Picture Perfect Stem: Ngss Science Standards Alignment Guide, Dr. Peter J. Kalenda Assistant Professor, Elementary Science & Math, School Of Education

School of Education

The Picture-Perfect STEM: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Alignment Chart functions as a comprehensive reference tool that aligns all Picture-Perfect STEM lessons with the NGSS. The resource is organized by grade level (K-5) and disciplinary areas (Physical Science, Life Science, Earth Science, and Engineering), enabling teachers to quickly locate appropriate lessons for their specific instructional needs.

Each grade level section provides specific lesson alignments with NGSS standards appropriate for elementary students. The chart includes both individual grade-specific lessons and cross-grade applications that can be adapted for different developmental levels.

For more details about how to use this document, its core …

Red: A Crayon’S Story Bibliotherapy, David Wolff

OER Materials

The goal of this assignment was for preservice teachers to practice writing a chain of questions that focused on the social and/or emotional needs of young learners. Bibliotherapy is therapeutic in nature to help individuals understand themselves and the world around them through guided reading experiences (American Library Association, 2025; Delisle & Galbraith, 2002). Further, bibliotherapy allow individuals to identify a personal problem mirrored by a character in a book. As the reader connects with the character, the reader experiences the emotions expressed by the character. Finally, the reader applies the character’s experience to their own personal problem (American Library …

Becoming Again: Dialogues On Identity Formation Among Second-Career Educators In Initial Certification Programs, Michelle White, Tracy Driehaus, Mark Wolfmeyer

Education Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Belonging: Stories From Multilingual Learners In The Linguistic Minority, Riley Stouffer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examines how multilingual learners in the linguistic minority (MLLMs) experience connection and belonging in a Rocky Mountain middle school. Although multilingual learners (MLs) have received increased attention, MLLMs, whose home languages are not widely spoken in the school context, remain overlooked. Grounded in Krashen’s (1982) Affective Filter Hypothesis and Wills and Shinar’s (2000) Supportive Functions of Belonging, this study explores how MLLMs navigate school, what fosters or hinders belonging, and how these experiences shape engagement.

Data from semistructured interviews, classroom observations, and field notes with eight MLLM students in grades 6–8 revealed that belonging was fostered …

Unlocking Reading Success: Addressing The Literacy Crisis In The United States, Jennifer Kaczrowski-Taylor

The Interactive Journal of Global Leadership and Learning

This white paper addresses the literacy crisis in the United States. Currently, in the educational system, millions of children lack access to research-based reading instruction and, as a result, struggle to become proficient readers. Despite decades of academic and reform efforts, national reading achievement has been declining. This literacy crisis can be traced back to outdated or inconsistent instructional practices, socioeconomic background, lack of research-based instructional curricula, as well as inconsistent and ineffective implementation of these approaches. Based on recent research and national data, this white paper advocates for aligning teacher education and professional development with the Science of Reading. …

Teachers’ Challenges In Implementing The New Mexican School’S Educational Model, Mayra Margarito Gaspar

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This scholarly essay explores the challenges that teachers face in implementing the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) [new Mexican school] educational model, which prioritizes project-based and interdisciplinary learning over subject-based instruction. The NEM’s flexible approach requires teachers to independently structure lessons, ensuring continuity without a predefined thematic sequence. Collaboration is essential, yet many educators struggle with interdisciplinary coordination, especially in secondary education. Limited planning time and curricular flexibility further complicate implementation. Teachers in marginalized areas also face resource constraints, which hinders project-based learning. Additionally, the NEM’s textbooks, which are designed for integrative learning, lack clear organization and guidelines and make them …

“We Are Not Robots”: Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Focus Group Talk About Problems Of Practice Around Literacy Instruction, Jacquelynn S. Popp, Carin Appleget, Tori Golden Hughes, Crystal Dail Rose, Christine Leighton, Kierstin M. Giunco, Poonam Arya, Xiufang Chen

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of elementary preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) problems of practice around literacy instruction and to explore how the PSTs framed/talked about such problems. The study comprised qualitative analysis of data collected from focus group interviews with 21 PSTs from five teacher education institutions across the United States. Analysis of the PSTs’ talk about problems of practice in the focus groups yielded three themes about the nature of their problems and how they defined and discussed strategies or solutions to problems. PSTs expressed concerns about (1) meeting the needs of students below expected …

“I Didn’T Understand How Powerful This Could Be”: The Synergy Of Arts-Enhanced Literacy Instruction And Multicultural Literature In A Rural Classroom, Shuling Yang, Natalia A. Ward

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Guided by culturally sustaining pedagogy, this study examined how an elementary language arts teacher engaged with a yearlong project that focused on enhancing literacy instruction through the synergetic power of using multicultural children’s literature combined with arts. The case study conducted in a context with strict policy guidelines on literacy instruction demonstrated the teacher’s growing understanding of how to integrate multicultural children’s literature and arts in her instruction and powerful shifts in her view of students’ potential for empathy and engagement with complex social issues. The discussions of the books and creative artwork made by her students reshaped the teacher’s …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 5th Grade - Early American Inventions, Del M. Herman, Jaclyne Casella, Kathryn Garner

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will trace early American inventions' effects on the early United States and the business productivity of that era. Students will complete primary source analyses on the different inventions, take guided notes in a foldable on each invention, and participate in a collaborative project where students will create a PowerPoint on a particular early American invention in order to demonstrate proficiency in this unit.

Engaging Minds: Assessing The Impact Of Arts-Integration On Science Achievement And Engagement Using Planned Experimentation, Fonda G. Dupre

All Dissertations

Elementary science education is essential for fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving, yet it is often reduced or deprioritized due to the pressures of high-stakes testing in reading and mathematics. Despite federal calls for a well-rounded education under the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015), instructional time for science remains limited in many schools, particularly in under-resourced and high-poverty contexts. This reduction of science instruction time exacerbates achievement gaps and limits student engagement and interest in STEM fields.

This planned experiment investigates whether Arts-Integrated science instruction can increase student engagement and improve academic achievement among fourth-grade students at Foothills Academy of …

Teacher Efficacy In Reading Intervention: The Role Of Coaching And Professional Development In Foundational Literacy, Susan S. Chapman

All Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice utilized improvement science methods to increase teacher self-efficacy in foundational reading practices and to address the oral reading fluency (ORF) challenges of elementary students who consistently score below proficiency. Rooted in Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and the Active View of Reading, the study aimed to build teacher confidence in delivering foundational reading instruction while improving student ORF rates. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was implemented with second-grade teachers and targeted the following aim: increase ORF by 12 words correct per minute (wcpm) for students receiving Tier 3 intervention over an eight-week cycle. Coaching, using the student-centered coaching …

Engaging Minds: The Impact Of Multimodal Instruction On Multiplication Facts, Ashleigh Cobey

All Dissertations

This dissertation examined the impact of a multimodal, station-based instructional approach on student engagement and multiplication fact fluency among third-grade students at Hopeful Elementary School (HES), a Title I, high-poverty school. Traditional methods of rote memorization have not consistently met the needs of all learners, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds or with disabilities. This study explored how structured opportunities to practice multiplication through music-based, game-based, and technology-enhanced learning experiences influenced student engagement and fluency.

Using a multimethod design, the intervention group participated in the Multimodal Multiplication Intervention, rotating through three stations Monday through Wednesday and selecting a preferred station on …

An Examination Of Inclusive Education Programs For Children With Disabilities, Haley Misiewicz

Masters Projects

This project addresses the ongoing need for high-quality professional development that equips early childhood educators with effective strategies for inclusive education. Research consistently demonstrates that inclusive settings benefit both students with disabilities and their typically developing peers, yet many educators report a lack of confidence, training, and support when implementing inclusive practices. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and informed by federal legislation such as IDEA and ADA, this project presents a professional development toolkit designed to support preschool through second-grade teachers in creating accessible, responsive classroom environments.

The toolkit consists of a 90-minute training session, …

Integrated Stem Education For In-Service K-5 Elementary Teachers: Definitions, Self-Efficacy, And Teaching Practices, Amani Alhassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing interest has been evident in implementing integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching in public schools. However, teachers need to be professionally prepared and increase self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM in their classrooms. Little is known about how teachers' self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM is related to teachers' practices around STEM integration, particularly in K-5 classrooms.

This convergent mixed-methods study involved surveys with open- and close-ended questions to determine the integrated STEM perceptions, definitions, classroom teaching practices, and self-efficacy level in teaching integrated STEM for 79 northeast Tennessee K-5 teachers. The study also investigated the relationship between teachers' …

Reflection And Reimagination As Resistance: Towards Humanizing Critical Writing Pedagogy, Grace Y. Kang, Sonia M. Kline

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

Given the pressures, demands, and standardization teachers face in our sociopolitically charged times, teachers need opportunities to reflect and reimagine their instruction. Drawing on critical and related scholarship, we conceptualize critical humanizing writing pedagogy. We share our instructional moves as teacher educators for enacting humanizing writing pedagogy in a graduate course and supporting teachers to enact humanizing writing pedagogy in their K-12 classrooms. Specifically, we show how a graduate student and practicing teacher found ways to shift toward critical orientations as she navigated her school’s curriculum and state standards. We argue that sociocultural and critical lenses provide powerful tools for …

The Evolution Of Schooling: From Industrial Obedience To Techno-Autonomy, Seb Taylor, Ron Roberts Ii

Digital Laboratory: Publisher of Internet Journal

This paper examines the enduring architecture of the American education system as a mechanism designed for compliance, not creativity. Rooted in 19th-century industrial logic, the structure of schooling, its physical design, time constraints, and assessment methods, has remained largely static despite seismic cultural and technological shifts. Through historical analysis and contemporary critique, this work interrogates the persistence of standardized methods, institutional prestige, and top-down instruction as barriers to meaningful learning and value creation. Drawing from interdisciplinary research and live case studies, including Alpha School’s AI-powered, mastery-based model, the paper advances the concept of techno-education: a student-centered paradigm informed by feedback …

Constructivist Media Decoding In Elementary School: Media Literacy Instruction Across A School Year, Faith Rogow, Bridget Crossman, Michele Coolbeth, Janet Balk

Journal of Media Literacy Education

In 2021, Ithaca College’s Project Look Sharp conducted a pilot project to demonstrate that school librarians were in a unique position to provide media literacy instruction and function as building and district leaders to mentor teachers in media literacy integration. The initiative taught librarians to use constructivist media decoding (CMD) – an inquiry-based, curriculum driven approach to media analysis and production. This article, informed by the evaluation of that effort, offers a qualitative view from three elementary school librarians who were part of the pilot cohort. They describe how they implemented CMD in ways that can be duplicated by other …

Opportunities For Growth: A Metacognitive Self-Talk Strategy That Improves Classroom Unity And Academic Attitudes, Sera Anello, Michael J. Haslip

Journal of Practitioner Research

This teacher action research study describes the development and application of the opportunities for growth teaching method to increase learner motivation, persistence, cooperation and positive self-talk among primary school students. The approach was implemented with 30 fourth graders in a Philadelphia public school classroom to foster unity, support attitudes toward academics and participation, redefine failure, and reframe challenges. Before this intervention, most of the students lacked self-regulation, self-awareness, and relationship skills needed to thrive. This study investigates how and to what effect the opportunities for growth approach shifts students’ language and mindset about academic and social challenges. Qualitative data was …

A Comparative Case Study Of Mentoring Practices By National Board Certified And Non-Certified Teacher Mentors, Bethany Mcclure

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As preservice teacher candidates engage in field experiences that shape their development of teacher identity, it is important to examine their perceptions of the mentoring process. This study explored how preservice teacher candidates construct their own knowledge about mentoring as a process, as well as explored the perceptions of mentor teachers, both National Board Certified, and non-National Board Certified, as they facilitated the learning and growth of their mentees. Many prior studies on the mentoring process exist, however, a gap in the literature that was identified and explored through this study included the impact that National Board Certified Teachers have …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 2nd Grade - Symbol Explorers: Discovering Us And Florida Symbols, Jessica L. Elliott, Hailey Smith, Therissa Leo, Julia Cecelia, Fredrieka Clemons

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will identify essential American and Florida symbols and the symbolic meaning behind what they represent through hands on experiences, visual lectures, and exploratory projects. The students will participate in whole group and small group discussions along with actively engage in several comprehensive opportunities.

Enhancing Educational Outcomes For English Learners: The Role Of Culturally Responsive Teaching And Professional Development In Texas, Elisa Garcia, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

The increasing population of English learners (ELs) in Texas public schools requires a focused approach to their education. This article explores the challenges faced by ELs, including the risk of misplacement in educational programs and the need for culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices. Drawing on recent research, the article highlights the importance of professional development (PD) tailored to the unique needs of ELs. Effective PD programs should prioritize cultural and linguistic awareness, collaborative learning opportunities, and strategies for differentiated instruction. The article also discusses the significance of engaging parents and the community in supporting ELs. By implementing these recommendations, …

Everything Is Bigger In Texas: English Learners And The Difficulty Within Assessment, Identification, And Program Development, Gloria A. Avila, Kristi L. Santi

Journal of English Learner Education

This report explores the critical components of effective program placement for English learners, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment and identification processes to ensure appropriate placement. It highlights the rapid growth of the EL population, particularly in the state of Texas, and underscores the importance of developing tailored educational programs that meet the unique needs of English learners. By examining current practices and identifying key areas for improvement, this paper aims to enhance the academic and linguistic outcomes for English learners, ultimately fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Transforming K-12 Classrooms: Ten Essential Strategies For Cultural Responsiveness, Sandra Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Regina Reber

Journal of English Learner Education

Across the United States, in K-12 classrooms, diverse student populations continue to increase, challenging educators to meet student cultural, linguistic, and academic needs. The study examined the best practices related to culturally responsive teaching (CRT) strategies to better meet all students' needs. A qualitative approach was used to collect data from licensed K-12 educators in New Mexico and Colorado. The findings revealed three essential themes: culturally responsive pedagogy, the positive impact of CRT, and the creation of physical spaces to support inclusivity. The findings revealed the significance of building strong relational capacity, encouraging collaboration, supporting multilingualism, and creating effective physical …

Why The “Whole Language Approach” To Reading Fails Ell Students & Instructional Strategies To Employ Instead, Caitlyn E. Petrus

Journal of English Learner Education

The research presented in this article demonstrates a qualitative view of the science of reading for phonemic awareness instruction, phonics instruction, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs) in PK-12 schools. The research builds upon esteemed writers Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Sylvia Linan-Thompson’s work in their book Research-Based Methods of Reading Instruction for Learners, Grades K-4 and other reading experts such as Dr. Wiley Blevins and Dr. Lisa Moats to apply to the growing population for ELLs in PK-12 schools and how to shift from a “whole language classroom” to a classroom built on the …

Pinterest Can Help Teachers Cook A Casserole, But What About Lgbtqia+ Affirming Lesson Plans For Students Of Color?, Denise Villarrial Nealon

Deliberately Queer Journal

We have learned to be crafty homemakers, small space decorators, and even teachers through the eye-catching appeal of sites like Pinterest or Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). The accessibility and ease of searching for a preset lesson saves time, and in a society where teachers are paid far less than what they are worth and asked to work longer hours than they are paid for, this makes sense. Using the theoretical frameworks of CRT, QueerCrit, and CRP, along with the concepts of intersectionality, can build learning tools for new teachers to disrupt previous exclusionary practices that prevent LGBTQIA+ students of Color …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 5th Grade - Spilled Tea And Signed Freedoms, Sarah Gaudiosi, Milka Lucas-Dominguez, Maya Lopez, Natalie Ferguson, Destineebrittney Selby

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore the causes, key events, influential figures, and significant documents of the American Revolution through hands-on activities, interactive timelines, primary sources, and multimedia tools. Students will deepen their understanding of American Independence by examining the contributions of African Americans and women during the Revolutionary War, analyzing the terms and impact of the Treaty of Paris, and reflecting on how the Revolution continues to influence American government and society today.

Interactive Read-Alouds Of Translingual Texts As A Catalyst For Literacy Engagement Among Emergent Bilingual Elementary Students: A Case Study, Anna Handy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the population of emergent bilingual students continues to increase in U.S. schools, the teaching force remains predominantly White and monolingual, with many educators underprepared in how to support emergent bilingual students’ literacy development or sustain their diverse linguistic practices. This is reflected in longstanding gaps in performance between monolingual and multilingual students on standardized assessments of reading. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore one possible approach to increase emergent bilingual students’ engagement during and response to literacy instruction: interactive read-alouds of children’s books that incorporate translanguaging. This study sought to describe and interpret how emergent …

Intervention For Struggling Learners In K-5 Social Studies: Exploring A Tiered Model Of Support, Joshua M. Duggan

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

The K-5 social studies curriculum introduces students to foundational knowledge in civics, geography, economics, and history. Social studies is also a vehicle through which students: (a) synthesize content knowledge which in turn supports reading comprehension, (b) learn about community structures around them, and (c) build social-emotional skills through an in-depth understanding of the human condition. Yet, instructional time allocated to social studies has decreased over the past few decades, and scores on national social studies assessments indicate that most students do not attain proficiency in acquiring social studies knowledge. Furthermore, there is an absence of a robust system of intervention …

Rethinking “Key-Chain Swap” And Other Decontextualized Algorithm Teaching Practices For Rational Number Learners, Connor B. Desai

Education Dissertations

Mathematical literacy is critical in an increasingly data-driven society, yet many students struggle with rational number concepts due to the prevalence of decontextualized algorithmic instruction. This study investigates the impact of targeted professional development (PD) on sixth-grade teachers’ instructional strategies and their students’ rational number achievement. The research examines whether explicit, conceptually grounded teaching of rational number operations improves student understanding compared to traditional algorithm-based instruction. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data from students at two middle schools. The intervention was statistically significant at School A, where students in the intervention group demonstrated greater achievement …

Constructing Portraits Of Elementary Teachers Of Ethnic Studies: Examining The Narratives Of Anti-Racist Educators In An Era Of Common Core Curriculum And Instruction, Jennifer S. Manglicmot

Dissertations

The emergence of policies requiring ethnic studies courses in California’s secondary and higher education institutions amplified calls for anti-racist pedagogy and content in all K-12 grade levels. Currently, little empirical research exists on how ethnic studies is taught in elementary school classrooms. This absence is significant because instruction in these settings tend to focus heavily on meeting state content standards (i.e. Common Core), frameworks which have been critiqued as ignoring communities of Color epistemologies and promoting color-evasive ideologies, among other concerns. Through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis, this qualitative multiple-case study explored how anti-racist and ethnic studies pedagogies are …