Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this project was to study the impact of professional development on early childhood educator practice and its subsequent effects on toddlers’ experiences with Risky Play in the outdoor environment. The setting of this project was a toddler classroom within a Montessori school in Missouri. The population for this action research study was three adult assistant guides with varying levels of experience with Montessori and early childhood education and 10 students in a Montessori toddler classroom between the ages of 17 and 32 months. The intervention consisted of a professional development workshop related to Montessori philosophy and benefits of outdoor Risky Play paired with daily reflective journaling. Data collection included my observations, participant journals, interviews, and an attitude scale. As a result of the study, adult participants intervened with children’s play less often and in more constructive ways, and children had more positive experiences in the outdoor environment. In response to this study, future actions include implementing a classroom culture of continued coaching and reflection.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2021

Abstract/Notes: This action research project examined the effects of mindfulness and meditation on concentration among elementary students. The research was conducted at a private Montessori school in an upper elementary classroom for twenty-six children ages nine to twelve. Baseline data was collected for three consecutive days. The intervention was implemented for four weeks. The teacher led the students in mindful movements in the morning and daily meditation took place in the afternoon. The average percent of on-task behavior was collected for baseline data using observational records and journal notes. Observational records included what percent of the class was on-task for specific intervals. Journal notes contained what specific behaviors were observed as off-task. Data collection during the intervention included observational records, journal notes, group discussions and questionnaires. Data analysis showed that concentration did not increase during the intervention. However, students reported meditation and mindful breathing as useful in their daily lives. Further research could include the effects of student chosen mindful activities on concentration and student well-being. A similar study of a longer duration may also yield different results.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: This study investigated the viability and implications of technology-assisted story writing with kinder year students. Seven kinder year students at a private Montessori school participated in the study. Pre- and post-study conferences and Likert scales determined story writing skills and attitudes. These were followed by one-on-one storywriting sessions using a variety of story-writing tools. Students were given the choice of story-writing method at each session. Individual sessions were evaluated and completed stories compared to a rubric of fundamental story-writing elements. Stories written by the students improved with the use of computer and iPad programs, but independent story writing was not achieved. Individual phonetic abilities proved pivotal to any success with technology-assisted story writing. The results of the study suggest introducing technology-assisted story writing when a child can successfully build words phonetically.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the YouCubed math program on upper elementary Montessori students’ mathematical mindset and accurate recall of fact families. Students watched YouCubed videos about recent neuroscience research on the positive effects of attitude, challenges, mistakes and visualizing math. Following the video, students summarized what they learned then worked on number sense activities recommended by the program. Throughout the week, students practiced fact families using Standard Celeration Charts to graph results of one minute timings. An attitudinal scale was administered to examine the program's potential effect on students’ mathematical mindset. This research found students had a growth mathematical mindset before the intervention with some improvement and recall of fact families was not greatly impacted by the YouCubed program. Students’ confidence in their math skills increased to take on challenges.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: This action research project explored whether the iPad application ‘Book Creator’ could impact the written fluency of English Language Learners (ELL). It also monitored the impact the application would have on non-ELL students. It was conducted in a public Montessori elementary school with students aged six to eight years old at the beginning of the school year. Out of twenty students, ten were ELL. Data tools included writing rubrics, personal evaluation rubrics and tallies of written output. While results showed some nominal improvement in writing output, it is difficult to assess if the results reflected students settling into the new school year. However, students demonstrated great focus while using ‘Book Creator’ and found the application very engaging. The implications from this research warrant further study into how technology can be used to expedite the written fluency for English Language Learners.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to test whether the implementation of mindfulness exercises would increase focus and work engagement of students. This study incorporated breathing and visualization exercises three times a week. The 5-week study involved 44 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a private Montessori school in Northern Michigan. Data collection included daily tallies of on and off task behavior, daily observations of work engagement, pre and post questionnaires about mindfulness completed by each child, and oneon- one discussions with each participant. Results showed an increase in the number of students on task and more students engaged in work over time. The pre and post questionnaire showed an increase in the number of students who liked mindfulness exercises and thought they were helpful, but expressed mixed opinions related to statements regarding focus and distraction. Eighty-two percent of students responded that they found mindfulness exercises helpful. Thirtysix percent mentioned the words “focus” or “concentrate” in their descriptions of how the mindfulness exercises were helpful. Eighty percent responded that they would use the mindfulness techniques independently. The data showed a positive correlation between the implementation of mindfulness exercises and focus in children ages 9 to 12. Suggestions for further research include increasing conversations about ways students can practice mindfulness exercises independently and an extended research period.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: The goal of this action research project was to investigate the effects of morning art activities on student focus. The intervention took place over five weeks at a public elementary school. Nineteen students participated in a lower elementary Montessori classroom of six to nine year olds. The qualitative and quantitative data collected were student surveys, behavior tally sheets, student and teacher assessments, field observations and conversations. The evidence showed a relationship between daily art activities and student concentration. The students increased their time on task while writing reflections about their artwork throughout the five-week study. Future research could examine the role of art on students’ social emotional development and how art exploration develops cooperation.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: This Action Research Project measured the correlation between extended gardening time and the amount of produce eaten by Montessori students. The project took place at a Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten in Southern California, at a school licensed for 75 children. Journals, pictures, and behavior logs of the children were taken each week. Food tallies were also collected the first and last weeks of the project. While the number of pieces of produce consumed by children did not increase in the four weeks, the amount of language and interaction in the garden and at lunchtime did. The conclusion is that extended gardening time does not necessarily correlate with more produce eaten, but does correlate with overall student engagement/involvement with activities related to healthy eating. This could mean big trends in schools with Montessori gardens; veering away from passivity, encouraging children to get invested in the gardening process lends to more engagement in healthy living.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: In this study, ten third-grade students in a Montessori classroom were observed and encouraged to discover strategies to help them manage their coursework. The teacher facilitated individual conferences with each student that focused on developing specific independent work time strategies. The students also had the opportunity to assemble a portfolio and to reflect on their progress. In addition, quantitative data was collected that focused on student engagement and work completion. The study revealed that students were drawn to larger projects, particularly in history and geography. They were also drawn to work that would need little to no guidance to complete. Based on these findings, to engage students in various subject areas there should be opportunities for one-on-one feedback and for large, culminating projects as long as all necessary resources for completion are easily accessible to students.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of individual, weekly work conferences on students' levels of intrinsic motivation, work engagement, and enthusiasm for learning. The study was conducted with 28 fourth through sixth graders in a mixedage, public Montessori classroom. Data was collected as notes during teacher observations, conversations with students, and during the work conferences themselves. Accountability and relational support increased through student-teacher dialogue about work. These two factors improved the overall student productivity, enthusiasm, and organization, as well as the work culture of the classroom. The conferences helped the students become more conscious of the nature of their learning, and they helped the teacher obtain a deeper understanding of students. This benefitted lesson planning and teacher engagement in classroom processes. Further research could be conducted to investigate, with more depth, the impact of work conferences on student self-efficacy beliefs, the use of written self-evaluation tools, and the use of portfolios to catalogue and present work.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016