Term
Fall 2018
Capstone
Thesis
Degree Name
MAT
Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair
Sarah Hick
Secondary Advisor/Reader One
Molly Liefeld
Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two
Erin Dooley
Abstract
The research question addressed in this project was How can a culturally relevant opening weeks unit help all students to succeed in the middle school science classroom? Topics explored in the literature review include challenges, themes, engagement of all students, gaps between students of color and their white peers, students of color and disproportionality trends in discipline, youth positions as hip-hop or survival mode, social construction of black inferiority, curriculum as windows and mirror, culturally responsive classroom management, using citizen science and student-driven investigation, restorative practices and restorative circles in the science classroom, shared responsibility for the classroom community, and teacher and cultural competence. These topics guided the creation of an opening weeks unit designed to be culturally relevant and build community, using restorative circles, community building activities, and authentic scientific inquiry across the eleven lessons.
Research Methodology
Curriculum Development
Keywords
Curriculum, Science, Teachers/ Teaching
Recommended Citation
Nicholas, Altringer, "A Culturally Relevant Opening Weeks Curriculum: Seeking To Engage All Students To Succeed In The Middle School Science Classroom" (2018). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4448.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/4448
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations