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Full-Text Articles in Education
Using Literature Circles To Increase Reading Comprehension And Student Motivation, Michelle Jacobs
Using Literature Circles To Increase Reading Comprehension And Student Motivation, Michelle Jacobs
Theses and Dissertations
Many educators arrange students in guided reading groups based on their reading lexile. Usually the books selected for guided reading are from a basal reading series and are used to teach different reading components and strategies. However, the books don’t always reflect student cultures, making it difficult for students to hold discussions and make connections. Oftentimes, students are unmotivated to read the assigned books and rarely engage in discussions. Based on research conducted by Daniels (2006), when kids are engaged in well-structured book clubs their comprehension and their attitude towards reading both improve. With ongoing changes in education, educators must …
The Impact Of Blogging On The Facilitation Of Critical Literacy In Adolescent Students, Kelsey Wiemer
The Impact Of Blogging On The Facilitation Of Critical Literacy In Adolescent Students, Kelsey Wiemer
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to explore how using blogging with adolescent students could foster critical literacy. During the study, students researched an alternative perspective from World War II and completed six blog posts on a variety of topics over the course of four weeks. At the completion of the study, students' blog posts and comments revealed five different categories: (1) problematizing generally accepted texts or beliefs, (2) an interest in empowering silenced voices, (3) inquiry-driven discussion, (4) the incorporation of multiple perspectives (5) and changing attitudes towards blogging. Additionally, their writing demonstrated evidence of four different components of …
Response To Intervention, Sarah Iannuzzi
Response To Intervention, Sarah Iannuzzi
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this conceptual study was to determine the effectiveness of Response to Intervention. The history of Response to Intervention, research studies on a variety of Response to Intervention models, areas for further research and implications for the future of Response to Intervention are analyzed in this extensive literature review.
Reading Between The Play Lines, A Play-Based Research Study: Children At Play Acquiring Literacy Skills Socially And Through Self-Discovery, Brianne Siderio
Reading Between The Play Lines, A Play-Based Research Study: Children At Play Acquiring Literacy Skills Socially And Through Self-Discovery, Brianne Siderio
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of this qualitative research were to observe a group of kindergarten students during play exploration and determine how kindergarten students acquire literacy skills socially and through self-discovery. Students demonstrated a wide acquisition of literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language during play exploration. Students acquired these skills socially among peers and through self-discovery while experimenting and exploring with play materials. Themes that emerged from play exploration sessions and interpretations of play episodes and student work are discussed. Implications for future research in the area of play in kindergarten are considered.
Improving Student Engagement In Preschool Classrooms With Developmentally Appropriate Read Aloud Opportunities, Kimberly Russomanno
Improving Student Engagement In Preschool Classrooms With Developmentally Appropriate Read Aloud Opportunities, Kimberly Russomanno
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various presentations of read aloud and engagement in a preschool classroom in order to improve emergent literacy and listening comprehension. Engagement was looked at as well in respect to teacher expectations and what the research unveiled. The research took place over four weeks in a half day preschool inclusion program. The research looked at traditional story book reading, interactive shared reading, e-books, repeated readings and story props for retelling of familiar stories. Read aloud sessions were recorded over the four week period to look for patterns in student and …
What Happens When You Use Multicultural Mentor Texts As Read Alouds To Generate Ideas For Writing Personal Narratives?, Catherine Mcconathey
What Happens When You Use Multicultural Mentor Texts As Read Alouds To Generate Ideas For Writing Personal Narratives?, Catherine Mcconathey
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to determine what happens when you use multicultural mentor texts as read alouds to generate ideas for writing personal narratives in 3rd grade readers and writers. By utilizing these mentor texts as read alouds this study seeks to determine what effects they have on writing personal narratives. The students in this study listened to weekly teacher read alouds and participated in writing activities over a five week period. Through teacher observations, whole class discussions, student writing journals and essays the study showed a greater depth of understanding, interest, and increase in writing in student …
An Investigation Of How Self-Assessment Impacts Oral Reading Fluency, Lisle Duffey
An Investigation Of How Self-Assessment Impacts Oral Reading Fluency, Lisle Duffey
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to consider the impact of using rubrics to self-assess fluency on first graders. Qualitative sources of data included a teacher research journal with observation notes and reflections, audio recordings of students reading, and informal group interview responses. Numerical data included initial and final words correct per minute scores for each week, as well as initial and final phrasing and expression rubric scores for each week. The data was triangulated and analyzed to identify trends and draw conclusions. The findings suggested that the use of fluency rubrics for self-assessment and the use of iPads for …
Full Time Attendance In An Early Childhood Education Center Improves Emergent Literacy Skills, Dana Samuelsen
Full Time Attendance In An Early Childhood Education Center Improves Emergent Literacy Skills, Dana Samuelsen
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the predetermined amount of attendance of preschool per week had an effect on the present understanding of early literacy skills in preschool aged children. Archival data, of forty-nine participants, was used to identify amount of attendance in a private early childhood education program. Early literacy skills were assessed by the child care center's previous academic reviews reported by teachers from 2010 to 2014. The "PreK Academic Review" was used to collect data on early literacy skills and oral language abilities. The teachers recorded the students' abilities by marking each category as …
Literature Circles: In Class And Online Discussions, Jenna Purifico
Literature Circles: In Class And Online Discussions, Jenna Purifico
Theses and Dissertations
In compliance to the new literacy shifts in education, a qualitative study was conducted with the intention to aid improvement in literacy instruction. The course of the study spanned for four weeks in one third grade classroom within the same school building. This study was designed to see what would happen when third graders met to discuss what they read within literature circles not only in the classroom face to face but online as well through a discussion board. Students read leveled, historical fiction novels pertaining to a theme of Native Americans. It was concluded that literature circles online and …
What Happens When Qr Codes Are Used To Increase Student Engagement, Motivation And Independence In A Fourth Grade Basic Skills Classroom?, Stephanie Baruffi
What Happens When Qr Codes Are Used To Increase Student Engagement, Motivation And Independence In A Fourth Grade Basic Skills Classroom?, Stephanie Baruffi
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine what happens when QR Codes are used to increase students' engagement, motivation and independence in a 4th grade BSI classroom. Twelve students participated in the research model. Data collected included surveys, audio taped interviews, and audio taped discussions, personal teacher journal, and student surveys. The data was analyzed recursively across all data sets to determine patterns and themes. Themes that emerged were difficulties scanning the QR Codes on the iPads, creating QR Codes independently, and limited timing issues. Also, one of the major findings of this study was that the students who …
Identification Of Specific Learning Disability In New Jersey: An Illuminative Evaluation, Jennifer Garwood
Identification Of Specific Learning Disability In New Jersey: An Illuminative Evaluation, Jennifer Garwood
Theses and Dissertations
Many studies have examined changes in state legislation and guidance in response to IDEIA (2004) with regard to identification of specific learning disability (SLD). However, it is difficult to find research examining the diagnostic practices for SLD within various states. Investigators in the present study aim to isolate the significant features of practices used to identify SLD in New Jersey, delineate relationships between district characteristics and diagnostic practices, and detect trends in the use of response to intervention (RTI). This qualitative research study utilizes an illuminative evaluation model, in which survey and interview data was analyzed to explore aspects of …
What Happens When Parents And Students Engage In A Collaborative Book Club?, Samantha Dulude
What Happens When Parents And Students Engage In A Collaborative Book Club?, Samantha Dulude
Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative study investigates the potential benefits of students and their parents engaging in a collaborative book club using various texts and reader response activities. The parents and students completed a pre and post survey describing their literacy interests and engagement. Parents read various books with their children. Both parent and their child discussed the stories through a blog page and reader response activities. Narrative analysis was utilized and various themes surfaced from the data. For example: Character traits, parent-child interaction and bonding, and the value of reader response activities.
The Impact Of Using Mentor Texts And The Writing Workshop With First Grade Writers, Kelly Turner
The Impact Of Using Mentor Texts And The Writing Workshop With First Grade Writers, Kelly Turner
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that using mentor texts in conjunction with the writing workshop would have on struggling first grade writers. A group of eight first grade students participated in the study. The participants had varying writing ability levels. During the study, the students were provided writing instruction with a variety of mentor texts during mini-lessons. After each lesson, the students were given between thirty to sixty minutes to write. The workshop sessions concluded with the students sharing self-selected writing pieces. This format was followed four days a week for the duration of four …
Encouraging Parent-Student Literacy Conversations: Hosting An Upper Elementary Family Literacy Event, Morgen Lehr, Lisa Remchuk
Encouraging Parent-Student Literacy Conversations: Hosting An Upper Elementary Family Literacy Event, Morgen Lehr, Lisa Remchuk
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore how a partnership might be forged between parents and teachers to develop the literacy skills of upper elementary school students in grades 3-5. The family literacy event used in this study consisted of two sessions held at the students' school. The first session was a parent-only learning experience, and both parents and students were invited to participate in the program's second session. The content of the family literacy event used in this study focused on encouraging critical, high-quality literature conversations at home to benefit students' literacy development. Teacher researchers collected …
What Is The Effect Of Language Arts Small Group Instruction In The Form Of Student Directed Centers Or Teacher Directed Small Groups On The Social And Educational Relationships Of Teachers And Students Within A Primary Grade Classroom?, Jennifer Gorgo
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that student directed center work had on the social and educational relationships of teachers and students in a second grade classroom. The study showed that the effect was a positive one. Students showed academic growth along with growth toward a positive self-concept. Through surveys and academic work one was able to see that the students were better able to express themselves socially and academically. While the students were working together, they were creating learning communities that were facilitating academic growth as well as social growth amongst their peers and teachers. …
Repeated Reading For Students With Special Needs, Julie Sara
Repeated Reading For Students With Special Needs, Julie Sara
Theses and Dissertations
This research study seeks to determine the effects of implementing variations of the repeated reading strategy with fourth and fifth graders with special needs when reading informational text. The purpose of this study was to teach students new techniques to improve word accuracy and comprehension and to better inform instruction. Four students in a multiple disabled self-contained classroom participated in this five week study. In addition to base-line data that was collected, data on timed repeated reading, paired repeated reading, listening-while-reading repeated reading, and vocabulary instruction prior to repeated reading was also analyzed. An interest inventory measured students' reading motivation …
Active Learning: Strategies That Help First Graders Transition And Build Literacy Skills, Kacey Weber
Active Learning: Strategies That Help First Graders Transition And Build Literacy Skills, Kacey Weber
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research inquiry was to investigate what happens when first grade students that have not had the benefits of Preschool or Kindergarten education engage in active learning activities. The study was aimed at looking into how such activities can help with the transition into formal education, as well as with building the grounding literacy skills necessary for success in elementary education. The study was conducted in a first grade classroom with 31 students. The qualitative research paradigm was followed and data collected included student surveys, a Sociogram, student work, teacher observations, student interviews, and observational field notes. …
Accountability And Transformative Literacy, Kristin Williams
Accountability And Transformative Literacy, Kristin Williams
Theses and Dissertations
In a conceptual study of accountability measures and transformative teaching practices, this extensive literature review investigates the accountability measures in schools such as high-stakes tests and teacher evaluation methods. The study also examines how teachers and schools can meet obligations by federal mandates while still incorporating effective and critical literacy practices using democratic literacy frameworks and approaches toward democratic whole school reform.
Effective Conversations About Literature In Esl, Andrea Ortiz-Soto
Effective Conversations About Literature In Esl, Andrea Ortiz-Soto
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how to facilitate effective conversations about shared texts in English as a Second Language lessons. Since effective instructional talk between students and teachers help English learners develop speaking and listening skills, as well as improve their understanding of written texts, students need lots of opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations about literature. In the course of this study, six bilingual students practiced to express and elaborate their ideas. They learned to ask their teacher and their peers inferential and critical questions, and respond to those in turn. They discussed stories as well …
Language Development In Kindergarten Students Using Melodic Learning, Tara Hart
Language Development In Kindergarten Students Using Melodic Learning, Tara Hart
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to investigate a non-traditional method of enhancing language through the use of songs, chants, and rhymes. To investigate this, data was systematically collected and then analyzed in order to determine the specific benefits on the development of oral and written language from the use of these strategies. Prior to the study, each student was assessed using the second edition of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2). Using the Word Analysis assessment, they were tested on their ability to identify uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, rhyme, determine initial sounds of words, and read sight …
Using Echo Reading And Tracking Simultaneously During Small Group Read Alouds With Preschool Children, Erica Knoll
Using Echo Reading And Tracking Simultaneously During Small Group Read Alouds With Preschool Children, Erica Knoll
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to observe what skills, social and academic, are positively affected when echo reading and tracking print were incorporated simultaneously into small groups read alouds with preschool children. A group of four preschool students participated, each of varying levels and abilities. The students took turns echo reading a line of print while pointing to the words at the same time. The techniques were used one day per week over the course of four weeks. Each week, a different book was used and paired with two extension activities. Data collection included anecdotal note record sheets, behavioral …
Writer's Workshop: The Results When Ipads Are Used By Kindergarten Students, Ashley Dickol
Writer's Workshop: The Results When Ipads Are Used By Kindergarten Students, Ashley Dickol
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research study was to determine what happens when kindergarten students use iPads during writer's workshop. The iPad was used on a daily basis to help determine what students were capable of when using this tool. Additionally, a series of mini lessons were used to teach various writing skill and traits. Qualitative inquiry strategies such as surveys, student interviews, and observations recorded in my teacher research journal were used to collect data. Upon analyzing the data, the factors that most affected data in this study were related to using new technologies, multiple modes of writing, and attitudes …
Blogging In Response To Literature: Reading, Writing, And Thinking Through The Digital Medium, Patrice Steller
Blogging In Response To Literature: Reading, Writing, And Thinking Through The Digital Medium, Patrice Steller
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research inquiry was to investigate what happens when eighth grade students participate in an online classroom blog in response to literature assigned for their English class. The study was conducted in an eighth grade classroom and involved 37 students. The qualitative research paradigm was followed and data collected included student surveys, blog writing samples, classroom writing samples, and observational field notes. Blog posts were analyzed to ascertain their impact on students' levels of thinking through writing. Blogging habits and topics were examined to determine impact of blogging on student interest in reading and writing and quality …
I Want To Read Because...Reading Motivation In A First Grade Classroom, Laurie Ann Powell
I Want To Read Because...Reading Motivation In A First Grade Classroom, Laurie Ann Powell
Theses and Dissertations
The purposes of this study were to determine what makes first grade students motivated to read, which best practices motivated first graders to read, and can first graders say what motivates them to read. The study lasted for thirteen days and all instruction was based on a goal-oriented weather unit. The study was divided into five phases. Each of the first four phases lasted for three days and during each phase a different best practice was put into place. The best practices were student choice, hands-on activities, the use of high interest texts, and peer collaboration. On the final day …