Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

Who Moved Those Rain Clouds To Town? Making Windbirds To Learn About The Power Of Wind, Deepanee Samarakoon, Latisha L. Smith

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In this practical article, a kindergarten teacher shares a lesson designed to teach students about the power of wind. To address the Next Generation Science Standards engineering standards, students discussed the negative and positive aspects of wind and made daily weather observations (K-ESS2-1). Students constructed bird-shaped windsocks, called windbirds, to explore how the shape of the object allowed it to move in the wind (K-2-ETS1-2). To address the National Core Arts Standards, creative arts were integrated as students designed cylindrical windbirds of colorful materials. The windbirds were used to observe the effects of wind in the students’ outdoor environment at …

Water Play, Jane E. Cline, Brandy A. Smith

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The inclusion of activities to develop sensory awareness, spatial thinking, and physical dexterity, operationalized through hands-on science lessons such as water play, have long been part of early childhood education. This practical article addresses Next Generation Science Standards K-2 ETS1-3 and K-2 ETS1-2 by having four-year-old prekindergarten students direct the path of water on a vertical pegboard water table with strategically-placed, attached plastic cups with holes drilled into them that leak streams of water into each other. Students enhanced their retelling of the story of the Billy Goats Gruff by placing student-made watercolor artwork along the path of the water, …

Using Creativity From Art And Engineering To Engage Students In Science, Mason Albert Kuhn, Scott Greenhalgh, Mark Mcdermott

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

STEAM education, referring to integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, is a contemporary buzzword that is popular in many schools. In particular, many elementary school teachers who have been tasked to incorporate STEM teaching, because of the requirements of the Next Generation Science Standards, attempt to apply the arts in their science curriculum because they feel more comfortable using instructional approaches that incorporate creative activities such as crafts, drawing, and model construction than the core practices of STEM disciplines. Teachers can use the creative arts activities in two ways to enhance the STEM learning environment: 1) Using creative processes …

Spatial Thinking Skills And Stem Connections: How Does This Issue Address Them?, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In this editorial, the Editor considered the importance of spatial thinking skills to STEM careers, provided examples of ways scientists use spatial thinking, noted sex and socioeconomic differences in spatial skill proficiency, and reviewed ways that activities included in articles in this issue involved spatial thinking. Brief summaries and preview images were provided for the articles in the issue. The four-component spatial thinking classification scheme with categories of intrinsic-static, intrinsic-dynamic, extrinsic-static and extrinsic dynamic was applied to the activities from this issue of the Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions. All categories of this classification scheme were addressed, providing …

Learning Form And Function By Dance-Dramatizing Cultural Legends To Drum Rhythms Wearing Student-Made Animal Masks, Phyllis Gray, Audrey C. Rule, Gloria Kirkland Holmes, Stephanie R. Logan, Andrea L. Alert, Cynthia A. Mason

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study examined the self-efficacy in science, art, dance, and music; attitudes concerning contributions of people of various ethnic/cultural groups; and science learning of students involved in an after-school arts-integrated science enrichment project. Students dramatized three traditional animal legends from African, Native American, and Mexican cultures to drum beats while wearing student-made papier-mâché helmet crest masks of the animal characters. They learned the structure and functions of the featured animals through slide shows, embedded explanations in the play scripts, and hands-on form and function analogy materials that related the form and function of animal body parts to manufactured items. Although …

Third Graders Explore Sound Concepts Through Online Research Compared To Making Musical Instruments, Kyrie D. Borsay, Page Foss

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study is an exploration of several lessons on sound taught to third grade students using one of the Next Generation Science Standards (3-5-ETS1) and arts integration. A counterbalanced, pretest- posttest- distal posttest design experiment was conducted to compare student knowledge and attitudes between the control and experimental conditions. Control activities included learning about either stringed or percussion instruments (whichever not addressed in the experimental condition) through online searches for information and writing a factual paragraph; experimental activities included creating a percussion or stringed instrument using classroom art materials purchased with an imaginary budget. One group experienced the experimental condition …

Shadow Puppet Plays In Elementary Science Methods Class Help Preservice Teachers Learn About Minority Scientists, Phyllis Gray, Audrey C. Rule, Anneliese Gentzsch, Denise Tallakson

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article describes an arts-integrated project with engineering design and science concepts from the Next Generation Science Standards, art principles from the National Arts Standards, as well as ideas under the theme of “Culture” from the National Council for the Social Studies Standards. Preservice teachers in an undergraduate science methods class researched the background, life, and accomplishments of a minority scientist by reading books and articles about the person. They created a script to present the experiences and contributions of the scientist to other preservice teachers and, eventually, elementary students. Shadow puppets were constructed out of cardboard to portray …

Preschoolers Explore Greenhouses By Visiting A Greenhouse, Making A Model, And Growing Plants, Leann M. Perkins, Dessy Stoycheva

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical lesson on greenhouses implements standards of the Next Generation Science Standards (K-2 ETS I-2; K-LS1-1) and the preschool objectives from the Teaching Strategies GOLD. Teaching Strategies GOLD is an assessment tool available online and in print that can be used with any developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum. The lesson structure follows the 5E’s Learning Cycle Constructivist Model for teaching and the project-based, hands-on approach to learning. The preschool-aged children went on a field trip to a working greenhouse and then collaborated in groups to produce a three-dimensional model of a greenhouse as arts integration into this science project. …

Designing An Earthquake-Proof Art Museum: An Arts-And Engineering-Integrated Science Lesson, Anastasia Carignan, Mahjabeen Hussain

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In this practical arts-integrated science and engineering lesson, an inquiry-based approach was adopted to teach a class of fourth graders in a Midwest elementary school about the scientific concepts of plate tectonics and earthquakes. Lessons were prepared following the 5 E instructional model. Next Generation Science Standards (4-ESS3-2) and the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards for fourth grade (Visual Arts: Creating 1.14a, Visual Arts: Creating 2.1.4a, and Visual Arts: Creating 3.1.4a) were addressed challenging students to create an earthquake-resistant structure to support a clay sculpture in a model of an art gallery for an earthquake-prone area. First, content knowledge …

Editorial: Welcome To The Journal Of Stem Arts, Crafts, And Constructions, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

The Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions is a scholarly journal that seeks to engage professionals, including preK-12 teachers, in a conversation about the benefits of arts integration; the ways that the STEM subjects can be integrated with the arts to produce effective teaching (STEAM Education); and how the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), can be effectively implemented with integrated arts, crafts, or constructions. Manuscripts, including guest editorials, are blind peer-reviewed by usually two reviewers and an associate editor or by three reviewers. This editorial explains the Journal’s origin in a faculty professional learning community. The Journal has a …

Reading Promotion Events Recommended For Elementary Students, Nicole N. Guldager, Karla Steege Krueger, Joan Bessman Taylor

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

One of the major professional goals of teacher librarians is to teach students a love of reading, so that they will independently choose to read throughout their lives.

Literacy And Arts-Integrated Science Lessons Engage Urban Elementary Students In Exploring Environmental Issues, Audrey C. Rule, Phyllis Gray, Caroline Elser, Julie Leigh Klein

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

This descriptive case study examined student attitudes, writing skills and content knowledge of urban fourth and fifth graders (6 males, 9 female) during a six-week literacy, thinking skill, and art-integrated environmental science unit. Pre- and post- test questions were used to address knowledge of environmental problems and student environmental actions. Students expressed knowledge and suggestions for positive action of youth through four essays throughout the unit, the final essay being accompanied by a pop-up construction. Writings showed steady growth in number of words, sentences, suggested environmental actions for youth, and instances of discussing consequences and sequels of actions. Students were …

Pedagogical Voyeurism: Dialogic Critique Of Documentation And Assessment Of Learning, Eugene Matusov, Ana Marjanovic-Shane, Sohyun Meacham

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

We challenge a common emphasis on documentation and assessment of learning for providing good education: from the mainstream of neoliberal accountability movement to the progressive Reggio Emilia schools. We develop these arguments through discussing: 1) immeasurableness of education and learning, 2) students’ ownership/authorship of education and learning. We ground our conceptualization of educational assessment in critical dialogue, in a case of a student who requested assessment of her research project, and guided her peers and the teacher in providing different aspects of this assessment. We argue that documentation of learning on teacher’s demand leads to surveillance, discipline, distraction, teacher-student distrust, …

Robotics In The Classroom: The Effectiveness Of Robotics Based Curriculum In Stem Education, Mark Nall

Graduate Research Papers

Students learn best when they are engaged and are able to interact with their environment. They can build their own definition of concepts and themes, which are more meaningful because they are related to their own experiences and memories (Kolb, 1984). Simply put it all comes down to constructivism, which means a person builds knowledge and meaning from interactions between their experiences and ideas (the environment they work/play in and the people and objects they interact with). The purpose of this study is to find out how a middle school and high school constructivist robotics curriculum impacts students’ conceptual understanding …

Exploring Effective Classroom Management Techniques In A 1:1 Classroom Setting, Kenton Engels

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this action research was to explore effective management techniques in a 1:1 classroom by seeking solutions to the problem of students being distracted on their devices during class. I conducted this action research in my classroom, with twelve participants in the 8th grade at Moses Junior High School (pseudonym) in Cedar Falls, Iowa for thirty days. After implementing three different management techniques, I collected and triangulated the data including: surveys, observations, interviews, assignments, and reflective journals. The major findings indicate that after participants raised their awareness about their Chromebook use during class, they increased their proficiency level …

Online Audiobook Reference Guide For Iowa Elementary School Librarians, Kerry Lewarne

Graduate Research Papers

One of the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL, 2007) common beliefs purports that reading is a window to the world and that students can read through any format. However, access to audiobooks in school libraries remains limited due to difficulties with funding and accessibility. The purpose of this research project was to provide a resource for teacher librarians using audiobooks for the first time or who are seeking assistance with purchasing, borrowing, or connecting to audiobooks. It is also for experienced users seeking a complete guide to the variety of audiobooks available through Iowa libraries. the research project includes …

The Transition Of Flipped Instruction : From Professional Development To Classroom, Alison J. Sauter

Graduate Research Papers

This action research study was designed to implement flipped classroom professional development for high school teachers, and investigate whether the flipped professional development could be transferred from the teacher learning into student learning. Over three months the teachers' flipped professional development covered the flipped classroom model, differentiated group work, and the technologies needed to flip a lesson. Each of the seven participants created and delivered three flipped lessons in their classrooms. The major findings suggest that the flipped learning skills were transferred from professional development to practice (with the aid of instructional coaching.) Recommendations for further professional development on classroom …

Self-Study Of One To One Reading Conferences In A Third Grade Setting, Angel Munson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a study of my teaching while conducting one to one reading conferences in a third grade classroom. The reading conference consists of the teacher and student meeting to discuss the text the student is currently reading. After engaging m discussion, usually prompted by the teacher, the teacher shares a teaching point with the student. The student is then asked to focus on this teaching point during independent reading. The paper focuses on discovering how the teacher makes instructional decisions during these one to one conferences. Data sources include conference notes, audio recorded sessions between the literacy coach …

Differentiated Reading Instruction Through Guided Reading : A Framework For Effective Reading Instruction In The Primary Grades, Kara L. Neville

Graduate Research Papers

Effective reading instruction has been an evolution of many different theories and ideas, and best practices are continually changing and being debated. Differentiated instruction has also been a hot topic in the education world recently, but is not a new concept. What evolves when differentiated instruction is teamed with effective reading instruction? When implemented properly, these two concepts can interweave to create a model for reading instruction that delivers a research-based, effective curriculum which meets the needs of all learners.

The Effect Of Serious Gaming On Elementary Student Learning, Amanda Moritz

Graduate Research Papers

With our ever-changing technological world, schools need to incorporate more engaging learning activities that expose and extend students' learning with technologies. This literature review investigated the effects of serious gaming activities on student achievement. Thirty peer-reviewed journals were selected, analyzed, and evaluated. These studies were conducted about a variety of subject areas in the elementary setting in different areas around the world. Research evidence suggested that serious gaming, whose primary goal is not entertainment but instead to educate the user, can improve student achievement, meet their different learning styles, and enhance student motivation across curricular areas and regions. Recommendations for …

The Attitudes Of Typically Developing Young Children Toward Their Peers With Disabilities : A Review Of The Literature, Sara Elizabeth Kayser

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on young children's attitudes toward their peers with disabilities and its impact on the social interactions between typically developing preschoolers and their peers with disabilities. A three-step search and selection process resulted in eleven studies to be reviewed. The findings in these studies are presented around the cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of attitude formation. Results indicate that while typically developing young children have a simple understanding of disabilities and state their intention to play with and include peers with disabilities they are significantly less likely to play and be …

A Professional Development Plan To Increase Student Motivation Through The Analysis Of Three Motivational Components : Student, Teacher, And Accountability Measures, Ashley Ann Oleson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper contains professional development plan and instructions to be used to train educators about student motivation. While the plan was created to be implemented as a year-long professional development, it could be used in smaller increments focusing on one or two of the three total components that influence student motivation. The three components include: student, teacher, and accountability measures. The final plan, Student Motivation Professional Development Plan, SMPDP, was formulated from research referenced within this paper. SMPDP agendas, plans, and all necessary materials needed for implementation are also included.

The Impact Of Specific Interventions On Child Engagement In A Preschool Classroom, Sarah Elizabeth Farber

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of my action research was to integrate environmental changes and instructional strategies into my preschool classroom. These strategies were presented at monthly professional development trainings, which focused on increasing the engagement of all students in the classroom. This study included a sample of three students, two general education students and one with an individualized education program (IEP). These students were video recorded once a month at group time and observed using a data collection tool presented at the professional development meetings.

The results showed that the environmental changes and instructional strategics implemented were effective in increasing the engagement …

How Can A Child's Fluency Be Improved And Provide Support For Comprehension?, Sharon Marie Collins

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the literature that addresses ways to improve fluency and to provide support for fluency development and comprehension. The culmination of this literature review results in the creation of a project addressing the question, How can I encourage the families of my students to be more involved in their child's reading? This project uses the structure of a family literacy night to focus upon fluency development and literature engagement between children and their families.

Extending Mathematic Learning Beyond The Classroom Through Online Discussion And Reflection, Linsey Zimmerman

Graduate Research Papers

This review explores the research (2002-2015) focusing on the use of writing in the high school mathematics classroom incorporating blogs and online discussion. Thirty articles were identified and analyzed which provided information on how writing in the math classroom was developed and carried out. The research found that extending the mathematical learning through writing creates a sense of community among students, allows student reflection and application, and helps students gain a deeper understanding of a mathematical concept. Implications of the research and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Using Interactive Read-Alouds To Support Students' Comprehension, Emily D. Chaffin

Graduate Research Papers

This research project reviews literature on the impact interactive read-alouds have on lower elementary students' comprehension. The studies that were researched focused on how students benefited from interactive read-alouds and how teachers prepared and conducted interactive read-alouds. The project focused on providing model lessons to be used in an interactive read-aloud. Each model lesson consists of introduction to the comprehension strategy being taught, teacher dialogue with students participating in tum and talks throughout the interactive read-aloud and a reflection time for the teacher and students to reflect on the story and how applying the comprehension strategy helped them.

Fostering Reading With A Summer Literacy Unit For Elementary Students, Diane M. Bahrenfuss

Graduate Research Papers

This paper contains an instructional unit designed for teaching elementary students who struggle with reading comprehension. The literacy strategies that comprise the unit are grounded in the relevant research-based literature that is cited and referenced in the paper. Methods for instructional delivery are included as well as detailed lessons. Literacy strategy lessons were developed to connect fiction and non-fiction mentor texts with written responses. Discussion of multicultural literature is suggested as an engagement strategy to encourage voluntary summer reading. Student access to high-interest reading material as well as free-choice were major components affecting elementary students' reading development and growth during …

Using Digital Writing Tools In Supporting Student Writing, Sarah Mckee

Graduate Research Papers

Core Curriculum guides teachers' writing instruction, requiring students to use technology to 1) produce and publish writing, 2) interact with others, and 3) develop skills to strengthen writing. Teachers should explore digital writing tools as a means to do each. This review examines the roles digital writing tools have in meeting Core Curriculum writing standards and facilitating feedback and revision in student writing. The focus of this review is recent research evidence published in the last five years. The research evidence suggests needed changes in writing instruction, based on teachers' and students' perceptions of digital tools – especially to provide …

Sound : The Study Of Differentiating Pitch And Volume With Preschoolers, Jennifer Lyn Miller

Graduate Research Papers

I designed an exploratory study for adapting an early elementary physics of sound science module to use in preschool. The purpose of the study was to observe and collect data regarding the use of an inquiry-based physical knowledge activity, implemented in a play-based preschool setting, and how this knowledge could assist in advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in early childhood.

Using random sampling from a classroom of 20 students, I chose six participants between the ages of four and five. As prekindergarten children experimented with sound, I probed understanding of two of the main concepts in the …

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of School- And Center-Based Preschool Programs : Implications For Early Childhood Policy, Christy Martin

Graduate Research Papers

Currently, preschool programs in Iowa are found in a variety of locations and environments. This paper reports the advantages and disadvantages of school based, center based, and a blended program model with classrooms both in a center and school buildings. The purpose of this research is to provide information to school districts and preschool programs. Preschool professionals in Iowa were surveyed and interviewed about the physical locations of their programs. Methods in this study include a survey of 33 participants and 3 interviews. Research and implications for early childhood policy regarding physical locations of preschool programs are discussed. This research …