Creating a Positive Learning Climate: A Case Study of A Small Day School Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine how a teacher in a small day school in a major city in the southeastern United States constructs a positive learning climate through a family and primary caregiving model. In particular, the study explores how the teacher's pedagogical approach contributes to a learning climate that fosters positive identity development among preschool children. The findings of this study supports previous research about the role that connectedness plays in school climate and its positive effects on children's attachment and identity formation. The findings reaffirm the urgent need for schools to examine school climate and create intentional pedagogies to foster children's secure attachments and positive identity formation.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Research Problem.......................................1 Chapter 2: Literature Review.............................................4 School Climate................................................................4 Attachment.....................................................................6 Identity Formation..........................................................11 Chapter 3: Methodology and Setting..................................16 Recruitment..................................................................16 Participants...................................................................16 Design Strategy.............................................................17 Data Collection..............................................................18 Data Analysis................................................................19 Protection of Human Subjects...........................................20 Limitations....................................................................20 Setting.........................................................................21 Chapter 4: Findings........................................................24 Basic Constructs and Goals of Pedagogies..........................25 Community...................................................................34 Parent and Peer Interactions............................................35 Summary.....................................................................41 Chapter 5: Discussion and Implications for Practice..............44 References....................................................................49 Appendix A: Site Permission Letter.....................................57 Appendix B: Letter of Intent..............................................58 Appendix C: Sample Coding Sheet......................................59

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Educational Studies
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Education, General Psychology, Developmental
Keyword	Case Study Identity School Climate
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Downey, Charles A, Emory University
Committee Members	Siddle Walker, Vanessa, Emory University Rubinson, Richard, Emory University

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