Elementary Education Commons^™

Why “Correcting” African American Language Speakers Is Counterproductive, Alice Lee

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

In this article, I address the topic of AAL usage in the classroom, particularly the line of thinking that assumes “correcting” the language is what will “set students up for success” in the future. By providing some abbreviated information on how children acquire language, I explain how AAL “correction” is actually counterproductive for student “success”—in both language acquisition and learning. Additionally, I will offer practical suggestions for how AAL can be incorporated in curriculum and instruction.

Of Lizards And Language, Bernadette Gongora

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

No abstract provided.

Prevalence Of Communication Disorders In Children With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome On School Speech-Language Pathology Caseloads: A National Survey, Brittany V. Ratliff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is concern about the recently increasing number of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), yet little is known about its long-term neurodevelopmental effects. School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are in a unique position to comment on potential long-term consequences of NAS because their caseloads include children with a variety of communication disorders and comorbidities. School-based SLPs across the United States (N = 258) responded to a survey about the presence of children with NAS on their caseloads and their perceptions of the children’s communication disorders and comorbidities. Results revealed that children with NAS currently are being treated by …

Kindergarten Teachers' Perceptions Of Student Readiness For School, James A. Wernke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design method for this study was non-experimental quantitative. The survey was distributed via email to Kindergarten teachers in two Northeastern Tennessee school districts. There were 69 Kindergarten teachers who responded to the survey. The study revealed that Kindergarten teachers perceive that gender, socioeconomic status, and preschool experience have a significant impact on student readiness for school. Chronological age was not perceived to have an impact on student readiness for school to a significant extent. Kindergarten teachers perceived that preschool experience has the greatest impact on student readiness for school when asked to rank the order of impact from greatest …

Professional Growth: Informal Peer Observation, Carolyn A. Clark

All Theses And Dissertations

The practice of peer observation has recently gained attention as educational and political leaders examine teacher effectiveness. Prior research studies about peer observation were mostly conducted in secondary universities or in schools where this practice was voluntary. Since this practice has recently become mandated, this qualitative case study examined how teachers perceived the experience of informal peer observation in relation to their professional growth. The study was conducted in a Pre-K-8 public school for three months while teachers participated in informal peer observation rounds. When teachers completed their informal peer observation, they filled out the peer observation documentation forms and …

Elementary Teachers' Participation In Edmodo As A Community Of Practice: A Phenomenology, Cynthia Reasoner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the shared, lived experience of elementary teachers’ participation in Edmodo as a community of practice. The theoretical framework guiding this research included Lave and Wenger’s (1991) community of practice theory and Bandura’s social learning theory (1977, 1984) which explained how learning through participation and observation occurs among teachers involved in learning communities. Social constructivism (Bruner, 1996; Piaget, 1971; Vygotsky, 1978) and adult learning theories (Mezirow, 1991, 1995; Knowles, 1984) also provided understanding as to how adults learn and create knowledge. This study described the lived experience of 10 elementary teachers and …

Math Technology: Assessing The Educational Value Of A Supplemental Practice Program, Shannon Tesch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if the use of a supplemental computerized math practice program increases student achievement in the fractions domain for fifth graders. Two fifth grade math classes received the same classroom instruction. However, one class also utilized a computerized program three times per week for 20-30 minutes over a six-week period. Data was collected through quantitative pre- and post-assessments, quantitative survey questions, and qualitative student responses. Analysis of the data collected suggests that using the supplemental computerized math program, Front Row Education, in addition to regular classroom instruction, increases student achievement in …

Testing In Today's Education: Meeting Standards Or Falling Short?, Paige E. Mangione

Senior Honors Projects

“It’s time for the test,” is something that students throughout the nation hear quite often in school. Whether it’s a test for the classroom, the school, the district, or the whole nation, our students are frequently being tested on the information they’re learning. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was initiated in 2002, it has been a requirement that schools across the nation test their students in reading and math during grades 3-8 and high school. Each state was required to establish its own academic standards as well as a state testing system that met federal requirements. By the …

An Examination Of The Relationship Of Oral Reading Fluency, Silent Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, And The Colorado State Reading Assessment, Christy L. Bloomquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how measures of oral reading fluency and silent reading fluency compare as predictors of reading comprehension and how these vary as a function of proficiency level for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Additionally, the study sought to examine the relationship between measures of ORF, SRF, reading comprehension, and the TCAP with these students. As silent reading fluency is utilized more in the classroom as grade level increases, a silent reading fluency measure might be a better predictor for maturing readers to determine reading proficiency, monitor student progress, and guide instructional practices.

A correlational …

Searching For Ourselves: African Cultural Representation In Children’S Books In The United States, And Implications For Educational Achievement, Lulama Moyo

Sustainability and Social Justice

Using documentary and discourse analysis of children’s literature I explore the extent to which there is a multicultural gap in children’s literature to reveal the prevailing challenges of the colonized and Eurocentric values embedded in the contemporary education system that supports the monocultural socialization of young children in their early formative years. I translate my research through examining four thematic ways on how the multicultural gap is manifested which are subject matter, the lack of African writers, degree of complexity of diasporic experiences, and confronting whiteness. By focusing more specifically on the gap in African diasporic children literature, I review …

Engaging Children In Engineering Design Through The World Of Quadcopters, Greg J. Strimel, Scott R. Bartholomew, Eunhye Kim

Faculty Publications

The interest in engineering education for K-12 students has been rising (Carr, Bennett IV, & Strobel, 2012; Strimel, Grubbs, & Wells, 2016), and the importance of engineering education is discussed as early as the elementary school level (Hegedus, 2014). Petroski (2003) claims that children are ready to learn engineering because their play activities are similar to engineering and design activities, such as making, moving, and rearranging things. Studies have examined how elementary school students perceive engineering or engineers (Cunningham, Lachapelle, & Lindgren-Streicher 2005) and found that elementary-aged students associated engineering with repairing, installing, driving, constructing, and improving machines and devices. …

A Predictive Study Of Pre-Service Teachers And Success In Final Student Internship, Karen M. Ingle

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Student teaching provides the final pre-service clinical teaching experience of an initial teacher preparation program. Research that specifically studies the pre-service student teacher and predictive factors of student teaching is limited. Identifying predictive factors that contribute to the success of student interns’ student teaching experience is a valuable tool for initial teacher preparation programs. The research represents a predictive study of 21 pre-service teachers who participated in student teaching. The study assessed grade point average (GPA) and emotional intelligence as predictive factors of student teaching success. The researcher analyzed data of GPAs and Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) scores of …

The Development Of English Learners As Writers Of Opinion Pieces, Auri Ann Squire

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The population of English learners (ELs) is growing rapidly across the U.S. Concurrently, elementary students throughout the country are being required to produce more sophisticated writing products than ever before as a result of the heavy emphasis on writing instruction in the recently adopted Common Core State Standards. This qualitative study examined how to best support ELs as they develop as writers. It also addressed the strong need to investigate the impact of students discussing ideas with a partner throughout the writing process.

In order to determine how ELs develop as writers, a multiple case study was conducted in a …

An Exploratory Study Of Fifth-Grade Students’ Reasoning About The Relationship Between Fractions And Decimals When Using Number Line-Based Virtual Manipulatives, Scott Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Understanding the relationship between fractions and decimals is an important step in developing an overall understanding of rational numbers. Research has demonstrated the feasibility of technology in the form of virtual manipulatives for facilitating students’ meaningful understanding of rational number concepts. This exploratory dissertation study was conducted for the two closely related purposes: first, to investigate a sample of fifth-grade students’ reasoning regarding the relationship between fractions and decimals for fractions with terminating decimal representations while using virtual manipulative incorporating parallel number lines; second, to investigate the affordances of the virtual manipulatives for supporting the students’ reasoning about the decimal-fraction …

Childhood Anxiety Within The Classroom: A Professional Development Experience For Educators, Madeline Garlough

Honors Projects

Education majors are required to complete a significant amount of coursework related to student behaviors and best practices regarding these behaviors. However, this coursework lies heavily on the side of disruptive and aggressive behaviors. Much less is taught about students who experience quiet conflict, despite childhood anxiety being one of the most prevalent disorders that children face. The purpose of this project is to provide teachers and future teachers with information about how to best assist these anxious students within the classroom.

Because of the nature of this project, it is also necessary to understand how teaching adults differs from …

An Analysis Of Inclusion In The Field Of Special Education, Sarah K. Jerome

Selected Honors Theses

This review of literature explores the many different aspects of including a student with disabilities into the general education classroom 100% of the school day. The topics explored include; the history of inclusion, the social and emotional effects of inclusion, the active engagement of included students, the importance of social acceptance from peers, the teachers’ attitudes and opinions of inclusion, the students’ opinions of inclusion, and the parents’ opinions of inclusion. The goal is to expose some of the negative outcomes of inclusion because of recent emphasis on inclusion in the last decade. The researcher found that inclusion should be …

A Study Of Parent Perceptions Of Advanced Academic Potential In The Early Grades, Jennifer L. O'Brien

Honors Scholar Theses

Parents are key stakeholders in children’s education; this project, which is part of a larger study about early identification of high potential, focused on parent awareness of the behaviors that indicate high potential and the kinds of resources that would support developing academic potential in the early grades (grades K-2). This project consisted of an online parent survey and a parent workshop with a card sort component in which parents indicated what kinds of resources would be priorities. The study took place in three school districts with large populations of families from low-income backgrounds. A total of 38 parents completed …

Effects Of A Token Economy On A Student With Autism Exhibiting Disruptive Behavior In A General Education Classroom, Taylor W. Webb

Undergraduate Theses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges; and estimates that one in 68 children in the United States are affected by it (CDC, 2014). This prevalence rate is much higher than that of prior decades and has led to trends and factors related to educational programs that include an increase in the inclusion of students with ASD in general education classrooms. For this reason, it is crucial that teachers have access to efficient, teacher-friendly, and research-based interventions for students with ASD in …

Cross-Curricular Teaching And Children's Literature: Dixie And Burt Hear A "Quack!", Brittany Skiba

Honors Projects

Motivated by research in the field and subject of elementary education, children’s literature, and cross-curricular teaching with the use of children’s literature, this project involved creating a children’s book with interrelated lesson plans in order to encourage teachers to use lessons that are more meaningful, to enhance learning experiences, and also to provide a quick-and-ready resource tool for teachers to use when preparing lessons. I conducted my research on elements that comprise a good children’s book, creating effective lesson plans, and the benefits of cross-curricular learning. According to an article, “Integrated Learning: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts,” by …

How Can Summer Camps Influence Children Socially, Emotionally, Physically, And Cognitively?, Lindsey Becker

Honors Capstones

The following is a study of the ways in which experiences at summer camps influence children in four different categories: socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. There is a lack of interest and dedication to the outdoor experience one gets at an institution that operates any form of nature exploration and teaches skills needed to survive in or to understand the natural world. Though the author collects evidence from across the United States, the primary focus is near the Twin Cities of Minnesota at a camp at which the author was employed. Some of the evidence is her personal experience, some …