Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 37

Full-Text Articles in Education

Montessori Mathematics Curriculum And Lower Elementary Students Understanding Of Length Measurement, Katherine L. Mcintosh Dec 2015

Montessori Mathematics Curriculum And Lower Elementary Students Understanding Of Length Measurement, Katherine L. Mcintosh

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this action research project was to determine to what extent the Montessori Mathematics curriculum support lower elementary students’ understanding of length measurement. The research took place in a private Montessori school classroom with first and second-grade students. There were 22 students in the class, 11 first graders, and 11 second-graders. Data was collected through a pre and post-test, field notes, and observations. The students also kept a journal and performed self-assessments. Photographs were taken to record the students’ use of different measurement tools. Children’s literature about length measurement was read and discussed with the students. The data …


Success Of English Language Learners: Barriers And Strategies, Brita Bostad R, Stephanie A. Cwikla, Jacob L. Kienzle Dec 2015

Success Of English Language Learners: Barriers And Strategies, Brita Bostad R, Stephanie A. Cwikla, Jacob L. Kienzle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

For this report, the researchers sought to gather more information on the success of mainstreamed ELL students from both exited students and their content teachers. The researchers' aim was to see how teachers assessed these students’ academic needs, how these students felt about the accommodations executed by their teachers, and where these mainstreamed students were finding success. Furthermore, researchers wanted to gain information on the perceptions of the teachers working with these students. Information was gathered at two different high schools within the same district by interviewing and surveying both mainstreamed ELLs and their content teachers. Student transcripts were also …


The Impact Of Creating Visual Arts On Reading Comprehension In Third Grade Students, Erica M. Mathieson Aug 2015

The Impact Of Creating Visual Arts On Reading Comprehension In Third Grade Students, Erica M. Mathieson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this action research study was to determine how integrating visual arts activities into reading lessons could impact students’ literacy skills. The study took place in a suburban elementary school and included both male and female students, aged eight to nine years old. The data was collected using comprehension tests, student/teacher reflections, and information gathered from the students’ artwork. Student literacy skills did show gains as a result of this intervention. The study also exhibited ways in which visual art teachers can be valuable participants in the push to integrate literature into other content areas. Creating visual artwork …


Universal Response Methods, Kristen J. Nordstrom, Robert L. Mathis Aug 2015

Universal Response Methods, Kristen J. Nordstrom, Robert L. Mathis

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to identify which student response system when used during formative assessment would increase student engagement and learning. Students responded utilizing the Socrative application on iPads and individual white boards with markers on student response cards. The participants in this study were a group of five male students ages 1114 enrolled in a selfcontained (setting IV), emotional and behavioral program. We used various data collection methods to gather evidence that included ontask behavior, questions answered correctly, questions attempted, time spent in class, and student reflections. Our data showed that students were more inclined to be …


The Impact Of Student Editing And Error-Based Instruction On Writing In A Fourth-Grade Classroom, Erin T. Hinton Aug 2015

The Impact Of Student Editing And Error-Based Instruction On Writing In A Fourth-Grade Classroom, Erin T. Hinton

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of the action research project was to determine the impact of self- and peer-editing and error-based instruction on student writing. The study took place in a fourth-grade classroom. There were 22 students who participated in the study. Data was collected through a writing self-reflection, weekly pre- and post- writing samples, an editing checklist, and an error tally sheet. Data was also collected through teacher observations. The results indicated that self- and peer-editing strategies along with error-based instruction had a positive impact on student writing. Although errors continued to persist within the students’ writing at the end of the …


Improving Letter Name Knowledge In Primary Montessori, Melissa Sue Brodin Aug 2015

Improving Letter Name Knowledge In Primary Montessori, Melissa Sue Brodin

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research investigated letter name knowledge gain from integrating a selection of Orton-Gillingham methods into a private Montessori Primary classroom. The methods incorporated included letter name and sound drill, three-letter word practice, vowel game, and sand writing. Eight students, four and five years of age, were included in the study. Sources of data collection include student artifact, teacher assessment, student attitude inquiry, and teacher observational data. Students displayed an overall increase in attitude toward learning letter name and six out of eight students showed an increase in letter name knowledge for both uppercase and lowercase letters. Because of the …


Absenteeism, Building Relationships, And Standards-Based Grading, Patricia M. Romaine, Heather M. Sinkler Aug 2015

Absenteeism, Building Relationships, And Standards-Based Grading, Patricia M. Romaine, Heather M. Sinkler

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated the effectiveness of standards-based grading and additional student contact time with chronically absent students in Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classes. The study included 160 ninth- through twelfth-grade students in various FACS classes. Data was collected from pre- and post-intervention self-assessments to gain an understanding of students’ feelings about coming to school and FACS class. Grades and attendance were documented at the beginning, middle, and end of the study. Anecdotal data was gathered from conversations with students during an optional homework club. Standards-based grading and building relationships helped 50 percent of the students improve their …


Use Of High-Level Questioning To Increase Student Achievement In Reading, Amber A. Remark, Emily M. Ewing Aug 2015

Use Of High-Level Questioning To Increase Student Achievement In Reading, Amber A. Remark, Emily M. Ewing

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project explored the impact of asking students higher-level questions during guided reading instruction to increase reading comprehension and engagement. The study took place with eight students in two different on grade-level guided reading groups in a second and a third grade classroom. Baseline data was collected before students were presented increasingly higher-level questions over the course of six-weeks and a post-assessment was given to monitor students’ growth in the areas of comprehension and engagement. Data collected during the study included comprehension pre and post assessments with scoring rubric, pre and post reading attitude surveys, weekly teacher observation …


The Efficacy Of Classroom Management Software On Parent-Teacher Communication, Michelle L. Ellis May 2015

The Efficacy Of Classroom Management Software On Parent-Teacher Communication, Michelle L. Ellis

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research was conducted with the parents of a private Montessori preschool kindergarten class. The study implemented the use of Montessori Compass software and measured its effectiveness to improve parent-teacher communication. The use of messaging, daily activity reports, and photo albums were implemented within the Montessori Compass classroom management software. The study compared the response times between when the information was sent and accessed by traditional email, messaging, and daily activity reports. Other traditional methods of communication such as person interactions, phone conversation, and paper transmission were studied and compared. Survey responses provided feedback on the effectiveness of the …


The Effects Of Gender Grouping On Female Students’ Participation In Physical Education, Anthony Bender, Jill S. Litfin May 2015

The Effects Of Gender Grouping On Female Students’ Participation In Physical Education, Anthony Bender, Jill S. Litfin

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to determine if female participation would increase in a single-gendered versus a co-educational (co-ed) setting during seventh and eighth grade physical education. The action research project was completed in the Barnum Secondary School with 70 seventh and eighth grade females during competitive contact activities. All 70 females were given a participation questionnaire and 40 random females were observed during four weeks of activity. Data was collected using a participation questionnaire, a participation tally sheet, a video observation checklist, and a participation rubric. The results showed female participation increased in the single-gendered setting in …


Character Education Using Literature And Discussions, Molly A. Leifeld May 2015

Character Education Using Literature And Discussions, Molly A. Leifeld

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Laminack and Wadsworth (2012) “believe the single most important thing we can teach our children is kindness” (p. 1). I hoped to teach kindness characteristics to students in my first, second and third-grade classroom, as well as, lessen students’ frequency of unkind behaviors. I utilized Laminack and Wadsworths’ (2012) curriculum Bullying Hurts: Teaching Kindness through Read Alouds and Guided Conversations as my action research focus. Throughout my study, I used a tally chart and observation journal to track the frequency and types of behaviors students demonstrated. Also, students completed a behavioral self-assessment before and after implementation to assess their opinions …


Creating A Normalized Montessori Classroom, Heather L. Somerton-Burkhardt May 2015

Creating A Normalized Montessori Classroom, Heather L. Somerton-Burkhardt

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this report is to describe the findings of a study on how the implementation of the Accelerated Reader Program, use of five different management strategies, as well as the introduction of routines and rituals affects students' ability to create a normalized 1st through 3rd grade Montessori classroom. The research was conducted with a lower elementary Montessori classroom within a public school setting. More than half of the students had never experienced a Montessori environment. The data collecting methods used were a summative assessment, tally sheets, field notes, attitude scale inquiries, and semi-structured conversations with the students. The …


Accounting For Student Engagement Through Pre-Service Teacher Assessment, Kelsey C. Odell May 2015

Accounting For Student Engagement Through Pre-Service Teacher Assessment, Kelsey C. Odell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine student engagement within a pre-service teacher performance assessment, the Educators Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). Engagement strategies were selected and used based on the language of rubric seven of the edTPA. This study was completed in an urban fourth grade setting. Data was collected during the English Language Arts content block. Data collection methods included lesson plans incorporating the engagement strategy, student self-reports of engagement through exit slips, university supervisor checklists when observed, and teacher candidate engagement log in which notes were made of the engagement strategy selection process and reaction to collected …


Increasing Special Education Students’ Literacy Through The Use Of Specific Assistive Technology, Elizabeth A. Davidson, Liana M. Lingofelt May 2015

Increasing Special Education Students’ Literacy Through The Use Of Specific Assistive Technology, Elizabeth A. Davidson, Liana M. Lingofelt

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this study was to see how specific online tools could be used to increase special education students’ literacy. The study took place in two public high schools in metropolitan areas. The students involved in the study included both general and special education students, males and females, and grade levels 9 through 12. Data was collected using pre- and post- assessment reading tests, student/teacher reflections, vocabulary practice, and annotated readings. The study demonstrated the importance of factors we had not fully considered in planning the action research project, including the learning curve students experience using new technology. Student …


Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson May 2015

Cursive Handwriting With Kindergartners, Amy J. Carlson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract This action research studied the impact of Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) cursive instruction on handwriting skills for kindergarten students. The study occurred in an early childhood (ages 3-6) classroom at a private Montessori school. Eight students received multisensory HWT cursive instruction twenty minutes per day for six weeks. Sources of data included participant print and cursive writing samples analyzed with a rubric, HWT print assessments, scored attitude scales of participants’ feelings about handwriting, a tally sheet of writing works chosen, and a teacher journal. Following the intervention, participants’ scored higher on the HWT assessment, especially in the section regarding …


Aligning State Developmental Standards To Toddler And Early Childhood Montessori Practical Life And Sensorial Materials, Erin H. Conway, Amanda E. Fink May 2015

Aligning State Developmental Standards To Toddler And Early Childhood Montessori Practical Life And Sensorial Materials, Erin H. Conway, Amanda E. Fink

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine whether a progress report that aligns the Montessori materials to child development benchmarks would increase parent understanding of the Montessori materials, as well as give teachers a means of reporting growth that is systematic and consistent. Trial reports were created aligning the toddler and early childhood practical life and sensorial curriculum areas to the state standards. Parents were asked to compare the current reports with the new reports. The postimplementation survey results suggested that 97% of parents better understood the alignment between the Montessori materials and child development and 100% of teachers …


The Effects Of Differentiated Mathematics Rotations On Basic Facts, Samantha Bold, Alison Kaubisch May 2015

The Effects Of Differentiated Mathematics Rotations On Basic Facts, Samantha Bold, Alison Kaubisch

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purposes of this research were to examine the effects of differentiated mathematics rotations on student achievement, in the area of addition and subtraction fact fluency to ten, and how mathematics rotations influenced students’ feelings towards mathematics. The study was conducted over a six-week period in a first-grade classroom in a Midwestern state. Data collection methods included student feedback, addition assessments, subtraction assessments, and teacher observational checklist. The results of the study indicated an overall increase in both addition and subtraction fact fluency and students expressed more positive feelings towards mathematics. Both teacher researchers will continue to use mathematic rotations …


The Effects Of Integrating Mathematics Into The Physical Education Setting, Steven D. Thompson, Jacqueline L. Robertson May 2015

The Effects Of Integrating Mathematics Into The Physical Education Setting, Steven D. Thompson, Jacqueline L. Robertson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to describe the effects of integrating mathematics curriculum into the physical education setting. The study was conducted in an elementary school in Northern Minnesota where a strong emphasis is being placed on preparation for standardized testing. The research was designed to find the results of integration in four classes of first-grade students. The data collecting methods used included pre- and post-assessments, observational journal, student feedback, and a teacher dialog. The results of the research indicated that integration enhanced the learning environment and improved mathematics performance for students. The data also showed that physical activity …


The Effects Of Physical Activity On Reading And Mathematics Achievement In An Elementary Classroom, Chelsey Earney, Emily A. Berg, Jill M. Wallert May 2015

The Effects Of Physical Activity On Reading And Mathematics Achievement In An Elementary Classroom, Chelsey Earney, Emily A. Berg, Jill M. Wallert

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to determine the effects of physical activity on reading and mathematics achievement on two first grade classrooms. The intervention took place over a period of four weeks in a public school setting with 38 students. Data was collected using teacher feedback, student self-assessment, a teacher log, and weekly reading and mathematics probes. Our results show that reading scores slightly improved after the intervention while mathematics scores stayed fairly consistent. Both first-grade teachers reported that they would continue to use physical activity prior to academic instruction in their classrooms because it helped students to …


A Toddler Mentor Program With Elementary Students To Improve The Development Of Empathy, Michelle Aldrich May 2015

A Toddler Mentor Program With Elementary Students To Improve The Development Of Empathy, Michelle Aldrich

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there would be improved development of empathy in elementary students as a result of involvement in the Toddler Mentor Program. The study took place in a 6-9 year Montessori Elementary Classroom. There were eight participants, which were first and second year students in the classroom. The age range was 6-7 years old. The elementary students spent twenty minutes as a mentor in the Toddler classroom once a week. Data was collected by teacher observation pre, during and post project in three different environments, the elementary classroom, the toddler …


Communicating Effectively With Parents In The Montessori Environment, Lindsey A. Seril May 2015

Communicating Effectively With Parents In The Montessori Environment, Lindsey A. Seril

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to examine the most effective ways of communicating with parents in the Montessori environment, and to see if incorporating technology and communication skills into the classroom would improve parent-teacher communication and relationships. This study was conducted with the parents of children ages two and a half to six years old in a private Montessori classroom. Classroom management and communication technology in the form of Montessori Compass was introduced into the classroom in order to see the impact on parent-teacher communication. Techniques for improved communication with parents were also used during parent-teacher interactions to …


The Effects Of A Peace Curriculum On Reducing And Resolving Conflicts Among Children Ages 3-6 Years, Maria T. Morningstar May 2015

The Effects Of A Peace Curriculum On Reducing And Resolving Conflicts Among Children Ages 3-6 Years, Maria T. Morningstar

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

An important part of a child’s development is learning how to relate to other children appropriately (Sidorowicz & Hair, 2009). The purpose of this study was to determine whether teaching children about peace would help them to reduce or resolve conflicts in the classroom. The study took place in a suburban Montessori classroom of 26 children, ages three to six years. The Research Methodology section of this Action Research report details the peace lessons and materials used in the peace curriculum. The data collection included observations of children’s conflicts and resolutions, conferences with the children and teachers, and children’s journal …


The Space Between The Notes: The Effects Of Background Music On Student Focus, Duna L. Strachan May 2015

The Space Between The Notes: The Effects Of Background Music On Student Focus, Duna L. Strachan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Student behaviors were tallied in three similar Montessori early childhood classes while children practiced social, motor and academic skills with and without background music. Teacher impressions of work period productivity were tallied along with information from teacher notes and student self-assessments. Music came from Pandora stations such as “Relaxation Radio” or “Yoga Radio.” Music was selected for slow tempo (approximately 60 beats per minute or the rate of the adult heart) and relaxing instrumental quality, played at a soft volume and during times when students were not expected to pay attention to other auditory input such as stories, songs, lessons …


The Effects Of Technology On Engagement And Retention Among Upper Elementary Montessori Students., Justin E. Tosco May 2015

The Effects Of Technology On Engagement And Retention Among Upper Elementary Montessori Students., Justin E. Tosco

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a study on the effects of integrating technology into lessons in a Montessori upper elementary classroom in Raleigh, North Carolina. The research looked at both the student engagement and the retention of information when technology was included in Montessori lessons. This study spanned a six-week period and was conducted with 25 fourth through sixth grade students. Data collection included a pre-lesson questionnaire, a teacher engagement report form, a teacher observation form, a post-lesson feedback form, and a short answer lesson response form. The results of this data analysis showed …


Promoting Parent Involvement, Erin A. Hlavaty May 2015

Promoting Parent Involvement, Erin A. Hlavaty

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to find out parents’ attitudes and desires to increase involvement opportunities through the home and/or school setting in order to improve the home-school relationship. Parents of students in a 3-6 year old Montessori classroom at a private school were asked to complete a parent involvement survey, attitude scale, and a parent involvement log in order to analyze current parent involvement. Data showed that the parents desire specific information as events and parent involvement opportunities occur, given verbally, in writing, and electronically, rather than an overview of the whole school year given in …


The Effects Of Interactivity, Scaffolding And Modeling On Children’S Attention And Engagement During Read Aloud Time, Sara Agnello, Mary Yengle May 2015

The Effects Of Interactivity, Scaffolding And Modeling On Children’S Attention And Engagement During Read Aloud Time, Sara Agnello, Mary Yengle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract In the early academic years, read aloud time is frequently incorporated in the daily classroom schedule. For our investigation, we wondered if certain strategies (interactivity, scaffolding, and modeling enthusiasm) would help to foster deeper connections, conversation, and literary skills when used during read aloud time. We observed teacher-directed read aloud time in two Montessori environments, one with toddlers ages 2-3, and one with elementary children ages 6-9. We used various sources of data collection methods to help us track student engagement and focus, with and without the strategies implemented. The results of the study showed that more children stayed …


Instilling Reverence For Montessori Materials Through Rituals Of Grace And Courtesy, Stephanie M. Van Fleet May 2015

Instilling Reverence For Montessori Materials Through Rituals Of Grace And Courtesy, Stephanie M. Van Fleet

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research studied the impact of grace and courtesy lessons on the classroom environment. The study occurred in a private Montessori elementary (6-9 year old) classroom. Eighteen students received daily presentations of grace and courtesy lessons over a four-week period for a total of 20 lessons. Sources of data included photographs, environmental assessments, observations and student evaluations. The presenting of grace and courtesy lessons resulted in improved assessments of the classroom environment, decreased teacher intervention when material misuse was observed and an increase of positive teacher interaction. Students began to complete the entire process or ritual of a work …


The Impact Of A Flipped Classroom On Student Achievement In Mathematics, Science And Physical Education Classrooms, Paul Jundt, Kelly A. Moormann, Andrew M. Voorhees, Staceyann Ziemann May 2015

The Impact Of A Flipped Classroom On Student Achievement In Mathematics, Science And Physical Education Classrooms, Paul Jundt, Kelly A. Moormann, Andrew M. Voorhees, Staceyann Ziemann

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was designed to examine the effects of the flipped classroom model. Our study was conducted in Physical Education, Mathematics, and Science classrooms in the Bismarck Public Schools district. The participants were in both the middle and high school levels within the same school district. Data collection methods included a pre-assessment survey, written assignments, a student behavior checklist, and a post-assessment survey. The results of our study showed that students enjoyed learning with the flipped classroom method, completion rates were higher than previously observed, and students were successful at mastering classroom content. According to our student survey, the main …


The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In The Elementary Classroom, Stephanie W. Beard, Katherine L. Moe, Julie L. Wieczorek May 2015

The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In The Elementary Classroom, Stephanie W. Beard, Katherine L. Moe, Julie L. Wieczorek

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The benefits of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are being recognized in education for helping reduce misbehaviors. This paper includes research from three primary classrooms: kindergarten, first grade music, and second grade. Data was collected over the course of six weeks. Teachers recorded the number of times each student received a warning, consequence for misbehavior, positive behavior slip, or demonstrated a misbehavior using individual student tracking sheets, tally sheets, and a reflection journal. Throughout the six weeks, students were given a check-in sheet to record their understanding and learning of the behavior system. Students recorded a much greater understanding …


Increasing Intrinsic Motivation And Reading Comprehension In Children, Lucy Amundson May 2015

Increasing Intrinsic Motivation And Reading Comprehension In Children, Lucy Amundson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract This action research studied the impact of strategic methods employed to help increase in intrinsic motivation of children to read while increasing comprehension ability. The study occurred in a private Montessori elementary classroom (grades 1-4). Eight students were exposed to a variety of literature genres strategically introduced and displayed and had the ability to choose literature at their leisure, participated in a book club, and completed weekly comprehension examines. Sources of data include dialogue recorded through teacher journaling, comprehension exam data, tally sheet containing data regarding book selections and also student self-evaluations. Following the implementation of the motivational techniques, …