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Articles 1 - 30 of 154
Full-Text Articles in Education
How Do We Educate Children That Live In A Water Rich Environment About The Need For Water Conservation?, Theresa Marie Vermeersch
How Do We Educate Children That Live In A Water Rich Environment About The Need For Water Conservation?, Theresa Marie Vermeersch
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this curriculum development Capstone was to create a unit of lessons to address how we educate children that live in a water rich environment about the need for water conservation. The curriculum contains lessons in a kit that educate children about water cycles, water sheds, water run-off, water pollution, and water conservation. Methods of teaching include hands-on lessons, small and large group activities that incorporate literature. The overall goal is to create curriculum that would foster a sense of water conservation stewardship in students. Included with this curriculum are copies of handouts, assessments, and literature.
Teaching Environmental Education To Elementary Aged Home School Students At Nature Centers: An Analysis Of Best Practices, Ronald P. Wodtke
Teaching Environmental Education To Elementary Aged Home School Students At Nature Centers: An Analysis Of Best Practices, Ronald P. Wodtke
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, what are the best practices for teaching environmental education to elementary aged home school students at nature centers located in a large metropolitan area in the Upper Midwest? This study, analyzes the best practices used by several nature centers that offer home school programs, and are located in the seven counties that comprise the physical limits of the study. A nature center is a designated community space where trained professionals guide and facilitate visitors in their exploration of the natural world, and in developing a relationship with nature. Additionally, this experience should …
Equitable Identification Of El Students For Special Education By All Teachers, Hanna Winkelman
Equitable Identification Of El Students For Special Education By All Teachers, Hanna Winkelman
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project is: How do teachers refer EL students for special education services and how can the process be more equitable for students? The motivating factor for this research was one teacher’s frustration in referring EL students for special education services at a large urban school. The teacher felt as though the process was disorganized, inequitable and did not support EL students with the highest needs. The author interviews ESL, special education teachers and a bilingual educational assistant at one urban school to identify their perspective of the process and frustrations that arise from it. …
Developing An Educational Toolkit For Caregivers Of Six-To-Eighteen-Month-Olds Mixing Developmental Milestones And Outdoor Education, Jessica K. Hillstrom
Developing An Educational Toolkit For Caregivers Of Six-To-Eighteen-Month-Olds Mixing Developmental Milestones And Outdoor Education, Jessica K. Hillstrom
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone addressed the research question, Would the creation of an environmental, outdoor education toolkit help significantly benefit very young children reach their childhood milestone goals? It documents the creation of an educational toolkit for children aged 6 – 18 months old, which integrated age appropriate developmental milestone games and activities with outdoor themed activities. The goal was to prove that proving parents and caregivers with a toolkit for this age group of 6–18-month-old children would help make parents interested in spending more time outdoors, provide a cost-affective method for early outdoor exposure, and help parents save time by using …
Plate Waste Trends Of 5Th-8Th Grade Students At A Residential Environmental Learning Center, Colleen K. Foehrenbacher
Plate Waste Trends Of 5Th-8Th Grade Students At A Residential Environmental Learning Center, Colleen K. Foehrenbacher
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This descriptive research determined, using aggregated nonselective plate waste measurements, the characteristics of plate waste generated by 5th-8th grade students visiting Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota over the course of 5 years. The results indicated a positive relationship between plate waste and group size; that groups from rural schools wasted less plate waste than schools from urban or suburban locations; and that groups from private schools wasted less than groups from public school groups. Completely eliminating plate waste is unrealistic, but reducing plate waste lowers user costs, makes program operations more efficient, and enhances a program’s success …
Reader Role Models: How Cross-Age Tutoring Can Help Second And Sixth Graders Improve Their Reading Skills, Robert Mccabe
Reader Role Models: How Cross-Age Tutoring Can Help Second And Sixth Graders Improve Their Reading Skills, Robert Mccabe
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone is: “How does a reading intervention program at an urban charter school taught by sixth grade students to second grade students, commonly known as cross-age tutoring, affect the reading test scores of both groups?” This action research study examines the practice of cross-age tutoring and details the development of a reading program involving eight sixth grade and eight second grade students in an urban charter school setting. Using a mixed methods design, the results indicated significant growth and improvement for the second grade students, while the sixth grade students showed more mixed results.
What Instructional Strategies Are Effective For Increasing Vocabulary For English Language Learners In A Preschool Classroom?, Nicole Carter
What Instructional Strategies Are Effective For Increasing Vocabulary For English Language Learners In A Preschool Classroom?, Nicole Carter
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project is What Instructional Strategies are Effective for Increasing Vocabulary for English Language Learners in a Preschool Classroom? Teaching students who are limited in their understanding of the English language can be a daunting tasks; since students speak their native languages at home, making it difficult for teachers to communicate with them. This topic is significant because there has been a rapid increase in English language learners in the United States with the gap in achievement between ELLs and their English speaking peers. The purpose of the research is to find ways to increase …
A Descriptive Study Of Implementing Tiered Systematic Phonics Intervention Through The Colorado Read Act, Geoffrey H. Stokes
A Descriptive Study Of Implementing Tiered Systematic Phonics Intervention Through The Colorado Read Act, Geoffrey H. Stokes
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question explored in this capstone was, how might I aid schools and districts in implementing district-wide systematic phonics intervention, both instructionally and organizationally? It documents Denver Public Schools (DPS) efforts to implement the READ act, a comprehensive law in which all students are evaluated in reading and assigned intervention if needed. The capstone explores how DPS can implement tiered systematic phonics intervention as part of the READ act. The paper reviews the most current peer reviewed research regarding the efficacy of phonics intervention. Using the methodology of a descriptive study, the capstone lays out a detailed logistical proposal …
An Analysis Of Critical Thinking And Motivation In A Korean University Efl Classroom, Andrew Steven Parker
An Analysis Of Critical Thinking And Motivation In A Korean University Efl Classroom, Andrew Steven Parker
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study was designed to determine what kinds of motivation students at a Korean university had for learning English, how the students would respond to intervention lessons with strong critical thinking components, and to what extent, if any, did those students feel that critical thinking would be advantageous to the study of English. It utilized a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected in the form of Likert questionnaire items and analyzed in terms of Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System. Qualitative data was collected using open-ended questionnaire items. The findings were that the students’ strongest source of motivation was their Ideal …
How Can Science And Literacy Be Integrated In A Fifth Grade Cirriculum [Sic]?, Kathryn J. Hellen
How Can Science And Literacy Be Integrated In A Fifth Grade Cirriculum [Sic]?, Kathryn J. Hellen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this capstone was, How can science and literacy be integrated in a fifth grade curriculum? This capstone describes current research in science education, reading motivation and engagement, and the science and literacy connection. The goal of this capstone was to create a unit that would captivate students’ interests in science and use that interest as a catalyst to grow their literacy skills. This unit is designed to be used in a 5th grade Spanish immersion classroom centered on the themes of life science and non-fiction reading. The accompanying curriculum utilizes the Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction (CORI) …
Teaching The Cultures Of Minnesota Native American Tribes: Reported Comfort Level Of Teachers In Meeting Minnesota English Language Arts Standards, James D. Autio
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The issue of how to teach about Minnesota Native American tribes in elementary school intrigues me because of my personal experiences growing up as an Ojibwe/Finnish person. As an adult, I became an educator and wanted to improve my craft while also helping other teachers to feel better about working with this topic. The Minnesota English Language Arts standards specify a need for second- and fourth-grade teachers to teach about Dakota and Ojibwe people, but teachers report varying levels of comfort. This paper examines similar state-mandated situations in Montana and Alaska, and different ways in which the schools tried to …
How International Graduate Students Whose First Language Is Not English Describe The Impact Of Speaking With An Accent In Their Learning, Guadalupe Bañuls
How International Graduate Students Whose First Language Is Not English Describe The Impact Of Speaking With An Accent In Their Learning, Guadalupe Bañuls
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Every year thousands of international students come to the United States to study. Many who pursue advanced degrees are adults whose first language is not English, and they most likely speak English with an accent. Since social interactions are fundamental for learning, speaking English with an accent can be a barrier in communicating with others and impact their learning. This study had two foci: How speaking with an accent impacts the learning of international graduate students whose first language is not English and the impact of speaking English with an accent in their professional and academic environments. The study was …
Virtual Reference Best Practices And The College Student Experience, Sara J. Stambaugh
Virtual Reference Best Practices And The College Student Experience, Sara J. Stambaugh
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This capstone addressed the research question: what are today’s best practices in online reference, and how can librarians at academic institutions improve the student experience in online reference transactions? It documents one librarian’s creation of best practices for a virtual reference service based on the guidelines and practices outlined by governing bodies, commercial entities, and other libraries. During the study the practices were implemented at a higher education institution and results about the effectiveness, clarity, and overall improvement of virtual reference transactions were gathered using a mixed-methods approach. The author used related research literature as a foundation for building best …
Student Engagement And Project-Based Learning In The Social Studies Classroom, Noelle J. Nelson
Student Engagement And Project-Based Learning In The Social Studies Classroom, Noelle J. Nelson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how is student engagement affected through Project-Based Learning in an eleventh grade social studies classroom? It documents one teacher’s ability to incorporate Project-Based Learning in an urban high school social studies classroom. It will show that with the use of Project-Based Learning student engagement does increase. Students are pushed to critically think, problem solve, investigate, and collaborate. The author documents the details of a World War II Project-Based Learning unit and uses related research literature to construct meaning and validate the study. She looks into the different teaching strategies and scaffolding to …
Best Practices For Co-Teaching Literacy In The Secondary Language Arts Classroom, Anne Robenhorst
Best Practices For Co-Teaching Literacy In The Secondary Language Arts Classroom, Anne Robenhorst
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to investigate the best practices for co-teaching literacy in the secondary language arts classroom. Participants of the study included 34 tenth grade students in a co-taught English class who completed anonymous questionnaires, and two language arts teachers, one special education teacher and one assistant principal were interviewed. Qualitative data was gathered regarding academic grades and state testing scores in the area of reading. The student survey feedback indicated positive perceptions related to the co-taught environment, primarily increased writing skills. Teacher interviews highlighted the most effective co-teaching models and stressed the importance of strong administrative …
Teaching English Rhythm: The Importance Of Rhythm And Strategies To Effectively Incorporate Rhythm Practice Within Content Lessons, Angela L. Reinard Haasch
Teaching English Rhythm: The Importance Of Rhythm And Strategies To Effectively Incorporate Rhythm Practice Within Content Lessons, Angela L. Reinard Haasch
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was how can professional development (PD) materials be developed to educate adult education (AE) English as a second language (ESL) teachers about English rhythm and to provide effective strategies to incorporate rhythm throughout content lessons? The motivating factor for this capstone was an observation of teachers’ insecurities regarding pronunciation pedagogy of suprasegmental features, specifically rhythm, a lack of focus on rhythm in ESL classrooms, and a need for PD surrounding teaching pronunciation. The research defines English rhythm, the way it differs from the rhythm of other languages, and its affect on intelligibility. Furthermore, …
Measuring What Students Know: Ensuring Math Word Problems On School Written Assessments Accurately Display English Language Learners’ Understanding Of Math Skills, Lori Magstadt
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study seeks to determine how often math word problems used by teachers to assess student learning contain unnecessary linguistic challenges for English Language Learners. It examines a question bank of math word problems used by a group of schools to develop internal assessments based on the six principals of Universal Design (UD), a set of linguistic modifications adopted on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment. Key influences included peers, EL teachers seeking to support their students in math, formal and current students, and authors such as Bambrick-Sontoyo, Abedi, Sato, etc. The research method was text analysis using both qualitative and quantitative …
Effectiveness Of Cognitively Guided Instruction Practices In Below Grade-Level Elementary Students, Katherine S. Munday
Effectiveness Of Cognitively Guided Instruction Practices In Below Grade-Level Elementary Students, Katherine S. Munday
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This study asked the question, What is the effect of Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) practices on the math beliefs and abilities of below grade-level second grade students? A mixed methods approach was used to measure the impact of a four-week CGI-based intervention on below grade-level second graders’ math proficiency, as well as their math affect, self-concept, and anxiety. Data was also collected on participants’ strategy sophistication, conceptual understanding, and ability to explain their thinking. Findings suggest that CGI practices led to improvement in specific math abilities in below grade-level students, including fluency and automaticity, Base 10 understanding, strategy sophistication, and …
Jiji Can Talk! An Oral Language Strategy Guide For Blended Learning Math Classrooms Using St Math, William Menz
Jiji Can Talk! An Oral Language Strategy Guide For Blended Learning Math Classrooms Using St Math, William Menz
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how can an oral language strategy guide be created to support ELs language development in the elementary math classroom that uses ST Math. The capstone outlines strategies that can be paired with online content from ST Math to help ELs and native speakers develop oral language around the math puzzles presented in the standards based curriculum. By simultaneously addressing conceptual understanding of math content and English language development, the strategy guide works to meet the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and the Principles of Math Instruction for ELs using ST Math, …
Perceptions Of Co-Teaching, Ashlee Wicks
Perceptions Of Co-Teaching, Ashlee Wicks
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research project was to investigate mainstream and ESL teachers’ perceptions of co-teaching. Electronic surveys were used to collect data. Teachers were asked to reflect on experiences they have had co-teaching. In addition, they were asked to share beliefs about ESL program models, co-teaching, and components they believe are necessary to make coteaching successful. Results show that a high percentage of mainstream and ESL teachers believe that co-teaching is a highly effective ESL program model and are willing to co-teach. However, both teachers with experience co-teaching and without acknowledge that there are many challenges to successfully co-teach. …
The Impacts Of An Experiential-Based Learning Opportunity, Allison Ronglien
The Impacts Of An Experiential-Based Learning Opportunity, Allison Ronglien
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The question addressed by this research study was, “What are the impacts of an experiential-based learning opportunity?” Participants of the study were high school students enrolled in an elective summer field-experience course. Students completed a survey prior to the nine-day canoe trip in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota. This survey provided background information on the participants’ general interest in the environment, self-confidence, and ability to communicate effectively. Following the field-experience, students completed a similar survey. The data collected was analyzed using methods for a qualitative research study. The results indicated that after participating in a field-experience course students reported a …
Teacher Sustainability Cultural Wealth Among Suburban Educators Of Color, Verna Wong
Teacher Sustainability Cultural Wealth Among Suburban Educators Of Color, Verna Wong
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how do teachers of color sustain themselves in a profession that struggles to retain teachers? It utilized bell hooks’s feminist theory to look at the challenges and strengths of teachers through gender, race and class intersections. Because retention is a concern, especially among teachers of color, the ndings describe how teachers utilized cultural wealth to strengthen their capacity to stay in their profession. Tara Yosso (2005) denes cultural wealth as “an array of knowledge, skills, abilities, and contacts possessed and utilized by Communities of Color to survive and resist macro and micro …
The Connection Between Movement And Student Engagement In A Kindergarten Classroom, Catherine B. Lay
The Connection Between Movement And Student Engagement In A Kindergarten Classroom, Catherine B. Lay
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was: How will regular movement opportunities impact student engagement in a kindergarten classroom? This capstone begins with the personal experiences and influences of the author that led her to this question. Research on the connection between the brain, movement, and development is explained. Programs and countries that integrate frequent movement opportunities into their school schedules are examined in chapter two. This action research project uses a mixed-methods approach to observe off-task behavior during an independent writing period in a kindergarten class. Two weeks of observation are followed by two weeks of movement intervention …
How Does The Amount Of Recess Impact Student Behavior In The Kindergarten Classroom?, Theresa Phillippo
How Does The Amount Of Recess Impact Student Behavior In The Kindergarten Classroom?, Theresa Phillippo
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question answered in this study was, how does the amount of recess impact student behavior in the kindergarten classroom? The author used a mixed methods approach to conduct action research within the kindergarten classroom and presents data including kindergarten teacher reflections, an educator survey, an administrator interview, and five target behaviors tallied before, during, and after implementing additional recesses into the school day. The teacher’s findings then echo what was found in the literature. The study is synthesized and conclusions are drawn in answer to the guiding question.
World History Unit Plan That Nurtures Habits Of Mind And Integrates Strategies Promoted By The National Urban Alliance, Katherine A. Martin
World History Unit Plan That Nurtures Habits Of Mind And Integrates Strategies Promoted By The National Urban Alliance, Katherine A. Martin
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was: In what ways can I develop a social studies unit plan that fosters Habits of Mind as learning outcomes and integrates strategies that will positively impact student engagement? The author began her research by investigating the topic of student engagement and instructional strategies promoted by the National Urban Alliance to enhance student engagement. The author also investigated Habits of Mind and the writings of Costa and Kallick. The unit plan was designed using the Understanding by Design Model from Wiggins and McTighe. The result of the research was a social studies unit …
How Anchor Charts Can Engage Students In Interactive Read-Alouds, Christine Simmet
How Anchor Charts Can Engage Students In Interactive Read-Alouds, Christine Simmet
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question explored and answered in this project was, can anchor charts make readalouds more interactive and engaging? This project documents the exploration and creation of anchor charts in a read-aloud setting. In conjunction with the Journeys’ (2009) curriculum the researcher created four anchor charts with a goal to create more engagement and increase the interactive quality of read-alouds. The researcher utilizes different types of anchor charts to see student engagement responses. She details the literature surrounding anchor charts as well as giving some background regarding read- alouds and engagement strategies for young learners. The researcher then describes the …
High School Water Quality Curriculum For Rural And Urban Areas, James David Mesik
High School Water Quality Curriculum For Rural And Urban Areas, James David Mesik
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this curriculum development Capstone was to create a unit of lessons to address the topic of water quality for high school students in an agricultural class focusing on natural resources. The curriculum contains lessons that tackle issues related to both farmland and nonfarm related water quality issues. Methods of teaching include hands-on lessons, a field trip and a guest speaker. Specific issues are confronted and potential solutions to water quality problems are presented. The overall goal is to create curriculum that would foster a sense of water quality stewardship in students. Included with this curriculum are copies …
How Can Teachers Motivate Struggling Middle School Readers In An Intervention Classroom?, Heather Young
How Can Teachers Motivate Struggling Middle School Readers In An Intervention Classroom?, Heather Young
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this curriculum was: how can teachers motivate struggling middle school readers in an intervention classroom? The author focused her research in the areas of struggling readers, middle school intervention classrooms, and motivation. The research was expanded to include influences on motivation, authentic instruction, and the role of relationships. The goal was to create a curriculum that could be easily implemented and adapted to fit the needs of teachers. A curriculum was created surrounding three main subjects: student choice, building relationships and sustained student reading.
Increasing Joy And Motivation Through Experiential Art Curriculum, Rachel Mejdrich Edstrom
Increasing Joy And Motivation Through Experiential Art Curriculum, Rachel Mejdrich Edstrom
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This Capstone is a collection of visual art lessons for elementary students aged kindergarten through 5th grade. These lessons explore the question, In what ways can experiential learning methods increase joy and motivation in art education? This curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore the human experience through art with joy. By utilizing experiential techniques, these lessons focus on increasing motivation and joy in students. The curriculum is supported by research which draws on theories in art education, motivation, and experiential learning, along with brainbased research on the correlation between happiness and success. Additional ideas explored include the connections between …
What Makes A Veteran-Friendly College Or University Campus?, Donald W-R Allen
What Makes A Veteran-Friendly College Or University Campus?, Donald W-R Allen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The United States Armed Services has produced some of the finest men and women soldiers in history. After their service, some pursue institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of their continued excellence. Some colleges and universities have failed to meet the slightest requirements of the veteran student: understanding, compassion, respect and college credits for military training and experiential learning. The chapters inside this capstone confirms that veterans must be accepted as a very important part of the campus population. When veteran’s complete college and graduate, they have strategically and successfully completed another important undertaking. To look at a …