Elementary Education Commons^™

The Impact Of Structured Communication Check-Ins On Student Self-Direction And Work Completion In An Elementary School Resource Room, Tim Osburn

Education Masters Theses

The purpose of the project is to examine how structured communication check-ins may improve the self-direction and task completion of third, fourth, and fifth grade elementary students with IEPs. The intervention will consist of short, intentional check-ins at the beginning and end of each instructional session. During the opening check-in, one of the intervention students (3B, 4B, and 5B) will set a personal academic or behavioral goal for that session. At the end of the session, they will reflect on their progress, evaluate their effort, and discuss the strategies that either aided or impeded their success. Each check-in will last …

Language And Literacy In Childhood Education, Ele203, Spring 2022 Syllabus, Natalie Willens

Open Educational Resources

Language and Literacy in Childhood Education is a designated capstone course. This writing intensive course provides a comprehensive overview of the development, learning, and teaching of literacy from grades one through six.

This course is designed to promote students’ understanding of the importance of issues concerning language and literacy in childhood education and their relevance to classroom practices. Topics covered throughout the semester include the relationship between written and spoken language and oral language development in children in culturally, academically, and linguistically diverse groups; literacy assessment; emergent literacy; phonemic awareness; fluency; reading comprehension; and literacy across the curriculum. We …

Teacher Perceptions Of A Mindful-Based Social Emotional Group Drumming Curriculum: A Collective Case Study, Kristin Lewis

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Educational researchers have discovered a connection between educator and student well-being. Educators need to cultivate these skills to effectively model social emotional learning (SEL). However, there is a shortage of resources for elementary general music educators that intentionally embed social emotional competencies in tandem with adhering to the National Core Arts Standards.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine elementary music educators’ perceptions of a Mindfulness-Based Social Emotional Learning (MBSEL) group drumming curriculum and its impact on their own and their students’ social emotional competencies (SECs). The research questions were: (1) What are elementary music educators’ perceptions of …

Amin's Harvest For Tomorrow Through Nine Compassionate Attributes:, Dua Nadeem, Bibi Haleema, Fazila Saleem, Komal Malik Shivji, Samina Iqbal, Seemi Batool

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

At CfC, we believe that the future of our society depends on raising children who understand and practice compassion in all aspects of their lives. The book was created to help children connect with the concept of compassion and other core values, such as self-compassion, mindfulness, courage, gratitude, forgiveness, integrity, humility, altruism, and empathy. These values are essential not only for personal development but also for building stronger, more caring communities.
In the Sindh context, where communities face unique social, environmental, and climate related challenges, we wanted to provide children with a narrative that reflects the importance of collective action …

Modern Classical Christian Education?, Donna Lybarger

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This thesis asks if the ancient tradition of classical education is an education method for the modern world. More specifically, this thesis questions, how might classical education methods be implemented for the acquisition of wisdom in the modern world? The literature review gives a brief history of classical education from the Greeks, and a history of why classical education is again a topic of conversation in the modern world. The three stages of classical education, the trivium, is explained. Classical Christian education is defined noting the method remains the same, but the difference is the nuances of the virtues of …

Peace Education: Exploring Educational Possibilities, Erica Ferrer Ariza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Peace Education is a growing field of study that includes different approaches to understanding and promoting peace, conflict resolution, and social justice. Peace education can be a strategic area for societies that have experienced various forms of direct or indirect violence as is the case of Colombia, South America, which has undergone prolonged periods of violence and internal conflict. Considering that peace is contextual and should be defined and decided on by the people involved in the target context, this work aims to illuminate how a peace education process can be experienced by teachers and students and the forms it …

Exercise As An Antecedent Intervention, Alexis M. Estephan

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Special education classroom teachers often experience students demonstrating challenging behaviors causing themselves and their peers to fall off task. This study examined the effect of antecedent exercise on on-task behaviors. This exercise included modeling a dance video to assess increasing levels of duration of on-task behaviors.

Exploring Factors Influencing Student Growth In Mathematics: Elementary Teacher Instructional Practices, Beliefs, And Professional Development Experiences, Marni E. Driessen

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

High-quality student learning experiences in mathematics rely on effective teaching. This mixed methods study investigates how elementary teachers’ instructional practices, beliefs about mathematics teaching and learning, and professional development experiences relate to student mathematics growth in a large urban district. Quantitative survey data were analyzed to examine relationships among these factors and student growth outcomes, while qualitative data complemented and deepened the measurable findings. This study builds on prior research on instructional practices and professional development effectiveness by integrating constructs typically examined separately and identifying multiple teacher-related factors that distinguish classrooms with high student growth from those with low growth. …

Understanding The Impact Of Foster Care On Child Development, Catherine Pleska

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to explore the developmental impact of the foster care system on children, focusing on how early trauma and systemic factors influence emotional, social, and cognitive development. Through a systematic literature review, the project will highlight the unique experiences foster children face, examining how early adversity shapes their long-term outcomes. The project will emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care in educational environments, advocating for strategies that create supportive and empathetic classrooms. The objectives include identifying key challenges for foster children and offering recommendations for teachers and school administrators to effectively engage students impacted by trauma. The study also …

Creating A Criteria Set To Evaluate The Use Of Cai Resources In K-6 Language Arts Education, Matthew T. Bates

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this creative project was to research adequate educational practices regarding implementing technology and specifically CAI (Computer-Assisted Instruction) technology in the context of elementary education. This information was compiled into distinct categories based on research articles and policy statements. Then, the implications of each category were explored within the classroom. From this review of research, I created a criteria set for elementary educators to follow to evaluate CAI in the framework of their own educational methods and classroom. This thesis presents an address on the issue of student engagement in elementary literacy classrooms by assisting students in actively …

Montessori And Self-Regulation, Abbey Ray

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper explores how the Montessori approach supports young children’s self-regulation and sense of agency. Reviewing ten peer-reviewed studies, it compares Montessori classrooms with traditional early childhood programs and finds consistent evidence that Montessori practices, such as child-led activities, structured autonomy, self-correcting materials, and supportive teacher guidance, significantly improve children’s attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and independent decision-making. The review also notes the influence of teacher beliefs and carefully prepared environments on these outcomes. While the research strongly supports Montessori’s positive impact, gaps remain in studies involving diverse populations and long-term effects. Overall, Montessori education emerges as an effective model …

Exploring Winnie-The-Pooh For Florida's Resiliency Standards And Social-Emotional Learning Dimensions To Create Literature-Based Activities For The Primary Classroom, Madison R. Simonds

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine the intersections between the Florida Resiliency Standards and the social-emotional dimensions established by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), as reflected in A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh. Through an analysis of key traits within the text, this study explores how children’s literature can serve as an effective tool for fostering social-emotional learning in the primary classroom. By integrating SEL principles with literary instruction, educators can strengthen students’ emotional awareness, interpersonal skills, and resilience. Additionally, this thesis presents a series of instructional activities designed to support teachers in incorporating Winnie …

Harmony Or Discord? A Study On The Alignment Between National Objectives And Reformed Social Studies Textbooks In Egypt, Lina Yehia

Theses and Dissertations

Education systems, in many parts of the world, have served as a channel for communicating national goals to students, and Egypt has not been an exception. This study examines how public textbooks effectively align with equipping future generations of Egyptians to fulfill the nation’s development policy goals set for 2030. Utilizing a qualitative research design, this study employed textbook and document analyses of the published national policy goals of the current administration, along with the most recently reformed social studies textbooks of Grades 4, 5, and 6, a product of EDU 2.0. Based on an analysis of national documents, the …

An Exploration Of Preservice Teachers' Perspectives On Elementary Writing Instruction, Railynn E. Baumgardt

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Writing instruction is frequently overshadowed by a greater emphasis on reading and mathematics in elementary education, resulting in preservice teachers (PSTs) often feeling underprepared and lacking confidence to teach writing effectively. This undergraduate thesis explores the perspectives of junior and senior elementary education majors at the University of Central Florida enrolled in the course Teaching Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom (LAE 4314). Using an anonymous online survey, this study investigated 38 PSTs as writers themselves, their beliefs about writing instruction, their preparedness to teach writing, and the impact of the methods course on their readiness to teach writing. Results …

Observation Report On Learners’ Use Of Digital Tools And Computational Thinking, Michelle C. Fraboni

Open Educational Resources

This classroom field observation assignment asks student teachers to observe learners' use of digital tools and computational thinking to support learning. The assignment aims to engage student teachers in focusing on classroom practice around computational thinking and using digital tools for learning. In particular, it requires student teachers to think critically about how technology is currently used in classrooms and draws on Fantozzi's (2022) ideas about creating, communicating, and collaborating with digital tools.

Becoming, Being, And Belonging: Exploring The Intersections Of Black Manhood, Sexuality, And Rural Education Through Self-Study Using Ethno-Dramatic Renderings, Javious Canty

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Studies that center Black male teachers often lack nuance and tend to look at them as a monolithic group. This dissertation uses Quare theory (Johnson, 2001), African American Male Theory (AAMT) (Bush & Bush, 2013), along with self-study methodology represented through fictionalized ethno-dramatic scenes to examine the teaching practices of a queer Black male teacher in a rural context and the impact he has on the achievement of his rural Black students. One finding from this study is that breaking through Quare barriers using community, resilience, and cultural awareness leads to success. Another finding is that rural spaces carry educational …

A Review Of Research On Engineering In K-12 Science Education, Allison Antink-Meyer, Ryan A. Brown, Margaret E. Parker, Jennifer Smith

Faculty Publications - College of Education

The purpose of this study is to explore trends in interrelated engineering education and science education research within six science education research journals across the first decade since the release of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Journals were selected using a combination of impact factors and random sampling. The resulting qualitative systematic review exposes trends that arose and fell among science education journals and scholars as reflected in 141 articles published between 2011 and 2024 in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Science Education, the International Journal of Science Education, School Science …

Innovative Teaching Strategies And Lesson Plans To Support Students With Adhd, Celeste Grantham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how creativity, imagination, and problem-solving can be harnessed to improve student outcomes – specifically engagement, motivation, and academic achievement – for students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in elementary classrooms. Rather than conducting a data-driven study, this project draws upon interdisciplinary research from educational psychology, cognitive science, and pedagogy to design inclusive research-informed teaching strategies. The cognitive processes underpinning creativity and imagination – such as divergent thinking, mind-wandering, and creative incubation – are examined as potential strengths often underutilized in traditional classrooms. A comprehensive literature review establishes how these variables interact and influence the learning experiences of students …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Examining The Impact Of The First Step To Success/First Step Next Intervention: A Pbis Tier 2 Intervention For Pre-K - 3rd Grade Students, Shawna L. Belanger

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders often experience significant challenges that adversely affect their academic performance and overall well-being. Although the First Step to Success/First Step Next (FSS/FSN) intervention has been widely implemented as a PBIS Tier 2 intervention to support Pre-K to 3rd-grade students with challenging behaviors, research findings have been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes the literature on the intervention’s effectiveness across studies, focusing on both social-emotional behavioral outcomes and academic performance.

Using a comprehensive search strategy, studies meeting rigorous inclusion criteria were identified, and effect sizes (Hedges’s g) were calculated to …

From A Child's Perspective: A Qualitative Study Of Elementary School Student Engagement, Deanna J. Springstead-Gonzalez

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Abstract

Background and Purpose. This study sought to investigate child engagement from the children's perspective, aiming to understand better what they perceive as factors that facilitate or constrain their academic engagement in classrooms. By centering children's voices, this research challenges traditional views of students as passive recipients of education, instead recognizing them as active participants with valuable insights into their learning experiences. This work builds on the frameworks proposed by Shirley and Hargreaves (2021) and Lawson and Lawson (2013) that utilize socio-ecological theory to better understand those factors impacting children’s learning experiences.

Method. The study was conducted at an elementary …

Understanding Self-Efficacy And Motivation In Elementary Teachers: The Influence And Support Of School Administrators, Maria Vigil

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Teachers’ attrition is commonly seen within the first five years in the profession. Various reasons exist as the cause for this decision including: low pay rates, lack of support and stress. With the important role educators hold, a clear understanding of their specific needs can help strengthen their abilities while remaining in the field. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand teachers’ perspectives of what influences their self-efficacy and motivation in order to promote strong work performance, effectiveness, increase teacher satisfaction and retention rates while highlighting the impact of support provided by school administrators. The research questions …

The Effects Of Explicit And Systematic Phonics Instruction On Student Achievement, Teagan Dougherty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine how explicit and systematic phonics instruction impacts student achievement, and to explore how instructional strategies are effectively implemented in the classroom. To guide the study, two research questions were developed: (1) How does explicit and systematic phonics instruction impact student achievement in vowel teams and r-controlled vowels? (2) What are teacher perceptions of explicit phonics instruction and how are they implemented in the classroom? This was a mixed-methods study. Data was collected from 18 second-grade students and one classroom teacher. Quantitative data was gathered using weekly pre and posttests addressing various phonics …

Shifting The Paradigm: Empowering School Social Workers As Leaders In Family Engagement Policy And Practices In K-12 Education, Amber Onkst

DSW Capstone Projects

This capstone examined the school social worker’s role in family engagement in K–12 education. It consists of three products that collectively review the current literature, conceptualize a gap in practice, and provide a tangible application to school social work in Kentucky. The first product, the systematic literature review, critically examines literature related to the school social worker’s role in family engagement policy and practices to inform an understanding of increasing engagement at the macro level. A narrative review was conducted to assess common themes. There was substantially limited research regarding this topic, showcasing a knowledge gap. The literature primarily revealed …

Supporting Students In Transition To And From Elementary School, Meleah Ellison, Jamelle Simmons, David B. Naff, Taryn G. Traylor, Meredith Dean, Sooyeon Moon, Jia Jia Liu, Latonja Y. Wright, Cameron Parkins, Jennifer Locasale-Crouch, Dana V. Yarbrough, Audrina Farrar, Obed Amoakoh Boateng

MERC Publications

This report is part of a two-part series focused on supporting students in transition across PK-12 education. Specifically, it explores transitions into and out of elementary school. The report includes a synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature, analysis of publicly available data (with a specific focus on Virginia and the metropolitan Richmond region), and summary of relevant federal, state, and school division-level policies. It answers the following questions:

1. What are key considerations for supporting students in transition to and from elementary school in the MERC region?

2. How do federal, state, and division policies guide support for student transitions to …

Mental Health Supports In The Public Schools, Elizabeth Walters

Masters Theses

Increasingly, young students experience mental health challenges, some as early as first grade. With mental health challenges reaching students at younger ages, teachers and school staff need to be ready to assist their students in need. Roughly a third of young people experience mental health challenges, and 70-80% are unable to receive mental health services. As a large portion struggle in school with mental health concerns, teachers and school staff are likely to be the first to see any potential signs of struggle. When teachers notice signs of a student struggling with mental health, the staff often do not know …

Examining Rural Second-Graders' Literate Identities In Relationship To Reading Proficiency: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Ashley R. S. Olsen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Although the act of reading is inherently multi-faceted, encompassing an array of interrelated cognitive, social, and cultural processes, the bodies of reading research typically align to either qualitative or quantitative methodologies. This routinely bifurcated approach to reading research reflects the ongoing disagreement surrounding best practices for literacy instruction. Numerous quantitative findings have supported the use of systematic and explicit foundational skill instruction to improve students’ reading proficiency. On the other hand, previous qualitative studies have emphasized the existing identities that children bring to any learning community and the benefit of nurturing literate identity formation in the classroom. Intersecting a modified …

Lived Experience Of Middle School Science Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David E. Abbott Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education worldwide, compelling schools to adopt remote teaching and learning. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of six middle school science teachers in an Alabama school district during this period. Data were collected through interviews and reflective journals maintained for 2 weeks following the interview. The research investigated how teachers navigated shifting instruction to remote settings, engaged students, assessed and monitored their progress, and managed challenges. Guided by the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework, findings revealed that teachers leveraged a combination of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge to adapt their instruction. Despite …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Behavioral Classroom Expectations Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Jennifer E. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) were failing in general education courses. The purpose was to investigate how teachers’ perceptions and biases influenced EBD students. Participants included five teachers (two special education teachers and three general education teachers) from each of Grades 6, 7, and 8 recruited from social media. The study was guided by the case study research design, and the interview instrument was the Indepth Interview Protocol. Data analysis was guided by a coding system that facilitated searching the interview responses for themes.

Research Question 1 queried about forms …

Teacher Views Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication With Nonverbal Students With Severe Intellectual Disabilities: A Generic Qualitative Study, Lelita K. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Students with significant intellectual disabilities who are nonverbal often depend on augmentative and alternative communication devices to engage with lessons and participate in secondary educational environments. Despite advancements in this technology, issues pertaining to training, consistency, and institutional support persist, hindering effective application in urban schools. The objective of this generic qualitative study was to investigate the perspectives of teachers and related service providers regarding the utilization of these devices for nonverbal students with severe intellectual disabilities in urban secondary schools.

Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, comprising special education instructors, related service providers, and special education …

Cultivating Empathy: A Content Analysis Of Empathic Themes In Best-Selling Children's Books, Elnaz J. Afousi

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the presence and nature of empathic content in best-selling children’s picture books, with a focus on developmental relevance for preschool-aged readers. Using a modified version of the iEPIC empathy coding system, 10 titles from the New York Times best-seller list were analyzed to assess the frequency and complexity of three empathy-related constructs: Emotion or State Description (ESD), Exploring Emotion or State (EES), and Empathic Understanding or Concern (EUC). Results indicate that while all books contained some empathy-related content, ESD3 (self-reflective emotional descriptions) and EUC2/EUC4 (understanding and helping others) were most prevalent, suggesting an emphasis on both intrapersonal …