Math Stations In A Third-Grade Class: Are They Worth It?, Rachel Perry

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Math stations allow for students to complete tasks individually and in small groups using a variety of manipulatives, games and technology to practice the same mathematical content. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of teacher and student perceptions of the use of math stations in a third-grade class, and how math stations shaped student feelings towards math. The author collected data through student surveys, teacher and student interviews, observations and a personal research journal. After analyzing the data by using the constant comparative method the author found four major themes. These themes included evidence of …

The Emergence Of Friendships And Social Groups In Kindergarten, Denae Shake

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

The school classroom is an inherently social setting where students interact with each other for seven hours, five days a week. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how students select their friends and how social groups begin to form and emerge. The author collected data through student and teacher interviews, dictated drawings, a sociogram, and a parent survey. After analyzing the data by using the constant comparative method, the author found four major themes. The first was that each social clique came equipped with unique characteristics that the clique members embodied. Second, there were …

Engagement In Science Instruction In A First-Grade Classroom, Corinne Pretiger

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Too often, science is pushed toward the bottom of the priority list when it comes to teaching in elementary schools. Focusing on student and teacher perceptions, the researcher of this study wanted to know how this theme or attitude would shift if science became a higher priority in the classroom, for both students and teachers. What do students see as the most important when it comes to engagement and construction of their own learning in science instruction using the Science by Month curriculum? Data was collected for five weeks through student and teacher surveys, interviews, and observations. The constant comparative …

Writing In Mathematics To Increase Student Understanding, Ashley Harlan

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this action research study was to understand the impact of introducing writing into the math sequence of a third-grade class. The teacher-researcher sought to understand students’ perceptions of as well as her personal perceptions of introducing writing into math and how this impacted student achievement. Data was collected through writing samples, assessment scores, observations and reflections, surveys, and interviews. The data was analyzed using the constant comparative method as well as quantitative methods of analysis. Three major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of the data: process of introducing writing into math, student attitudes and ideas, and …

The Leader In Me? Understanding Student And Teacher Perspectives Of Leader In Me, Summer El-Attrache

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Within the last 20 years, Leader in Me has become increasingly popular among elementary schools looking to incorporate leadership skills in their curriculum. The purpose of this study was to look at the perceptions that students and teachers have of Leader in Me and their perceptions about its impact on student leadership. The author collected data through student and teacher surveys, student and teacher interviews, observations, and document collection. After analyzing and coding the data using the constant comparative method, the author found four major themes. First, participants believed Leader in Me helped students take more ownership of their learning. …

Champs In A Second-Grade Classroom, Amanda Ford

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Classroom management can be a big struggle for some teachers, to the point that some school districts have begun initiatives for the implementation of specific behavior management programs. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of the behavior management program of CHAMPS. The author collected data through student surveys, classroom observations, and teacher and student interviews. After analyzing the data by using a constant comparative method, the author found five major themes. The first theme was the continual reference to CHAMPS expectations within the classroom. The author then found the theme of the …

What Happens When The Seesaw App Is Used In A Kindergarten Classroom?, Alison Ryan

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Parent-teacher relationships can make or break a student’s academic career. It is possible that taking advantage of parents’ media-connectedness to form positive relationships may be more effective than more traditional methods like hand-written notes, phone calls, or emails. In this study the researcher sought to understand what happens in a kindergarten classroom when one technology in particular was used facilitate communication: Seesaw (a digital portfolio app used to post pictures and videos of children as well as communicate with parents using its private messaging feature). Data was collected through parent surveys, observations, and interviews of parents, students, and teachers. Analysis …

Academic, Social And Emotional Perceptions Of Gifted And Talented Students In The Elementary Setting, Andrea Trujillo

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Research has been done comparing academic achievement of gifted students in diverse school environments, but little has been found about their perceptions as learners in these environments. The purpose of this action research study was to gain academic, social and emotional perceptions of six gifted and talented students in a self-contained elementary classroom. The author collected data through a perception survey, student and teacher interviews, and teacher observations. After collecting data for four weeks and analyzing it using the constant comparative method, the author found that the GT students were challenged in math, extracurricular activities were their favorite, they displayed …

Perceptions Of Guided Math, Katherine Knox

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

In this study the researcher sought to find how her students perceived guided math instruction in a first grade classroom. She also explored parents’ perceptions of their child’s math experiences in the first grade. Finally, she examined how the teachers in the classroom perceived guided math instruction. Data was collected through student surveys, parent surveys, student interviews, a teacher interview, and observation data. Data was analyzed using the constant comparative method and descriptive statistics. In the end, the researcher found that the students’ overall response to guided math instruction was positive. Most of all the students enjoyed the aspect of …

Tinkering With Logo In An Elementary Mathematics Methods Course, Keri Duncan Valentine

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning

With an increased push to integrate coding and computational literacy in K–12 learning environments, teacher educators will need to consider ways they might support preservice teachers (PSTs). This paper details a tinkering approach used to engage PSTs in thinking computationally as they worked with geometric concepts they will be expected to teach in K–5. Experiences programming in Logo to construct authentic artifacts in the form of two-dimensional geometric graphics not only supported PSTs’ understanding of core geometric and spatial concepts, but also helped them to make connections between mathematics and computational literacy. Artifacts and discourse are discussed as they relate …

Technological Resources Versus Non-Technological Resources, Samantha Sapa

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to help show that using technology as an instructional strategy will benefit students’ knowledge on certain concepts. Improving focus and engagement will lead to increased knowledge of students. This study’s participants included ten randomly selected second-graders. They focused on the concept of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. At the beginning of this study, they were given a pre-assessment (see Appendix A) to show their current knowledge. When this study was completed, a post-assessment (see Appendix B) was given. Comparing the results of these two assessments helped to show that using technology, during teacher-led instruction, benefited …

The Effect Of Small Group Intervention Activities In An Enrichment Program With Second Grade Students, Kari Dahlgren

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether the effect of using small group reading intervention activities in an after-school program with second grade students can increase their foundational reading skills and oral reading fluency. The students selected for the study were already enrolled in the after-school program. The study evaluated the reading skills of 12 of the 17 second grade students at Circle of Life Academy. The assessments used were the AIMS-web Plus assessment and Assessing Reading Multiple Measures assessments. The results of the AIMS-web fluency scores showed that those students who received interventions in reading fluency …

Writing History: A Teacher’S Guide To The History Of Language Technology And Museum Practice, Sonya Ochshorn

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The following document contains a guide for classroom teachers to use when bringing a class of 6th graders to a museum with ancient writing techniques, illuminated manuscripts, and books printed with movable type in their collection. The guide shows teachers how to guide students through the journey of tackling the essential question, “How have technological evolutions in language affected society?” This guide also helps teachers understand the difference in teaching in a museum setting and why this kind of learning is important for student development.

Grade Retention: Knowledge And Attitudes Of Teacher Educators And Preservice Teachers, Jenny Pearson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Grade retention, otherwise known as “failing” or “being held back”, is a common practice for schools when they feel a student is not performing at or meeting school standards. While grade retention is a popular practice, very little research supports the use of it as an effective intervention over other interventions (Jimerson, 2001). A survey, structured around Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) was distributed to preservice teachers and teacher educators at a Midwestern university to examine their knowledge and beliefs about grade retention, as well as the prevalence of the topic of grade retention in teacher training. Results from …

Differentiated Reading Instruction: Strategies To Reach All Students, Jennifer Rogerson

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Many elementary education teachers employ differentiated teaching strategies during reading instruction to ensure all students’ needs are being addressed, based on well-established evidence that not every child learns the same way. Differentiated instruction is not as simple as altering expectations or standards. In order to provide academically diverse learners an equal opportunity to access and demonstrate learning, changes need to be made in the instructional delivery method, assessment method, or both. By using differentiated instruction and employing various delivery methods and assessments, teachers can develop an inclusive classroom environment where students have opportunities to be successful regardless of their learning …

Let’S Get Growing: Exploring How Teachers Use Expository Texts In Gardening Lessons For K-1 Students, Lindsey Thomas

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In this research study, I explored how teachers bring expository texts into their lessons and find ways in which nonfiction children’s books are used in science lessons. This project had two goals: to research teachers’ use of expository texts in science lessons related to a garden project for students in kindergarten to first grade and to look at the most effective ways to incorporate Massachusetts standards of reading with science in the classroom. Throughout this honors thesis project, I created a book set of nonfiction texts relating to garden topics such as the parts of a plant and how plants …

Utilizing The Marriage Of Image And Text To Improve Narrative Writing In Urban Elementary Students, Sharon Sullivan-Rubin

Theses and Dissertations

Using action research with qualitative data collection methods, this study documents the leadership of the researcher's implementation of a collaborative arts integrative teaching model in the literacy and art classrooms of an urban elementary school for grades three, four, and five. Understanding by Design (UbD) (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) was used as the unifying theoretical framework by which a constructivist pedagogical methodology was developed. Pedagogical techniques and methods used were adopted from Writing for Understanding (WU) (Hawkins, et al., 2008) with the Painted Essay (Leddy, 1999), Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) (Housen, 2000-2001, 2001-2002), and new media technology. Digital photographic techniques, …

Sun Prevention Fun (Spf): A Multicomponent Sun Prevention Program For Children In Kindergarten And First Grade, Sarah Gouker

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Skin cancer is an important topic in the United States due to the recent increase in cost and mortality. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to determine if the early implementation of a multicomponent sun prevention program positively impacted kindergarten and first grade students’ knowledge and behavioral intentions to practice safe sun techniques after a one week period. Kotter’s Model of Change and the ACE Star model were utilized to guide this EBP project. An exhaustive review of the literature yielded 12 articles which were used to develop best practices for education on sun safety. The quality …

Indigo Was Our Class Pet: An Exploration Of Death In Children’S Literature, Nella Williams

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Death is a complicated and emotionally weighty subject. Therefore, discussing it can be taboo in early childhood classrooms. Although this is meant to protect children, the lack of discussion limits their mental and emotional processing of bereavement and ultimately undermines their understanding of death. After teaching in a Pre-K classroom with a terminally ill reptile, the author was inspired to write a children’s book about the death of a class pet. The text reviews typical developmental milestones for five-year-olds, the target age of the book. Fives are at an age where their frameworks for understanding the world are shifting; therefore, …

Incorporating Multiple Intelligences Within Instructional Strategies, Hannah Smith

Senior Honors Projects

Teachers know there are many different ways to include students’ intellectual strengths within their daily instruction. Howard Gardner (1983) proposed the idea of multiple intelligences to broaden the scope of an individual’s potential beyond simply an IQ measure. Gardner originally grouped the broad range of human abilities into eight comprehensive categories, or in other words multiple intelligences (MIs) including: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic. Multiple intelligences are used to present and assess students’ intellectual abilities in a variety of ways. This paper summarizes my study on how catering towards students’ measured MIs influence their academic engagement. …