Graduation Date
12-2017
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department or Program
Education
Department or Program Chair
Elizabeth Truesdell PhD
First Reader
Suresh Appavoo, EdD
Second Reader
Jennifer Lucko, PhD
Abstract
Children who struggle with learning to read in first grade, fall behind, and have difficulty catching up with their peers. Research has shown students who struggle to read in first grade, also struggle to read in later years. The purpose of this study was to determine if an intervention to enhance fine motor skills to a select group of students in one class room increased their reading abilities. This was a mixed methods research study which assessed the quantitative data from the running record assessments, and the qualitative data taken by teacher-aide during assessment process post fine motor intervention. This study was conducted with 5 first grade students at a suburban public elementary school in Northern California. Reading assessment data was analyzed for changes in reader accuracy, error management, and comprehension using a text level gradient from the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System that is based on the Complex Literacy Processing Theory developed by Marie Clay; which is the theoretical rationale for this study. The study found that the intervention to enhance fine motor skills improved the overall accuracy and comprehension of the participants.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Elementary Education and Teaching Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Other Education Commons, Other Linguistics Commons, Other Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons, Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons