Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education, Montessori

First Advisor

Christine Phillips

Department/School

Montessori Early Childhood

Abstract

This action research project aimed to examine the effects introducing picture-based work plans would have on independence in a Primary Montessori classroom. The intervention took place over seven weeks and involved a middle-class suburban classroom with 25 children ages three to six-years old. Data was collected through the use of tally sheets which recorded the number of times children asked for suggestions; tables which recorded the number of children engaged in meaningful work; an observation log for observations taken globally; and a field journal which recorded the researcher’s thoughts, questions, and other observations at the time. The data showed a decrease in overall productivity in the classroom, with less children engaging in meaningful work overall. There was also a decrease in children asking for suggestions. Research should continue to examine if using work plans with older children would be beneficial.

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