Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Implementing Virtual Science Notebooks On Student Science Achievement In A Primary Classroom, Emily Sherman

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated the impact of implementing virtual science notebooks on primary students’ science achievement. Participants included twenty first grade students and their classroom teacher in a suburban, Minnesota school district. Students used iPads to complete virtual notebook pages after whole group instruction and independent learning time. Qualitative data collected included mid-intervention and post-intervention student and co-teacher interviews and researchers field notes and observations. Quantitative data included pre- and post-intervention rubric scores and a tally count of student inquiry. The data collected showed that students were highly engaged with their virtual notebooks and reported feeling more focused. However, …

The Effects Of Songs On Hmong Vocabulary Acquisition, Julie Thao

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research assessed the effects of singing a song to learn language in a bilingual classroom. The research took place at a bilingual Hmong-English Montessori preschool program. 28 preschool-aged children participated in the research which was conducted over five weeks. Data sources included a parent questionnaire, vocabulary pre-test, vocabulary post-test with a follow-up conversation, daily observation logs, and tally sheet. The children were taught 16 Hmong vocabulary words with half the words sung to the tune of a common children’s song and the other half by simple reciting. The results from the vocabulary post-test showed that there was an …

The Effects Of Pre-Teaching Vocabulary, Along With Peer Collaboration, On Student Comprehension Of Social Studies Texts At St. Cloud Tech High School, Molly Denne

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project looked at the impact that pre-teaching vocabulary, along with peer collaboration, had on student comprehension of 5-12 social studies texts. Sixty students in a 10th grade World History class received instruction that included pre-teaching of vocabulary terms that students would be exposed to in a reading of the week through use of direct instruction, elaboration, application, and transfer using the Frayer Model, and group interactions. Student discussions of the article of the week engaged peers in collaborating around the work. Data was collected on vocabulary assessments, comprehension assessments, discussion checklists, and field notes. The students received …

Effects Of Explicit Vocabulary Instruction On Reading Comprehension, Carolyn Moscho, Ryan Moscho

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research paper examines the relationship between explicit vocabulary instruction and reading comprehension, specifically with English Language Learners (ELL). The research took place in a second and fourth grade classroom in the same school in central Minnesota. Students took pretests and posttests for grade level comprehension and vocabulary assessments. Students would then receive explicit vocabulary instruction throughout the week. Finally, students would complete the same assessments as were completed at the beginning of Student surveys were also used to measure confidence and motivation. Data was collected in the form of pretest and posttest scores for grade level comprehension and …

"Effects Of Front-Loading Vocabulary For English As A Second Language Learners, Mandy L. Downs

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research investigated the effects of front-loading vocabulary on four-year-old English as a second language learners (ESL). Fourteen 4-year-old children were included in the study. Two were native English speakers and the remaining 12 were ESL students. The sources of data included a daily log of the children’s attention during a read aloud, parent feedback, a personal field journal and pre and post intervention vocabulary assessments. Children with stronger English language knowledge displayed an increase in their vocabulary and participation. Due to the increase in vocabulary and participation in English speaking children, I will continue to front-load vocabulary while …

The Effects Of Sign Language On Second Language Acquisition, Itzel Mejia-Menendez

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project examined the effects of sign language on the ability of primary students to learn new Spanish vocabulary in a bilingual Montessori classroom. The research took place at a public charter Montessori school in Washington, District of Columbia. Twenty-seven primary school aged children were included in this seven-week study. Sources of data collection included a parent-teacher questionnaire, a baseline assessment, daily observation logs, a daily checklist, a weekly journal, and a summative assessment. Students were grouped by Spanish fluency and taught eight different vocabulary words in Spanish. Half of the words were taught alongside a sign in …

Vocabulary Instruction And Student Participation And Retention, Jenny A. Kading, Lisa J. Zuther

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research investigated vocabulary retention and participation gain from integrating close reading passages into a Kindergarten and Second Grade public school classroom. The methods incorporated included turn and talk opportunities, student journals, and close reading passages. Thirty-six primary school aged students were included in the study. Sources of data collection include a teacher self-evaluation survey, vocabulary recognition task, observational checklist, and observational rubric. Students displayed an increase in vocabulary retention and participation. Because of the students’ increase in retention and participation during whole group instruction, we will continue to use close reading passages in our classrooms.

Finding Better Ways: Exploring Techniques To Support Native American And Low-Income Students In A Middle School, Wade Curren, Julie Curren, Caitlin Draper, Ben Schiermeister

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This paper explored four techniques middle school educators used to increase the academic success and engagement of Native American and low-income students in the classrooms. Two researchers studied the effects of relationship building and culturally relevant writing curriculum on student engagement. The other two researchers studied the effects of vocabulary instruction and differentiated assessments on student academic success. Twenty four Native American or low income students in grades 6 through 8 were studied. Data was collected through student surveys, observations, and assessment results to determine the effectiveness of these four strategies. The researchers found that the relationship building and culturally …

The Impact Of Inferring Word Meaning: Context Clues, Aubrey Wilson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract

The intent of this action research project was to determine the impact of context clue strategies on the ability to infer meaning from context. The study was conducted in a public Montessori school with 13 students in the 3rd grade with varied ability levels. In order to gather pre-assessment data, children were assessed on their ability to derive meaning directly from clues they found in context. Various context clue strategies were presented and practiced. During this time, data was collected using observations, student journals, and conferring. After the research, children completed a post-assessment to track changes and improvement. The …