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How Can The Orton-Gillingham Approach Be Used As An Effective Tool To Receive A Deeper Understanding Of Syllables And Word Spelling For Students Who Are Hard Of Hearing?, James D. Grota Jul 2017

How Can The Orton-Gillingham Approach Be Used As An Effective Tool To Receive A Deeper Understanding Of Syllables And Word Spelling For Students Who Are Hard Of Hearing?, James D. Grota

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing come to school with limitations to learning that the average student does not have. Being able to hear words and sounds is an important part of learning to spell those words. This paper will identify some characteristics in the development of learning word syllable recognition and phonics, as well as, strategies to help improve learning for students who are deaf and hard of hearing by using the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The OrtonGillingham Approach uses a multisensory strategy that includes audio, visual, and feeling to help solidify word recognition and spelling. Although the approach …


Using Knowledge Of The Adolescent Brain To Increase Motivation And Build Relationships, Courtney Elizabeth Anderson Jul 2017

Using Knowledge Of The Adolescent Brain To Increase Motivation And Build Relationships, Courtney Elizabeth Anderson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can we use knowledge of the adolescent brain to increase motivation and relationships? Adolescents are experiencing a plethora of changes that impact their ability to learn. Therefore, it is crucial to consider ways to provide them with optimal success in their academics and beyond the walls of the classroom. This Capstone provides literature supporting the value in developing the adolescent brain and using the knowledge to help increase motivation and build relationships. In addition to the literature, this Capstone provides a project that implements brain-based strategies into a curriculum in order …


Developing A Teacher Guidebook To Increase Outdoor Education In Schools, Patrick Schuette Jul 2017

Developing A Teacher Guidebook To Increase Outdoor Education In Schools, Patrick Schuette

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

An outdoor education guidebook was developed to help teachers start outdoor education courses, increase student engagement, and develop intrapersonal and interpersonal skills in students. Outdoor education is about much more than learning content information in a classroom; it is the class and teaching mindset which rekindles students’ passion for learning and discovery. Outdoor education best practice consists of place-based learning where students learn physical and mental skills with the outcome of success being directly related to those skills. Outdoor education will look different depending on location because it is influenced by local environmental, students, resources, and culture. The outdoor education …


Pedagogy-Minded Use Of Web-Based Technology In The Classroom, Jeff Mcgie Jul 2017

Pedagogy-Minded Use Of Web-Based Technology In The Classroom, Jeff Mcgie

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was: How can teachers use web-based technology in the curriculum to increase student engagement and enrich learning? It documents a teacher’s creation of a technology-infused curriculum that uses valid research and pedagogically-minded practices as its foundation. In addition to the curriculum, the author created a web technology toolbox that assists teachers in effectively and strategically implementing the technology into their classroom. The author describes the project’s challenges as well as the implications for students and teachers. He concludes that: 1) technology enhances learning only when used in alignment with pedagogy and instructional strategies; …


How Could I Create A Project Based Learning Unit To Help Third Grade Students Develop 21st Century Skills In A Chinese Immersion School, Ying Wang Jul 2017

How Could I Create A Project Based Learning Unit To Help Third Grade Students Develop 21st Century Skills In A Chinese Immersion School, Ying Wang

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how could I create a project based learning unit to help third grade students develop 21st Century Skills in a Chinese immersion school? The purpose of this project is to help Chinese immersion teachers with a guidance in designing and implementing project based learning (PBL) instead of starting from scratch. The capstone provides a definition, benefits, challenges of project based learning, and the importance of integrating 21st century skills into project based learning. The author documented the process of creating a project based learning unit on social studies for third grade classroom. …


Sing If You Know It: Songs With Gestures Used To Reinforce Tier-2 And Tier-3 Content Vocabulary To Early Elementary English Learners, Catherine C. Ragsdale Jul 2017

Sing If You Know It: Songs With Gestures Used To Reinforce Tier-2 And Tier-3 Content Vocabulary To Early Elementary English Learners, Catherine C. Ragsdale

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

In Minnesota, the state standards require that all students, including English learners of all proficiencies, demonstrate knowledge of complex academic and content vocabulary. This can pose obvious problems for students with limited English proficiency. Research has shown that music and gestures can play an integral part in the retention of difficult vocabulary. It can also increase a student’s motivation, while building their confidence and minimizing their anxiety. Furthermore, music can create solidarity in the classroom. Many teachers, though at times intimidated by its implementation, agree that using music in the classroom can enhance learning and increase retention. That being said, …


Embedding Social Emotional Learning Goals Into A Reading Curriculum For Third Grade, Molly Tiedeman Brown Jul 2017

Embedding Social Emotional Learning Goals Into A Reading Curriculum For Third Grade, Molly Tiedeman Brown

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The inquiry into the best way to embed Social Emotional Learning in a literacy curriculum for 3rd grade, led the author to read literature explaining the components of social emotional learning, focusing on one competency: selfawareness. Effective curriculum elements, third grade standards and specific strategies were also reviewed. The author concluded that the best way to do this was through the reader’s workshop framework, specifically the mini-lesson. The author created a four-week curriculum, each week focusing on one children’s literature text that teaches both literacy standards and social emotional learning. Extension activities and strategies to implement throughout the school day …


Closing The Gap In Urban Summer School Programs, Crystal Nelson Jul 2017

Closing The Gap In Urban Summer School Programs, Crystal Nelson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Alternative learning and assessment methods have transformed secondary education to better equip students for the future. The author set out to explore how problem-based learning (PBL) can be implemented into urban summer school programs. The literature review revealed the rationale for embedding PBL strategies into curriculum as the evidence that PBL improves the student classroom experience. The process of writing curriculum using PBL strategies showed the author PBL’s ability for students to develop 21st century skills, create student action in the community, and reduce the summer learning gap. This capstone supports the idea that PBL can be connected to the …


Curriculum For Teaching Relative Constructions To Somali-Speaking Learners Of English, Kelly M. Rynda Jul 2017

Curriculum For Teaching Relative Constructions To Somali-Speaking Learners Of English, Kelly M. Rynda

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how do relative constructions in Somali compare to relative constructions in English, what difficulties do Englishlanguage learners have acquiring relatives, and what teaching strategies are most appropriate for these learners? It documents one teacher’s creation of a unit focused entirely around the acquisition of relative constructions, using strategies that have been identified as most effective, such as learning subject relatives and object relatives in sequence and utilizing repeated timed reading. The author provides lesson plans and activities that align with the best practices outlined in the research, with particular consideration given to …


How Can Inquiry-Based Learning Be Successfully Implemented In The Secondary Mathematics Classroom, Aaron Kadera Jul 2017

How Can Inquiry-Based Learning Be Successfully Implemented In The Secondary Mathematics Classroom, Aaron Kadera

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was, how can inquiry-based learning by successfully integrated in the secondary mathematics classroom? It documents one teacher’s creation of a set of inquiry-based curriculum modules intended for use in AP Calculus AB and Precalculus courses. The curriculum created by the author aims to guide students to construct new knowledge through a process of settling doubt within a community of learners; a process known as an inquiry cycle. He analyzes both the intended use and flexibility the curriculum modules, discusses how to measure their effectiveness, and how to adopt different strategies in the case …


What Are The Components Of An Effective Middle School Reading Intervention Curriculum?, Michelle Hager Jul 2017

What Are The Components Of An Effective Middle School Reading Intervention Curriculum?, Michelle Hager

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Many different structures and approaches have been implemented in an effort to provide struggling adolescent readers with appropriate and effective reading intervention. Experts in the field of reading intervention have determined that a successful reading intervention curriculum must include instruction in the areas of fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary aligned to content area curriculum, and also attend to student mindset and motivation. Therefore this researcher set out to design a curriculum to answer the research question: What are the components of an effective middle school reading intervention curriculum? The curriculum created was designed to support struggling adolescent readers in the specific …


How Can Human-Centered Design Be Used To Implement A Teacher-Designed, Standards-Based Curriculum?, James P. Magee Jul 2017

How Can Human-Centered Design Be Used To Implement A Teacher-Designed, Standards-Based Curriculum?, James P. Magee

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to create a framework, based on the principles of HumanCentered Design, to implement and continue the development of a Standards-Based Curriculum that was designed by the teachers using it. While going through iterations, the curriculum will remain true to the principles of Standards-Based Instruction. Much of the research supporting a Standards-Based Curriculum comes from Robert Marzano. One of the main goals of using Human-Centered Design, in addition to the continued design and implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum, is to increase Collective-Teacher Efficacy. Elmore and Hattie both cite extensive data suggesting that high …


How Can We Use The Lake Superior Watershed To Connect To Anishinaabe Youth And Inspire Them To Continue As Stewards Of The Land?, Heidi Lynn Ojibway Jul 2017

How Can We Use The Lake Superior Watershed To Connect To Anishinaabe Youth And Inspire Them To Continue As Stewards Of The Land?, Heidi Lynn Ojibway

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Anishinaabe youth have historically experienced difficulty adjusting to mainstream education. Their graduation rates are the lowest in the country (Camera, 2015). By developing curriculum that is culturally relevant and rebuilds connections to the land educators can work towards closing the education gap. The curriculum in this capstone project uses the Lake Superior Watershed, environmental education practices, and American Indian Learner Outcomes to meet state standards. By using culturally relevant materials to connect to Anishinaabe youth it is expected that they will feel invested in the curriculum. They will build stronger community ties which in turn results in stewardship. The curriculum …


Learning Through Student Driven Inquiry In A Spanish Immersion Fourth Grade Classroom, Anne Mcginn Jul 2017

Learning Through Student Driven Inquiry In A Spanish Immersion Fourth Grade Classroom, Anne Mcginn

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The driving question in this capstone is, how can I design a Spanish immersion social studies unit to bring student driven inquiry to a suburban elementary school while still meeting state and district requirements? This capstone describes one teacher’s exploration of models and elements of Student Driven Inquiry and the creation of a Spanish Immersion Social Studies unit that guides students to learn through their own inquiry and the model of Project Based Learning. This capstone project documents the process and justification for creating the unit and includes all necessary lessons and resources for implementing the unit itself.


Differentiating Instruction To Develop Conceptual Understanding In Multiplication, Christopher A. Kamrath Jul 2017

Differentiating Instruction To Develop Conceptual Understanding In Multiplication, Christopher A. Kamrath

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project was: How can curriculum be created to increase student conceptual understanding of multiplication? The author investigated how to develop an understanding in multiplication through research on conceptual understanding, the stages of learning multiplication and how to integrate a conceptual understanding into the classroom. The author considered the work of Boaler, Brickwedde, Carpenter and Wright to guide his research. The Understanding by Design model from Wiggins and McTighe was used to create the curriculum. The research resulted in a six week multiplication curriculum which consists of daily forty-five minute intervention period through four stations: …


Effective Whole Group Literacy Instruction For Teaching English Language Newcomers Through Total Physical Response And The Use Of Visuals, Nicole Holmes Jul 2017

Effective Whole Group Literacy Instruction For Teaching English Language Newcomers Through Total Physical Response And The Use Of Visuals, Nicole Holmes

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of this curriculum development was to create whole group literacy lessons that would benefit all students, especially English Language newcomers. In-depth research in Total Physical Response, the use of visuals, literacy and English Language newcomers drove the findings to implement the use of three vocabulary words at the beginning of each lesson. There are a total of twenty lessons, five lessons in four units, with the implementation of three vocabulary words at the beginning using TPR and visuals to get the meaning across to students. There are assessments to better support English Language newcomers within each unit.


Developing A Garden-Based Curriculum For Middle School Content Enrichment, Dane Warming Jul 2017

Developing A Garden-Based Curriculum For Middle School Content Enrichment, Dane Warming

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Garden-based education has been around for more than a century. It is one of the many outdoor learning strategies used by modern teachers. Gardens provide an engaging, safe, and interesting place to learn. However, teachers face a number of challenges when teaching in an outdoor setting. In order to decide if those efforts are justified a study of the research relating to outdoor education was conducted. The literature review revealed that outdoor learning offers benefits to student learning, physical and mental health, and overall development. This literature review informed the creation of a cross-content curriculum project. The lessons that make …


Creating An Inquiry-Based Force Unit For A Ninth-Grade Science Class, Hans P. Harlane Jul 2017

Creating An Inquiry-Based Force Unit For A Ninth-Grade Science Class, Hans P. Harlane

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

As students study science, they need to learn how to investigate a question, as a scientist would, not just memorize facts and figures. Teaching through inquiry lends itself well to students working collaboratively to build their own understanding as opposed to only being told. The literature shows that there are several ways to teach through inquiry, all of which include the students being engaged in, exploring, explaining, and extending their learning. Using the four necessary parts of inquiry, along with the Understanding by Design framework, a unit curriculum on forces was developed to help guide the students to build their …


Teaching Animal Ethics In Culturally Diverse Settings, Julie Knopp Jul 2017

Teaching Animal Ethics In Culturally Diverse Settings, Julie Knopp

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project explores the research question “How can we teach compassion for animals in a culturally responsive manner?” The premise stems from the contrast of the narrow range of values taught in public schools and the growing cultural diversity of our students. Literature in moral development theory, culturally responsive pedagogy, and humane education suggested that the most effective values education invites students to think critically. By providing information, modeling, and supports for ethical decision-making, students develop a greater sense of moral integrity, while simultaneously developing essential academic skills. The result of this project is a unit promoting critical thinking about …


Guided Reading Curriculum For Chinese Immersion Kindergarten, Yue Fu Jul 2017

Guided Reading Curriculum For Chinese Immersion Kindergarten, Yue Fu

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The purpose of the study was to create a guided reading curriculum for Chinese Immersion Kindergarten programs. Guided reading worked as an educational literate instruction played a significant role in schools. Based on the summarize of the history and strategies of guide reading instruction, as well as a general review of the implementation of English as a second language (ELL) learners, the connections between the instruction and immersion students, became possible. By combining the “backward” unit model design, reviewing the guided reading strategies, and coordinating the Language Arts Curriculum in our Chinese Immersion Kindergarten program, this paper developed a guided …