Thesis advisor: Alyssa Goldman / People’s needs for social engagement vary over the life course. Social engagement for individuals residing in memory care facilities is an important topic to research because this population benefits greatly from active participation in the communities in which they reside. This study examines the following research questions: To what extent does the facility in which adults with Alzheimer’s disease reside impact their social ties? How do the facilities differ in facilitating social engagement? I interviewed ten memory care facility employees across seven facilities in Massachusetts and found patterns in visitation for family members and friends of Alzheimer’s residents and social engagement for residents in memory care. Individual factors that affect visitation include family dynamics and disease progression. Structural factors that affect visitation include geographic location and religion. These findings are useful to inform policy and recognize increased opportunities for social engagement as an opportunity for facilities to slow disease progression. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Sociology.

In a qualitative study, grade three students in an urban classroom were introduced to Aboriginal children's picture-storybooks followed by "menoh," which are literary response activities. "Menoh" is defined as aesthetics, although, in this study "menoh" activities stem from Anishnabe and Cree cultural ways such as in traditional singing, dance, drumming, art and cooking.<p> The researcher used a reframing as a decolonizing methodology in order to reclaim Aboriginal voice and perspective. Reframing is taking greater control over the way Aboriginal research is structured, analyzed and written. The research data was collected over a period of several months within the classroom where the researcher read aloud and drew Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal listeners into the multi-layers of the stories. Through dialogue and critique, the students discussed the stories in literary circles. They shared meanings about the stories and made connections to their own lives and the lives of others. The stories contained messages about loyalty, respect, responsibility, honesty, humility, trust, and sharing-all those qualities that helped Aboriginal people live the life they did and still do today. Discussion was followed by a variety of "menoh," activities that introduced aesthetic ways of knowing from an Aboriginal perspective.

In a qualitative study, grade three students in an urban classroom were introduced to Aboriginal children's picture-storybooks followed by "menoh," which are literary response activities. "Menoh" is defined as aesthetics, although, in this study "menoh" activities stem from Anishnabe and Cree cultural ways such as in traditional singing, dance, drumming, art and cooking.<p> The researcher used a reframing as a decolonizing methodology in order to reclaim Aboriginal voice and perspective. Reframing is taking greater control over the way Aboriginal research is structured, analyzed and written. The research data was collected over a period of several months within the classroom where the researcher read aloud and drew Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal listeners into the multi-layers of the stories. Through dialogue and critique, the students discussed the stories in literary circles. They shared meanings about the stories and made connections to their own lives and the lives of others. The stories contained messages about loyalty, respect, responsibility, honesty, humility, trust, and sharing-all those qualities that helped Aboriginal people live the life they did and still do today. Discussion was followed by a variety of "menoh," activities that introduced aesthetic ways of knowing from an Aboriginal perspective.

Orientador: Vera Lucia Messias Fialho Capellini / Resumo: Os estudantes com altas habilidades/superdotação apresentam capacidade intelectual acima da média, grande comprometimento com as tarefas e altos níveis de criatividade. Por conta de suas características, necessitam de programas diferenciados de ensino e aprendizagem e, as atividades de enriquecimento curricular são uma das alternativas educacionais previstas para esses estudantes. Pretendeu-se na presente pesquisa investigar as contribuições das atividades de enriquecimento curricular no desenvolvimento cognitivo, escolar e social de estudantes identificados com altas habilidades/superdotação. Levantou-se a hipótese de que, se essas atividades forem bem estruturadas e organizadas de acordo com os interesses e aptidões dos estudantes, serão capazes de favorecer seu desenvolvimento cognitivo, acadêmico e social. Para testá-la, a pesquisa foi dividida em três estudos. O Estudo 1 buscou descrever as atividades de enriquecimento curricular vivenciadas por estudantes identificados com altas habilidades/superdotação em um projeto de extensão e, também, a percepção dos estudantes, pais e professores sobre elas. Para isso, foram elaborados questionários e protocolos que foram respondidos pelos estudantes, seus pais e professores, a respeito das atividades vivenciadas por eles, após a identificação. O Estudo 2 descreveu e comparou o desempenho cognitivo e acadêmico desses estudantes, antes e depois de frequentarem por pelo menos um ano, atividades de enriquecimento curricular. Utilizou... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Students with giftedness have above average intellectual capacity, great commitment to tasks and high levels of creativity. Because of their characteristics, they need differentiated teaching and learning programs, and curriculum enrichment activities are one of the educational alternatives foreseen for these students. The aim of this research was to investigate the contributions of curriculum enrichment activities to the cognitive, school and social development of students identified with giftedness. The hypothesis was raised that, if these activities are well structured and organized according to the interests and aptitudes of students, they will be able to favor their cognitive, academic and social development. To test it, the research was divided into three studies. Study 1 sought to describe the curriculum enrichment activities experienced by students identified with giftedness in an extension project and the perception of students, parents and teachers about them. To this end, questionnaires and protocols were prepared and answered by students, their parents and teachers, regarding the activities they experienced, after identification. Study 2 described and compared the cognitive and academic performance of these students, before and after attending curriculum enrichment activities for at least one year. Raven's Progressive Color Matrix Test, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-IV) and the School Performance Test (TDE) were used. Study 3 sought to describe and compare... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor