Education Commons^™

Little Girl In The Country: A Children's Book, Holly Mcginnis

Honors Theses

A Work of Children’s Literature to Address Realities of Childhood in the Southern United States

This thesis investigated the intersection of life’s realities and children’s literature. Representation is an oft-talked-about area of children’s literature. It is coming to light that many groups are underrepresented in writings for children, and recent works are attempting to broaden the types and backgrounds of characters to represent the diversity of readers and authors. This thesis is the author’s attempt to accurately represent the types of students she encountered in student teaching experiences in the Oxford-area. Using inspiration from her own childhood and knowledge of …

Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Meredith George

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the history, characteristics, and efficacy of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a substitution for traditional exclusionary discipline practices in response to negative and disruptive behavior in schools. Disruptive behavior is a significant concern for classroom teachers; effective solutions for minimizing disruptions are necessary to curb teacher burnout and improve attrition rates. PBIS relates to an implementation framework as opposed to a singular behavior program, therefore schools have a multitude of intervention options when adopting a PBIS approach to behavior. Three PBIS strategies (restorative circles, token economy, self-monitoring of performance) are …

Structured And Unstructured Movement In Elementary School Classrooms: Effects On Student Performance, Savannah E. Watson

Honors Theses

Research has shown the benefits of movement for adults and children alike. Not only are there physical benefits to movement, including physical fitness and health, there are also mental benefits. In this study, the researchers sought to discover how movement impacts student performance on exit slips and assessments given during a unit of instruction.

Student Attitudes, Collaborative Group Work And Technology Use In Elementary Mathematics Classrooms: Examining Connections, Katie Kukulka

Honors Theses

Understanding how the structure of a group of students impacts how they work together has always been an interesting concept for me, as sometimes my teachers strategically placed certain students with other students, and sometimes we got to choose our seats in class. Recently, I began to focus on how my college peers worked together in groups in my mathematics classes. For example, I noticed how some students would start to lead and take ownership for a group, others would facilitate these group conversations, commenting on the lead students’ suggestions or perhaps recording answers to group work but not necessarily …

Reinforcement In The Classroom: Reference Guide, Morgan Buehler, John Maag

Honors Theses

My initial research question was “how can I make information about appropriate reinforcement techniques easily available to elementary educators?” Upon beginning this endeavor, I realized the most efficient way to do so would be to condense a variety of information on this topic into an easy to read access guide. This brochure contains information educators can reference when trying to analyze behavior, create classroom environments or build individual or group behavior plans/goals. It was written with the purpose that anyone in the education world could have quick and easy access to valuable information without having to search through a textbook …

A Review Of Trauma In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Orsolina O'Neill

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Executive Functions: The Key To Growth In Elementary School Students, Kelly Martin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Creating Dynamic Spaces: Exploring Student-Empowered Self-Expression Through Art, Meghan E. Charest

Honors Theses

Research suggests that students living in rural areas may be more likely to face adversity and stress due to intersecting challenges present in their communities including poverty, substance abuse, addiction, poor health, reduced economic opportunity, and geographic isolation. I conducted an engaged scholarship project in partnership with students and staff at JES to explore ways that open-ended art activities that provide students with self-directed creative spaces can cultivate a student-centered environment built around strong relationships. This type of environment can mitigate the negative impacts of adverse childhood experiences potentially affecting rural Maine students and improve a culture of emotional wellness …

The Effect Of Music And Movement Interventions On Elementary Students’ Classroom Transition Times And Engagement, Bryanna Susann Hall

Honors Theses

In recent years, educational mandates such as those established by the No Child Left Behind Act have placed increased pressure on school administrators and faculty to focus a large portion of their resources on improving students’ standardized test scores. As a result, many teachers are searching for ways to increase instructional time, yet during an already chaotic school day, that is not such an easy task (Heafner, Lipscomb, & Rock, 2006). Therefore, this study examined possible solutions to this issue that would benefit both students and teachers through the implementation of various music and movement interventions. The research occurred over …

Computer Science In The Elementary Classroom: The Basics, Mary Grace Belle Hill

Honors Theses

Computer Science is often ranked with Nuclear Physics or Biochemical Engineering; people understand it is an academic discipline, but have no desire to study or learn anything about it. With the introduction of Arkansas Computer Science Standards in the elementary classroom, many teachers wonder how to satisfy these and to do so without full knowledge of computer science and alongside all the other demands they must meet in the classroom. This paper covers my interest in computer science and why it is needed in elementary schools, specifically in Arkansas. It also incorporates the standards, including a chart of all the …

The Impact Of Mindfulness-Based Yoga Interventions On Elementary Students’ Perceived Emotional Wellbeing And Classroom Transitions, Ashley Berry

Honors Theses

In recent years, there have been rising expectations for students’ academic performance in the United States (United States Department of Education, 2016). As a result, many students experience stress and anxiety. Simultaneously, an increased amount of instructional time has led to more sedentary behavior in the classroom (Burns et al., 2015). Therefore, this study sought to alleviate students’ daily stress and anxiety while also giving students the chance to move and stretch through the utilization of mindfulness-based yoga interventions. Recent studies have found that mindfulness is beneficial for people cognitively, physically, and mentally (Blair, 2007; Folleto, 2016; Mendelson, 2010). This …

Teacher Perceptions Of Arts Integration In Lower Elementary School Classrooms, Holly Kate Badger

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I will address the perceptions of elementary school teachers on the use of arts integration as a teaching practice in their classrooms and how those perceptions impact student performance. Throughout my student teaching experience this year, I engaged in a reflective practice of making field notes as I observed, assisted with, and taught arts-integrated lessons in a kindergarten classroom. Additionally, I conducted one-on-one interviews with three in-service teachers at the rural Mississippi elementary school in which I was placed. I made this a mixed methods study by adding a third source of data via an online questionnaire …

Effective Teaching Methods For Elementary Students With Add/Adhd, Jane Bensen

Honors Theses

This paper first describes ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, then discusses the effects on students with ADD/ADHD when elements of choice (specifically alternate seating and book choice) and strength-based strategies are used in the classroom. Research is conducted as a literature review through peer-reviewed articles on ERIC educational database. The literature shows that incorporating choice in the classroom, including offering alternative seating, is a beneficial practice for students with ADD/ADHD. Additionally, strengthbased strategies are a beneficial way to highlight and work with traits that students with ADD/ADHD possess in the classroom in a positive way. Some of which include incorporating …

Positive Discipline As A Part Of Effective Classroom Management, Allison Stevens

Honors Theses

This study was driven by the researcher’s interest in learning more about classroom management, and in particular, how experienced teachers thought about positive discipline as part of a management system. The researcher was a teaching intern in an elementary suburban school, where she interviewed 5 teachers and the building principal about classroom management and positive discipline. Interviews were transcribed, and patterns across responses were sought. Findings revealed common pieces of effective classroom management: 1) setting clear expectations and rules, 2) consistency in applying rules and expectations, and 3) having good parent communication. All teachers used tangible extrinsic rewards to motivate …

Impacts Of Representation On Increasing Flexibility In Understanding Number Composition, Abigail Carr

Honors Theses

Place value is a mathematical concept that young children struggle to understand. A common misconception for children is that the digits that make up multi-digit numbers represent the quantity of that number itself, instead of the number according to its place value (i.e. the 1 in 18 represents 1, instead of 10). The base-ten representation is an efficient way to represent numbers and quantities, but it is not easily learned. One reason children may struggle to fully understand place value is the English language does not make the value of the number known and has hidden base-ten meanings. To contrast, …

Development & Analysis Of A Science Outreach Event For Elementary Aged Children: Archie's Late-Night Party, Bailey Peterson

Honors Theses

Science Outreach is important because it facilitates learning and an increase in interest in the sciences. This thesis outlines the development of a set of stations as part of “Archie’s Late-Night Party,” an event held in June, 2017 at Morrill Hall. The goal of the Morrill Hall event was to create multiple activities and educational stations for elementary aged children in various scientific fields. Under the guidance of Dr. Gwen Bachman, I created two stations to present at the event: “Sleep & Hibernation” and “Nocturnal Vision.” I describe the multiple factors and challenges that go into building stations that are …

The Impact Of Social Wellness Integration On Fifth Grade Students' Positive Social Behaviors, Kathryn Harrison

Honors Theses

In recent years, schools across the United States have encountered increased pressure to focus solely on academic performance (Dillow & Snyder, 2007). Therefore, time allotted to developing fundamental social skills needed to improve the well-being of children in elementary school has decreased. However, social skills are essential to educating the overall well-being of children (Clinton, West, and Wilson, 2017). Benefits associated with social wellness education include relationship skills, responsible decision making skills, and consideration of well-being of self and others. These are all important to lifelong success (Burrow, Patrick, Kyzer, & Mckelvey 2016). To address these concerns, this study examined …

Educating The Whole Child: Using Positive Adult Relationships To Develop Noncognitive Skills In Students Facing Adversity, Virginia A. Saurine

Honors Theses

Under-resourced children often experience multiple stressors in their everyday lives that can negatively impact their performance in schools. However, numerous research studies have shown that the most significant protective factor for under-resourced children is a caring, adult relationship. This study focuses on what needs to happen in the teacher-student relationship in order for the teacher to be that protective relationship. Building the teacher-student relationship aids all children, not just under-resourced children, in developing the academic, social and emotional skills necessary to be successful in the classroom. Development and presence of academic perseverance and an academic mindset of students are the …

The Effect Of Recess On Fifth Grade Students' Time On-Task In An Elementary Classroom, Jenny Kate Smith

Honors Theses

In recent years, elementary schools across the United States have reduced the amount of time allocated for recess or have eliminated it altogether (Jarrett, 2002; Ramstetter et al., 2010). However, recess has the potential to offer significant academic, physical, and social benefits. These benefits have led to a vigorous and ongoing debate about the importance of recess in elementary schools (Ramstetter et al., 2010). Therefore, this study examined the effect of recess on students' time on-task in a fifth grade classroom. There were 12 participants in the study, six male and six female students. All participants were in the same …

Children's Perceptions Of Bullying Situations: Factors Influencing Peer Interventions, Allison Minchoff

Honors Theses

Previous research is inconclusive as to whether racial biases are prominent in elementary school children and whether gender influences the children’s perceptions of a bullying situation. Since both bullying and racial discrimination are of increased concern, I investigated how children perceive ambiguous situations that could be considered deliberate bullying or an accident, as a function of the gender, race, and reputation of the potential bully. Participants were asked to read three brief scenarios, each accompanied by a picture of the potential bully, and completed a questionnaire regarding how positive they would rate the actor, how negative they would rate the …

Movement In The Classroom To Practice Sight Words, Galina Vander Meer

Honors Theses

This project encompassed the development and implementation of a unit plan that proved beneficial for first grade students in learning and practicing their sight words. Sight words are words that students are expected to read and write by the end of the school year. Every student learns differently, and using movement to enhance students’ learning can give kinesthetic learners a chance to grow. There were four lessons in the unit plan that incorporated different modes of learning, including movement and technology, and correlated to the first grade curriculum. By the end of the four lessons, the students collaboratively created a …

Computational Fluency: The Key To Multiplicative Success, Bethany Lloyd

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Mind The Gap: Examining The Gap Between The United States Education System And The Top Education Systems In The World, Kaitlyn Clark

Honors Theses

Improving our educational system is a hot topic right now in the political and educational worlds. As a country, we are always striving for the best educational experience for our students, burt we are still faced with many challenges. According to the 2014 Pearson Index of Cognitive Skills and Educational Attainment the United States is ranked as number fourteen in the world. While we have risen from number seventeen since 2012, we are still not even in the top ten. In 2012, Finland had the top educational system in the world and in 2014, South Korea had number one.

In …

A Comparison Of How The United States And England Educators Teach Reading, Katy Wood

Honors Theses

During my time of studying to be an early childhood education teacher at Ouachita Baptist University, I felt a calling to explore and become immersed in another culture. I had never been out of the country before, and I believed that in order to become a well-rounded teacher, I needed to learn how other countries' teachers taught their children. I chose to study abroad in Liverpool, England, at Liverpool Hope University. I took several classes at the university, but one of the most impactful things that I did while I was in England was observing in St. Leo's and Southmead …

Perspectives On English Language Instruction Techniques: Lessons From Latin American Bilingual Programs, Kendal P. Herring

Honors Theses

This paper reviews current research about programs available for English language learning (ELL) students in the United States. It discusses what programs are best for language acquisition according to research and how to most effectively teach English to ELL students, specifically Spanish-speaking students. It tells the importance of implementing effective English instruction techniques due to the growing number of Spanish-speaking students in the United States. The paper analyzes information gathered from interviews with educators who have experience at bilingual schools in Latin America. Bilingual schools in Latin America provide English education in an environment consistent with evidence-based methods of language …

The Effects Of Physical Activity And Movement On Learning, Alexandria Lemos

Honors Theses

After performing research into the effects of physical activity and movement on learning, I was asked to present my findings at a school-wide colloquium. This gathering was well-attended by students and faculty members alike. The university professors seemed highly interested in what I had discovered and asked many in-depth questions. The majority of the questions dealt with the same major issue: implementation.

No one questioned whether the presented information was true or not. The questions that came were how it would be possible to incorporate movement in the classroom in ways that were not distracting from the content. While the …

Content Analysis Of Mathematical Concepts In Children’S Literature, Jessica John

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Not Growin' Up: Poetry For Children, Lindsay Chastain

Honors Theses

If adults are the prime reviewers of children's poetry, then children may not give the poetry a good review. After writing my own children 's poetry and having it read by Dr. Johnny Wink, I put it to the test of Gifted and Talented fourth-graders. These bright students gave me feedback on my poetry and told me where to improve. At the completion of this project, I submitted a collection of my works to two children's book publishers for review.

The Truth Of English Language Acquisition, Dinah R. Rucker

Honors Theses

Every year, over 1,221,000 immigrants come to this country without any English background knowledge in English and are immersed in the public school system. The approximate net international immigration rate of Arkansas is approximately 4500 people annually. Most students that come at a young age must immediately adjust to American life as they go to a new school with a foreign language with strange people and customs. What happens to the students that have language differences, the ones that don't grasp the language easily and continue to struggle through their education and in their careers? How do we know which …

A Study Of The Methods And Strategies Used For Teaching Spanish In One Private School In The Hamilton County Area, Jennifer S. Dantzler

Honors Theses

Foreign Language instruction is a useful tool in the schools. It allows for cultural exposure and language formations. Foreign language instruction is especially important at the lower elementary levels because younger students are able to learn a language much quicker than older students. Also, research has shown that foreign language taught at the elementary level increases standardized test scores in verbal intelligence, mental flexibility, reading and even math. The College Board noted that students with more than five years of foreign language instruction scored higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students with little or no foreign language. Students …