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Exploring How Elementary Esl Teachers Experience Learning And Change Related To A Genre-Based Approach To Language Instruction, Angela Froemming
Exploring How Elementary Esl Teachers Experience Learning And Change Related To A Genre-Based Approach To Language Instruction, Angela Froemming
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study explored how elementary ESL teachers describe their experience learning about genre-based pedagogy, and how they describe change that resulted from learning about this instructional approach. Multilingual learners represent a rising student demographic across the United States (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2021), however, most teachers and administrators have not been adequately trained in language development, so language remains an abstract concept and professional learning experiences related to language development are scarce (He & Bagwell, 2021; Ranney, 2012). Without language-based resources or frameworks, ESL teachers are often underutilized professionals in their schools (Harper & de Jong, 2009). A genre-based …
On The Importance Of Deliberate Writing Instruction In Fourth Grade Classrooms, Joshua Baumgartner
On The Importance Of Deliberate Writing Instruction In Fourth Grade Classrooms, Joshua Baumgartner
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question that was at the heart of the study was: How can fourth grade educators increase student motivation to write and strengthen students’ writing skills using the workshop model? Central topics addressed in the Review of the Literature included the Common Core State Standards for writing, concerns and issues facing today’s teachers of writing, and a variety of possible solutions to these issues. A group of 14 fourth grade students were the focus of the study in which a workshop-based writing unit from the Units of Study curriculum was taught, with particular attention paid to the growth of …
Leveraging Writing Routines To Increase Achievement Of English Learners In Science, Monica Grubb
Leveraging Writing Routines To Increase Achievement Of English Learners In Science, Monica Grubb
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Two research questions were investigated in this case study: How are 5th grade ELs’ performances on an objective portion of a science quiz on erosion and deposition affected after discussing concepts with a teacher and writing about these concepts? How are 5th grade ELs’ written explanations of erosion and deposition and use of genre-specific language structures affected after conferencing with a teacher about these concepts? Science literacy is for all, but many ELs struggle to learn science content. The literature points to academic language of science and its hierarchical knowledge structures as barriers to learning. Best practices to support ELs …
How Can Embedded Grammar Instruction Support Student Writing?, Lucia Marincel
How Can Embedded Grammar Instruction Support Student Writing?, Lucia Marincel
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This paper seeks to answer the question, how can grammar instruction embedded into Writer’s Workshop help both ELs and non-ELs meet the Common Core State Standards for language conventions? Using a Functional Linguistic Model, the author designed Writing Workshop grammar lessons based on three Language Conventions from the Common Core State Standards, using adverbs, creating compound sentences, and forming contractions. The author then taught these conventions through the workshop model and analyzed the use of these structures before and after the teaching through the use a rubric score of the pretest and test. The study included a mixed method approach, …
How Interacting With Teacher Feedback Impacts Students’ Writing, Kristen Bankers Saxhaug
How Interacting With Teacher Feedback Impacts Students’ Writing, Kristen Bankers Saxhaug
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The following research question is investigated in this paper: How does purposeful interaction with teacher feedback impact the writing outcomes of high school students? The literature review explored the topics of writing development, feedback, and motivation and self-efficacy in writing. A mixed methods approach was used to investigate whether purposeful, directed interaction with teacher feedback led to improved outcomes in students’ writing. Participants were a cohort of 36 racially diverse, at-risk students who were behind their grade-level peers in the development of age-appropriate literacy skills in a co-taught intervention English class. The data revealed that teaching students how to interpret …
Effective And Engaging Online Learning A Research Based Blended Curriculum In The Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Emily Eggers
Effective And Engaging Online Learning A Research Based Blended Curriculum In The Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Emily Eggers
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
As technology becomes more prominent in today’s society, teachers need to be prepared to integrate technology into their classrooms. This capstone was made to answer the question “What is the best method to facilitate student learning in the online environment?” It documents one teacher’s creation of an all encompassing unit of study that incorporates many online learning strategies. Based on the Understanding by Design method of curriculum development, the unit includes learning outcomes, forms of assessment, and daily activities to help deepen students’ understanding of the material with the integrated use of technology. The methods of technological instruction are selected …
Incorporating Effective Practices Into An Intermediate Classroom To Improve Student Writing, Heidi M. Shannon
Incorporating Effective Practices Into An Intermediate Classroom To Improve Student Writing, Heidi M. Shannon
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, How can the teaching of effective writing practices support struggling intermediate students? This study documented the experience of an intervention coach working with fifth grade teachers to improve writing instruction using research based practices. The motivating factor for this capstone was to improve student writing. The study documented lessons and resources that were implemented during the teaching of three fifth grade writing standards and how students improved in their writing. Data was collected through the use of proficiency scales, spreadsheets, reflections and surveys. Results of the study showed student growth in writing. …
Malp® In The Classroom With A Focus On New Activities For Learning To Improve Linguistic Complexity In Writing For English Learners Seventh-Grade Students, Jehan Hanna Rehayem
Malp® In The Classroom With A Focus On New Activities For Learning To Improve Linguistic Complexity In Writing For English Learners Seventh-Grade Students, Jehan Hanna Rehayem
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study was conducted to answer the following question: Can MALP® help raise the ELP of our EL students in writing by focusing on new activities for learning to improve linguistic complexity? Based on the existing literature, I designed my study to incorporate tried strategies pertaining to the implementation of MALP® in Writing with a focus on linguistic complexity in the classroom. I carefully documented my students’ progress using established assessments. At the end of five months, more than fifty percent of my students rose to the next level on the ELP rubric for Writing, a much more promising progress …
How Reading Through Literary Lenses Impacts The Quality Of High School Students’ Arguments, Craig D. Zimanske
How Reading Through Literary Lenses Impacts The Quality Of High School Students’ Arguments, Craig D. Zimanske
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this study was: how does teaching high school students to analyze text through literary lenses impact the quality of students’ arguments? Topics explored in the review of the literature include the context of struggling readers, literary theory and literary lenses, teaching literary theory to secondary students, and argument writing. A cohort of 18 struggling readers in a co-taught high school English class were instructed to shift their reading focus from finding meaning to constructing meaning. To accomplish this, students were familiarized with the tenets of three literary lenses (social-class, gender/feminist, and psychological) and guided through …
Culturally Responsive Grammar: Utilizing Contrastive Grammar Analysis To Support Knowledge Of Modern Dialects In The High School Classroom, Katie Corrigan
Culturally Responsive Grammar: Utilizing Contrastive Grammar Analysis To Support Knowledge Of Modern Dialects In The High School Classroom, Katie Corrigan
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Varying dialects are spoken depending on the speaker’s location and community. While each one of these dialects has very clear patterns and rules, only one dialect, Standard American English, is regarded as “correct grammar” according to academic and professional associations. For this reason, students learn the rules of Standard American English in school. However, this practice leaves students who speak other dialects at a significant disadvantage. This capstone addresses this dichotomy by providing curriculum that includes grammar instruction using a contrastive approach. Students are simultaneously taught grammatical rules in both Standard American English and African American Vernacular English in order …
Sfl In The Secondary Classroom: Writing Procedural Recounts To Describe Thinking When Solving Algebraic Equations, Theresa Brunker
Sfl In The Secondary Classroom: Writing Procedural Recounts To Describe Thinking When Solving Algebraic Equations, Theresa Brunker
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research questions addressed in this classroom study were, after explicit instruction, do students choose language structures inherent to procedural recounts, such as technical verb processes, precise nouns, sequence words and causal phrases to describe their mathematical thinking? Additionally, do student self-perceptions of their mathematical abilities change after learning to write procedural recounts to describe their thinking processes? This study examined the use of these language structures prior to explicit instruction in writing procedural recounts and compared it to post-intervention writing samples. The author documents the use of these writing structures by participants before and after intervention and finds relational …
Using Social Interaction To Elevate And Enrich Student Expressive Vocabulary In Writing, Elizabeth Swenson
Using Social Interaction To Elevate And Enrich Student Expressive Vocabulary In Writing, Elizabeth Swenson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
How does social interaction in vocabulary instruction impact students writing? This action research project explores the impact of using social interaction in vocabulary learning to increase the accurate usage of new vocabulary in student writing. This mixed-methods approach utilized pre and post surveys on student attitudes toward word learning, a vocabulary pre-assessment, four vocabulary unit assessments and analysis of student writing. Four different vocabulary instructional treatments were applied over the course of three vocabulary units. Findings suggest that utilizing discussion in word learning can have a positive impact on student writing and enjoyment in word learning.
An Integrated Social Studies And Writing Curriculum Guide For Primary Grade English Language Learners, Gayle E. Hammer
An Integrated Social Studies And Writing Curriculum Guide For Primary Grade English Language Learners, Gayle E. Hammer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Two guiding questions are addressed in this project. The first is: How can primary teachers of English Language Learners (ELLs) use a Comprehensive Curriculum Integration Guide (CCIG) to integrate the teaching of social studies content and standards with ELD? The second questions: How can using Student Learning Experiences for Engagement (SLEE) provide support for English Language Development (ELD) in the domains of speaking and writing for ELLs in the primary grades? It provides the research and rationale for creating a guide, which includes instructions, templates and resources for unit planning, weekly lesson planning, SLEE and suggested scaffolds and supports for …
How To Develop And Support The Academic Writing Of Our Students In The Science Classroom, Hannah Rose Hermanson Rivard
How To Develop And Support The Academic Writing Of Our Students In The Science Classroom, Hannah Rose Hermanson Rivard
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was how can we develop and support the academic writing of our students in the science classroom? A resource guide was created, designed for general education teachers in upper elementary classrooms. It uses the Teaching and Learning Cycle, created by Rothery, to incorporate the writing of procedural recounts into pre-existing science curriculum.
What Are You Teaching? Curriculums, Expectations, And Experiences Of High School Writing Teachers And First Year Composition, Kathryn Elizabeth Fullmer
What Are You Teaching? Curriculums, Expectations, And Experiences Of High School Writing Teachers And First Year Composition, Kathryn Elizabeth Fullmer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to explore the teaching of writing in high school and first year composition. In depth interviews and document analysis were employed to allow five writing instructors to detail their curriculums, expectations, and experiences of teaching writing. Findings suggest that the teaching of writing is nuanced and is affected by many outside variables. Implications for future research include the possibility of developing better communication between high school and colleges, more and better professional development for writing instructors at both levels, and an evaluation of current practices at the high school and college level.
Word Study Promotes The Application Of Spelling Skills Within Elementary Students’ Independent Writing, Sarah Kay Rabideau
Word Study Promotes The Application Of Spelling Skills Within Elementary Students’ Independent Writing, Sarah Kay Rabideau
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was how does a balanced literacy program that includes word study promote application of spelling skills within elementary students’ independent writing? It documents the implementation of effective word study components within an elementary setting. The action research project included whole group lessons, followed by guided practice using interactive writing and writing conferences, and also individualized, hands-on, independent word work. These strategies were based off of the research of Fountas and Pinnell and the resource Word Matters (2001). Through the implementation of these components the author developed a deeper understanding of effective word study …
Improving Cultural Competence And Ell Writing Through Culturally Relevant Digital Storytelling, Julie Robeck Harrell
Improving Cultural Competence And Ell Writing Through Culturally Relevant Digital Storytelling, Julie Robeck Harrell
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ELL student writing would improve when students engaged in constructivist storytelling, that is, were allowed to tell their own immigration stories in a digital storytelling platform. The study also sought to ascertain whether the cultural competence of the school as a whole, including staff, students, and families, would be improved by sharing these stories at an allschool International Day
Formative Assessment Of Academic Writing With English Learners In An Algebra Class, Robert J. Anderson
Formative Assessment Of Academic Writing With English Learners In An Algebra Class, Robert J. Anderson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
A case study of five English learners examined students’ writing in a co-taught high school math class. The goal of the study was to investigate how two different types of writing activities impacted students’ understanding of mathematical concepts. A writing rubric was used to measure student writing, and the researcher complied in-class tests. The scores on the writing samples were compared to students’ test results to look for trends in the data. Results of the case study were limited in their ability to identify a direct connection with the writing strategies and students’ test results, but the case study revealed …
The Effects Of The Image-Making Within The Writing Process On Kindergarten Writing, Samantha Dee Merrell
The Effects Of The Image-Making Within The Writing Process On Kindergarten Writing, Samantha Dee Merrell
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was how Image-Making within the Writing Process can affect kindergarten student’s writing. Students were surveyed prior to exposure to the Image-Making within the Writing Process about their feelings toward writing. They were asked the same survey questions after the Image-Making within the Writing Process was introduced and the results were analyzed. Students were also interviewed and observed throughout the process. The results of both were analyzed as well.
Somali Stories: A Development Of A Story-Based Esl Literacy Tool For Use With Older Adult Somali Women, Susan Renee Marshall
Somali Stories: A Development Of A Story-Based Esl Literacy Tool For Use With Older Adult Somali Women, Susan Renee Marshall
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The focus of this study is on incorporating what was learned through research to develop a curriculum resource. The primary research question addressed in this project is how educators can incorporate stories from older adult Somali women into English language instruction to improve these students’ English language writing skills. Key influences include my experience as an ESL educator and my strong interest in stories, including their use in education. The study has a curriculum development design. A curriculum resource, in the form of a story-based literacy tool designed to teach English language literacy skills to older Somali women, was developed. …
Teaching Mla Formatting And Research Using Screencasting Technology: Resources For High School English Teachers And Students, Tegan Skye Madson Dion
Teaching Mla Formatting And Research Using Screencasting Technology: Resources For High School English Teachers And Students, Tegan Skye Madson Dion
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The topic for research was how online screencasts demonstrating research and MLA format in research writing can support students in learning key research and research writing skills. The online screencasts are designed with English Language Learners and students who do not have access to help from people with research writing experience outside the classroom. The screencasts demonstrate steps in the research and formatting process to support students with demonstrations as they begin their own research. The videos may also be used by teachers, as part of a flipped classroom model, to teach research skills and MLA format. The author provides …
Analysis Of Efl Academic Writing In A Saudi University, Philline Mary Deraney
Analysis Of Efl Academic Writing In A Saudi University, Philline Mary Deraney
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone analyzes 25 texts written by female university students in Saudi Arabia using the paradigm of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and genre-based writing focusing on the textual metafunction. The research methodology used was a description of the patterns that emerged in the students’ writing related to features of coherence and cohesion with basic frequency tables to support the qualitative data. The findings illustrate that while the texts showed some clear elements of coherence and cohesion and a partial understanding of the genre used in instruction, similar to international and regional studies, features of academic writing related to the textual …
Strategies To Support Vocabulary Development In Middle School Content Area Classrooms, Caitlyn Bandy
Strategies To Support Vocabulary Development In Middle School Content Area Classrooms, Caitlyn Bandy
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, what strategies are available to support content area vocabulary development in the middle school classroom? It explores the needs of a content area classroom as it relates to vocabulary development, then addresses those needs through a strategy map of best-practice vocabulary learning strategies. Created to be implemented school-wide as a supplement to existing curriculums in middle school classrooms, the map supports vocabulary development with two strategies detailed for each grade level six through eight. The strategy lessons follow the gradual release lesson plan model in order to best support student learning.
Mentor Texts Ability To Boost Young Writer’S Confidence, Paired With Mini-Lessons And Explicit Instruction, Allison Juanita Koester
Mentor Texts Ability To Boost Young Writer’S Confidence, Paired With Mini-Lessons And Explicit Instruction, Allison Juanita Koester
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed is, how can mentor texts, paired with mini-lessons and explicit instruction, boost young writer’s confidence? The motivating factor for this research was young writer’s lack of confidence and inability to identify themselves as a writer. Through the influence of key figures in this area, such as Lynne Dorfmann, Rose Cappelli and Katie Ray Wood, these researchers supported the use of mentor texts in the classroom paired with an appropriate writer’s workshop framework. They felt that mentor texts would bolster young writer’s confidence and skills, when used with explicit whole group and small group instruction . Through …
Monitoring The Writing Progress Of English Learners In The Secondary Setting, Susan C. Ellis
Monitoring The Writing Progress Of English Learners In The Secondary Setting, Susan C. Ellis
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone is a literature review that centers on two research questions: what are researchers saying about using progress monitoring in writing, particularly that of secondary school English learners (ELs), and what tools are available for monitoring the writing progress of these students? An investigation of the uniqueness of EL writers was conducted prior to designing a systematic literature review for this capstone. An exhaustive search for studies that addressed the research questions was conducted, resulting in three studies that met the reliable and valid criteria established for this literature review. Each of the studies examined the reliability and validity …