Date Approved

6-30-2003

Embargo Period

5-10-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Teaching

Department

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Robinson, Randall

Subject(s)

Social sciences--Study and teaching (Primary); Third grade (Education)

Disciplines

Elementary Education and Teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of manipulative materials on student motivation in the subject area of social studies. The students who participated in the project were divided into control and experimental groups. Each group was comprised of twenty-one third grade students living in rural southern New Jersey. Both groups completed pre and post surveys that focused on student motivation towards social studies. The experimental group students were instructed using manipulative materials after the completion of the initial survey and in conjunction with a unit on "Community Government." The control group students received no such intervention. The initial survey was re-administered to both groups upon their completion of the "Community Government" unit.

The data analysis used to report the findings were tests of significance. The results of the study were inconclusive and reflected no statistical significance between the two groups of children.

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