Education Commons^™

The Relationship Between Grit And Montessori: An Educational System, Asma Nayef Dahbour

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Montessori and Grit 3

Abstract

Grit, patience and perseverance are cornerstones of Maria Montessori's pedagogy and the basis of this research. The purpose of this study is to describe how grit, patience and perseverance are character traits that help students reach their highest academic potential, and are essential to students' capacity to succeed and accomplish long-term goals. I used qualitative and quantitative inquiry to determine if the Montessori method elaborates grit and patience in children. The research took place in a children's house classroom located in an urban Montessori school. The results determined that students who received a Montessori education …

Learning Through Movement: Integrating Physical Education With The Classroom Curriculum, Nicolas Lepine

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to find if integrating physical education with the culture curriculum would enhance participation and increase learning in the classroom. The experiment was conducted at a Montessori school with one hundred elementary students split into a control group and experiment group. The control group received the traditional established physical education lessons while the experiment group received lessons integrated with culture themes. A pre and post assessment were given to the students to track improvements in concept retention.Observations were made during the lessons and a survey was given to the supervising teachers. There was not …

Using The Guided Math Framework To Provide Differentiated Instruction, Sarah C. Donovan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research conducted in this north suburban public elementary school included twenty-one mathematics student participants in my homeroom, and a cohort of fourteen participants who have been my students as third and fourth graders. I examined teaching strategies that are instrumental in providing quality education for all learners, specifically differentiated instruction through Guided Math. This framework of instruction, designed by Laney Sammons, takes into consideration daily data collection about each student’s ability, learning style and learner profile. These considerations allow teachers to fine tune instruction for struggling students and higher achieving students. In this study, I compared diagnostic assessment …

Closing The Reading Fluency Gap In Six Minutes, Amy Hanzal

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to determine the effects of the implementation of the intervention, The Six Minute Solution, on student oral reading fluency scores. The research study took place in two small reading groups at Rita Murphy Elementary school in Bismarck, ND. One group consisted of three third grade students and one fourth grade students. The second group was made up of three fourth grade students. A total of four data sources were used in the collection of data. These data sources included a district required assessment; AIMSweb benchmark and progress monitoring, The Six Minute Solution …

Effects Of In-Class Formative Assessments And Student Contracts On Homework Completion And Summative Assessments, Brian Robertson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was designed to see the effects of formal formative in-class assessments and student contracts on homework completion and summative assessments. The study took place in a small rural high school in Northeast Minnesota and the participants consisted of three sections of intermediate algebra classes of students from eighth grade through twelfth grade. All three sections used the formative assessments, while one of the sections used student contracts in addition. Data collection included three different surveys taken at different times throughout the study, teacher observations of the study, and results of homework completion and summative assessments. The results of …

The Effects Of Self-Determination Theory On Montessori Kindergarten Student’S Math Knowledge And Attitudes, Matthew P. Anderson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

SDT AND MONTESSORI KINDERGARTEN MATH 3 Abstract This action research examined how fostering student autonomy, competence, and relatedness as described in Self-determination Theory (SDT) improved the Montessori kindergarten student’s motivation to choose work from the math curriculum? By increasing the kindergarten student’s knowledge of the Montessori math curriculum sequence, an attempt was made to increase their autonomy, competence and relatedness as it pertains to choosing math work. The data collection consisted of a student survey and questionaire that was administered before and after the introduction of the action research interventions. Teacher observations were also helpful when determining if students were …

Monkey See Monkey Do: Modeling Positive Behavior In The Classroom, Stephanie Espe

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract

The research experiment was conducted at a dual language Montessori school in a lower elementary classroom that contained first grade students. The classroom contained thirteen students in total, with five boys and eight girls, and two head teachers. The research investigated if peaceful lessons (grace and courtesy lessons) and peaceful teacher modeling would affect the student’s behaviors and concentration in the classroom. The research began with baseline data collection through student interviews, student work, and a behavior tally sheet completed during the great work period in the morning. After the first two weeks of school, daily peaceful lessons were …

Literacy In Kindergarten: Using The Montessori Method In Combination With The Daily 5 Method, Andrea Nydegger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Abstract

This action research project was conducted to investigate the impact of merging the literacy program The Daily 5 with the Montessori Method of reading instruction. This project was intended to study the independent reading stamina of the students. It was conducted in a public Montessori School with kindergarten aged students from an early childhood classroom. There were 13 students participating, six girls and seven boys. Pre-assessment data was gathered in the forms of a parent survey and a baseline student reading assessment. Student stamina was recorded on a daily log and student reflections were recorded once a week. After …

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 …

Increasing Homework Quality And Completion Through Improved Student Engagement, Amber Gullickson, Amanda Primus, Eric Primus

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The objective of our action research project was to determine if improved student to teacher engagement would lead to increased homework completion and quality. Our research focused on a kindergarten classroom consisting of 18 students and an EBD resource room consisting of 17 students in grades 7-12. We collected data from student interviews, student surveys, classroom observations, and homework completion charts. The survey dealt with students’ feelings toward homework and the student interviews dealt with what motivates the students. The results showed that students who felt appreciated were more engaged and were more motivated to complete homework. We plan to …

The Effects Of Reading Strategies In Comprehension For Elementary Age Learners, Jennifer Blickenstaff, Ellie Hallquist, Kandi Kopel

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Increasing reading comprehension is a vital skill to improving general reading skills. Teachers can incorporate the specific reading comprehension strategies of 5 finger retell and fluency checks. We worked with elementary aged students from average 4th grade and kindergarten classrooms and a center-based classroom for students with Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD). Data were collected to determine the effectiveness of both the 5 finger retell and fluency check strategies that were implemented during our six-week study to improve reading comprehension. Following the six week study period, data analysis indicated that student reading comprehension increased in all study groups. As a result …

The Influence Of Character Education On Positive Behavior In The Classroom, Matt Montonye, Sonja Butenhoff, Shawn Krinke

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

One basic goal of all educational systems should be to prepare students to be effective members of a society. For these reasons, it is imperative that school districts and educators across the nation look at developing, implementing, and teaching students basic character education traits. Our team explored the influence character education had on positive behavior in our classrooms. Specifically, our data comes from two English Language Learner classrooms containing 33 total juniors and seniors, and one traditional English class containing 25 total seniors. We collected four types of data, including pre and post-surveys, PACK Referrals, a daily observational Tally Sheet, …

The Effects Of Technology Integration On Student Engagement, Justin Banitt, Sharon Theis, Lucas Van Leeuwe

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Building Vocabulary In Secondary Classrooms Using Best Practices, Rebekah Lund, Amanda Johnson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Our action research project began with finding a common denominator between a Mathematics teacher (Amanda Johnson) at a rural, alternative school and an English teacher (Rebekah Lund) at a rural, k-12 school. We wanted to research something that was relative to both of our struggles as teachers and the content in our classrooms, which are different in content, but similar in structure. Many of our students come from low-income backgrounds, where education is not always the primary focus. For Amanda in particular and somewhat Rebekah, many of our students are working through problems that are larger than academics, such as …

The Effects Of Visual Arts On Reading Comprehension Of 3rd Grade Learners, Kelsey Gravalin, Kimberly Maki

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research paper was to determine the effect of visual arts on comprehension skills of 3^rd grade students. The research study was implemented in a 3^rd grade classroom with the inclusion of an art teacher for a time period of 8 weeks during the months of April and May. We collected data to assess whether a visual arts project would affect comprehension scores on a quiz. We also collected pre and post attitude surveys and met with 2 focus groups. The results of this research indicated there was a slight increase of comprehension scores when …

S

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 21

Date of Interview: Summer 2013

Race: White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Frequent moves

ACE Factors: ---

Born in northern Minnesota, S is a White woman who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University. She first experienced homelessness in her late teens and in her interview discusses frequent moves, couch-surfing, staying with family, and the depression and anxiety she experienced trying to find safe and secure housing.

Sirena

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 35

Date of Interview: Summer 2013

Race: Hispanic

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Immigrant, Intergenerational poverty, Food insecurity

ACE Factors: Criminal household member, Household substance abuse

Born in the Twin Cities, Sirena is an Hispanic woman who participated in the Voices of Homeless project after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Catherine University in the summer of 2013. Since infancy she experienced housing insecurity, with her immigrant family moving frequently in the United States and Mexico. In her interview she discusses intergenerational poverty and food insecurity.

The Effects Of The Flipped Classroom Model In A Physical Science Classroom, Patricia Price

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was designed to examine the effects of the Flipped Classroom model; this inquisition was conducted in ninth grade physical science classes at a Minnesota public high school. All participants had school-issued iPads. Data sources included student interest and self-assessment surveys, formative and summative assessment data, teacher observations of student participation and a parent survey. Results showed that formative scores were the same during the first unit and one percent higher for the traditional classroom during the second unit. Scores for the third and fourth units showed opposite results. Summative assessment scores during the first two units were three …

The Effects Of Supplementary Reading Activities For Spanish Heritage Learners, Gayle Brownlow

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of the research was to determine if the use of supplementary reading activities involving cultural topics would increase reading proficiency of secondary Spanish heritage learners. Sixteen heritage learners participated in the study: nine girls and seven boys. At the time of the study, two students were in Spanish II, seven students were in Spanish III, six students were in Spanish IV and one student was in Spanish V. The four data sources for this research included the following: a student self-assessment, formative and summative assessments, a survey, and a teacher journal. These data revealed that the reading comprehension …

Lahens

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 29

Date of Interview: Spring 2013

Race: Haitian

Gender: Male

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Immigrant, Intergenerational poverty, Food insecurity

ACE Factors: Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Lack of education

Born in Haiti, Lahens is a Black St. Catherine University staff member who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project.. From birth he experienced housing insecurity and spent part of his childhood in an orphanage, begging at times, and living on the streets. At age 12 he was adopted by Sister Andrea Lee (IHM), former President of St. Catherine University, who helped him immigrate to Michigan and then to Minnesota. …

Student-Authored Word Problems And Their Impact On High School Mathematics Students’ Engagement, Jacob Heidelberger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Student-Authored Word Problems and Their Impact on High School Mathematics Students’ Engagement

Jake Heidelberger

May, 2012

Abstract

The focus of this action research was the impact of writing their own word problems on student engagement and attitudes toward word problems. I focused on two sections of Advanced Algebra 2, mostly junior year students, during the linear functions as mathematical models unit of study. Data were collected from preliminary and concluding surveys, daily exit slips, and student interviews. After reviewing the traditional approach to solving word problems, I asked my students to use the problems we worked through as a guide …

Mary

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 19

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: African American / White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Intergenerational poverty

ACE Factors: Parental separation or divorce, Domestic violence

Born in the Twin Cities, Mary is an African American/White woman who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a first year student at St. Catherine University.Beginning around age 4 and then throughout her childhood she experienced homelessness, frequently being passed between parents and relatives and spending time in foster care. In her interview she discusses intergenerational poverty and her experiences, as an adolescent, couch-surfing and being kicked out of …

Nora

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 25

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Single parent

ACE Factors: Physical abuse, Domestic violence, Household substance abuse, Criminal household member, Parental separation or divorce, Mental illness in household

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Nora is a single mother who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University. She experienced housing insecurity from her mid-adolescence until her mid-twenties. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s from St. Catherine University in 2014, prior to which she earned an Associate’s Degree in Health Care and Human Services. …

Helen

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 23

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: Hispanic

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Immigrant, Frequent moves, Intergenerational poverty, Food insecurity, Domestic violence

ACE Factors: Domestic violence

Born in Florida to an immigrant Hispanic family, Helen participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University. From birth she experienced housing insecurity and throughout her life her family moved frequently, often doubling up with friends and relatives. In her interview she discusses intergenerational poverty, food insecurity, and domestic violence.

Stacy

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 19

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: White/Asian

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Frequent moves, Food insecurity

ACE Factors: Parental separation or divorce

Born in rural Minnesota, Stacy is a White/Asian woman who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a first year student at St. Catherine University.. She experienced housing insecurity beginning at the age of 6 and throughout her childhood. In her interview she discusses frequent moves, couch-surfing, getting kicked out of her home, and being passed around from relative to relative, as well as food insecurity and poverty.

Jazz

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 32

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: African American

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Frequent moves, Food insecurity, Intergenerational poverty, Single parent

ACE Factors: Parental separation or divorce

Born in Illinois, Jazz is an African American, LGBTQ-identified, single mother who participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a senior at St. Catherine University. At the time of her interview, she lived in public housing and was experiencing housing insecurity. In May 2013 she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine University, and before that she obtained an LPN degree from a non-accredited trade school. Beginning …

Shaleen

Oral Histories

Age when Interviewed: 31

Date of Interview: Fall 2012

Race: White

Gender: Female

Keywords: Housing insecurity, Food insecurity

ACE Factors: Parental separation or divorce

Shaleen is a White woman who moved to the Twin Cities as a young child and she participated in the Voices of Homelessness project as a junior at St. Catherine University.. Prior to transferring to St. Kate’s, she earned a G.E.D. and took community college courses. Before this, starting at age 13 and throughout her adolescence, she experienced homelessness and in her interview she discusses couch-surfing and sleeping under bridges, as well as eviction from various …