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Full-Text Articles in Education

Mindfulness, The Effects On Student Trauma And Stress Management, Kayla Clauson Dec 2022

Mindfulness, The Effects On Student Trauma And Stress Management, Kayla Clauson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study aimed to determine the effects of mindfulness on student stress and anxiety. This study occurred in a small rural school approximately an hour southwest of Chicago, Illinois. The classroom was a self-contained general education classroom consisting of 15 kindergarteners. All 15 participants were between the ages of five and six. The action research took place over four weeks. Over these four weeks, the researcher taught students mindfulness strategies that included deep breathing exercises and meditation - an awareness of senses and emotions. All 15 students participated in mindfulness daily. Data was collected over the entirety of the study. …


Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres Dec 2022

Finding Roots In The Montessori Social Studies Curriculum, Kimberly Torres

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine if an equity audit of the Montessori social studies curriculum and learning about the researcher’s culture impacted professional self-efficacy and resilience. This six-week intervention and study was a self-study through daily regimented activities. Three weeks were used to learn more about the researcher’s own culture and history. Three additional weeks were dedicated to the equity audit process, where the researcher revised original lessons or created new, culturally sustaining lessons to augment the curriculum. The data collected was completed daily using four tools: an attitude scale, a guided questionnaire, a reflective journal, and finally during …


The Effects Of Envoy On The Middle School Social Studies Classroom Behaviors, Christine Karst Aug 2022

The Effects Of Envoy On The Middle School Social Studies Classroom Behaviors, Christine Karst

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The aim of this study was to determine if ENVoY is an effective classroom management tool to use in a 7th-grade social studies classroom. There was a need to reduce the amount of time spent on stopping unwanted classroom behaviors, such as blurting and being off task. This research was completed over a six-week period in a suburban school. Data was collected using four different methods and completed multiple times throughout the research period. Classroom observations were conducted and behaviors were tallied. Students completed self-assessments asking them to reflect on four different behavioral criteria. Data was also collected using teacher-student …


Sealing The Cracks: An Examination Of Using Special Education Accommodations In The General Education Classroom, Luke C. Olley Aug 2022

Sealing The Cracks: An Examination Of Using Special Education Accommodations In The General Education Classroom, Luke C. Olley

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This action research project aims to understand how accommodations typically reserved for students with documented academic needs can aid students without these plans while simultaneously preserving academic rigor and integrity. The desire for this research came out of the need to help students that slipped through cracks of the education system–they did not have or desire formal academic accommodations but may have had the need. These students may have had good enough grades to avoid detection or referrals but could have still benefited from a more intentional approach. This project surveyed students about their own views of their writing …


The Impact Of Mindfulness Activities On Teacher Stress And Student Behavior In A Second Grade Classroom, Michelle Wegrzyn Aug 2022

The Impact Of Mindfulness Activities On Teacher Stress And Student Behavior In A Second Grade Classroom, Michelle Wegrzyn

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Teachers experience high levels of stress due to the demands of their profession. The purpose of this study is to determine how engaging in ten minutes of mindfulness each day can affect teacher stress and student behavior in a. The researcher-participant was a female teacher in a private, suburban school. Five days a week for six week, the participant engaged in at least ten minutes of mindfulness per day, recording her stress levels before and after the intervention each day and weekly through different means of data collection. The study used pre-, mid-, and post-intervention questionnaires, daily journals, weekly questionnaires, …


The Effects Of Daily Explicit Phonics Instruction On Reading Fluency In First Grade, Allison M. Johnson Aug 2022

The Effects Of Daily Explicit Phonics Instruction On Reading Fluency In First Grade, Allison M. Johnson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to examine the effects of daily phonics instruction on first grade oral reading fluency scores. This 10-week intervention took place in a suburban first grade classroom through whole group and small group instruction. Data was collected using a pre and post confidence interview, weekly written formative assessments, standardized testing, and seasonal benchmark fluency testing. An increase in oral reading fluency was demonstrated following the implementation of daily phonics instruction, but not significant enough to say that the phonics instruction was the sole reasoning for the small increase in fluency scores. Research should continue to …


Examining The Impact Of Student-Centered Teaching Practices On Ownership And Belonging In A Middle School Orchestra Classroom, Claire Dill Jul 2022

Examining The Impact Of Student-Centered Teaching Practices On Ownership And Belonging In A Middle School Orchestra Classroom, Claire Dill

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of student-centered practices on the ownership and belonging of seventh-grade orchestra students. The student-centered practices, based in the theory of social constructivism, consisted of a project in which students worked in small groups to teach a vocabulary term and skill to the class, as well as the routines of class discussions, classroom jobs, and a seat-rotation system. The implementation of the study was documented in a daily teacher journal. Data on students’ ownership of the musical process and sense of belonging in the orchestra was collected through a bi-weekly student …


The Impact Of Reflective Feedback Strategies On Learning Behaviors On Seventh-Grade Social Studies Students, James Seegebarth Jul 2022

The Impact Of Reflective Feedback Strategies On Learning Behaviors On Seventh-Grade Social Studies Students, James Seegebarth

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"The purpose of this action research was to determine the impact of reflective feedback strategies on learning behaviors of seventh-grade social studies students. This study was conducted in an urban middle school in the Midwest region of the United States and included 37 seventh grade participants. The theoretical framework used for this study was supported by constructivist theory using a self-regulated learning model. Data was collected using reflection sheets and quiz scores collected weekly for six weeks. Students were tasked with reflecting on their academic behaviors following their quiz score and asked to create a plan of action to improve …


Improving Assessment Outcomes In Algebra And Functions Through Concrete Materials And Direct Instruction, Sandra Deacon, Courtney Pillers May 2022

Improving Assessment Outcomes In Algebra And Functions Through Concrete Materials And Direct Instruction, Sandra Deacon, Courtney Pillers

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Critical thinking consists of the mental processes, strategies, and representations individuals use to solve problems, make decisions, and learn new concepts. We observed our 6th-year students struggling with algebra functions and problem-solving. These observations motivated us to engage in active research to improve the students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We administered interventions that supported the language transfer between traditional mathematical language and Montessori mathematical terms. We utilized direct instruction with concrete algebra materials to lead the students to abstract work in algebra. We also used formal assessments and observations to decide what lessons the students should get next. Our …


The Impact Of The Establish-Maintain-Restore Method On Teacher-Student Relationships In The Secondary Classroom, Melissa Bauer May 2022

The Impact Of The Establish-Maintain-Restore Method On Teacher-Student Relationships In The Secondary Classroom, Melissa Bauer

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the impacts of using a problem-solving approach to behavior instances within the classroom that decreases the use of office referrals. This study focuses on eighth-grade students in math and social studies classrooms. Within this study Pre- and Post-Assessments were used to gauge classroom culture, Behavior Logs to document behavior instances, a Conflict Data Gathering Tool to identify student perceptions of the private conversations, and a Teacher Reflection Chart to identify alternative behavior prevention strategies that could also be implemented. The researchers found that implementing a problem-solving approach to student behavior instances significantly …


The Impact Of Implementing Virtual Science Notebooks On Student Science Achievement In A Primary Classroom, Emily Sherman May 2022

The Impact Of Implementing Virtual Science Notebooks On Student Science Achievement In A Primary Classroom, Emily Sherman

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated the impact of implementing virtual science notebooks on primary students’ science achievement. Participants included twenty first grade students and their classroom teacher in a suburban, Minnesota school district. Students used iPads to complete virtual notebook pages after whole group instruction and independent learning time. Qualitative data collected included mid-intervention and post-intervention student and co-teacher interviews and researchers field notes and observations. Quantitative data included pre- and post-intervention rubric scores and a tally count of student inquiry. The data collected showed that students were highly engaged with their virtual notebooks and reported feeling more focused. However, …


The Relationship Between Teacher Use Of Exclusionary Discipline And Using A Problem-Solving Approach To Conflict With Eighth Grade Students, Rachel Austin, Becki Zeidler May 2022

The Relationship Between Teacher Use Of Exclusionary Discipline And Using A Problem-Solving Approach To Conflict With Eighth Grade Students, Rachel Austin, Becki Zeidler

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the impacts of using a problem-solving approach to behavior instances within the classroom that decreases the use of office referrals. This study focuses on eighth-grade students in math and social studies classrooms. Within this study Pre- and Post-Assessments were used to gauge classroom culture, Behavior Logs to document behavior instances, a Conflict Data Gathering Tool to identify student perceptions of the private conversations, and a Teacher Reflection Chart to identify alternative behavior prevention strategies that could also be implemented. The researchers found that implementing a problem-solving approach to student behavior instances significantly …


The Impact Of Explicit Phonemic Awareness Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Jaclyn Partridge May 2022

The Impact Of Explicit Phonemic Awareness Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Jaclyn Partridge

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project involved an investigation of the effects of explicit phonemic awareness instruction on letter-sound fluency. The sample included 16 kindergarten students at a public pre-primary elementary school in the north-central region of the United States. Students participated in daily whole group lessons with explicit phonemic awareness instruction and guided practice. Data tools included pre- and post-assessments in letter-sound fluency, phoneme isolation and manipulation. Standardized assessment data in letter-sound fluency, onset sound fluency compared Fall assessments to Winter assessments and showed the level of risk for later difficulties in reading. Quantitative data showed growth in students’ phonemic awareness …


The Effect Of Morning Meetings On Positive Relationships And Negative Behaviors In Kindergarten Students, Kennedy Stace May 2022

The Effect Of Morning Meetings On Positive Relationships And Negative Behaviors In Kindergarten Students, Kennedy Stace

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

" In a constantly changing world, educators are struggling to find an effective classroom management strategy. Morning meetings are a beneficial tool to maintain a positive relationship while addressing negative behaviors and sustaining academic performance. Participants were students in a kindergarten class attending a rural public school. Their behavior was observed during and after morning meetings. Data was collected daily for four weeks in the form of observations, end-of-day self-reflections, and Likert scale tests. The study concluded that there is a correlation between better grades, more positive behaviors, and stronger relationships. While the morning meeting takes a significant amount of …


The Effects Of Formative Feedback And Assessment Tools On Writing Proficiency And Motivation In Elementary Classrooms, Amy Anderson, Beth Horihan May 2022

The Effects Of Formative Feedback And Assessment Tools On Writing Proficiency And Motivation In Elementary Classrooms, Amy Anderson, Beth Horihan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research aimed to determine the effects formative feedback and rubrics play on student motivation and proficiency levels in writing. This four-week intervention took place in a suburban 1st-grade classroom and an urban 3rd-grade classroom through whole group and small group instruction, collaborative conversations, student reflections, and student attitude inventories. Data was collected through the use of pre-and post-intervention writing attitude surveys. In addition, a pre-intervention, rough draft, and final draft writing sample that the teacher and student graded was utilized. Finally, data were collected during small group, reflective conversations involving student understanding and application of rubrics alongside writing …


The Effects Of Outdoor Education And Mindfulness Practices On Attention Issues Of Third Graders, Elizabeth Carlson May 2022

The Effects Of Outdoor Education And Mindfulness Practices On Attention Issues Of Third Graders, Elizabeth Carlson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project studied the effects of outdoor education and mindfulness practices on students with ADHD and generalized attention issues. The researcher conducted the study for six weeks from September to November 2021. There were thirty-eight students participating in the study from a private school in Minnesota. The intervention consisted of weekly outdoor lessons and mindfulness practices. Data sources included a pre-survey, behavioral data collection, field notes and observations, a final exam, and a post-survey. This study found that outdoor education and mindfulness practices greatly improved behavioral outcomes in students. There were no significant changes in the academic outcomes. …


The Impact Of Altering Physical And Human Components In Middle School Mathematics Classes On Assessment Performance, Raina Quinnell Apr 2022

The Impact Of Altering Physical And Human Components In Middle School Mathematics Classes On Assessment Performance, Raina Quinnell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This action research report explores classroom environment interventions used to improve mathematics assessment scores and the effects of anxiety on those scores. This paper identifies that to increase academic performance on math assessments, a person should consider physical and human components, whether it is within the physical movement in the classroom, teacher-student proximity, or student self-assessment (e.g., attitude, growth mindset, focus/engagement). This research also suggests that teachers and students need to be relieved of the negative effects of pressure in a school’s testing culture. The conclusion gathered from this research suggests that students benefit from increased movement during assessments …