Date Approved
9-9-2010
Embargo Period
3-3-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.T. Teaching
Department
Teacher Education
College
College of Education
Advisor
Browne, Susan
Subject(s)
Children of same-sex parents; Families
Disciplines
Elementary Education and Teaching
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine how first grade students define a family. Qualitative research was used as the methodology for this inquiry. The participants were thirteen first grade inclusion students in a school that is located in Southern New Jersey. An instructional unit depicting various family constellations was implemented along with authentic discussions, a student survey, an interactive bulletin board, a classroom library containing family books, and writing prompts contained in My Family Journal. The data collected and analyzed was from student discussion, the subjects' work, direct observation of pupils, the instructional unit, and a teacher research journal. It was found that the first graders define a family by love, skin color, and co-habitation although they were able to recognize that some family members can live in different places. Repeated use of the family terms would help in future instruction along with broadening the scope of family dynamics to include those with same-sex parents.
Recommended Citation
McGrail, Kelly Ann, "How do first graders define a family?" (2010). Theses and Dissertations. 47.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/47
