The Impact of Direct Writing Conventions Instruction on Second Grade Writing Mechanics Mastery

Author

Kristen I. Sheehan, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Advisor

James David Ferguson

Committee Member

David B. Ross

Keywords

Grammar, Writing Workshop, Mini-Lessons, Writing Instruction, Writing Skills, Writing Strategies

Abstract

This applied dissertation was designed to determine the impact of direct writing conventions instruction on second grade writing mechanics mastery at an independent school in southeast Florida. The research study utilized a nonexperimental quantitative method. The design was pretest-posttest with a control. The pretest-posttest assessment was the Children’s Progress Academic Assessment. The score utilized in the analysis was the Phonics/Writing subtest. De-identified data were collected and analyzed from two separate second grade classes from two consecutive school years (i.e., 2011-2012, 2012-2013). The control group consisted of 43 second graders who received writing conventions instruction in the context of student writing during individual and small group conferences. The control group received no direct writing conventions instruction. The treatment group consisted of 39 second graders who received direct writing conventions instruction through the use of mini-lessons during the writing workshop. An analysis of the de-identified data revealed that, although the treatment group mean change score had a positive change greater than the control group change score, the change was not statistically significant. The researcher failed to reject the null hypothesis relative to a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Recommendations were made for future research.

NSUWorks Citation

Kristen I. Sheehan. 2015. The Impact of Direct Writing Conventions Instruction on Second Grade Writing Mechanics Mastery. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. (16)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/16.