Action Research Projects

Many of the Murray Institute’s degree programs culminate in an Action Research project. This research is conducted at the cohort members’ work sites—schools or parishes—and explores ways to improve or enhance teaching, learning, or performance in some way. Action Research can include surveys, focus groups, curriculum implementation, or new teaching strategies.

The Murray students learn about Action Research as part of their required Research course. They choose an issue to explore and gain approval from their work-site supervisor. The students also submit their proposal to the University of St. Thomas’ Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval before beginning their study.

At the end of the cohort’s course of study, the Murray students present their research findings at an Action Research Celebration/Conference. Students invite their families, work colleagues and supervisors to hear the research results and to celebrate the degree completion.
Although earlier Cohorts (I, II, III, and IV) wrote final research papers, the Action Research focus was not implemented until Cohort VII. Some of the topics they examined included: gifted students, all-day kindergarten, and religious vocations in the 21st Century.

Following is a list of topics and the names of Murray graduates who researched them:

Cohort 7 | Cohort 10 | Cohort 12

COHORT 7

Improving Curriculum: Using the Curriculum Standard Created by the Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting Association - Jill Long

The Effects of Instrumental Music Training, Specifically Percussion, on Math Skills - Beth Beebe Tradup

Building Community: Using the Experience of an Environmental Learning Center - Virginia L. Ludwig

Multiculturalism in the Minnesota State High School League Choral Contest - Mark B. Capecchi

Call to Commitment: Religious Vocations in the 21st Century - Kevin C. Scroggins

Afterward: A Reflection on Graduate School - Lori A. Sonderman

Identifying and Teaching Gifted and Precious Readers Entering Kindergarten - Margaret A. Podominick

Accommodation and Education of a Student with Disabilities: The Challenge to Regular Classroom Teachers in a Catholic High School - Martha A. Boerschlein Tracy

Language and Learning: Enhancing the Teaching of World Languages Using Learning Style Theory - Elizabeth Lamm Marin

Going Home to Teach: A Memoir - Martin J. Marin

Socratic Seminars - Lynda M. Capecchi

Physical Fitness: Motivating Youth Through Goal Setting - Linda B, Grundtner

Writing in the Mathematics Classroom - Mary E. Bejblik

Moving Toward Resolution: The development of a Social Contract - Linda M Harvieux

Learning Styles: Educating all students - Elizabeth Dunn Donohue

The Process of Implementing an All Day Kindergarten Program: If We Are Not Adding to the Curriculum, What Are We Adding? - Janice M. Lennox

Strategies for strugglers: Helpful Tips for Parents of Struggling Students - Petena M. Daleiden

The Trials and Triumphs of a First Year Administrator - Steven J. Cunningham

Revising Grades 3-5 Progress Report - Sue A. Wynne

The Effects of Catholic Schools on Faith Development - Susan Weberg

An Analysis of Enrollment Trends In Science and Math Classes - Joyce K. Nordby

COHORT 10

Peer Observation – Mike Groth

Enhancing Parent Communication Using Technology – Amy Okan

Building Teacher Support: Mentoring Newly Hired Teachers – Deb Skinner

Biracial and Bicultural Children: Developing a Positive Identity – Fernando Hernandez

Constructing a Curriculum that Promotes Solidarity and Prejudice Reduction – Melissa Johnson

Advisor/Advisee Program – Amy Gallus

Responsive Classroom: Impact of Teaching Social Skills on Learning – Judy Clasen

Developing a Classroom Community – Nancy Heinen

Building Character and Integrating Character Education into the Curriculum – Sharolyn Zastera

Teaching Grammar Mechanics Using Mini-Lessons – Yvonne Webb

Learning to Write: Writing to Learn – Sheila Loschy

Implementing Writer’s Workshop in a Fifth Grade Classroom – Lori Bruce

Incorporating Grammar and Writing Concepts into a Writing Based Curriculum – Vicki Olson

Gifts of the Spirit: Differentiating in the Mixed-Ability Classroom – Susan Hiemenz

Differentiated Instruction: A Middle School Problem Solver – Sharon Grundtner

Redesigning Minnesota History Curriculum – Jennifer Vitse

Using Cross Curricular Instruction in the Differentiated Classroom – Harriet Greenlee-Herndon

Social Teachings in the Elementary Classroom – Hether Holle

Enhancing the Religion Curriculum Through Service Learning – Chris Henrich

COHORT 12

Flexible Grouping – Mary Lee Lass

Sooner or Later: How Does a Late Start Time Affect The Middle School Student? – Athena Novack

Portfolios: Student Grow with use of Portfolios – Karen Rassmussen

Fostering Self Directed Learning – Maura McEvoy

Implementing Good Shepherd Montessori – Lynn Schelitzche

Fostering Resiliency in All Students – Jeanine Solberg

Student Led Service Learning-Middle School – Doug Lieser

Implementation of a Character Education at the Middle School Level – Maureen Odegard

Teacher’s Attitude Toward Integrating Catholic Social Teaching in the Classroom – Chris Szyman

Mastering Math Computations with Computers – Patrick Bohman

Frequency of Mathematic Testing – Heather Mercier

Decreasing Math Anxiety – Jean Williams

The Adolescent Experience of Grief – Margaret Barnett

Parents On Board: Involving All Parents in Education – Kelly Harrington

Foreign Language Retention and Total Physical Response – Mary Nawrocki

Responsive Classroom – Julie Castellano

The Effect of Music and Movement on Learning and Memory – Shirley Gray

Just Faith Justice Education – Anne Tiller

Exploring Social Skill Competency in Kindergarteners through Direct Instruction – Denise Felitto

Does Time Matter?  Length of School Day for Kindergarten Students – Cathi Hogan

Parent Communication Strategies in a Childcare Setting – Katy Maier

Differentiated Instruction – Jaci Krogh

Integrating the Newspaper in Sixth Grade – Martha Laurent