Elementary Education Commons^™

Bridging The Literacy Achievement Gap With Diverse Children's Literature, Sammy Siemon

Masters Projects

Classrooms across the globe contain immensely diverse populations of students, many of which are not well represented in the texts that they interact with inside of the classroom. This becomes especially noticeable in the intervention setting, when students are already reading below the proficiency level for their grade and may already have doubts about their ability to fit in within the learning space. Read-alouds and repeated rereading are often heralded for their impact on literacy development, they can be utilized in the intervention setting using texts that help to foster student identity, empathy and belonging. This project is grounded heavily …

The Transformational Role Of Perceived Self-Efficacy In Combating Online Exam Anxiety, Ana Pereles, Carmen Romero-García

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective:This study investigates how university students’ perceived self-efficacy influences anxiety levels during online examinations, a pressing issue amplified by disruptions caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)–driven assessment concerns. The aim is to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy and online test anxiety, identifying effective strategies to mitigate its effects.

Method: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was conducted. Searches in Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Education, Google Scholar, and Dialnet databases included peer-reviewed articles in education, psychology, social sciences, and computer sciences, published …

Benefits Of Being Bilingual On The Academic Success Of The Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners, Shary Vaca

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Reframing bilingualism as an academic asset rather than a limitation, this senior capstone research project examines how bilingualism supports the academic success of Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs) in early education within California’s diverse and growing Hispanic student population. Using a combination of literature reviews, teacher interviews, and surveys from former English language learners, the findings indicate that bilingualism is one of three key benefits for English language learners: enhancing communication skills, strengthening critical thinking, and increasing language competence. In addition, bilingual students demonstrate a unique ability to collaborate effectively, think flexibly across languages, and transfer linguistic knowledge to support …

Fiesta De Día De Muertos: Integración De Artes Visuales, Artes Literarias, Artes Escénicas Y Patrimonio Cultural En Una Celebración Escolar De Nivel Primaria, Mayra Urbina, Linda Judith Palafox

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

Esta nota de campo documenta un festival transdisciplinario de Día de Muertos organizado en el Colegio México, una escuela primaria ubicada en la colonia El Tapatío, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, México. El evento integró artes visuales mediante la construcción de tumbas decorativas y el montaje de un altar, artes literarias a través de calaveritas literarias escritas por los alumnos, y artes escénicas mediante coreografías de baile y representación teatral, todo ello vinculado con contenidos de estudios sociales sobre el patrimonio cultural mexicano. Aproximadamente 30 alumnos de primero a sexto grado (edades de 6 a 12 años) participaron como intérpretes, escritores …

Fiesta De Día De Muertos: Integrating Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, And Cultural Heritage In An Elementary School Celebration, Mayra Urbina, Linda Judith Palafox

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This field note documents a transdisciplinary Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) festival organized at Colegio México, an elementary school, in La colonia El Tapatío, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, Mexico. The event integrated visual arts through decorative tomb-building and altar construction, literary arts through student-authored calaveritas literarias, and performing arts through dance choreography and theatrical performance, all in connection with social studies content on Mexican cultural heritage. Approximately 30 students across grades 1–6 (ages 6–12) participated as performers, writers, and artists, while parents and community members also actively contributed, including through participation in a theatrical skit, …

Teacher Candidates’ Reflective Practices Of Mathematics Curriculum From The Lens Of Universal Design For Learning, Weichen Zhao

Journal of Practitioner Research

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework encourages educators to proactively remove barriers in curriculum and instruction to increase accessibility for all learners. While UDL is often applied during lesson planning, it can also serve as a powerful tool for critically examining and revising existing mathematics curricula. Drawing on qualitative data from teacher candidates’ reflective journals and curriculum artifacts collected over two semesters, this study examines how guided reflection supported teacher candidates in identifying barriers, proposing inclusive adaptations, and deepening their understanding of equity-oriented mathematics instructional design. As a self-study grounded in participatory action research, the findings also informed the …

Developing A Gayo Culture-Based Cooperative Learning Intervention Model To Enhance The Learning Process Of Elementary School Students, Sudarni Sudarni, Siti Mayang Sari, Didi Yudha Pranata

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aims to develop a cooperative learning intervention model based on Gayo culture to improve student learning processes. This research method is Development (R&D) with a 4D model. The research subjects were 20 students. The definition stage was carried out by analyzing students' needs and characteristics, then the stage of designing cooperative learning syntax based on Gayo cultural values, the development stage included expert validation and limited trials, and dissemination was carried out on a limited basis in the school environment. Data collection techniques used expert validation sheets, questionnaires on the practicality of teachers, students, and the learning process. …

Development Of Bestari Eco-Environmental Learning Teaching Materials To Enhance Critical Thinking Skills Among Fifth-Grade Students On The Topic Of “My Earth”, Mayna Aryunita, Siti Mayang Sari, Mhd. Syafii

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This research aims to develop contextual teaching materials based on the "BESTARI" eco-environment framework to enhance the critical thinking skills of 5th-grade students on the topic "My Earth." Utilizing the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation), the study was conducted at SD Negeri 4 Aceh Tengah. Data collection involved expert validation, practicality questionnaires, and pretest-posttest instruments. Results indicate that the materials achieved a "Very Valid" status (90.6%) and "Very Practical" status (92.3%). Effectiveness tests demonstrated a significant improvement in critical thinking, with a student mastery rate of 88.7%. This study implies …

“It Was Hard, But It Worked:” Children’S Theories Of Learning To Read, Cristina Valencia Mazzanti, Laura Tiktin-Sharick, Madeleine Zuck, Tiphareth Ananda

Occasional Paper Series

In this paper we come together as teachers, a school leader and a professor to examine children’s theories of learning to read captured in written and illustrated texts created by 143 children currently enrolled in kindergarten to sixth grade. This collection of children’s theories of reading was created in the context of a progressive elementary school located at Smith College, a women's liberal arts college in Massachusetts. Our hope in examining children’s theories is to humanize and historicize current debates about how reading is taught. We also hope to offer a counter narrative to the dichotomies currently shaping reading education, …

All Flourishing Is Mutual: Cultivating A Gift Economy Of Literacy, Lindsey Lush, Melissa Kurtz

Occasional Paper Series

In this paper, two scholars and practicing elementary educators argue that the policies and practices of the Science of Reading (SoR) movement in early literacy education are being constructed with the logic of a market economy, shaped by neoliberal ideologies of individualism, scarcity, and competition. Compelled by our concerns for the bodies and beings of readers and reading teachers in the context of our Northeast Georgia public elementary school and provoked by our shared engagement with The Serviceberry, Indigenous scientist and scholar Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book on lessons from the natural world, we engage a postqualitative approach to emergent, relational …

When Science Of Reading Policy Meets Classroom Reality: The Nonsense Word Problem, Lisa Dewing-Birno, Luis Lopez

Occasional Paper Series

A central feature of many Science of Reading (SoR)-aligned curricula is the use of nonsense words in early literacy assessment to measure a student's ability to decode unfamiliar words using knowledge of letter-sound correspondences. However, the research base for using nonsense words as an instructional tool is much weaker and more contested. Through two narratives, we illustrate how the implementation of SoR instruction with nonsense words can be particularly problematic. We argue that effective literacy instruction demands what we call pedagogical clarity, the ability to integrate pedagogical practices with deep understanding of individual learners, their cultural and linguistic resources, and …

Uplifting The Legacy Of Black Teachers: Loving And Liberatory Pedagogies In A Science Of Reading Context, Natasha A. Thornton, Amanda L. Armstrong, Brooke Blacknall, Jordan Freeman, Elaine Nevers-Williams, Mukkaramah Smith

Occasional Paper Series

This article explores Black liberatory pedagogy (BLP) as a critical approach to navigating current Science of Reading (SoR) mandates, which are often restrictive and fail to honor the literacies and linguistic practices of Black children. Through the narratives of six educators—classroom teachers, teacher candidates, and teacher educators—the article examines how they have experienced and responded to the implementation of SoR standards and curriculum shifts. These stories also illuminate what becomes possible when teachers are in spaces that allow for autonomy, imagination, and culturally responsive pedagogy. The educators’ experiences, expertise, and cultural wisdom are centered, demonstrating how they enact BLP through …

Exploring The Impact Of Generative Ai On Curriculum Design And Instruction: A Study With Preservice Teachers, Lindsay A. Gold, Vanessa Winn, Jackie M. Arnold

Thomas C. Hunt Building a Research Community Day

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming education by reshaping curriculum design, individualized learning, and professional collaboration. This interpretive study examines how 70 preservice teachers engaged with GenAI through structured learning experiences focused on lesson planning, content development, and reflective practice. Participants, all fourth-year PK–Grade 5 and intervention specialist candidates at the University of Dayton, completed a co-taught seminar led by methods professors in science, social studies, language arts, and mathematics. Data sources included initial reflections on GenAI’s role in education, documentation of prompt exploration, and ongoing reflections during the seminar. Thematic analysis revealed a shift in preservice teachers’ understanding from …

Hitler Must Be Killed: A Wwii Case Study, Jeffrey Byford, Presley Shilling, Alisha Milam

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

Social studies education during the 1960s experienced an educational renaissance known as the new social studies movement. Over 50 projects were funded by the National Science Foundation or private corporations to interject a student-centered curriculum into K-12 classrooms during this period. Nearly 60 years later, can student-centered decision-making activities be used in an era of high-stakes testing and planned curriculum? This article attempts to rekindle students' interest in decision-making and discussion by exploring elements in Moral Reasoning: The Value of Life from the Harvard Social Studies Project (HSSP). The activity called "Hitler Must Be Killed" helped students bring the content …

Reimagining Instructional Planning: Balancing Real-Life Experiences With Ai Instantaneity, Shaanii-Grace Robinson-Ritzdorf

Essays in Education

Instructional planning challenges teachers to balance creativity, time, and application of real-life experiences. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers rapid lesson ideas, personalized resources, and adaptive tools, yet uncritical use risks generic, disengaging instruction. This essay was based on the background study that examined elementary teachers’ integration of real-life experiences in science and math lessons in northwestern New Mexico through lesson plans, professional development materials, and interviews. Results revealed teacher-centered, procedural approaches with limited connection to students’ lived experiences, while personally designed lessons allowed greater flexibility for meaningful examples. Thoughtfully guided AI can bridge this gap, supporting scenario-based learning, differentiation, and student …

From Arrival To Opportunity: A Policy Analysis For Supporting Newly Arrived English Learners In California, Valeria Gabrielli, Stephanie Mendoza Hernandez

School of Public Policy Capstones

Newly arrived immigrant students, commonly referred to as “newcomers,” represent a notable portion of the English Learner (EL) population in California’s K–12 public schools. As of Fall 2023, the California Department of Education reported that newcomers comprised 3.27% of total student enrollment. Although enrollment is projected to decline in the near term, the potential for future increases highlights the need for sustainable, evidence-based support systems. This study examines how California K–12 public schools with large EL populations provide academic and trauma-informed support services to newcomer students, with a particular focus on early intervention in grades K–5. Using the Bardach policy …

Culturally Responsive Stem Teaching With Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Eun Kyung Ko

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

This study examines how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically ChatGPT, into teacher education can enhance culturally responsive teaching (CRT) in STEM education. AI's potential to support lesson planning, streamline administrative tasks, and offer personalized learning paths is explored alongside its challenges, such as ethical concerns and contextual adaptation. The study involved pre-service elementary teachers who used AI modules to design CRT-aligned STEM lessons, reflecting on their experiences through surveys and journals. The findings reveal that AI enhances efficiency, generates creative ideas, and fosters inclusivity by providing culturally relevant materials. However, the study emphasizes that AI cannot replace human expertise …

Development Of A Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted By The Interactive Canva Application To Improve Critical Thinking And Collaboration Skills Of Fourth Grade Elementary School Students, Fitri Dwi Utami, Heris Hendriana, Galih Dani Septyan Rahayu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Penelitian ini dimotivasi oleh rendahnya kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa kelas empat sekolah dasar yang disebabkan oleh pembelajaran konvensional dan kurangnya penggunaan media pembelajaran interaktif. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBL) yang dibantu oleh aplikasi interaktif Canva yang layak dan efektif untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis dan kolaborasi siswa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah model Penelitian dan Pengembangan (R&D) Borg & Gall yang meliputi tahapan analisis kebutuhan, perencanaan, pengembangan produk, validasi ahli, revisi produk, dan uji lapangan. Subjek penelitian terdiri dari 21 siswa pada uji terbatas, 30 siswa pada uji luas, dan 60 siswa pada …

The Transformative Power Of Concepts Of Print: Connecting Theory, Practice, And Professional Development To Advance Early Literacy, Cheryl R. Couch

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Abstract Many kindergarten students continue to enter school below literacy readiness benchmarks, notably lacking Concepts of Print skills despite decades of research affirming their role as predictors of later reading achievement (Economic Policy Institute, 2015; Justice & Ezell, 2001; Justice & Sofka, 2010; National Survey of Children’s Health, 2022). Concepts of Print provide the foundation for children’s understanding of how print works, laying the groundwork for decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension (Lentsch, 2018; Moats, 2023a; National Research Council, 2000). This mixed-methods historical reflective report examines explicit Concepts of Print instruction through two cases: archival records from a 2003–2004 kindergarten classroom …

New Hampshire K–6th Grade Teachers’ Mathematics Professional Development Experiences On Classroom Instruction, Danielle C. Nutting

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of public school elementary teachers in New Hampshire who participated in math professional development. The problem this study addressed was students in U.S. public elementary schools have not made sufficient progress in mathematics (The Nation’s Report Card, 2022) and lack of progress in mathematics has been attributed to teachers not receiving adequate professional development in this subject area (Campbell & Griffin, 2017). Analysis of seven semistructured participant interviews revealed four findings: (a) elementary teachers understood the significance of an effective math coach; (b) elementary teachers recognized when their professional learning communities were not effective; …

Pennies In The Bank: Building Background Knowledge, Brooke Lee Webster

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

Across the United States, teachers are met with stringent time requirements that may not align with the needs of the students inside the classroom. This paper explores the efforts of condensing and prioritizing in a diverse classroom. Through a reflective narrative of teaching comprehension to emerging bilingual students, this paper presents a structure that leverages morning meetings and discussion as prongs for maximizing the benefit of students within limited instructional minutes. Tasks that build competence, confidence, and connection cycle to foster the environment that students need to thrive. Additionally, this paper investigates the role of building background knowledge in …

Supporting English Language Learners: A Comprehensive Guide For Long-Term Success, Yana Shifrina-Piljovin

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

This literature review provides a thorough examination of the various multifaceted challenges encountered by Long-Term English Language Learners (LTELLs) in educational settings. It critically analyzes the effectiveness of current support systems and instructional strategies, synthesizes relevant recent research findings, and offers targeted recommendations aimed for educators and policymakers striving to improve educational outcomes for LTELLs. The review evaluates the efficacy of existing support frameworks and teaching methodologies, synthesizes contemporary research findings, and presents actionable recommendations for educators and legislators to enhance the learning outcomes of these students.

Supporting English Language Learners LTELLs) in classroom settings requires a deep understanding …

Are Testing Accommodations Helping Or Not? A Review Of English Learner (El) Accommodations On Standardized Tests, Cole Forbes

Journal of English Learner Education

This paper examines and critiques English Learner (EL) testing accommodation policies. They have been ineffective at increasing test scores and accessibility. The policies have mandated that EL students participate in high-stakes assessments with accommodations, and sometimes without them. The purpose of the accommodation is to create an even playing field for all test-takers, so that no subgroup is put at a disadvantage, which would compromise their scores and lead to misclassification of students. Laws and Acts such as the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, No Child Left Behind, and the Every Student Succeeds Act have updated and mandated a more …

Differentiated Instruction For Multilingual Learners: A Thematic Analysis Of Research And Practice, Mohsine Bensaid, Jiayuan Jiang

Journal of English Learner Education

Differentiated instruction (DI) is widely promoted as a means of supporting diverse learners, yet its enactment for multilingual learners (MLs) remains uneven and under-theorized in mainstream classrooms. This study examines how DI is conceptualized and implemented to support MLs by attending to learners’ linguistic, cultural, and academic profiles. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative synthesis examines 20 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024 in English-medium K–12 contexts in the United States, with particular attention to elementary settings when specified. Analytic interpretation was supported by practitioner-based reflection functioning as an interpretive lens rather than a separate data source. Four …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Achieve3000 On The Reading Comprehension Scores Of Ells With Ld, Paula P. Fields

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine if a significant difference existed in the comprehension scores of secondary English Language Learners with learning disabilities after treatment. The problem addressed is that a significant correlation exists between English language learners and learning-disabled students’ low reading proficiency scores and student achievement, leading to decreased graduation rates. Schema theory served as the theoretical foundation of this research because when the appropriate schema is activated, it helps increase comprehension. The research question guiding this study was: Is there a significant difference between the reading comprehension scores of high school English language …

Leveraging The Intersection Of Ai And Play To Foster Human Connectedness And Character Formation, Lori B. Doyle, Ashley Brandon

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

The benefits of fostering character formation are vast, encompassing psychological, social and emotional growth, yet there is no universally prescribed manner by which to proceed. Central to these efforts is human connectedness, which enhances psychological functioning and provides a pivotal foundation for well-being. Emerging factors such as integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the pedagogy of play are novel topics for the conversation within the character formation discourse. These elements, while tangentially related, hold significant potential to amplify character formation and sense of belonging. This paper examines the intersection of AI, pedagogy of play, and character formation through a theoretical …

Motivating Passion And Purpose In Grade Six Students Through Game-Based Learning, Violet H. Harada, Patricia Louis

Learning Hub

This article examines how a sixth-grade pathways course at Kamehameha Schools in Hawai‘i leveraged Game-Based Learning (GBL) and Indigenous knowledge to foster student agency, creativity, and environmental stewardship. Designed and taught by school librarian Patricia Louis with support from a multidisciplinary instructional team, the Nā Lawai‘a Hawai‘i (Fishing, Hawaiian Style) elective engaged students in researching the ‘Ama‘ama (Hawaiian striped mullet) and the ecological challenges it faces, then translating their learning into the design of a board game, ‘Ama‘ama Escape. Grounded in constructivist, learning-by-making principles, the course guided students through an iterative design process that included inquiry, collaboration, prototyping, and playtesting. …

Using Art To Understand Children's Perceptions Of Covid-Era Schooling, Katrina Bartow Jacobs, Kali Stull

IALS Journal

This study explores how elementary-aged children (K–5) made sense of their Covid-era schooling experiences at Falk Laboratory School. Using an arts-based methodology combining drawing and narrative reflection, researchers collected 232 student artworks and 225 narratives. Findings revealed that older children referenced Covid-related experiences more frequently than younger children, that Covid held similar emotional significance to other school experiences, and that children's responses included both positive and negative emotions. A notable subset of students, particularly some neurodiverse learners, expressed positive feelings about remote learning, smaller groups, and masking. The study highlights the value of arts-based research in centering children's voices and …

Greater Newark Stem Ecosystem - 2026 Convening - Small Group Outcomes & Action Plan, Brad Schenker

STEM for Success Showcase

In January 2026, GNSE convened ecosystem partners for a co-design session focused on identifying shared challenges, opportunities, and near-term actions to strengthen STEM education and career-connected learning. Participants engaged in small-group discussions to surface barriers, enablers, and potential areas for coordinated action.

A Qualitative Examination Of The Motivations For Homeschooling Among Black Americans, Portia J. Witt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the motivations and lived experiences of African American homeschooling families. Twelve Black parents from multiple states participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) Modified Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen method and coded thematically using NVivo. Nine themes emerged: autonomy, holistic education, community belonging, online networks, public resources, curriculum gaps, personal values, effective learning, and legacy of harm. While racialization in schools—including tracking, microaggressions, and misidentification—contributed to participants’ decisions, motivations also reflected intersectional factors such as faith, disability, mental health needs, giftedness, and a desire for cultural protection and flexible learning. Findings suggest homeschooling serves as a …