Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Discourse On Math Learning In Upper Elementary, Dawn Anderson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Upper-elementary mathematics becomes increasingly complex, and the gap between fluency and ineptitude grows. Considering the importance of math competency, the educator must act to narrow this achievement gap. This six-week action research study examined the effect of the implementation of teaching and encouraging student application of differentiated discourse strategies on mathematical achievement and empowerment on twenty-two nine-to-twelve-year old suburban students. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis yielded three key themes: nominal growth in student achievement, a marked increase in mathematical modeling, and a considerable shift in perception of discourse responsibility, impacting student mindset, behavior, and participation. Findings suggest that student engagement …

The Impact Of Altering Physical And Human Components In Middle School Mathematics Classes On Assessment Performance, Raina Quinnell

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

"Abstract This action research report explores classroom environment interventions used to improve mathematics assessment scores and the effects of anxiety on those scores. This paper identifies that to increase academic performance on math assessments, a person should consider physical and human components, whether it is within the physical movement in the classroom, teacher-student proximity, or student self-assessment (e.g., attitude, growth mindset, focus/engagement). This research also suggests that teachers and students need to be relieved of the negative effects of pressure in a school’s testing culture. The conclusion gathered from this research suggests that students benefit from increased movement during assessments …

The Effects Of Daily Math Talks On Number Sense Development In A Kindergarten Clasroom, Hallie Keenan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact that daily Math Talks have of the number sense development of Kindergartners. The study consisted of 22 Kindergarten students in a midwestern school. The data was collected over the course of four months using pre- and post-intervention self-assessments, observational teacher notes, NWEA standardized test scores, and Seesaw video recordings. Results show a positive correlation between daily Math Talks and increased number sense skills. The data shows positive effects on foundational number sense skills and mathematical ability and can be actively integrated into classrooms to help support student achievement and growth. …

The Effects Of Digital Games On Engagement And Motivation, Jamie L. Skala

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of digital games on students’ engagement and motivation. This study took place in a small, rural school in the Midwestern United States. The subjects for this study were two classes of seventh-grade students in gradelevel mathematics. Digital review games and paper-and-pencil reviews were alternated from weekly for the eight weeks of the study. Data collection tools included student completed Likert scale questionnaires, on- and off-task counts and behaviors, a teacher reflection journal and final student questionnaire. The results showed that students were more behaviorally engaged during paper-and-pencil style reviews but …

Speaking To The Numbers: Impacts Of Growth Mindset On Student Mathematics And Achievement, Sarah Rodriguez

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if an increase in teacher growth mindset language and practices positively impacted students’ mindset and mathematical achievement. This study took place in a suburban public school. Twenty-one fifth grade students’ mathematics data were collected as part of this study. At the beginning of the academic year, students were administered a mathematical growth mindset survey. During a mathematical unit involving mathematical operations with percentages, taught near the end of the academic year, students’ mathematics journals, mathematics unit pre-and post- assessments, and a teacher reflection journal were collected. The results showed that students increased …

The Effects Of Ixl Practice On Geometry And Fraction Achievement, Amanda Wood, Amy Hudspith

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to examine the effects of technology-based mathematics practice on student achievement in comparison to more traditional practice methods. The research took place in both a fourth-grade and a sixth-grade classroom in the same school. Technology-based practice was done using an iPad program called IXL and traditional practice was completed with paper and pencil on worksheets. Data was collected in the form of pretest and posttest scores, assignment completion rates, student behaviors, teacher reflections and student surveys. The data did not show any conclusive evidence that one practice method is better than the other. …

The Importance Of Student Talk And Strategies For Promoting Classroom Conversations, Danelle Imbertson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to improve ELL and low-income students outcomes in

mathematics through the use of Accountable Talk® enhanced by consistent integration of higher-order questioning and technology to track student fidelity to the Accountable

Talk® model and competency in their evolving math skills. To evaluate the impact of the

intervention, previous year’s students’ outcomes were compared with student outcomes

following implementation of the enhanced Accountable Talk strategy in an urban fourth

grade classroom. After learning and practicing the strategy, students worked in groups to respond to higher-order questions tied to the mathematics lesson weekly. They recorded these …

Teaching Academic Vocabulary In Mathematics To English Language Learners, Emily M. Sasse

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of explicit academic vocabulary instruction in mathematics on English language learners’ understanding of mathematics concepts. The study took place in a third-grade classroom, where 50% of the students were English language learners. Data collection methods included pre- and post assessments, student self-assessment ratings, teacher reflections, and student discussion questions. Results of the study indicated positive increases in assessment scores for students at all levels of English language proficiency. Going forward, the teacher researcher will continue to use vocabulary journals, discussions, activities, and games in her classroom to provide multiple opportunities …

Using Technology To Aid In The Differentiation Of Mathematics In A Sixth Grade Classroom, Abigail Morales

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This Action Research examines the effects of using an interactive, adaptive software program, Front Row, in helping a sixth grade teacher to differentiate mathematics. Ten students who go to a parochial school in a rural, midwestern community were included in the study. The data collection tools included a pre-research reflection, a journal of teacher observations, a daily student questionnaire, computer generated reports, a mid-research reflection, and a post-research reflection. Overall, this research showed an average growth of 1.74 years, or 44.9 percent with regard to grade level equivalency. This growth indicates the students’ ability to perform mathematics skills independently. Due …

Montessori Mathematics Curriculum And Lower Elementary Students Understanding Of Length Measurement, Katherine L. Mcintosh

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of this action research project was to determine to what extent the Montessori Mathematics curriculum support lower elementary students’ understanding of length measurement. The research took place in a private Montessori school classroom with first and second-grade students. There were 22 students in the class, 11 first graders, and 11 second-graders. Data was collected through a pre and post-test, field notes, and observations. The students also kept a journal and performed self-assessments. Photographs were taken to record the students’ use of different measurement tools. Children’s literature about length measurement was read and discussed with the students. The data …

The Effects Of Integrating Mathematics Into The Physical Education Setting, Steven D. Thompson, Jacqueline L. Robertson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to describe the effects of integrating mathematics curriculum into the physical education setting. The study was conducted in an elementary school in Northern Minnesota where a strong emphasis is being placed on preparation for standardized testing. The research was designed to find the results of integration in four classes of first-grade students. The data collecting methods used included pre- and post-assessments, observational journal, student feedback, and a teacher dialog. The results of the research indicated that integration enhanced the learning environment and improved mathematics performance for students. The data also showed that physical activity …

The Effects Of Physical Activity On Reading And Mathematics Achievement In An Elementary Classroom, Chelsey Earney, Emily A. Berg, Jill M. Wallert

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to determine the effects of physical activity on reading and mathematics achievement on two first grade classrooms. The intervention took place over a period of four weeks in a public school setting with 38 students. Data was collected using teacher feedback, student self-assessment, a teacher log, and weekly reading and mathematics probes. Our results show that reading scores slightly improved after the intervention while mathematics scores stayed fairly consistent. Both first-grade teachers reported that they would continue to use physical activity prior to academic instruction in their classrooms because it helped students to …

An Authentic Mathematics Problem Competition And Its Effect On The Performance Of Advanced Sixth Grade Learners, Eric Bergerson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine what effect an authentic mathematics problem competition would have on student performance by advanced sixth grade learners. The study was conducted in a public elementary school, in a sixth grade math classroom with twenty five advanced math students. The data sources included a student survey, weekly competition problems, chapter tests, and field notes. The results showed a definite relationship between success in the competition and improved performance in the math class. For students who did well in the competition their chapter test scores improved during the five weeks of the competition. Also, …