Elementary Education Commons^™

Inclusion: Problems And Potential Solutions In Mathematics Instruction, Lynnea Marie Salscheider

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The purpose of this study was (1) to identify and describe the attitudes and beliefs of general and special education teachers about inclusion and (2) to identify significant recommendations based on teacher attitudes for improving the teaching of mathematics to special needs students using inclusion.

The Effects Of A Stem Professional Development Intervention On Elementary Teachers, Deborah Dianne Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

To improve and sustain science teaching and learning in the elementary grades, experts recommended school districts afford time in the day for science instruction, secure the necessary resources for an investigative classroom, and provide teachers with increased professional development opportunities that target content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and confidence in teaching science (e.g. Buczynski & Hansen, 2010, Brand & Moore, 2011, NSB, 2010). In particular, researchers recommended teachers receive quality professional development that is sustained over time and embedded in the real world of the classroom (e.g. Buczynski & Hansen, 2010, Cotabish & Robinson, 2012). The purpose of this dissertation was …

Operation Fast And [We're Serious], Daniel Miedema, Donald Mitchell Jr., Ph.D.

Executives, Administrators, & Staff Publications

The intention of this piece is to push thinking beyond NCLB and offer a fresh perspective on how the U.S. educational system might progress in the future. Consider this a call to action to inspire and promote real change in a profession that has been restrained by federal regulations, standardization, and modest funding.

The Transformative Potential Of Boundary Spanners: A Narrative Inquiry Into Preservice Teacher Education And Professional Development In An Nclb-Impacted Context, David Whitenack, Patricia Swanson

Faculty Publications

This narrative inquiry uses pedagogic discourse theory and organization theory to frame pre-service teacher education and in-service professional development initiatives in a school district facing tensions related to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Implications for similar future initiatives are considered.

Addressing The Needs Of Students With Color Vision Deficiencies In The Elementary School Library, Karla Bame Collins

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

Color vision deficiencies affect approximately eight percent of the male population (Birch & Chisholm, 2008; Cole, 2007; Jenny & Kelso, 2007; Neitz & Neitz, 2000), yet the condition is often overlooked in the educational setting despite the pervasiveness of color in the school (Suero et al., 2004). The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary school librarians provide instruction and prepare the library environment to meet the needs of students with color vision deficiencies.

This mixed methods study consisted of two components. The first component was a questionnaire administered to elementary school librarians throughout Virginia to gather data …

The Effect Of Public Pre-Kindergarten Attendance On First Grade Reading And Social Achievement: A District Level Analysis, Michael James Haslip

Theses and Dissertations in Early Childhood Education

The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between attending a school district Pre-K program and children's later literacy and behavior outcomes in the beginning and middle of first grade. Children's text level, letter-sound identification, sight words, spelling and citizenship skills were measured. The study included 880 children who attended the division Pre-K program and 176 children who attended no formal or institutional preschool of any kind. Selection bias was addressed through propensity score matching, completed using optimal matching. Independent-samples t tests were run on literacy and behavior measures. Subgroup analysis was performed to test the effect of …

Developing Resilience In The Elementary School Classroom, Ellen Ferrin

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Explores the ways in which elementary school teachers can help their students develop the skills associated with resilience. For this study, an extensive literature review was conducted and surveys were completed by twelve elementary school teachers in Washington, Oregon, California, and New York.

Connecting The Strands Of Wampum, Marissa Corwin

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Documents the development of the author's philosophies and strategies as she formed a methodology for teaching social studies content about Native Americans in New York State.

Addressing Invisibility Of Asian-American History And Cultural Heritage In North American School Curricula : A Curriculum Guide, Kathryn Eliza Harris

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Presents a curriculum guide for upper elementary students (5th grade) including rationale and background research on need for critically informed multicultural education, an overview of the history of Chinese immigrants in the United States, origin and prevalence of Asian-American stereotypes, and underrepresentation of Asian-Americans in curriculum.

Passion And Compassion : Teaching First Graders Reading Comprehension Through Kindness And The Works Of Kevin Henkes, Salvi Muzio

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A literature review in the field of reading comprehension combined with a research-based curriculum created based on the experts and the author's personal experiences both in the classroom as a teacher and a student.

After-School Cooking Curriculum : Fruits & Vegetables, Lauren Cooke

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This thesis is an after-school cooking curriculum for 2nd or 3rd graders focusing on fruits and vegetables. The curriculum's primary goal is to help students discover a love of food as opposed to studying the health benefits of eating well.

"For The First Time, All Over Again" : Reading Classic Children's Literature With Contemporary Children, Julia Hope Martin

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This thesis explores a simple question: what happens when modern children are exposed to the "canon" of great children's literature for the very first time? How will contemporary children process and engage with texts that are over fifty years old? Using qualitative research with her own classroom of second graders, the author sets out to explore student reactions as they discovered a selected set of exemplary children's literature.

An Evaluative Study Of Family Guides And Subsequent Design Of A Multi-Museum Third Grade Explorer's Guide, Katherine Hillman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The idea for this project began with the evaluative study of a cultural organization's family guide. The results of that study, garnered from interviews with and observations of families, serves as the inspiration for a newly designed family guide intended for third graders and their families. The guide incorporates several museum visits with NY State Social Studies Scope and Sequence criteria and is based on personal teaching experience, age-relevant developmental guidelines, theoretical influences, a literature review of family learning and current family guides, as well as the results of the evaluative study.

Immigration At The Core : A Curriculum For Fourth Grade, Ma'ayan Eckstein

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This curriculum provides educators with a framework for teaching fourth grade students about immigration in the United States between 1880 and 1924. It is designed to align with state-issued curricular guidelines for social studies as of 2012.

Roof Top Garden Play Space, Karolyn Crutchfield

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Throughout this unit, the author's kindergarten and first grade students had hands on experience with growing a variety of plants. As students were exposed to the variety of plants through the garden project, they were able to determine what plants needed to survive and flourish. Additionally, they focused on how plants help people, animals, and insects and explored what effect plants have on the ecological balance of the earth.

Steady Bodies Active Minds : A Resource For Using Yoga And Mindfulness In The Classroom, Clare Murchison

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper seeks to provide a resource for teachers to use the practices of yoga and mindfulness effectively in their elementary classrooms.

Putting The Classroom To Work--A Classroom Blueprint : How Does A Classroom Environment Influence Teaching Styles And A Teacher's Well Being?, Maria L. Freda

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This empirical study is written to call attention to and define the role of the classroom environment as an influential teaching tool. Through observation, interviews, and extensive reference resources, this compilation of work will discuss and assess how the arrangement of a classroom, its furnishings, and its aesthetic climate can influence a teacher's sensibilities, well being, motivation, and teaching style. The result of this research is intended to lead to the development of the classeum blueprint, a workshop series and guide, created for educators kindergarten through fourth grade.

A Study Of Bridges For Second Graders, Christopher Mera

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A curriculum designed to inform students on the science and uses of bridges and to stimulate investigation into these topics. It contains planned lessons, trips and trip sheets, worksheets, and discussion topics and focus questions that are necessary for teaching this topic.

Building Community In The Classroom Through Storytelling : Theoretical And Field-Based Perspectives, Yelena Kushnirova

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study includes a discussion of the meaning and definition of story and storytelling from literary and socio-cultural perspectives with field-based examples in formal and informal educational settings (grades 1-5). A selection of Russian folktales with a presentation of folktale structure and morphology and their implications for classroom practice are included.

Sounds In The Neighborhood : A Curriculum For Six And Seven Year Olds, Rachel Rubinow

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This study of the sounds in the neighborhood comes from a larger neighborhood study within the first grade class. Students will have the opportunity to gain more information about the neighborhood by solely listening to the sounds and making sense of these sounds.