Date of Award
12-2019
Document Type
Action Research Project
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education, Montessori
Department/School
Elementary Education, Montessori Elementary Education
Abstract
The purpose of this action research study was to explore how sharing anti-bias children’s books in literature small groups in a lower elementary Montessori class affects children’s perceptions of and ability to communicate about themselves, their families, and others, as well as the classmates with whom they choose to associate. The sample studied in this research was a class of 20 children aged six to nine at a private Montessori school located in a small town adjacent to a large Midwestern city. Data was collected through pre and post oral interviews, written reading reflection worksheets, and daily teacher observations of children’s work and play partners. The study found that anti-bias literature small groups are an effective way to improve children’s perceptions of themselves and their ability to communicate about human difference. More research is needed about how to improve children’s perceptions of their families and their ability to communicate about human similarity. Additionally, a longer intervention period and refined data collection tool are recommended in order to learn more about the impact of anti-bias literature small groups on children’s choice of work and play partners.
Recommended Citation
Koehn, Rosabeth Birky. (2019). The Impact of Anti-Bias Literature Small Groups on Children's Understanding of Themselves, their Families, and Others. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/332
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Elementary Education Commons