Education Commons^™

Elementary School Teacher Inspiration In Lifelong Musicianship, Austin John Wellman

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study gathers the stories of musician teachers, asking how teacher avocations in music might impact the students in the classroom. This work begins by telling the music and teaching story of the author. Topics related to music are explored in the literature review, including music as an avocation, educational research surrounding music, and finally music as a possible sense of community. Six teachers are observed and interviewed, three of whom are music teachers, and all of whom are at minimum musicians by hobby. Three notable themes are found common to all teachers participating in the study. First, all participants …

How Can The 5-E Learning Cycle Model Of Instruction Be Used To Develop A Differentiated Science Unit On Evolution Based On Six Minnesota Evolution Standards?, Monica Christine Digre

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can the 5-E Learning Cycle Model of Instruction be used to develop a differentiated science unit on evolution based on six Minnesota evolution standards? The capstone documents a middle school life science teacher’s experience developing a curriculum for teaching evolution in a nontraditional way. The author explores the difficulties in teaching evolution with a traditional approach by researching experts in the field of both Evolutionary Biology and secondary science instruction. Through the use of the 5-E Learning Cycle Model of Instruction, the author develops an inquiry-based and hands-on curriculum to teach …

How Can Critical Literacy Be Used To Address Social Justice Issues Through A First Grade Social Studies Read Aloud Curriculum?, Katie L. Lorenz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can critical literacy be used to address social justice issues through a first grade social studies read aloud curriculum? The goal of research was to create a read aloud unit that reinforces social studies standards while addressing social justice issues and teaching students to evaluate text and challenge the power of text through a critical literacy approach to instruction. This curriculum relies on current research pertaining to critical literacy, effective classroom read aloud practices, and a backward design lesson template model. The author describes the details of the curriculum and connects …

An Alternative For Alternatives: Designing A Teacher Licensure Program For Teacher-Led Schools, Tim J. Quealy

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, what are the essential components of an alternative licensure program designed to best prepare teachers for success in a teacher-led school? It documents the creation of a teacher preparation program designed specifically for the unique skills and knowledge sets required for a teacher to be successful in a teacher-led school setting. The research question was influenced by the researcher’s own experience, both as a product of a traditional teacher preparation program and as a teacher in a teacher-led school. To determine the essential components for the teacher preparation program, the capstone first …

Impacting Science Observation Skills Through Drawing Training, Andrew Keith Hale

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research addressed was, how does drawing training impact the observational abilities of students? The list of motivating factors for this capstone includes students exhibiting a lack of ability to sit still and observe details of the world around them as well as exhibiting a lack of ability to design and communicate through drawings used in engineering. The author teaches art and science and has experienced these deficiencies. The author used an in-class project currently in the curriculum as the basis for the research. This project involved observing a reptile habitat as a subject for drawing. Betty Edwards’ book Drawing …

English Language Learners On The Autism Spectrum: Identifying Gaps In Learning, Jennifer Suzanne Reppond

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This research project reports on questionnaire survey answers that Special Education (SPED) educators, English as second language (ESL) educators, and a speech language pathologist (SLP) currently working in the classroom, on school campuses, and private practices, gave as being a part of this study. Their answers sought to uncover gaps in the environment that might lead to unsuccessful execution of a cross-educational learning environment for the English language learner (ELL) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); highlights encompass where the educators felt gaps existed and where these gaps could be bridged for a better, more successful learning outcome. This project …

A Study Of How The Components Of Effective Co-Teaching Are Implemented In Middle School Content Area Classrooms In One Suburban School District, Kathryn Rose Burley

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this study was, how are the components of effective co-teaching implemented in middle school content area classrooms in my district? It identifies what research has found to be the necessary components for implementing effective co-teaching. The author documents feedback from teachers in middle school co-teaching partnerships about how co-teaching is being implemented in this district. Findings suggest that this district has room for growth in using these components for effective co-teaching, with a focus on joint planning time, professional development opportunities, and administrative support. Implications for further research include how co-teaching differs across age and …

Processing Of American Idioms By Native Speakers Of Brazilian Portuguese: A Study Based On The Heuristic Model Of T.J. Cooper, Brendan John Obern

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The primary research question addressed in this study is, how do native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese process American English idioms? The author adapted a previous study by Thomas C. Cooper (1999), employing the think-aloud method: informants were asked to verbalize their thoughts as they resolved the meanings of the idioms, as presented in the Idiom Recognition Test (IRT). In contrast to Cooper’s 1999 study, the author questioned informants of a single L1 group; native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. The results showed that the native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese experienced less difficulty than the 1999 group understanding the same idioms. They …

Units Of Study: A Curriculum Supplemented With Problem-Based Learning And Technology, Jami Kristina Vandenberg

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, How can I provide 5th grade students with opportunities to engage in reading, writing, and talking about texts and ideas across different instructional contexts using technology and problem-based learning? The motivating factor for this capstone was the struggle with providing students dynamic learning opportunities that teach academic content as well as 21st century skills and relevant technology integration. This capstone details problem-based learning as an opportunity to assuage this struggle. The capstone reviews the components of problem-based learning and outlines the research on successful implementation. The capstone goes on to describe the …

Presenting Evolution In Public Schools; Is It Indisputable?, Paul Andrew Erdman

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed is, how do 10 public school teachers present the theory of evolution? The motivation of this capstone was my experience with teachers presenting evolution (all life having evolved from a simple single celled organism) to students as indisputable, and the seemingly lack of discussion about any problems with the theory or unanswered questions. A key influence was an older sibling, a mechanical engineer, who often provides scientific answers for me and provided many resources that challenge the so-called indisputability and possibilities of evolution. This study interviewed 10 public school teachers to identify how they present the …

Implementation Of Wida Standards: A Cross-Case Analysis Of Twelve Public School Districts In Minnesota, Ashley Elizabeth Karlsson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Implementation of new educational initiatives is never without challenges, and the implementation of WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards is no exception. As a transformative framework aligning content standards with indicators of language proficiency growth, WIDA Standards have the potential to support and enhance differentiation efforts for English learners. Drawing on the work of implementation science, this research analyzes qualitative interview data from twelve public school districts in Minnesota to determine what is being done to put WIDA Standards into practice. Semi-structured interviewing techniques and cross-case data coding form the basis of the research methodology. The study examines the relationship …

Perceptions Of Esl Teachers’ Roles Within School Communities, Angela Carolyn Froemming

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine how school personnel perceive the role of the ESL teacher within elementary school communities. Electronic surveys, individual interviews and a focus group were used to collect data from ESL teachers, mainstream teachers and administrators. Results showed that while ESL teachers see themselves as language teachers, mainstream teachers see them primarily as classroom support, suggesting that the role of language within content instruction is not clearly understood by those outside the field of ESL. As a result, the expectations of the ESL teacher vary greatly within the school community. Recommendations for clarifying the …

Food Waste And Behavior Change Through Project-Based Learning, Patrick Cary Crawford

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to find if food waste behavior can be changed through project-based learning. Food is a valuable resource that is being thrown into landfills; I question how we can change that? After compiling research on food waste, pro-environmental behavioral psychology, and project based learning I have constructed a theoretical framework that can be used to teach behavior change through project-based learning. The following were created to attain this goal: (a) a project unit plan, (b) assessments designed to evaluate students content knowledge on food waste, and (c) assessments designed to evaluate students pro-environmental behavior based on Blake, 1999. …

Teacher Beliefs And The Common Core State Standards For Mathematics, Erin M. Smith

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) marks an unprecedented event in American education: nearly all students have an opportunity to learn the same mathematics content at the same stage of their K-12 educational experience. One goal of the CCSSM is to promote mathematics educational equity and excellence through common, rigorous standards. However, common standards may not translate to a common learning experience for all students. Teachers’ mathematical beliefs act as filters through which new information is interpreted and dispositions toward actions taken in the classroom. This study examined this beliefspractice relationship by asking two questions: …

Text Analysis: Sentence Initial Adverbials In A Second Grade Language Arts Book, Sherri Kathleen Silva

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research questions addressed in this text analysis are: What are the forms and functions of sentence initial adverbials?, What is the frequency of each?, and What is their relationship in the second grade Mondo language arts curriculum book Up and Away! Taking a Flight? This study investigates, classifies, quantifies, describes, and analyzes sentence initial adverbials with the goal of increasing linguistic understanding of the forms and functions of this language structure. The guiding principles of Schleppergrall’s functional language analysis discussed in The Language of Schooling: A Functional Linguistics Perspective and Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics were employed to analyze the …

Identity-Focused Second Language Acquisition: A Systematic Review Of Classroom Applications, Heather Lynn Stockton

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project is, what does research say about identityfocused second language acquisition (SLA) as applied in the classroom? The aim of this study is to provide stakeholders in ESL contexts with an overview of existing research on identity-focused SLA with particular emphasis on classroom applications. This information is investigated in the hopes of uncovering practical tools and strategies for educators to use in support of both SLA and identity development. Identity-based SLA is defined and discussed using Bonny Norton’s (2006) five beliefs about identity as a framework. Twenty-four studies with classroom applications of identity-focused SLA …

Teacher Perceptions Of Their Preparation To Meet The Needs Of Secondary English Learners With Limited Formal Education, Kristina Marie Herman Hill

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

As more immigrants and refugees make the Upper Midwest their home, many English Learner (EL) teachers are struggling to meet the various needs of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), especially at the secondary level. The purpose of this study was to examine secondary teacher perceptions of their preparation to meet the unique needs of SLIFE and to examine what types of preparation would have been helpful to them. Sixteen secondary EL teachers who work with SLIFE were surveyed and four were interviewed to share their perceptions of their preparation. The overall result of the survey was that …

Creating Picture Books That Feature Children Parented By Same-Sex Partners, Kira Lenore Fischler

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project is, how can an author create a picture book for children featuring families parented by same-sex partners that provides windows into and mirrors of the lives of those families? This capstone captures the journey of one teacher as she creates a picture book for children that is culturally responsive to the Lesbian/ Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered (LGBT) community. It presents research on the effects absent narratives have on marginalized populations and how schools respond to children from LGBT families, as well as the different typologies of picture books, guidelines for developmental appropriateness, and advice on the …

How Does The Current Educational Climate Impact The Teacher’S Ability To Build And Maintain Quality Teacher Student Relationships?, Kymberly Nicole Saba

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this study was, how does the current educational climate impact the teacher’s ability to build and maintain quality teacher student relationships? The motivating factor for this capstone was that while research has shown that the teacher student relationship has a positive impact on student achievement the current trend is to focus on assessments. This study looked at the student teacher relationship from the perspective of the teacher. The author surveyed teachers from a k-6 elementary school and found while teachers do feel that the teacher student relationship is important they felt that there is limited …

How Can Standards-Based Grading Be Implemented Into An English Language Arts Classroom In Order To Give More Accurate Feedback Of Student Achievement, Taunya Kolbinger

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Properly and fairly assessing student work is an important and timely job. This paper will document the background of traditional grading, along with how standards-­‐based grading benefits teachers, students, and parents. Key pieces of learning around this pertinent topic of assessment come from the current work of Guskey, as well as Wormeli and Reeves. It will also address barriers to standards-­‐ based grading, and what professionals can do to implement this grading system into schools and classrooms, and cover how standards-­‐based grading can be implemented into an English Language Arts classroom in order to give more accurate feedback of student …

How Do Mindset Interventions Affect 6th Grade Students' Mindsets, Nadine Louise Uremovich

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was: How do mindset interventions affect 6th grade students' mindsets? Students in a 6th grade middle school setting were participants in a series of mindset interventions that took place over eight weeks during science class. Surveys, student work samples, and anecdotal notes demonstrated that mindset interventions increase growth mindset in 6th grade students. The research had several unexpected results which included: 1) mindset interventions increased students' knowledge about brain structure and function; 2) mindset interventions caused an increase in use of students' problem-solving strategies; 3) mindset interventions caused a decrease in concern about …

Teacher Cognitions In Relation To Pedagogical Practices And Transformative Learning For Purposes Of Pre-Service Teacher Education, Robin Reginald Bell

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This study purpose is to explore the connection of teacher beliefs, knowledge about education, teaching, and learning in relation to classroom practice of university academics, who use transformative pedagogies to teach education courses on diversity, social justice and equity. The study is built on the assumption that teaching is a cultural construct (Hollins, 2011b). Second, the study is built on the assumption that human learning is a multi-dimensional and complex process mediated through culture and situated in a particular institutional setting (Wertsch et al., 1995).

The study attempts to accomplish this aim through an interpretive, qualitative evaluation of one, African-American …