The Power of Children's Learning in Their Reading
Study Overview
We invite children who are in primary and grade 1 to take part in our new study looking at how children learn from what they read. This study is approved by the Halifax Regional Centre for Education and by Dalhousie’s Research Ethics Board. Childrens’ participation will help us ensure the activities are reliable and fun — the best that they can possibly be. These high-quality activities will then be used in a separate multi-year study designed to better understand how children learn from what they read across the elementary school years. This exciting study is being conducted by Dr. Hélène Deacon, Dr. Sophia Giazitzidou, and our team at the Language & Literacy Lab (LLL) at Dalhousie University. |
What do students, parents, schools, and teachers receive for taking part?
Students receive a certificate of participation and small prizes like pencils, erasers, or stickers for taking part. Participating schools receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card and homeroom teachers receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card as a thank you for their time and effort. Following our visit, we provide school administrators and the students’ teachers with information on participating students’ word reading skills, provided we have parental consent to do so. We also provide this information to parents if they chose to receive it.
Students receive a certificate of participation and small prizes like pencils, erasers, or stickers for taking part. Participating schools receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card and homeroom teachers receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card as a thank you for their time and effort. Following our visit, we provide school administrators and the students’ teachers with information on participating students’ word reading skills, provided we have parental consent to do so. We also provide this information to parents if they chose to receive it.
What types of activities will students complete?
Students will be asked to complete a variety of language and reading activities designed to be fun and age-appropriate with our research assistants. For example, they may be asked to answer questions about the conventions of print, answer questions about the function of punctuation marks, engage in shared book reading, and attempt to read some letters and simple words or other language-based tasks. Some of the activities are completed one-on-one with one of our team members, and some are completed in small groups of 3 to 5 students. We make it clear to children that we are interested in how they do these activities rather than whether they get things right. Based on our experience, children find these activities fun and engaging. |
What Kind of Space Does Our Team Need?
When our team arrives, we will need a separate space to work in. Ideally, we would like a smaller room that can accommodate 2 students and 2 team members. We also know that space in schools is often limited, and we are happy to work in whatever space you are able to provide!
When our team arrives, we will need a separate space to work in. Ideally, we would like a smaller room that can accommodate 2 students and 2 team members. We also know that space in schools is often limited, and we are happy to work in whatever space you are able to provide!
Who Will Visit Participating Schools?
Two to three members of our research team will visit participating schools. All team members have clean criminal record with vulnerable sector checks and child abuse registry checks.
Two to three members of our research team will visit participating schools. All team members have clean criminal record with vulnerable sector checks and child abuse registry checks.
What Health Safety Protocols Are in Place?
Our research team will meet and exceed all school and Nova Scotia public health guidelines during our visit. Note that all supplies and materials used by our research team will be sterilized in between students.
Our research team will meet and exceed all school and Nova Scotia public health guidelines during our visit. Note that all supplies and materials used by our research team will be sterilized in between students.
Have more questions?
If you have any questions about taking part or any other aspect of the study, please contact our research coordinator, Lauren Gallant at [email protected]
If you have any questions about taking part or any other aspect of the study, please contact our research coordinator, Lauren Gallant at [email protected]