Language: English

Abstract/Notes: This action research project studied how student-created formative assessments in mathematics would affect student confidence and perceived math ability. Students participated in a four-week study. The researcher conducted this study in September and October of 2021. The seven participating students were from an Upper Elementary classroom in a private Southern California Montessori school. The intervention consisted of a student-constructed survey taken weekly and a group analysis of the anonymized data collected from the said survey. Additional data sources included parent surveys, end-of-intervention student surveys, and classwork observational tally sheets. This study found that students gained further awareness of their work choices by completing the student-constructed formative assessments and reviewing the data. In the future, educators could conduct further research regarding the impact of using student-created formative assessment long-term and with a wider variety of subjects

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2021

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Over 100 years ago, Maria Montessori created her educational method. The Montessori philosophy of teaching is still thriving in the educational world today. This method incorporates peace, gratitude, and intrinsic motivation directly woven into the philosophy of teaching. This paper will cover three aims; (1) identify how gratitude affects students’ attitude towards learning 2) how daily work conferences affect students overall work completion, and (3) examine how strong parental involvement indicates student success. This paper will provide strong reviews of the Montessori education, and how the strategies of the philosophy impact work completion within the classroom. Gratitude is heavily present in the grace and courtesy aspect of the Montessori philosophy. The school in which the study was conducted implemented a gratitude theme for the school year, this theme easily connected and carried over to the research study.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2022

Abstract/Notes: Upper-elementary mathematics becomes increasingly complex, and the gap between fluency and ineptitude grows. Considering the importance of math competency, the educator must act to narrow this achievement gap. This six-week action research study examined the effect of the implementation of teaching and encouraging student application of differentiated discourse strategies on mathematical achievement and empowerment on twenty-two nine-to-twelve-year old suburban students. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis yielded three key themes: nominal growth in student achievement, a marked increase in mathematical modeling, and a considerable shift in perception of discourse responsibility, impacting student mindset, behavior, and participation. Findings suggest that student engagement in mathematical discourse is a transformative practice. Further research is required to quantify academic gains over an extended period of intervention and the influence of adult execution in identifying the upper and lower zones of proximal development.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2022

Language: English