledge and little empirical evidence supports this assumption. This study uses an ex-post facto quasi-experimental design comparing three consecutive eighth grade classes in a middle school where such an advisory program was developed. The program was designed to improve student learning through improved relationships, interventions, and additional instruction time. The first eighth grade class had …

Creating A Learning Environment To Increase Early Adolescent Motivation: A Dissertation, Mark Logan

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study focuses on early adolescent motivation in school. It is an inquiry that seeks to understand the factors that contribute to students’ engagement in their learning through student and teacher perceptions. I examined significant research often cited as impacting motivation, including early adolescent development, middle school structures, transitions, student/teacher relationships, and parental involvement. I surveyed 345 sixth grade students on their perceptions of their own learning, thoughts, and behaviors. Participating students attended schools with various middle school age configurations, including K-8, K-12, 5-8, and 6-8. Schools represented public and charter public schools and were located in urban, suburban, and …

The Quest For A Meaningful “Special Education”: The Educational Journeys Of Nine Students With Learning Disabilities From An Inaccessible Learning Environment To One That Enabled Them To Learn, Amy E. Ballin

Educational Studies Dissertations

This ethnographic case study follows the educational journeys of nine students with learning disabilities who with luck and parental advocacy attend a school designed to address their disability. The researcher explores the role of cultures, both within and outside the school, and examines some of the effects of the social construction of special education on student learning.

This study draws no conclusions regarding the connections between the cultures at the school and the student’s success. However it does highlight the perspective of students, parents, and teachers, noting the ways in which they describe how and why this school environment allowed …

Effect Of Parent Personal Experience On Views, Level Of Concern, And Reactions To Middle School Students' Bullying Behavior, Leigh A. Cooper

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study sought to generate a base of literature pertaining to parent historical experiences with bullying. Specifically, parent history of bullying was examined as a predictor of current perceptions, level of concern, and strategies used to prevent and intervene with bullying for middle school students. Parents from a public school district in the Northeast were invited to complete an online survey through letters distributed to their student and media-based announcements. Two-hundred-sixty participants provided viable responses. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were used to determine if parent history of involvement in bullying was predictive of their current responses to bullying.

Eighth Grade Mathematics Curriculum Alignment For School District 27j, Frances Bell

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This project aligns the curriculum taught in eighth grade mathematics courses in School District 27J to the Colorado Academic Standards (CDE, 2009b). This project includes a yearly planning matrix, for implementation in the 2010-2011 school year. The review of literature defined curriculum and the benefits of curriculum alignment. This information helped to create the yearly planning matrix that aligned the current eighth grade resources to the new standards. The main goal of this project is to ensure that all students in eighth grade receive consistent instruction in each standard, which leads to success on the state standardized tests.

Racial Microaggressions: The Schooling Experiences Of Black Middle-Class Males In Arizona’S Secondary Schools, Quaylan Allen

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The literature on Black education has often neglected significant analysis of life in schools and the experience of racism among Black middle-class students in general and Black middle-class males specifically. Moreover, the achievement gap between this population and their White counterparts in many cases is greater than the gap that exists among working-class Blacks and Whites. This study begins to document the aforementioned by illuminating the racial microaggressions experienced by Black middle-class males while in school and how their families’ usage of social and cultural capital deflect the potential negative outcomes of school racism.

Student Understanding Of Scale And Structure In Astronomy: What Classroom Strategies Are Effective?, Peter Charles A'Hearn

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project was to investigate what strategies are used by classroom teachers to teach 8th grade students about scale in astronomy and whether instruction is effective or not.

Implementation Of A 6 Week Persuasive Reading And Writing Curriculum For Middle School Students, Robin D. Alt

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

In this research project, the author presents a 6 week curricular unit that will be implemented at Soroco Middle School as a component of the Grade 7 language arts curriculum. This unit is designed to provide educators with: (a) a clear, concise method to prepare a wide variety of students for high stakes testing; (b) a deliberate approach to teach diverse students how to think critically and argue constructively; and (c) a concrete, effective method to teach a wide range of students how to use multiple writing strategies to construct persuasive paragraphs.

The Importance Of Integrating Curriculum Disciplines In Middle School Classrooms, Amanda Vanni

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Integrated curriculum has been a method of teaching towards student interest and success for over 50 years (Beane, 1992). Research has shown that integrated curriculum positively effects students' test scores and content area grades, and for this reason has become a widely promoted curriculum reform strategy. Parker (2007) observes that the real world does not fragment problems into specifically designated content areas, yet students are taught to engage in their "math brain or social studies brain" (p. 1) for fragmented periods of time and then switch their thinking skills in jolted one hour blocks of time. Instead, Parker (2007) addresses …

Teacher Perceptions Of Multicultural Education: A Research Proposal For A Study Of The Perceptions Of Five White, Female Teachers, Katherine Waight

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The population of the United States continues to become more and more culturally diverse. Yet, white middle-class women dominate the teaching force. Because there are such great numbers of white middle-class women teaching students of color, it is important to re-examine how they perceive and use multicultural education in their classrooms. There have been numerous studies that have examined how white, pre-service teachers’ perceptions impact their pre-service experiences, but it is important to look at how practicing teachers’ perceptions of multicultural education affect their teaching. This study explores how teachers’ perceptions of multicultural education influence the way they teach.

A …

The Impact Of Education Management Organizations On Academic Achievement In Three Middle Schools In The School District Of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ralph A. Burnley Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Self-Determination Theory: Increasing Motivation In Middle School Students, Mary I. Morrow

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Self-Determination Theory: Increasing Motivation in Middle School Students Research shows that motivation declines when students enter middle school. Because of this, middle school teachers face the difficult challenge of motivating their students to learn. Although intrinsic motivation results in higher conceptual learning, not all activities in a classroom are intrinsically motivated. Self-Determination Theorists propose that through the process of internalization, students' motivation towards extrinsically motivated activities could reach levels in which the behavioral qualities are comparable to those of intrinsic motivation. The internalization process is dependent on environmental supports for autonomy, competence, relatedness, and task relevance. A handbook based on …

The Influence Of Students' Contextual Perceptions On Motivational Goal Pursuit In The First Year Of Middle School, Caroline Mansfield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The nature of student motivation in schools, particularly during early adolescence, has been of interest and concern to educators and researchers alike. Particularly over the last 20 years, considerable technological advances, societal changes, changes in traditional family structures, and changes in educational structures and practice have seen the issue of student motivation emerge as a prime focus for educators and researchers. Simultaneously, developments in educational research and consequent understandings developed about student motivation in classroom contexts have revealed the complexity of students' motivational processes and served to inspire further research in this field.