Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a study on the effects of integrating technology into lessons in a Montessori upper elementary classroom in Raleigh, North Carolina. The research looked at both the student engagement and the retention of information when technology was included in Montessori lessons. This study spanned a six-week period and was conducted with 25 fourth through sixth grade students. Data collection included a pre-lesson questionnaire, a teacher engagement report form, a teacher observation form, a post-lesson feedback form, and a short answer lesson response form. The results of this data analysis showed an overall preference by students for lessons that included technology, an increase in engagement relative to lesson that used only traditional Montessori materials, and a 16% increase in accuracy based on short answer responses when technology was included in one of the seven lessons that were tracked. The results of this action research indicate that utilizing technology in the Montessori classroom may increase student engagement and retention of information.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2015

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 action research was conducted to determine if the use of technology, specifically the interactive SMART board, would lead to higher student assessment scores on the district tests for letter identification and letter sound recognition. The research was completed in a full-day traditional public school transitional kindergarten (TK) class. Data was collected using district-wide alphabet assessments, teacher observation journals, student conferences, and student checklists used by a classroom instructional assistant. Letters of the alphabet were divided into two equal groups based on letter formation and level of difficulty identified through research. One group of letters and sounds was taught using only lessons using technology, and the other group of letters and sounds was taught using only lessons with classroom materials and no technology. For most students, final assessment data showed the teacher driven lessons using classroom educational materials produced an overall higher growth rate than the technology driven lessons using the SMART board. It is possible that the use of technology as a teaching tool stimulated interest to the point that teacher driven lessons were more effective than in previous years when used alone. Therefore, results suggest that a combination of technology driven lessons and teacher driven lessons could be the best course of action for future practice. Further research could measure the effect on learning when presenting all the letters using both teaching methods.

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: 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: 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

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to test if aerobic exercise done before academic work would improve student learning readiness which includes increased alertness, longer periods of concentration and a resilience in doing work. The six-week study incorporated twenty-minutes of aerobic exercise every morning and involved 26 students between the ages of 9 and 12 years in a Montessori classroom. Data collection included pre and post surveys on student energy levels, exercise logs filled out by each student daily, on-task observation sheets and levels of attention observation sheets done by myself daily for the first thirty-minutes to evaluate students’ depth of focus on their first works. Results from the post survey showed that most students’ felt that the exercise increased their energy levels and improved their ability to do academic work. The majority of students recorded an increase in energy after exercise on their daily exercise logs. The data showed a positive correlation between aerobic exercise and student learning readiness in children ages 9 to 12. Suggestions for future research include testing if student physical fitness impacts learning outcomes and an extended research period.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2017

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of pencil grasp exercises on the handwriting of sixth-grade resource students. This action research project took place in a public middle school resource classroom located on the outskirts of a suburb. The six-week study had seventeen student participants, ranging between the ages of eleven and twelve years. During the study, the researcher collected data on the placement of the hand and fingers on the pencil, grasp, legibility, letter placement, fluency, and perception of abilities. The data utilized pre and post questionnaires, observations, matrixes, and assessments. Results showed that sixth-grade resource students could change their pencil grasp. Additionally, the data indicated that fluency decreases when legibility and placement increases. Further studies could identify if the change in grasp would decrease hand cramping, how long the decline in fluency lasts, and if the increase in legibility is long term.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018

Abstract/Notes: This action research was carried out to determine if the use of an application named Phonics Island would help student knowledge of letters/letter sounds increase. The research was completed in a full day Primary Montessori classroom of 4k and 5k students. Data was gathered using teacher observation and teacher made checklists. Data on students’ feelings toward learning letters/letter sounds was also assessed to see if students’ thoughts about letters changed after incorporating technology. Students were given an iPad for approximately fifteen minutes per day. The letters were grouped in categories, and the researchers chose which group the student needed to complete for the day. The students did show growth over the course of the sixweek study, but it is hard to determine if the growth was due only to the use of the iPads. During the six weeks, the researchers also gave many teacher-led lessons, and the students also completed many student-led, independent lessons that did not include technology. The researchers believe the outcome was due to a combination of iPad lessons, teacher led lessons, and independent lessons. More research could be conducted to test how influential the iPad lessons are by having a control group that received only iPad lessons for a few weeks.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018