Elementary Education Commons^™

Addressing The Absence Of Formal Curriculum In Dual Language Immersion Program, Janet Roque

FDLA Journal

This strategic research project (SRP) was designed to provide a comprehensive, actionable solution to the critical challenge of inconsistent instruction resulting from the absence of a formal, aligned curriculum within the district’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program. This gap had previously led to instructional variability, disparate student outcomes, and increased teacher frustration due to a lack of shared resources and pedagogical direction. The project’s central objective was to develop, implement, and evaluate a vertically and horizontally aligned DLI curriculum framework designed to ensure instructional fidelity, promote sustained academic achievement, and guarantee equitable opportunities for biliteracy development across all participating grade …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - Kindergarten - Time, Continuity, And Change, Enrique M. Perez Hernandez, Taya L. Green, Mia J. Derham, Anna V. Ly, Dyana Soto

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this Tiny Time Travelers unit, students will explore and compare life from the past to life in the present consistently making real world connections. They will record their understanding of each lesson through a pre-made unit long journal.

Book Review: Transformational Teaching By Kenneth S. Coley, Deborah L. Maccullough, & Martha E. Maccullough: A Comprehensive Resource For Christian Educators, Michele S. Worley

Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This review of Transformational Teaching by Kenneth S. Coley, Deborah L. MacCullough, & Martha E. MacCullough examines the book as a Christian resource for educators. The book covers four main areas of education: foundational philosophy and learning theory, instructional design, learning community and semantics in discipline content structure in teaching. Each area is biblically founded and combines theory with real-world application and examples from Scripture. This invaluable resource equips current and prospective educators to blend faith with pedagogy and cultivate an individualized Christian worldview while pursuing instructional excellence.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - National Holidays, Ania Calbough, Paola Cedeno, Danielle Linare

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

No abstract provided.

Incorporating Play-Based Learning While Meeting State Standards, Alicia Muer

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper reviews the benefits of incorporating developmentally appropriate practices into the classroom through a play-based approach. This is a controversial topic, as most teachers are more concerned with teaching to the standards than with the needs of students as a whole. Fifteen studies, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and action research, were used to examine what developmentally appropriate practices are. Three themes emerged from the studies: play-based learning, professional development, and teacher-student collaboration. In the play-based theme, a sub-theme emerged which focused on games and gaming. The findings showed that students thrive more in an environment where play-based learning is …

Curriculum Evaluation For Imagiedu, Madison Leigh Marchand

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This research examines whether or not ImagiEdu's curriculum aligns with the Indiana Academic Standards for K-8 Computer Science, and to determine if it meets the requirements to be approved as "High-Quality Curricular Materials" by the Indiana Department of Education (DOE). ImagiEdu is an award-winning technology education startup from Sweden, and provides inclusive coding education tools designed to help students imagine their future in the tech world. In this project, the DOE's 2024-2025 High-Quality Curricular Materials Rubric was used to evaluate ImagiEdu's curriculum, including its Scope and Sequence, Teacher Handbook, and over 25 Lesson Plans. The evaluation focused on four main …

Sparc Grade 2 Integrated Coding-Math Lessons, Spatial Activities And Robot Coding (Sparc)

Spatial Activities and Robot Coding (SPARC)

SPARC-Math Grade 2 Integrated Coding-Math Lessons with related Utah Core Standards and lessons for Spatial and Programming Language and Geometry.

Competitive Dance And The Adolescent’S Body: Considering Pedagogical Approaches To Teaching Competitive Dancers, Catri E. G. Barba

Dance (MFA) Theses

Diving into the past and researching for the future, this thesis explores the development and perpetuation of hyper-sexualized adolescent bodies through the competitive dance scene. Drawing on dance theorists, educational theorists, and embodied research (i.e., the author’s body archive), this thesis explores how the competition gaze is performed for and by a capitalist patriarchy. Specifically, this thesis critically reflects on the author’s career as a young competitive dancer in the greater Los Angeles, California, area during the 1990s and 2000s, as well as a competition dance instructor and K-12 educator for two decades, and how those personal experiences have shaped …

Ai In Pk-12 Education: Implications For Teaching And Learning, David Naff, Meleah Ellison, Casey Bailey, Tzu-Wei Wang, Kiana Bradford

MERC Publications

This research and policy review from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning in public PK-12 education. It is part of a two part series with a companion report focused on AI implications for PK-12 policy. The report explores two questions:

1. How is AI shaping teaching and instructional practice?
2. How is AI shaping student learning and development?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations for PK-12 policy and practice.

Challenging The School Boundaries: Exploring Challenges And Opportunities In Homeschooling Engineering Education, Luis Montero-Moguel, Cynthia Lima, Guadalupe Carmona, Verónica Vargas-Alejo

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Homeschooling sparks controversy regarding the quality of education when compared to the traditional schooling system. However, homeschooling rates have doubled nationwide since the pandemic, especially among minorities. Funding and curricular material resources may be limited for homeschooling families, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, this essay discusses the need to expand the current boundaries of engineering education to include homeschooling communities. Drawing from our homeschooling experience, we present three recommendations that respect the cultures and unique characteristics of homeschooling to promote engineering practices in these communities. Our proposal challenges negative perceptions of homeschooling, enhancing our understanding of its unique characteristics …

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

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

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

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

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

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

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - Maps & Globes, Cecilia Nuss, Mackenzie Luley, Jessenia Diaz, Alyssa Arnott, Miranda Howley

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore and create various maps and globes through multimedia resources, Hands-on activities, and assessments. The daily lessons cover topics such as a compass rose, cardinal directions, map titles, and physical features on maps and globes. By the end of this unit, students will be able to identify key elements and locate physical features of maps and globes. Through the use of songs, hands-on activities, games, books, and class discussions, students will be engaged throughout the unit.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - Kindergarten - American History, Chloe N. Murray, Brianna Scheetz, Kit Hutchins, Christine Ritchie

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore US Symbols through read alouds, coloring pages, videos, and songs. Students will learn about multiple key figures in American History and reflect on the choices and actions they took that made them “good citizens.” Lastly, students will identify and explore important holidays in America through collaborative, hands-on activities.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 3rd Grade - Maps And Regions Of The United States Of America, Madison D. Santos, Maggie Beck, Kylie Vandergriff, Courtney Pennock, Jennifer Campos

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore maps and their key elements through songs and fun activities. Students will also be exploring the United States of America and its 5 regions by exploring each region and its unique features with songs, books, and interactive activities.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 2nd Grade - Immigration, Emily T. Yackel, Elizabeth Logan, Hannah Schwarz, Mckinzi Johnson, Katie Molloy, Victoria Kingstone

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will learn about the history and symbols associated with immigration throughout the 1800s to modern times. Students will interact and explore with different pieces of literature and technologies dealing with Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and other countries’ cultural influences. Materials such as virtual tours, AR apps and arts integration will be used throughout this unit plan.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 5th Grade - The Constitution, Joshua Houlbrooke, Madison Gilmore, Jacob Schwartz, Brenda Falcon, Spencer Millwood, Akili Hart

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore the history of the United States government, examine its structures and their functions, serving to establish within them strong civic knowledge as citizens of this nation. Students will interact with projects, activities, digital media, literature, and many different information rich means of effective social studies education.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - Kindergarten - Rules, Laws, And Community Helpers, Madison R. Simonds, Sierra Torres, Taylor Templeton

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore the concepts of rules, laws, and community heroes through activities such as games, read-alouds, and role play. Students will learn about the importance of rules in society, the role of laws in keeping communities safe, and the ways in which community heroes such as police officers and firefighters contribute to the well-being of others.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 4th Grade - Financial Literacy, Yan C. Ospina, Savannah Sanders, Bailey Railsback, David Diaz, Angelica Rodriguez

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will embark on a journey to become "Money Masters." They'll explore real-world topics like the different jobs people have, how to distinguish between needs and wants, and how every decision comes with an opportunity cost. Through fun, hands-on activities, students will learn how to create a budget, save for important goals, and make smart choices about spending. By the end of the unit, they’ll have the tools they need to take charge of their own money and make responsible decisions now and in the future.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 4th Grade - Spending & Saving: How To Adult, Heather A. Smith, Madison Barbour, Laila Ibrahim

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

The "How to Adult" unit plan aims to equip fourth grader students with the essential skills in budgeting, saving, spending wisely, and understand taxes. Through interactive lessons and engaging activities, students will learn to manage money responsibly while developing a deeper understanding of personal finance concepts. By the end of the unit, students will be empowered to make informed financial decisions and lay the groundwork for a secure financial future.

Public History In The Middle School Classroom, Victoria L. Sanchez

Capstone Projects

This project was inspired by my own experience as a middle school classroom teacher and seeks to highlight the crossover between public history pedagogies and middle school social studies instruction. The project’s main focus lies on providing social studies educators with resources to learn about, teach, and integrate classroom projects that draw on public history pedagogies and methods. I created the public PHxMS website to achieve this goal. The intended impact of this site, upon being shared with educators, is to increase awareness about and interest in the field of public history, provide a resource for educators who might be …

Teacher's Experiences Of The Response To Intervention Model Implementation In State-Ranked New Jersey Schools: A Qualitative Case Study, Kimberly Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover and describe teachers’ experiences of RTI implementation for kindergarten through grade five general education teachers at state-ranked suburban New Jersey schools. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, as it applies to teachers’ experiences of the effectiveness of the RTI process. According to Bandura, self-efficacy is the perception of how well one can execute a task. Self-efficacy can connect to teacher efficacy through the feeling of understanding the job requirements and the intended goals. This case study assessed how teachers’ experiences of the RTI process impact the overall …

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - Goods And Services, Michaela Botelho, Dan Churchill, Gigi Ashi

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will review needs and wants and explore goods, services, consumers, and producers through a portfolio based summative assessment and collective class market simulation at the conclusion of the unit. Students will also learn about opportunity cost with an introduction to supply and demand. Students will practice applying their knowledge about goods, services, consumers, and producers with the creation and oral presentation of vocabulary based posters, small group research on examples of producers, and create a narrative writing piece in alignment with the class guest speaker.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 1st Grade - National Holidays, Samantha Johnson, Branyel Anderson, Riley Madden

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

This unit is complete with a daily Instructional Guide for teachers, turnkey student-facing materials, lists of or links to any necessary resources not created by the authors, and a post-assessment.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 4th Grade - The Roaring 20s And How It Led To The Great Depression, Meagan Thibodeau, Brianna Hall, Gabrielle Hines

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore The Roaring 20s and The Great Depression. Students will also explore the culture, women's rights, transportation, and Florida tourism in the 1920s. They will learn about Florida's Land Boom and Bust, life during the Great Depression, and Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

Ucf Pegasus Plan - 5th Grade - Structure And Function Of Government, Cheryl Johnson

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will demonstrate an understanding of the Structure and Function of the Three Branches of Government. Students will explore and compare each level and Branch of Government including but not limited to Checks and Balances, History of the Constitution and Purpose of Government.

A Study On The Smarts Executive Functioning Curriculum: Explicitly Teaching Executive Functioning Skills In A Fourth-Grade Classroom, Rebekah Curry

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

The SMARTS executive functioning curriculum explicitly teaches executive functioning skills to students within a classroom setting. The purpose of this study was to explore what happened when the SMARTS executive functioning curriculum was implemented into a single fourth-grade classroom. This study specifically investigated perceptions of the SMARTS executive functioning curriculum. The participants of this study included 20 fourth-grade students, the classroom teacher, and the elementary school principal. The researcher used a survey, observations, and interviews to compile data. The qualitative data was analyzed using the constant comparative method, and the quantitative data from the student survey was analyzed using descriptive …

Ucf Pegasus Plan – 3rd Grade – The Constitution, Shakira D. Reeves, Giulietta Wetzel, Elizabeth Pauly, Julia Cusack

Pegasus Plans: Social Studies Unit Plans for Florida Teachers

During this unit, students will explore how the U.S. Constitution serves as the foundation for government, fulfilling its purpose and addressing societal needs. Students will delve into the structures, functions, powers, and limitations of government as outlined in both the U.S. and Florida Constitutions. Additionally, students will also learn about Federalism, the multi-level nature of government, and will learn to recognize the different responsibilities of government at the local, state, and national levels. Lastly, students will practice identifying an author's purpose within informational texts as they deepen their understanding of complex concepts related to governance and constitutional frameworks.

Understanding The Virginia Literacy Act, Candace Bechtold, Kimberly Bridges, David Naff, Joan A. Rhodes, Valerie Robnolt, Tara Davison, Suzanne Alexandre, Michael Crusco, Karli Johansen, Amber Butler, Allison Yandle, Jennifer Askue-Collins, Jean Samuel, Sharrie Merritte, Regina Frazier

MERC Publications

This research and policy brief from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) offers an overview of the Virginia Literacy Act. It is structured to explore the following questions: 1) What are the recent trends in reading achievement in Virginia? 2) What are the policy implications of the VLA for Virginia school divisions? 3) What does the research say about Science of Reading (SoR)? 4) What core instructional programs are approved to meet the VLA? It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations.

Click here to listen to our podcast episode on the Virginia Literacy Act and click here …

Sixth Grade Music Ensemble Exploratories: Promoting Accessibility In Music Education, Michaela Marie Chybowski

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

School music ensemble participation has many benefits for students, including social well-being and improving academic performance; however, a variety of barriers, such as fear or lack of interest prevent many students from participating. To improve recruitment in music ensemble classes, Pittsburg Community Middle School created an exploratory class schedule that commenced with the 2022-2023 school year during which almost all sixth-grade students enrolled in three-week rotations of band, choir, and orchestra with the option to choose one option for the rest of the school year. This action research examined this new curriculum and the self-motivations of students who enrolled in …