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Curriculum-based readers theatre as an approach to teaching English language learners: teachers’ perceptions after professional development and classroom implementation

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Date Issued:
2013
Summary:
This mixed methods study investigated second through fifth grade teachers’ perceptions of Curriculum-Based Readers Theatre (CBRT) as a relevant approach for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs). Quantitative survey data were collected from 18 teachers who worked at the school with the largest population of ELLs in a large South Florida school district. The surveys investigated teachers’ current use of ESOL instructional strategies prior to participating in a CBRT professional development session as well as their ability to identify ESOL instructional strategies embedded within the approach after professional development and classroom implementation. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews and discussion board transcripts from eight participants, who were also members of a school-based Readers Theatre Professional Learning Community (PLC). Transcripts were used to investigate how participants implemented CBRT in their classrooms as well as how they described their identification and application of ESOL instructional strategies during implementation. The impact of PLC participation on CBRT implementation and identification of ESOL instructional strategies was also investigated. The findings indicated that participants recognized various ESOL instructional strategies embedded in the CBRT approach. In addition, data indicated that participants viewed CBRT as an effective means for delivering various ESOL instructional strategies. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis led to similar conclusions and revealed that CBRT incorporates various ESOL instructional strategies that are recognized as effective for teaching ELLs. Teachers reported using CBRT at various points during instructional units and across all content areas. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered for the instruction of ELLs, the benefits of CBRT and other similar approaches, the design of school-based professional development, and the infusion of ESOL instructional strategies within teacher education and inservice professional learning experiences.
Title: Curriculum-based readers theatre as an approach to teaching English language learners: teachers’ perceptions after professional development and classroom implementation.
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Name(s): Uribe, Samantha N., author
Burnaford, Gail, Thesis advisor
College of Education, Degree grantor
Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: single unit
Date Created: Fall 2013
Date Issued: 2013
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Physical Form: Online Resource
Extent: 232 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: This mixed methods study investigated second through fifth grade teachers’ perceptions of Curriculum-Based Readers Theatre (CBRT) as a relevant approach for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs). Quantitative survey data were collected from 18 teachers who worked at the school with the largest population of ELLs in a large South Florida school district. The surveys investigated teachers’ current use of ESOL instructional strategies prior to participating in a CBRT professional development session as well as their ability to identify ESOL instructional strategies embedded within the approach after professional development and classroom implementation. Qualitative data were collected in the form of interviews and discussion board transcripts from eight participants, who were also members of a school-based Readers Theatre Professional Learning Community (PLC). Transcripts were used to investigate how participants implemented CBRT in their classrooms as well as how they described their identification and application of ESOL instructional strategies during implementation. The impact of PLC participation on CBRT implementation and identification of ESOL instructional strategies was also investigated. The findings indicated that participants recognized various ESOL instructional strategies embedded in the CBRT approach. In addition, data indicated that participants viewed CBRT as an effective means for delivering various ESOL instructional strategies. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis led to similar conclusions and revealed that CBRT incorporates various ESOL instructional strategies that are recognized as effective for teaching ELLs. Teachers reported using CBRT at various points during instructional units and across all content areas. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered for the instruction of ELLs, the benefits of CBRT and other similar approaches, the design of school-based professional development, and the infusion of ESOL instructional strategies within teacher education and inservice professional learning experiences.
Identifier: FA0004068 (IID)
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.
Subject(s): Active learning
Drama in education
English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Foreign speakers
Language experience approach in education
Readers' theater
Second language acquisition
Teachers, Training of
Teaching -- Aids and devices
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library
Sublocation: Boca Raton, Fla.
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004068
Restrictions on Access: All rights reserved by the source institution
Restrictions on Access: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU