Term

Spring 2018

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAT

Facilitator(s)

Susan Manikowski

Abstract

The research question addressed in this project was: what is the most effective literacy curriculum for developing adolescents? It documents one teacher’s creation of a whole novel literacy curriculum that focuses on the influence of adolescence. In particular, adolescents need the scaffolding to develop a sense of autonomy and promote positive social interactions. This curriculum focuses on three entire novel units that progressively reduces teacher control and promotes student independence. The author included three novels in the unit plan. This included Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and an independent novel unit study. She concluded from the project that: 1) engagement is one of the most influential predictions of middle school academic success and novels help invest middle school readers into the characters; 2) critical thinking skills are a vital condition for healthy adolescent development and novels help organically introduce these skills.

Project Type

Curriculum

Keywords

Curriculum, Literacy

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS