Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 31 - 60 of 91
Full-Text Articles in Education
Building A Cohesive Classroom: The Effects Of Music On Cooperation And Community In A Public, Lower Elementary, Montessori Classroom, Julia E. Jones
Building A Cohesive Classroom: The Effects Of Music On Cooperation And Community In A Public, Lower Elementary, Montessori Classroom, Julia E. Jones
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The following research assesses how the daily integration of singing and listening to music helps to construct a socially cohesive, cooperative and joyful classroom during clean up time. This study combined group singing opportunities, a music listening station and music played during clean up time. The songs used for this study included lyrical themes of cooperation, happiness, overcoming obstacles and/or friendship. The thirty-day study involved twenty-one participants between the ages of six and nine at a public, Montessori school in Missouri. Each individual completed a pre- and post-survey, as well as a survey each time they used the music listening …
Physical Activity Improving Executive Functioning Behaviors In Montessori Children Ages 3-12, Melissa Patten, Amanda Bodden
Physical Activity Improving Executive Functioning Behaviors In Montessori Children Ages 3-12, Melissa Patten, Amanda Bodden
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Executive function refers to the intellectual processes necessary for goal-directed cognition and behavior, which develop across childhood and adolescence. This study focused on the effects of physical activity on concentration and focus, prior to academic lessons, in urban Montessori classrooms ages 3-12. This study was administered for six weeks utilizing a thematic calendar of physical activities. The tools used for data collection were: a pre-dialogue with teachers, pre and post-assessments, control tallies, on and off-task observation counts and a post-satisfaction survey. Movement interventions improved focus and concentration by an average of 27%. The data collected supported our hypothesis that purposeful …
Effects Of Mentorship On Empathy Development And Civility In An Upper School Community, Cassella M. Slater
Effects Of Mentorship On Empathy Development And Civility In An Upper School Community, Cassella M. Slater
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project investigated the effects of mentorship on empathy development and civility in an upper school classroom. The environment was a Montessori upper school with 21 children ages 6 through 13. It is a newer classroom; however, there is a level of incivility and indifference in their social behaviors. Data was collected using an interactions matrix, pre and post surveys, classroom behavior tally, and the Developmental Environmental Rating Scale before and after the intervention. Results showed civility and joy greatly increased over time. Individuals’ understanding of empathy showed a positive change. Overall, the classroom became more civil and …
You Don’T Need To Speak To Be Heard: The Effects Of Using American Sign Language With Hearing Lower Elementary Montessori Children, Rachel A. Murnane, Lisa M. Wolfe
You Don’T Need To Speak To Be Heard: The Effects Of Using American Sign Language With Hearing Lower Elementary Montessori Children, Rachel A. Murnane, Lisa M. Wolfe
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Our research introduced the use of ASL signs with hearing elementary children and examined if this intervention affected the noise level produced in the classroom. The project was performed in two Montessori lower elementary classrooms (1st-3rd grade); one at a Maine private Montessori school, with 28 hearing children, and one at a Wisconsin public Montessori school, with 34 hearing children. In Wisconsin the researcher was a teacher in the classroom, in Maine the researcher was not. Data was measured using four tools: a decibel measuring app, observation form, tally sheet, and a structured discussion. In both classrooms, the change in …
Breaking Gender Barriers Through Literature In The Elementary And Pre-School Classroom, Bonnie J. Frieden, Jenna G. Laffin
Breaking Gender Barriers Through Literature In The Elementary And Pre-School Classroom, Bonnie J. Frieden, Jenna G. Laffin
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The following research assesses how reading and discussing stories that counter gender stereotypes can increase cooperation and decrease conflict between primary- and elementary-aged students of different genders, as well as to expand students’ conceptions of self and others beyond traditional gender expectations. The six-week study involved 50 participants total, 21 between the ages of 3 and 6 and 29 between the ages of 6 and 9 at two separate Montessori public charter schools in Minnesota. Each participant completed an activity pre- and post-intervention concerning the feminine and masculine traits that they would choose to describe themselves and those that could …
The Effects Of Implementing Montessori At Home On Children’S Independence And Self-Regulation In A Montessori Classroom, Betty Namuddu, Emily Vance, Victoria Litton
The Effects Of Implementing Montessori At Home On Children’S Independence And Self-Regulation In A Montessori Classroom, Betty Namuddu, Emily Vance, Victoria Litton
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The ultimate goal of Montessori educators is to prepare the child, the whole child. One who is not only excelling academically, but also is independent, a critical thinker, and can collaborate with people from all different walks of life. The role of the Montessori educators is to prepare and guide children to independence, this is an increasingly difficult goal to achieve independence and self-regulation especially in the three to six, and six to nine age group. The Montessori guides have grappled with the disconnect between the home environment and school environment, citing it as the major obstacle to children’s independence. …
Effects Of Mindfulness Strategies On Student Self-Regulation Skills In Primary And Elementary Students, Kandace Alphonso, Saboohi Durrani, Monika Sood
Effects Of Mindfulness Strategies On Student Self-Regulation Skills In Primary And Elementary Students, Kandace Alphonso, Saboohi Durrani, Monika Sood
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions, such as the MindUP curriculum and Exercises of Practical Life, on primary and elementary aged students’ self-regulation skills. This study consisted of a sample size of 38 students from three different Montessori environments. The data was collected over a period of four weeks using a pre and post parent assessment, observational field notes and tally sheets, and a behavioral student self-assessment tool. Results show a connection between the mindfulness interventions implemented and the children’s ability to self-regulate their behaviors and emotions. The data shows positive effects on …
The Impact Of Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Independence In Elementary Aged Children, Hayley Bahnemann
The Impact Of Of Grace And Courtesy Lessons On Independence In Elementary Aged Children, Hayley Bahnemann
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Independence is a skill that everyone needs to possess in order to function in society (Montessori, 1918). The study was designed to see if Grace and Courtesy lessons would help increase independence skills in elementary children. The study took place in a Montessori classroom of 35 children, aged 6-9 years old. The researcher used tally marks to calculate how often the children asked adults for help with tasks that they already knew how to perform. The researcher also tallied how often the children would perform the task after being reminded one time. Observations were done daily and the observation sheets …
The Effects Of Outdoor Activity On Concentration, Rebecca Hyatt
The Effects Of Outdoor Activity On Concentration, Rebecca Hyatt
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project examined how the incorporation of outdoor activities impacted the concentration of children in a primary Montessori classroom. Twenty-one children, between the ages of three and six years old, participated in the research for six weeks. The researcher facilitated daily morning nature walks for the whole group, as well as, invited children to participate in individual and small group presentations on outdoor work. The researcher collected data using daily observational notes and observational tally sheets, a self-reflection journal, and a post-implementation student survey. The data numbers reflect an increase in concentration during the study. Pre-intervention, 72% of …
The Effect Of Seesaw Technology On Parent Engagement At Private Montessori Schools, Stephanie Kurnava, Jamie Sellhorn
The Effect Of Seesaw Technology On Parent Engagement At Private Montessori Schools, Stephanie Kurnava, Jamie Sellhorn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The researchers looked at how using Seesaw technology, in a six-week parent education intervention, would affect parent engagement with their children in learning at home as well as parent understanding of Montessori principles. The research participants were 31 parents and 2 teachers at two private, urban Montessori schools. Data was collected through pre and postintervention questionnaires, teacher logs of parent questions, and Seesaw usage data. Through the intervention, we saw parent knowledge of Montessori principles, parent engagement, parent efficacy, and parent confidence in Montessori education beyond preschool increase. Parents also enjoyed interacting with each other as a community of parents, …
The Effect Of Goal Setting And Student Self-Reflection On Motivation And On Task Behavior In The Upper Elementary Public Montessori Environment, Kelsey E. Alesch, Frances E. Niblack-Rickard
The Effect Of Goal Setting And Student Self-Reflection On Motivation And On Task Behavior In The Upper Elementary Public Montessori Environment, Kelsey E. Alesch, Frances E. Niblack-Rickard
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research project was to study the effects of goal-setting and self-reflection on the intrinsic motivation and on task behavior of students in an upper level (ages 9-12) public Montessori classroom. The project used multiple data sources to better understand the impact of goal-setting and self-reflection on student academic achievement, prosocial behavior, and emotional wellbeing. Teacher-made rating scales and self-reflection prompts were used to determine student outlook on completion of their goals while semi-structured student interviews, given at the beginning, middle, and end of the project, gave insight into student perceptions of goal-setting benefits. After analyzing …
Read Like You Are Talking To A Friend: The Effects Of Using A Systematic Approach, Including Teacher Modeling, Repeated Reading, And Corrective Feedback On The Reading Fluency And Prosody Of Students In A 6-9-Year-Old Public Montessori Classroom, Catherine E. Munro, Julie A. Foltmer
Read Like You Are Talking To A Friend: The Effects Of Using A Systematic Approach, Including Teacher Modeling, Repeated Reading, And Corrective Feedback On The Reading Fluency And Prosody Of Students In A 6-9-Year-Old Public Montessori Classroom, Catherine E. Munro, Julie A. Foltmer
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to determine effective ways to improve fluency among lower elementary Montessori students. The study was comprised of 33 students ages 6-9 who attend public Montessori classrooms in North America. The field of research on reading fluency and comprehension was surveyed as a background to support this action research study, which utilized an experimental design, collecting quantitative data through student-generated artifacts. The researchers implemented a reading block into their Montessori classrooms. The large and small group lessons focused on modeled readings from the teacher, repeated readings, and corrective feedback. Data was collected at the beginning …
The Effect Of Purposeful Movement In The Garden On Attention And Focus In The Primarymontessori Classroom, Linda Webb
The Effect Of Purposeful Movement In The Garden On Attention And Focus In The Primarymontessori Classroom, Linda Webb
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study explores how gardening affects students’ focus and attention in a primary Montessori classroom. Over the course of a four-week intervention, the teacher-researcher provided eleven students with mini-gardening lessons, followed by time to use purposeful movement in the garden. When students returned to the classroom to assume their Montessori work activities, the researcher collected data by recording the time it took the students to get on task, whether or not students were focused, and which unfocused behaviors were exhibited. A pre-and post-attitude scale was completed by the students to determine prior experiences and attitudes towards gardening. The study revealed …
Using Ipads To Increase Students’ Letters And Letter Sounds Knowledge, Jessica Isgett, Leslie Mann
Using Ipads To Increase Students’ Letters And Letter Sounds Knowledge, Jessica Isgett, Leslie Mann
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research was carried out to determine if the use of an application named Phonics Island would help student knowledge of letters/letter sounds increase. The research was completed in a full day Primary Montessori classroom of 4k and 5k students. Data was gathered using teacher observation and teacher made checklists. Data on students’ feelings toward learning letters/letter sounds was also assessed to see if students’ thoughts about letters changed after incorporating technology. Students were given an iPad for approximately fifteen minutes per day. The letters were grouped in categories, and the researchers chose which group the student needed to …
The Effect Of Engaging In Food Prep On Willingness To Try New Food, Alyssa Stahl
The Effect Of Engaging In Food Prep On Willingness To Try New Food, Alyssa Stahl
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project sought to determine the effects implementing food prep activities in the Montessori primary classroom (ages 2.5-6) had on children’s willingness to try new food. Before the food prep activities were implemented, parent questionnaires and student conferences were used to better understand the children’s food preferences. During the intervention, tally sheets and observation forms were used to track student participation and their reactions to the foods. After the intervention, additional parent questionnaires were distributed and student conferences were conducted to determine current food preferences of the four foods that were included in the food prep activities. The …
Mindfulness And Its Effects On Self-Regulation In A Lower Elementary Classroom, Jennifer Yenter
Mindfulness And Its Effects On Self-Regulation In A Lower Elementary Classroom, Jennifer Yenter
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine the effect of a variety of mindfulness activities and exercises on self-regulation. Twenty-eight students from a lower elementary class of first, second, and third graders in a public Montessori school participated in the study. Data was collected over a period of six weeks using an on task behavior tally sheet, productivity scoring rubric, observational notes, behavior logs, self-assessments, student feedback, and an auditory following directions matrix. Results show a promising association between mindfulness and self-regulation. All students enjoyed partaking in mindfulness and reported positive associations with the intervention and showed increases …
The Effects Of A Peer-Supported Mindfulness Practice On Teacher Stress Reduction, Dana Vitolo
The Effects Of A Peer-Supported Mindfulness Practice On Teacher Stress Reduction, Dana Vitolo
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research project was to measure the effects of daily mindfulness practice with peer-support on teacher stress reduction. Nine female Montessori teachers participated in study and taught at private Montessori schools in suburban or rural settings. The participating teachers practiced a short mindfulness activity daily such as the body scan, sitting meditation, yoga, or mandala coloring and wrote reflections in their daily journal for four weeks. The teachers also participated in a weekly peer support group for community building and wrote reflections in their weekly journal. The teachers participated in a pre- and post- intervention stress …
Effects Of Pencil Grasp Exercises On Handwriting In Sixth Grade Resource Students, Karen Galloway
Effects Of Pencil Grasp Exercises On Handwriting In Sixth Grade Resource Students, Karen Galloway
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of pencil grasp exercises on the handwriting of sixth-grade resource students. This action research project took place in a public middle school resource classroom located on the outskirts of a suburb. The six-week study had seventeen student participants, ranging between the ages of eleven and twelve years. During the study, the researcher collected data on the placement of the hand and fingers on the pencil, grasp, legibility, letter placement, fluency, and perception of abilities. The data utilized pre and post questionnaires, observations, matrixes, and assessments. Results showed that sixth-grade resource …
Rest And Independence In The Daytime Nap, Maisah S. Outlaw
Rest And Independence In The Daytime Nap, Maisah S. Outlaw
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects that daily diffusion of lavender oil and adult led breathing exercises would have on the daytime nap in a Montessori early childhood classroom. Specifically, the study targeted the length of time needed for each child to fall asleep, in addition to independence in the children themselves. There were 14 participants, ages 3 to 5 years old, in an early childhood Montessori classroom. The researcher diffused lavender essential oil each day during the nap period, and led the participants in one-minute breathing exercises at the beginning of nap. The researcher collected …
The Effects Of Using Computer And Ipad Story-Writing Applications For Creative Writing With Kinder Year Students In A Montessori Early Childhood Program, Ruth Ann Christensen
The Effects Of Using Computer And Ipad Story-Writing Applications For Creative Writing With Kinder Year Students In A Montessori Early Childhood Program, Ruth Ann Christensen
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study investigated the viability and implications of technology-assisted story writing with kinder year students. Seven kinder year students at a private Montessori school participated in the study. Pre- and post-study conferences and Likert scales determined story writing skills and attitudes. These were followed by one-on-one storywriting sessions using a variety of story-writing tools. Students were given the choice of story-writing method at each session. Individual sessions were evaluated and completed stories compared to a rubric of fundamental story-writing elements. Stories written by the students improved with the use of computer and iPad programs, but independent story writing was not …
Supporting Narrative Writing Proficiency And Engagement In A Montessori Upper Elementary Classroom Through The Writing Workshop Model And 6+1 Traits Of Writing, Kirstin A. Nordhaus
Supporting Narrative Writing Proficiency And Engagement In A Montessori Upper Elementary Classroom Through The Writing Workshop Model And 6+1 Traits Of Writing, Kirstin A. Nordhaus
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project set out to determine the effects of daily writing workshop lessons, including the 6+1 Traits of Writing vocabulary, on student writing proficiency and engagement. An upper elementary classroom of 17 students, consisting of nine fourth graders and eight fifth graders, in an independent, suburban Montessori school participated in this study. Students completed a five-week narrative writing unit from Calkins, Ochs, & Luick’s (2017) Up the Ladder curriculum. The teacher-researcher collected data through observation, writing prompts scored using a 6+1 Traits of Writing rubric, student feedback forms, Bottomley, Henk, & Melnick’s (1997/1998) Writer Self-Perception Scale, and small …
Aerobic Exercise And Its Effect On Students’ Readiness To Learn, Shanan K. Zollinger
Aerobic Exercise And Its Effect On Students’ Readiness To Learn, Shanan K. Zollinger
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to test if aerobic exercise done before academic work would improve student learning readiness which includes increased alertness, longer periods of concentration and a resilience in doing work. The six-week study incorporated twenty-minutes of aerobic exercise every morning and involved 26 students between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a Montessori classroom. Data collection included pre and post surveys on student energy levels, exercise logs filled out by each student daily, on-task observation sheets and levels of attention observation sheets done by myself daily for the first thirty-minutes to evaluate students’ depth …
Movement Interventions For Appropriate And Coordinated Movement, Brianna N. Blasberg
Movement Interventions For Appropriate And Coordinated Movement, Brianna N. Blasberg
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine the effect of fundamental movement lessons and independent movement jobs on appropriate and coordinated movement as well as focus of students. Twenty-five students from a lower elementary class of first, second, and third graders in a public Montessori school participated in the study. Data was collected over a period of six weeks using a coordination scale, student feedback, work plans, and time on task observations. Results show a positive correlation between movement intervention and student coordination, on task behavior, focus, and productivity. All students reported positive associations with the movement jobs …
Using Mindfulness To Self-Regulate In The Upper Elementary Classroom, Ashleigh L. Bartz
Using Mindfulness To Self-Regulate In The Upper Elementary Classroom, Ashleigh L. Bartz
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to determine the effects on students’ ability to self regulate while learning about daily mindfulness lessons. The study took place over the course of six weeks in an upper elementary class of 20 students, including four fourth graders, nine fifth graders, and seven sixth graders. The study was conducted in a rural public Montessori school in the Midwest. Students participated in a six-week mindfulness unit from The Mind Up Curriculum (The Hawn Foundation, 2011). The researcher collected data through a pre-and postassessment, students’ self reflections and graphs, researcher’s observation, and researcher’s daily journal. The …
Building Peer Independence Among Children, Sienna D. Kuhn
Building Peer Independence Among Children, Sienna D. Kuhn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The research was conducted to determine if grace and courtesy lessons could increase the peer to peer reliance in a new community of 12 children ranging in age from thirty-three months to four years old at a private Montessori school in a metropolitan area. It is rare to experience starting a new community and only having 12 children of the same relative age in a Montessori school. The study was conducted with grace and courtesy lessons, given an average of three times a week, on how to ask other peers for help and how to offer help to others. Data …
The Effect Of Background Baroque Music On Work Accomplishment And Student Concentration On Days Of Rapid Weather Changes., Dayani A. Pieri
The Effect Of Background Baroque Music On Work Accomplishment And Student Concentration On Days Of Rapid Weather Changes., Dayani A. Pieri
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study used Baroque background music to mitigate the effects of weather variables on 12 students of a Montessori elementary classroom. The weather forecast data were gathered from the National Weather Service. Two student feedback forms gauged attitudes towards the music and academic activities, focus, and accomplished work. A teacher tally chart marked daily observations of behavior. The study utilized Microsoft Excel with methods of descriptive data analyses, t-tests, and regression analysis. Student appreciation of music varied, but the children’s affinity for music remained high. It is unclear whether the music created a positive mindset. The Baroque background music contributed …
How Acts Of Kindness Facilitate Prosocial Behaviors In An Early Childhood Montessori Classroom, April L. Malley
How Acts Of Kindness Facilitate Prosocial Behaviors In An Early Childhood Montessori Classroom, April L. Malley
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project examined how the implementation of Kindness Guidelines affected prosocial behavior among Early Childhood students. The setting was a private Montessori school, with 18 children ages two to five-years-old. Guidelines were developed using child-generated ideas on how to be kind to themselves, others, and the environment, along with teacher-made materials that illustrated acts of kindness and emotional awareness. Implementation of the intervention lasted six weeks with 20 days of data collected during two 15-20 minute observations per day. Positive and negative behaviors were recorded using tally sheets and an observation journal. Use of teacher-made materials was tracked …
The Effects Of Montessori’S “Walking On The Line” Activity On Student Engagement And Concentration, Emily S. Leutgeb
The Effects Of Montessori’S “Walking On The Line” Activity On Student Engagement And Concentration, Emily S. Leutgeb
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This paper investigates whether and to what degree Montessori’s “Walking on the Line” activity affected student engagement and concentration. This study took place in a private Montessori classroom serving twenty students, aged 33 months through five years. Data was collected using four tools on line usage, engagement, and concentration: a tally of how many times students walked the line, a tally measuring how engaged students appeared while working in the classroom, how long students concentrated following a lesson, and a professional journal. All but the line usage tool gathered baseline data five days before the intervention. Results were inconclusive. While …
Does Storytelling Affect Story Writing In A Lower Elementary Classroom?, Jennifer N. Johnson
Does Storytelling Affect Story Writing In A Lower Elementary Classroom?, Jennifer N. Johnson
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study investigated the impact an oral storytelling component had on students’ story writing. The study took place over six weeks in an Elementary classroom at a small independent Montessori school. Eight Lower Elementary students (ages 6-9) listened to stories told by the teacher, or orally told ideas for their stories, prior to thirty minutes of story writing. Also, approximately halfway through the study, the students participated in a storytelling workshop conducted by a professional storyteller. Data sources included pre-intervention and weekly writing samples, engagement observations, a writing rubric to code the writing samples and a student writing attitude scale …
Grace And Courtesy In Living With Conflict In The Montessori Children’S House, Katie J. Gregoire
Grace And Courtesy In Living With Conflict In The Montessori Children’S House, Katie J. Gregoire
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to determine in what ways increased role-play lessons of grace and courtesy affected conflict resolution in an early childhood classroom. This research study was conducted at a private Montessori school in a midwestern metropolitan area. The sixweek study was completed in a classroom with 29 children, ranging in age from thirty-three months to six years old. During the study, data was collected on the number of conflicts and grace and courtesy lessons. Data was also collected on levels of cooperation and use of respectful language among children, as observed and reflected on, by the …