Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Elementary School Students And Homework: A Study Of Best Practices, Michelle F. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze fourth grade teachers' policies and opinions about homework in a southern New Jersey school and compare these findings with previously completed studies done by other researchers throughout the country. Through the methods of various surveys and discussions, five fourth-grade teachers, nineteen students, and sixteen parents were involved in this study. The researcher, who was student teaching in one of the fourth grade classrooms in this school where the majority of investigation took place, also kept a journal of observations relating to homework. The researcher found that although most students were spending an …

What Happens When Students Learn A Step-By-Step Approach To Solving Math Word Problems?, Lindsay Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract available.

Differentiated Interdisciplinary Science Instruction In A Fourth Grade Inclusion Classroom, Laura Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project explored what would happen if interdisciplinary, differentiated instruction was used during a science unit on recycling in a fourth grade inclusion classroom of 20 students. The project also focused in particular on the progress of two throughout the project's implementation. Four differentiated techniques were used throughout the unit. These included a tiered writing assignment, student choice based on interests, centers, and a RAFT, which was a summative assessment that allowed for student creativity based on their own interests and readiness. Using field notes, journal entries, student grades, and student surveys the data revealed a notable difference …

What Are Students' And Teachers' Perspectives Of Differentiated Instruction In A Fourth Grade Inclusive Classroom?, Kellilyn E. Casey

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative teacher research study investigated the question: what are students' and teachers' perspectives of differentiated instruction in a fourth grade inclusive classroom? Data was collected in the forms of open-ended student interviews, open-ended teacher interviews, and through frequent entries in a teacher research journal. The study concluded that student opinions varied on an individual basis, but that most students liked it when their teachers used differentiated practices and would like it if they used even more. It also found that teachers held a high opinion of differentiated instruction and used it frequently as a means to meet the requirements …

Primary Sources And Their Effects On Student Interest, Kevin T. Foster

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of primary sources on the interest levels of three Honors classes during my Student Teaching. I wanted to see if my students would enjoy the ten primary sources I introduced to them. The study was conducted over a month's time. Data was collected using hundreds of surveys, over sixty questionnaires, fifteen interviews, and anecdotal notes to determine my seventy-five students' interest in the primary sources I chose for their classes. After analyzing the written data, I concluded that my students overwhelmingly enjoyed the primary sources we read and analyzed together. …

Integrating Children's Literature And Mathematics, Karen E. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a qualitative study that explores what happens when children's literature is integrated into the teaching of mathematics. The subjects for this study are five fourth and fifth grade students in a resource room located in a southern New Jersey elementary school. For this study, students participated in a math unit using children's literature to teach fractions and probability. Data collected includes student response journals, observations of students, student work, and my teacher research journal. This data is analyzed utilizing the qualitative approach, where themes are identified and linked back to the initial question. The findings reveal many …

Morning Meetings And How They Create A Community In The Classroom, Kelly Mcknight

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine how morning meetings create a community in the classroom, particularly which activities are most effective and how students respond to daily morning meetings. For the first twenty minutes of the morning, the students participated in a daily morning meeting. The students greeted one another, had the opportunity to share, participated in whole group activities, and read a daily news and announcements letter. The greeting, whole group activities, and daily news and announcements letters changed daily. The students all had the opportunity to run different parts of the morning meetings. The data was …

Using Extensive Feedback To Improve Writing Skills Within A Social Studies Context, Christopher Hahn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what kind of impact extensive feedback had on eighth grade students within a social studies context. The researcher used best practice feedback techniques gleaned from research to assist all his students in improving content knowledge, mechanics and rhetorical skills. From the body of all student work, the writing of five students of varying abilities was examined in detail to determine the effect of feedback on student writing skills. Examination of subsequent student drafts and assignments from these five students and questionnaires from all students revealed that while feedback did play a role …

Helping Struggling Writers Through Self-Regulated Strategy Development, Rajvi Kamdar

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this action research was to determine the effectiveness of implementing a self-regulated strategy development model to teach a story writing strategy to three 3^rd grade students at a New Jersey Elementary School. This study involved a comparison of stories written by students before and after self-regulated strategy development instruction. Students chosen to participate in the study lacked proficiency in story writing and held negative beliefs towards writing in general. All participants completed a Pre-SRSD Story Writing task, which was holistically scored to determine student ability in story writing. The Pre-SRSD Story Writing task was submitted prior …

How Can Elementary Educators Use Multicultural Literature To Help Prepare Students For Life As A Global Citizen?, Kathryn Oleksy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which elementary educators can use multicultural literature to help students learn about the world they live in. The study was based on the implementation of a unit in which students were introduced to four countries using multicultural literature. Students then learned about the culture, citizens, geography, history and so forth through multiple strategies and approaches to enhance the learning process. Upon completion of the unit, student writing samples and exit interviews when compared with pre-unit interviews, revealed students had made significant gains in relating to people in other countries as …

"I Don't Care How I Write, As Long As I Get A Good Grade!": Using Self-Evaluations To Shift Student Motivation And Improve Writing Quality, Amanda J. Doyle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what happened when self-evaluations were used to improve the writing quality, motivation, and self-efficacy of students in a fourth grade class. Participants included a class sample of 16 students, ages 9-10 years old (8-female, 8-male). Students were given a writing assignment in which they had an active part in planning and evaluating their own work. Observations, informal interviews, and surveys were taken before implementation and compared to data taken after implementation to examine effectiveness of strategy on motivation and self-efficacy. Writing samples were taken from assignments completed prior to and after implementation, …

Promotion Of Self-Esteem Through Character Education, Rebecca Ann Muller

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project is on the topic of self-esteem in the classroom done through character education activities and high levels of positive interaction with student and teacher. The study incorporated field notes, observations, and interviews with students through surveying which were done in a third grade classroom in New Jersey. It portrays the idea that self-esteem is vital and invaluable to students in elementary education, which can be achieved simply through interaction between teacher and student on a regular basis. It also brings forth the idea that in order for students to be successful, they must first understand the …

The Effects Of Character Education On The Behavior Of 5th Grade Students, Lisa Oxenberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of using character education lessons to (a) decrease negative behaviors and (b) increase positive behaviors. Three character education lessons were taught over the period of one school week. Students completed reading, writing, and listening activities both collaboratively and independently. The focuses of these lessons were: listening to others, understanding point of view, and controlling anger. The informants for this study included the whole class (14 students) as well as three focus students who often exhibited bullying behavior. Observations were recorded and surveys were completed both prior to the lessons and …

Implementing Literature Circles In A Fourth Grade Classroom, Melinda B. Egan

Theses and Dissertations

This action research project looked at the effects on twenty-one fourth grade students' levels of comprehension, engagement, and writing when literature circles were implemented while reading the novel Jacob's Rescue, by Malka Drucker and Michael Halperin. The participants, twelve female and nine male, live in a lower-middle class suburban community. While reading this novel about a Jewish boy growing up during the Holocaust, students performed literature circles in combination with a balanced literacy program.

The effects on students were examined through student work samples, including role sheets, comprehension questions, subject integration and writer's workshop worksheets, self-evaluations and observational notes …

Connecting With Diverse Students Through Dialogue Journals, Jacqueline G. Mikkelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explorative study was to determine how a White, female, beginning teacher could attempt to build relationships with African American and Hispanic students in a third grade classroom. There were 5 participants: 3 female and 2 male, all of whom were from working class African American or Hispanic families. I implemented dialogue journals into my lessons so that my students and I could learn personal attributes of one another. I retained 8 dialogue journal conversations from all 5 students. Upon completion of dialogue journal implementation, students completed a written self-evaluation survey with open-ended questions pertaining to their …

Building Background Knowledge In Science: English Language Learners, Sheltered Instruction, And First Graders, Laura B. Freitag

Theses and Dissertations

Sheltered Instruction, a strategy used in teaching English Language Learners (ELLs), can improve the educational experience of ELLs. In this action research project, one component of Sheltered Instruction, building background knowledge, was used to teach science in a first grade classroom to see if it could increase the science comprehension of ELLs. Many strategies were used to teach vocabulary during the first four days of each science unit. These strategies included setting aside a vocabulary only day, playing vocabulary games and activities, having a science word wall, reading informational storybooks, and using real objects for the students to connect with. …

How Can Giving Students Voice In A Third Through Sixth Learning Disabled Classroom Foster Active Engagement And Students Control Over Their Learning?, Sarah M. Furlong

Theses and Dissertations

This study looks at the impact on learning classroom where students are encouraged to share their voice. Student questions are used to create units of study that frame what students want to learn. The study takes place in a self-contained Learning Disabled classroom with fifteen students ranging in third through sixth grade. The study is completed during two separate instructional units, one in science and another in social studies using a Questions Curriculum. Student questions about specific topics are used to create subsequent lessons on the topic. During the study student artifacts including worksheets and pictures of bulletin boards are …

Show Me You Care, Denise Calore

Theses and Dissertations

Although caring in the classroom has been a widely researched topic in education, the impact it has on student behavior is one aspect of caring that has been overlooked, especially at the secondary level. This study's main focus was to investigate if modeling caring behavior can correct negative student behavior, such as being disruptive in class, and reinforce caring behavior amongst classmates. Through observation and various caring activities, I was able to uncover student perspectives of caring, how students define a caring teacher, and a positive impact of my caring actions on student behavior.

Integrating Technology Into The 2nd Grade Writing Curriculum, Jessica Mallon

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study was conducted to examine the effects of integrating technology into the second-grade writing curriculum. The second grade class was in a middle class suburban town and consisted of 23 children. Students composed a type written fairy tale, created I Am poems on the computer, wrote while listening to classical music, and wrote a story using a video prompt. Data collection included observations, student interviews, questionnaires, collections of student work, and informal interviews with staff and faculty. Students reported a preference to typing their stories, rather than hand writing. Students also said that listening to classical music …

An Exploratory Investigation Into The Outcomes Of The Integration Of Language Arts And Social Studies Lessons, Kathryn C. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to find out what happens when the integration of language arts and social studies lessons takes place in a unit on the Underground Railroad in a fourth grade classroom. By applying a literature-based approach to teaching social studies concepts and using the theme of the Underground Railroad, I was able to integrate these two subjects in a way that was engaging to my students. This study involves 23 fourth grade students and took place over a one week period. The intervention involved replacing the students' social studies textbook with multiple pieces of literature. …

Bullying In A Third Grade Classroom, Kristen Falco

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine how teaching students about bullying affects a third grade classroom. Students in a third grade classroom were given a pre-unit survey to determine their knowledge and experience with bullying. A four week unit on bullying was then taught to all students. Each week students were given a separate survey to determine their experience with bullying throughout the week. By the last week of the study, the number of bullying incidents was reduced by 50% showing that educating students about bullying reduced the amount of bullying in the class and created a …

How Implementing Social Programs With First Grade Students To Improve Their Existing Emotional And Behavioral Issues Affects A New Teacher's Outlook On Her Classroom And Students, Rachel Trussler

Theses and Dissertations

What effects does a "one on one" developmental program done with first grade students that are struggling with behavioral and emotional issues have on me as a teacher and inform and influence my teaching? This action research study took place in a southern New Jersey school from January 24 until May 9, 2008. Students were observed both in and out of the classroom. A better understanding of the classroom community and interactions of the students were gleamed from this process. Two students were selected based on their unique emotional situations, which influenced their ability to behave appropriately according to teacher …

Peer Tutoring In A Fourth Grade Inclusion Classroom, Kathleen Weiss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover what happens in a fourth grade inclusion classroom when peer tutoring is implemented. Peer tutoring was implemented as a test review strategy for five tests. Observations were recorded based on off task behavior, on task behavior, questions asked during the reviews, and students that finished in the allotted time. These results were compared to previous observations that were taken during typical test reviews. During the peer tutoring reviews, an average of 36.4 instances of on task behavior were observed, compared to an average of 23 instances during the typical test reviews. There …

Impact Of Character Education On A Third Grade Inclusion Classroom, Christina M. Barbato

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to implement a character education program with a third grade inclusion classroom at Cooper's Poynt School in Camden, New Jersey. This study was conducted in efforts to improve relationships and interpersonal skills using qualitative action research. Character education is a concept that describes implementing moral conduct in schools in order to encourage positive behaviors. Several benefits to character education programs include reduced negative behaviors, a more positive school environment conducive to learning, and higher academic achievement. This study conducted discusses the impacts of a character education program initiated in a third grade inclusion classroom. …

How To Establish And Maintain Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships, Tracy Cwiakala

Theses and Dissertations

Studies and literature have shown that when parents and teachers possess a positive relationship, students will be more successful and show an increase in academic achievement. The purposes of this research study were to (a) determine how to establish a positive parent-teacher relationship and (b) ascertain the most effective and ineffective methods, approaches and utilizations for maintaining a positive parent-teacher relationship. Teachers and parents defined what a parent-teacher relationship means to them as well as what roles they play within the relationship. Different obstacles and barriers encountered are discussed in addition to the best ways to approach them in order …

Students As Agents Of Change, Meghan Lynch

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how literacy instruction encouraged students to think of themselves as agents of change. Using a qualitative design, a case study examined the effect literacy instruction had on students' perceptions of themselves as agents of change. The study took place in a fifth grade inclusion classroom of twenty three students. Journal prompts and class discussions were utilized to gather data. The data collected was analyzed and categorized according to student responses. Significant findings pointed that students were willing to think of themselves as agents of change.

Student Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Rubrics In Writing Assignments, Lindsay C. O'Neill

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore student perceptions regarding the use of rubrics in writing assignments. This qualitative research study was conducted with 16 students in a first grade classroom. I have conducted 4 mini-lessons on different writing components with the class. As a class we created a scoring rubric that includes important parts of the assignment and a number scale to further weigh the importance. The students were a part of creating the rubric and were given the rubric prior to their writing assignment. During the assignment I observed how the students use their knowledge of the …

What Is The Result When Responsive Classroom Techniques Are Used As Both A Classroom Management And Character Education Program Without Implementing The Whole Approach?, Lisa Jewell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if six Responsive Classroom techniques can be used as a classroom management system and character education program, without implementing the entire approach. The six approaches used were class meetings, stress the deed not the doer, time-outs, voices of authority, social conferences and logical conferences. The research was conducted in the researcher's co-teach classroom in a suburban elementary school. A researcher's journal, teacher and aide interviews, teacher reflections and student surveys were used to collect data. Results are aligned with the literature on the subjects of character education and classroom management and the …

An Examination Of The Effect Of Constructivist And Cooperative Learning Teaching Techniques On Student Engagement In Social Studies, Dana Olivieri

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to see if teaching students through constructivist and cooperative learning teaching techniques increases student engagement in social studies. Thirteen sixth grade students participated in the investigation. They completed surveys before and after a curricular intervention that consisted of social studies instruction based on constructivist and cooperative learning techniques. During the intervention, the students' engagement was observed by the researcher. The students demonstrated that constructivist and cooperative learning teaching techniques led to an increase in engagement in social studies. Implications for future research and implications for teaching are discussed.

Differentiating Instruction: What Does It Look Like When Utilized In A Kindergarten Classroom?, Andrea L. Concordia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not students are successful when differentiated instruction is used in the classroom. By breaking students up into smaller groups and utilizing guided reading this study seeks to determine whether or not students are successful when instruction is geared to each individual's instructional level. The students in this study were broken up into four small groups and taught guided reading three times a week for twelve to fifteen minutes each over a period of three weeks. Through observations and reflections and pre and post assessments the study showed that differentiating instruction …