Elementary Education Commons^™

Expansive Framing Of Mathematics And Computer Science: Supporting Educators In Cross-Curricular Teaching, Kimberly Evagelatos Beck, Jessica F. Shumway, Patrick Ocran, Jody Clarke-Midura, Mimi Recker

Publications

Expansive Framing (EF) is a theory to explain transfer of learning and an instructional technique to facilitate transfer. We employed EF as an approach to create a series of integrated mathematics-computer science (CS) lesson plans and studied their implementation by teachers in two fifth-grade classrooms and a paraprofessional in one Computer Lab classroom. We used deductive theoretical qualitative analysis of transcripts of classroom implementations to investigate how educators used EF in their lessons. Findings suggested that educators most effectively engaged in EF principles when they were present in curricular materials. We recommend that mathematics-CS integrated curricular materials include framing language …

Compassionate Care In Elementary General Music Teaching And Learning As A Way To Respond To The World: A Narrative Inquiry, Julia K. Church Hoffman

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

In this narrative inquiry, where stories were the data, three experienced music teachers from one public school district in the southwestern United States shared stories about their experiences as elementary general music teachers. The stories were told through the lens of compassionate care, a perspective that implies a shared experience between teacher and learners (Hendricks, 2018, 2023). The stories, and my interpretation of them, revealed an understanding of elementary general music, a multimodal, fun, school subject, as a vehicle for teaching children how to be kind and respectful humans. Threads that emerged from the stories linked connections between compassionate care, …

Improving Reading Outcomes Through Blended Learning, Jennifer Rasberry

Education Theses and Dissertations

This paper was framed and studied using Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice. Using a framework grounded in improvement science allows the research practitioner to participate in Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles. Iterative mini-experiments known as the "Plan-Do-Study-Act" (PDSA) cycle allow educators to discuss potential changes, put them into action, evaluate the outcomes, and then make a final decision on how to proceed (e.g., whether to adopt, modify, or scrap the change entirely). Bryk et al., (2017) state that PDSA cycles during research educators learn quickly and affordably which treatments work and, afterward, how to integrate them to achieve excellent …

Makengineering Kits: Design Principles For Family Engineering Experiences, Amber Simpson, Jing Yang, Adam Maltese

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Research has consistently highlighted the importance of promoting child-parent interactions. In this essay, we describe the development of MAKEngineering kits that provide collaborative learning experiences for children in Grades 2–6 to engage in engineering design tasks with members of their families in their home environment. First, we present five design principles that emerged through a design-based research approach. Second, we used data from our research project to examine the impact of the MAKEngineering kits, guided by each design principle, on children’s and parents’ experiences as engineering learners and/or educators. In attending to both of these purposes, we argue for the …

Twice-Exceptional Black Girls: A Case Study In Early Childhood, Krystal L. Clemons, Renae D. Mayes

Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education

Twice-exceptional (2e) refers to children who are gifted or talented in one or more areas and also have a disability or learning difference. Despite the increasing awareness of 2e learners in recent years, many still lack recognition and support, particularly those from marginalized communities. Black girls are among the groups that are least likely to receive accurate identification and appropriate services for their 2e needs. This case study aims to shed light on the experiences of a 2E Black girl in early childhood and offer recommendations for school counselors to better support them.

Critical Scoping Review Of Critical Consciousness As A Framework For Precollege Engineering Education, Devon Riter, James Holly Jr.

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Engineering’s promise to build a better world has been realized differently across the United States, often with lines of social identity determining who becomes an engineer, who benefits from engineering innovations, and who suffers devastating consequences. Many educational scholars have argued that engineering inequities are in part due to deep inequities in precollege engineering education, including the failure to enact pedagogies in which engineering educational spaces can help students recognize oppression and act toward liberation. In this critical scoping review we searched five databases to identify 72 relevant peer-reviewed articles for review. Our findings indicate that research on critical consciousness …

Putting Together The Pieces Of Effective Instruction: The Role Of Structured Literacy, Carrie Tholstrup

Advanced Education Programs Faculty Publications

Following the instructional methods of structured literacy is not entirely different from jigsaw puzzle assembly. The author reflects on similarities between effective literacy instruction and experiences assembling jigsaw puzzles. Both involve sequential, cumulative instruction; varying levels of explicitinstruction; and assessment. Motivation, engagement, executive function skills, and strategy use play important parts as well.

Analysis Of Policy Implementation: Improving Reading Proficiency Outcomes For All Students, Mariela Magro-Malo

Education Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the implementation and impact of reading improvement initiatives mandated by Texas House Bill 3 (2019) within a Texas school district. By applying improvement science principles, the study employs a mixed-methods embedded research design to evaluate the alignment of district practices with the Science of Reading and assess the effectiveness of systemic approaches in enhancing student reading outcomes. The research identifies statistically significant improvements in reading achievement, particularly in kindergarten, following the adoption of a phonics curriculum and mandated reading assessment tools. However, the findings also reveal challenges, notably the disconnect between policy understanding and practical implementation among …

Why Researchers Need To Hear Practitioners’ Voices: A Call To Action, Donna Zerr, David Wolff, Carissa Gober

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

This article encourages educators to embrace their role as researchers and contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. It highlights how everyday classroom experiences can lead to meaningful inquiry, and it urges practitioners to share their findings through self-study and scholarly writing. By making their work public, educators not only validate their experiences but also help expand collective knowledge and improve practice across the field. The article serves as both a guide and an inspirational call for educators to let their voices be heard.

Effective Elementary School Leadership: Does Teacher Perception Of Leadership Effectiveness Matter To The Academic Performance Of Elementary School Students?, Goldy Brown Iii, Tina Salzman

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This study investigated one research question regarding the potential school leaders have in increasing student outcomes in low socio economic elementary schools. Based on teacher perception, are certain aspects of effective leadership more vital to the success of low socio economic elementary schools than others? The findings show that a school leader’s ability to build a productive school climate may have a more exigent connection to student outcomes in low-socioeconomic elementary schools than in elementary schools with a majority of affluent students.

Teacher Candidates’ Service-Learning With English Learners, Hsiaoping Wu

Journal of English Learner Education

This study explores the impact of a service-learning project with English Learners (ELs) on the instructional, conceptual, and emotional development of teacher candidates. Participants are pre-service teachers who work with ELs enrolled in elementary schools in Texas through a partnership with the Community in Schools (CIS) organization. The participants’ reflective journals provided qualitative evidence of the field experience and the students’ in-class discussions and projects. A qualitative analysis indicated four themes related to instruction techniques and emotional development from these field experiences: (1) the modified strategies can facilitate students’ comprehension, (2) the domains of languages, (3) increased confidence and empathy, …

Addressing Language And Content In Civics Through A Language-Based Approach To Content Instruction For Multilingual Learners, Jia Gui, Luciana C. De Oliveira

Journal of English Learner Education

This study explores the integration of a language-based approach to content instruction’s (LACI) six Cs of support into an existing civics lesson plan to improve content and language learning for multilingual learners. We used the Civics for All curriculum from the New York City Department of Education to identify lesson plans that could be enhanced for teaching multilingual learners. The findings of integrating the LACI framework indicated that the existing lesson plans could be enhanced by adding all the Cs to ensure full support for multilingual learners. We conclude with strategies for integrating the LACI framework into existing civics lesson …

Mother Tongue's Impact On English Language Teaching And Learning, Dr Motasem Mohmoud Abu Salim

Faculty Peer-Reviewed Papers | بحوث هيئة التدريس المحكمة

Abstract

Language is a system for transmitting ideas, facts, emotions, and desires using symbols created at random. Language is used to connect sentiments, ideas, and attitudes. Language is a useful tool. that allows people to communicate with one another. People all throughout the world speak a variety of languages. Despite the fact that all languages are intended for the purpose of communication, a lot of people choose to converse in English. People utilize English in addition to their native language. The importance of teaching English in this age of globalization cannot be overstated. English is the only official language that …

Benefits Of Coding In The Elementary Classroom, Samantha Panek

Graduate Teacher Education

This capstone project focused on the potential benefits of coding, specifically for elementary-aged children. The literature review analyzed fifteen studies from around the world about benefits that could be gained from coding. Students coded with unplugged methods, block-based programs, and robots. Problem-solving was a common benefit found in research about elementary coding. Research also supported that specific content areas could be positively impacted through coding such as computational thinking and mathematical reasoning. Coding encouraged transferable life skills such as planning, collaboration, and creativity. (Arslan & Çelik, 2022; Murcia et al., 2020; O’Grady-Jones & Grant,2023;Wilson, 2020). Additionally, exposure to coding at …

Shattering The Mask: Unveiling The Destructive Force Of Misogynoir, Ledominique Hubbard

Dissertations

As a Black woman, my professional journey has been consistently marred by encounters with racism and gender bias. In this research, I employed autoethnography to shed light on my experiences and meticulously examine the challenges of misogynoir I faced while holding pivotal positions, including that of a detested team leader, an ingenious instructional teacher, and an anti-racist assistant principal across three distinct school campuses in two states. My narrative unfolds in various contexts, notably as the sole Black female teacher and team leader within nine elementary schools in a predominantly white, female-staffed rural district. Furthermore, I underscore my role as …

Improving Cohesion Between General Education And Special Education Departments, Jacob Haugmo

Graduate Teacher Education

Cohesion between general education and special education departments is the idea of blending and aligning instructional methods and approaches regardless of educational discipline. This paper was written to examine how this cohesion can be improved. Educational leaders must improve cohesion between general education and special education departments to support the academic achievement and success of all students in schools. Through qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies, methods to improve this cohesion were researched. The research provided insight on how general education and special education teachers feel about collaboration and how collaborative efforts can be utilized to improve cohesion. These collaborative …

Exploring The Relationships Between Policy, Instructional Time, And Instructional Practices In Elementary Science Classrooms, Amanda Sciarpelletti

Student Theses and Dissertations

The longstanding call to prioritize science education has gained momentum, particularly with the noticeable changes aligned with reform-era practices. This quantitative study explored the relationship between policy, time allocation, and teacher practices in elementary science education, guided by constructive learning theory as the theoretical framework. The study utilized a quantitative survey to measure how much time elementary school teachers spend teaching science and understand how this impacts their teaching methods, specifically the reform-era vs. traditional teaching practices. Surveys were conducted electronically with K-5 teachers who are National Science Teacher Association members. Findings from the quantitative analysis via a series of …

Teacher Candidate Learning Of Interdisciplinary Controversial Issues: Linking Social Studies And Science In The Elementary School Curriculum, Brandon M. Butler, Stephen R. Burgin, Mark Diacopoulos, William Mcconnell

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

Teaching controversial issues poses challenges for teacher candidates, stemming from apprehensions about potential backlash and gaps in content and pedagogical knowledge. The prevailing emphasis on tested subjects such as mathematics and reading/writing in elementary school education often sidelines social studies and science, limiting opportunities for candidates to engage with these disciplines and their associated instructional strategies, including addressing controversial topics. Integrating social studies and science with other subject areas emerges as a viable approach to ensure comprehensive education. Teacher education coursework serves as a vital platform for exposing educators to interdisciplinary curriculum design and implementation. Such exposure prompts teacher candidates …

Enhancing Student Engagement: Exploring The Participating, Investing, And Driving Pathways Of A Continuum Framework, Bryan Matera

Essays in Education

This article examines three levels of student engagement on a specified continuum and includes actionable strategies that can be implemented by practitioners in the field of Education. The writing highlights the three necessary components that lead to increased student engagement and lands on the work of a specific framework to progress this research forward. As students become increasingly involved in their learning experiences and engagement opportunities, students will tend to climb the student engagement continuum toward a more active role in their own learning.

Honoring Indigenous Worldview: Cultural (Un)Responsiveness In Gifted Education, Vicki Boley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many working understandings of giftedness exist within dominating Western frameworks, gatekeeping gifted education from students who do not “fit” inside such frameworks (Owens et al., 2018; Rinn et al., 2020; Sternberg et al., 2021). As a result, K- 12 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students are underrepresented in gifted education programs (Sternberg et al., 2021) and overrepresented in special education programs (NCLD, 2023). When considering Indigenous students in particular, Western orientations surrounding giftedness perpetuate assimilation, dominance, and continued colonization (Battiste, 2013; Dunbar-Ortiz, 2014; Gentry & Gray, 2021a). Leveraging Positionality and The Pedagogy of Listening as conceptual frameworks, this …