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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Early Childhood Education
What Effect Does Phonemic Awareness Have On Young Readers?, Alexis Te Brink
What Effect Does Phonemic Awareness Have On Young Readers?, Alexis Te Brink
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
A School Improvement Plan is an excellent roadmap that consecutively lays down particular interventions that a school will implement. The plan strengthens shared governance by offering an opportunity where the district collaboratively identifies interventions and plans to address priority areas that require improvements. Students who have difficulty learning are subjected to the reading and repetition hypothesis. However, certain approaches and techniques see learners devise ways of embedding context in their guessing worlds, skipping the words they are not familiar with and memorizing phrases and terms. Therefore, teaching phonemic awareness to young children in their early years dispels later challenges related …
The Expanding Expression Tool's Impact On Expressive Language In Preschool, Jill Owens
The Expanding Expression Tool's Impact On Expressive Language In Preschool, Jill Owens
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Action research for this project was selected to meet a need for more effective vocabulary instruction in the researcher's classroom and teaching site. Current literature supports the need for more effective vocabulary instruction in early childhood. The intervention used the Expanding Expression Tool (EET) as an instructional strategy to support expressive language development in the researcher's preschool classroom. Eighteen students in a four-year-old classroom participated in an intervention using explicit instruction during large group, small group, and sharing (show and tell). Standardized and researcher created measures were used to determine significance of the outcomes. Findings showed an increase in expressive …
Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel
Effects Of Differentiated Literacy Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Brenda Nagel
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine if using differentiating literacy in kindergarten led to more successful student achievement. This included implementing multi-sensory learning, learning styles, positive relationships, and relevant, specific data. The researcher is a kindergarten teacher in her 6th year of teaching, where her own students participated in the class-wide intervention. The timeline for conducting this action research was eight weeks. This included the quantitative phonics pre-assessment through FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers), implementation of differentiated literacy activities tailored to various learning styles, collection of purposeful and relevant quantitative data, and a post-assessment on literacy …
Effects Of Using Hands-On Materials During Narrative Literacy Activities In The Preschool Classroom, Brittany White
Effects Of Using Hands-On Materials During Narrative Literacy Activities In The Preschool Classroom, Brittany White
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Hands-on learning has been long studied for its effectiveness in accelerating student outcomes and increasing student engagement. The present study focuses on the use of hands-on, interactive materials during narrative literacy activities for seventeen preschool students in an urban, Midwest city. Through implementation of an intervention involving students manipulating hands-on materials during a large group read aloud, findings indicate 94% of students made growth in the area of story comprehension between pre and post assessment and 64% of students reached proficiency after intervention. Overall, this study improves our awareness of the benefits of using hands-on, interactive activities with preschool students …
Comparison Of Play-Based Learning Versus Worksheets In English Language Arts Growth, Erin Wiskus
Comparison Of Play-Based Learning Versus Worksheets In English Language Arts Growth, Erin Wiskus
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research is to compare the data of kindergarten student’s growth in ELA (English Language Arts) through the use of play-based learning strategies against students who utilize worksheets as part of their instruction in order to determine if one instructional method is more effective than the other in demonstrating academic growth in English Language Arts. One group of students participated in play-based learning strategies while the other group utilized worksheets as an extension of learning. Both groups were given weekly pretests and posttests in the areas of: letter identification, CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words, digraphs, and …
Evidence-Based Best Practices For Kindergarten Reading, Rachel Dolehanty
Evidence-Based Best Practices For Kindergarten Reading, Rachel Dolehanty
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review aims to highlight evidence-based best practices for kindergarten reading instruction. Popular reading curriculums and instructional cueing strategies are discussed in relation to their effectiveness for kindergarten reading success. Meaning-emphasis versus code- emphasis reading curriculum philosophies are explored, and specific curriculums that fall into these categories are discussed. Metacognition strategies and their relation to successful reading instruction are underscored. Interventions are examined in the areas of kindergarten phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, and writing. Successful interventions in each of these areas of literacy instruction are highlighted through current research.
Explicit Literacy Instruction Focused On Letter Sounds Vs. Letter Names And Student Educational Growth, Maria O'Dell
Explicit Literacy Instruction Focused On Letter Sounds Vs. Letter Names And Student Educational Growth, Maria O'Dell
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to investigate the effects of explicit literacy instruction focused on letter sounds and letter names to determine student academic growth. This study was conducted in the researcher’s early childhood class with a group of 20 preschool aged students. Research was conducted over the course of five weeks with students meeting with the researcher a minimum of two times each week. Data was collected using a literacy assessment with sections on letter sounds, uppercase letter names, and lowercase letter names. The researcher concluded that student growth was observed in the control and treatment groups, …
Teaching Early Literacy Skills In Preschool And Future Kindergarten Success, Amanda Wehrhan
Teaching Early Literacy Skills In Preschool And Future Kindergarten Success, Amanda Wehrhan
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review examines the importance and the effect of literacy on Kindergarten readiness and future school success for early childhood education, specifically on preschool students. Early Childhood Educators are feeling the pressure now more than ever to have their young students prepared to enter Kindergarten. In recent years there has been a shift away from a play-based classroom to more of a focus on academics. In this literature review, various research studies are examined to determine whether or not the real focus of the preschool curriculum should be play or literacy or both.
Pre-A Guided Reading In Early Childhood Literacy Skills, Laura Schumacher
Pre-A Guided Reading In Early Childhood Literacy Skills, Laura Schumacher
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project is to show that gains in literacy skills through implementation of guided reading practices at the preschool level, if successful, prove that guided reading instruction is a meaningful and purposeful practice in teaching literacy skills at the early childhood level. The researcher worked with 47 preschool children ages four and five. Participants attended a state-funded preschool program in an elementary school building. An alphabet literacy skills pre-test was given. A writing sample of the participant' s names, with no visual reference, was obtained. Throughout the weeks, students participated in lessons and activities that …
Effective Methods Of Alphabet Instruction For Preschool, Kelsey Throne
Effective Methods Of Alphabet Instruction For Preschool, Kelsey Throne
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
When children complete preschool with strong alphabet knowledge, there is a higher likelihood that they will read at a level of proficiency or above by third grade. Third-grade reading proficiency is highly predictive of school success factors, including continued reading fluency and high school graduation rates. This literature review compares two different teaching strategies to determine the most effective way to teach the alphabet to preschool students. When considering the pace in which the alphabet is taught, some classrooms teach a letter a week whereas other classrooms teach one letter a day. Multiple studies were analyzed to determine the best …
Using Kinesthetic Motions And Visuals To Help Promote Sight Word Recognition Through Snap Words, Lisa Charbonneaux
Using Kinesthetic Motions And Visuals To Help Promote Sight Word Recognition Through Snap Words, Lisa Charbonneaux
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project studied the impact kinesthetic motions and visuals had on sight word recognition in kindergarten students. Over the course of seven weeks, 28 students from two kindergarten classrooms were given sight word instruction. The experimental group included kinesthetic motions and visuals through the use of Snap Word cards with their sight word instruction. The control group received sight word instruction by presenting the sight word without added kinesthetic motions or visuals. The experimental group included 15 students and the control group consisted of 13 students. Students from both the control and experimental groups were given identical pre …
Handwriting Without Tears And Its Affect On Lowercase Writing, Cynthia Ungs
Handwriting Without Tears And Its Affect On Lowercase Writing, Cynthia Ungs
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The researcher hypothesizes that students with no prior Handwriting Without Tears instruction can transition to lowercase name writing easier than students that have had that instruction. The researcher has studied the handwriting samples based on common handwriting assessment qualities. Writing samples were taken monthly, one from each student. There were 9 students that the researcher received handwriting samples, all of white race. There were 7 boys and 2 girls in the test set. The students that received Handwriting Without Tears used this mixed upper and lowercase writing for some time and had a harder time transitioning to first uppercase and …
The Impact Student Behavior Has On Learning, Ashton J. Kirkpatrick
The Impact Student Behavior Has On Learning, Ashton J. Kirkpatrick
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research project was conducted to determine if a child’s behavior can affect their learning, especially in the area of early literacy. Information from FAST Bridge and the documentation from the “Check In/Check Out” process was used to determine if certain students using this process struggled in the area of literacy. After analyzing the data, it was determined that this certain student that was followed did struggle in the area of literacy and showed signs of emotional and social concerns alongside their behaviors. After the “Check In/Check Out process was implemented, the student showed academic growth according to the …
Impacts Of Parental Involvement On Early Literacy Skills, Sara Harlan
Impacts Of Parental Involvement On Early Literacy Skills, Sara Harlan
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This action research was conducted to identify a correlation in high literacy skills with parental involvement and support. Baseline data was gathered from kindergarten student's winter FAST screener scores. Parental involvement began by sending homework for my students to work on with an adult in their home. A spreadsheet was kept tracking which students returned their parent signature sheet weekly and which students did not. All students were progress monitored on letter sounds weekly. The spring FAST screener data was then used to gather ending data. Growth was compared from the winter to spring data with the amount of parental …
Vocabulary Development In Preschool English Language Learners, Annie Van Der Zwaag
Vocabulary Development In Preschool English Language Learners, Annie Van Der Zwaag
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this actions research project was to determine what the impact of using pictures when teaching vocabulary would have on preschool English Language Learners (ELLs). Participants were four and five-year-olds in a public preschool. Quantitative data was taken using Creative Curriculum GOLD to collect observations. Two checkpoints were used for this research. The fall checkpoint was collected in October. The winter checkpoint was collected in February. Students were shown pictures of new vocabulary words from a story along with pictures in the book. The results of this study suggest that there was a small amount of growth in …
The Impact Of Technology Selection On Student Literacy Achievement, Elizabeth Daggett
The Impact Of Technology Selection On Student Literacy Achievement, Elizabeth Daggett
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine if prekindergarten students could increase literacy achievement and motivation when the educator selects the technology based on learning goals and the Iowa Early Learning Standards. High quality technology applications were provided during whole group, small group, and learning centers. Data was collected through quantitative means using Teaching Strategies GOLD and the Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDI) test scores. Analysis of the data collected suggests that the prekindergarten student’s GOLD and IGDI scores increased as specific technology integration was implemented in the classroom.
Choice And Its Effects On Motivation To Read, Kayla Cantu
Choice And Its Effects On Motivation To Read, Kayla Cantu
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research study was to determine if there is a connection between the implementation of choice in the classroom and students' motivation to read. Research-based literacy framework and a choice model were used over an eight week period of time. Qualitative data was collected at the beginning and the end of the study in the form of surveys. Analysis of the data concluded that kindergarten students when given opportunities for choice in the classroom their motivation to read increased.
Effects Of Upper Elementary Grade Reading Buddies On Literacy Skill Concepts Development In At Risk Preschool Students, Brianna Cleland
Effects Of Upper Elementary Grade Reading Buddies On Literacy Skill Concepts Development In At Risk Preschool Students, Brianna Cleland
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of peer reading buddies on early literacy skill acquisition in preschool students. Data was collected over an eight-week period. Following a four-week period of general classroom instruction, a reading buddy partnership was developed with a fifth-grade class. Peers from fifth grade read with preschool students twice a week over a four-week period for a total of eight sessions. Following the treatment period, quantitative data was collected and analyzed. Analysis suggests that peer reading buddies enhances literacy skills in preschool students—especially in the areas involving the use and appreciation of books.
Can You Improve Phonological Awareness With Skill Boxes Through A Five-Minute Daily Routine?, Lisa Holland
Can You Improve Phonological Awareness With Skill Boxes Through A Five-Minute Daily Routine?, Lisa Holland
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
Phonological awareness is a necessary component in order to learn how to read. These skills have to be taught to children. Children who have deficits in phonological awareness are at risk for a learning disability such as dyslexia. This is why explicit instruction in phonological awareness is crucial for development. Due to this, it is important to start assessing children on these skills in preschool and start interventions if they are needed. The purpose of this action research was to shed light on how crucial phonological awareness skills are for development and how if a child is deficient in this …
The Effect Of Take Home Literacy Bags On Parents’ Feelings Towards School, Lisa Fernstrum
The Effect Of Take Home Literacy Bags On Parents’ Feelings Towards School, Lisa Fernstrum
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research was to determine by what method take home literacy bags have an impact on parents’ feelings towards school. Parents completed a short survey early in the school year, prior to literacy bags being sent home. Literacy bags were sent home weekly for six weeks before parents were asked to complete the same survey for a second time. Analysis of the collected data suggests take home literacy bags have a positive impact on families' feelings towards school.
Phonemic Awareness Interventions And Their Effects On Fast Scores, Shari Lehnhoff
Phonemic Awareness Interventions And Their Effects On Fast Scores, Shari Lehnhoff
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there is a correlation between the implementation of phonemic awareness interventions in the transitional kindergarten classroom and the results of the Early Literacy Implementation (FAST) scores. Technology-enriched phonemic awareness interventions were provided weekly over a period of two months. Data was collected through qualitative observations and quantitative FAST test scores. Analysis of the data collected suggests that the transitional kindergarten student’s FAST scores increased as the phonemic awareness intervention is implemented in the classroom.
The Effect Of Technology On Student Achievement With English Language Learners In An Early Childhood Classroom Setting, Tiffany Vasquez-Dewein
The Effect Of Technology On Student Achievement With English Language Learners In An Early Childhood Classroom Setting, Tiffany Vasquez-Dewein
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there was a correlation between the use of iPads to improve student achievement and traditional methods of teaching with four and five-year-old English language learners (ELLs). Two control groups of four ELLs were taught in math three times a week. Control group A was taught using iPad applications to support math teaching in alongside traditional teachings in math. Control group B were taught with age appropriate early childhood materials such as counting cards and manipulatives to support the traditional teachings in math. Data was collected at the end of …
The Impact Of See The Sound Visual Phonics Has On Beginning Readers, Kelsey R. Dewes
The Impact Of See The Sound Visual Phonics Has On Beginning Readers, Kelsey R. Dewes
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This paper takes a deeper look at the impact that See the Sound: Visual Phonics has for beginning reading instruction and early intervention instruction for young students. See the Sound: Visual Phonics is a strategy that incorporates hand cues and written symbols into every sound and letter in the English Language. This paper will compare the growth rates that students, who received the intervention and students who did not receive the intervention, made identifying letter names, letter sounds, and onset sounds. Throughout this paper research completed by Goldin-Meadow (2004) supporting the significance hand gestures have in development and student learning, …
Kinesthetic Movement Activities And Boys’ Engagement And Behavior In Literacy, Mallory Munden
Kinesthetic Movement Activities And Boys’ Engagement And Behavior In Literacy, Mallory Munden
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this paper is to share the results of an action research project that studies the effects kinesthetic literacy activities have on boys’ engagement and behavior in the classroom. The study was done using one kindergarten classroom that measured boys’ engagement and behavior doing a non-kinesthetic literacy activity versus a kinesthetic literacy activity. The boys were also compared to the girls level of engagement and behavior in both cases. The following paper will share the results of the study that looked at kinesthetic literacy activities to improve boys’ engagement and behavior.
How To Boost Literacy In Ages Birth To Three, Brianna Johnson
How To Boost Literacy In Ages Birth To Three, Brianna Johnson
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
This literature review explores the history, viewpoints, theoretical frameworks, and themes in literature of early literacy in the United States. It also discusses legislation on this topic, such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Literacy in ages birth to three has been a long time educational issue. The ‘pendulum’ has swung between different approaches to literacy instruction. It is important for every person to be informed on this subject because early literacy affects each life. What one learns or fails to learn in the first three years of life affects the rest of …
Integrating Technology Into Kindergarten Writing Program, Colleen K. Hahn
Integrating Technology Into Kindergarten Writing Program, Colleen K. Hahn
Master's Theses & Capstone Projects
The purpose of this action research project was to determine if incorporating technology into a kindergarten-writing program could increase their motivation and attitudes, and hence improve their writing abilities. Two types of technology were introduced to the writing program; one being an electronic portfolio to share their work and the second was a digital story writing software. Data was collected by use of attitude surveys, observational notes, and student writing samples. Analysis of the data suggests that students were more engaged during the writing time and were very motivated to write if they could publish it to their online portfolio.