Texas A&M University-Commerce | Department

 

Becky Barton Sinclair, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Texas A&M University - Commerce
PO Box 3011
Commerce, TX 75429-3011
Becky.Sinclair@tamuc.edu
903-886-5182

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education (Earth Science and History); 1988;
        Texas A&M University,College Station, Texas, USA

Masters of Arts in Teaching, Science Education; 1994;
        The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson,Texas, USA

Doctor of Philosophy, Science Education; 2000;
        Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, AU
        Dissertation: Assessing, Describing and Changing Classroom Environments in Urban Middle Schools

Teaching

Graduate Level Courses:
EDCI  595 Research Literature and Techniques
ELED 557 Social Studies Curriculum, Grades 1-8
ELED 529 Special Topics: Elementary Science Collaborative
ELED 529 Special Topics: Hands-on Inquiry and Research in Science

Undergraduate Level:
ELED 200 Schools and Society
ELED 437 Integrated Curriculum – Science
ELED 452 Student Teaching Field Based
ELED 443 Classroom Management Field Based

Research Interests

• Science Education for Children and Teachers
• Classroom Environments: Student and Teacher Perceptions and Preferences
• Teacher Action Research

Research Publications & Presentations

Research Publications:
Szabo, S., Sinclair, B. & Boggs, M. (2008, Spring). Reading strategy awareness of student teachers, Academic Exchange Quarterly, 12(1), pp. 131-135.

Sinclair, B. & Szabo, S. (2008, April). Writing poetry to enhance science learning, The Texas Science Teacher, 36(2), pp. 12-16.

Szabo, S. & Sinclair, B. (2008, Spring). Using the language arts to help all students learn science concepts and science vocabulary, State of Reading Online Journal.

Sinclair, B. B., and Fraser, B.J. (2002, December). Assessing, describing and changing classroom environments in urban middle schools, Learning Environment Research: An International Journal, 5(3), pp. 301-328.

Presentations:
Juried International and National Presentations

Szabo, S., Sinclair, B., Linek, W., Sampson, M. & Raine, E. (2007, November). An Investigation of the Knowledge and Frequency Use of Content Reading Strategies by Middle-Level Pre-service Teachers, The National Reading Conference, Austin, Texas.

Szabo, S., & Sinclair, B., (2007, November). An Investigation of the Knowledge and Frequency Use of Content Reading Strategies by Middle-Level Pre-service Teachers, The College Reading Association (CRA) – National Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Naizer, G., Sinclair, B. & Ledbetter, C. (2007, November).
A Teacher Professional Development Program for K-8 Science, School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) – National Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sinclair, B., & Fraser, B. (2001, April). The Effect of Inservice Training and Teachers’ Action Research on Elementary Science Classroom Environments, Presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) - National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Sinclair, B., & Ledbetter, C. (2001, April). Enabling Teacher Improvement of Classroom Environments, Presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) - National Convention, St. Louis, MO.

Sinclair, B., Fraser, B., & Ledbetter, C. (2001, December). Assessing and changing classroom environments in urban middle schools in Texas, Presented at the Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE) – National Convention, Freemantle, Western Australia.

State and Local Presentations

Ledbetter, C., Fifer, F. & Sinclair, B. (2008, November). Making the Connections with Penny Ante Science, Short Course presented at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching – State Convention, Ft. Worth, Texas.

Ledbetter, C., Fifer, F. & Sinclair, B. (2007, November). TEKS-ing through Penny Ante Science, Short Course presented at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching – State Convention, Austin, Texas.

Szabo, S., & Sinclair, B. (2007, April). Hula Hoops, Science and Critical Thinking, Presented at the 3rd Annual Bill Martin Jr Memorial Symposium, Commerce, Texas.

Ledbetter, C., Fifer, F. & Sinclair, B. (2005, October). Tracking the TEKS and TAKS, Short Course presented at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching – State Convention, Houston, Texas.

Invited Teaching Presentations for School Children

Sinclair, B. (2009, Anticipated February). Owl Pellets and Food Chains, Presented to all 4th grade classes at Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Heath, Texas.

Sinclair, B. (2008, October). Fossils, Bones, Amber and 3D Geology Technology, Presented to 4th grade class at Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Heath, Texas.

Sinclair, B. (2008, October). Plate Tectonics and Google Earth Training, Presented to all 6th grade classes at Rochell Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall, Texas.

Sinclair, B. (2007, December). States of Matter and Dry Ice Investigations, Presented to 3rd grade class at Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Heath, Texas.

Sinclair, B. (2006, February). What Makes Landforms?, Presented to 2nd grade at Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Heath, Texas.

Sinclair, B. (2006, October). States of Matter and Making Goop, Presented to 3rd grade class at Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, Heath, Texas.

Grant Participation and Training Presentations

“Elementary Earth Science Enhancement” – Teacher Quality Grant -- $82,947

• Objective: To provide Earth Science training for rural elementary school (K-6) teachers --June 2007-May 2008.
• Co-Principle Investigator & Authored with Naizer, G.,
• Funded by: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Grant Provided:
  •  TAMU-C Graduate School application fees and course tuition (ELED 529: Hands-on Inquiry and
    Research in Science, Summer I, 2007) for 20 students.
  • Science Materials and Equipment for Instructors and Participants.
  • Monthly Training Sessions September 2007-April 2008

“Northeast Texas Science Enhancement B” -- Teacher Quality Grant -- $82,887

• Objective: To provide Earth and Space Science training for rural elementary school (K-6) teachers
  June 2006- May 2007.
• Co-Principle Investigator (replaced Bell, G.) with Naizer, G.
• Funded by: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Grant Provided:
  •  TAMU-C Graduate School application fees and course tuition (ELED 529: Science Collaborative,
    Summer I, 2007, taught by G. Naizer) for 20 students.
  • Science Materials and Equipment for Instructors and Participants.
  • Monthly Training Sessions September 2006-April 2007.

Grant Consultant and/or Instructional Team Member

“Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching” Grant -- $110,000

• Objective: To provide Earth Science (with emphasis on Chemistry and Physics) training for middle and secondary level teachers – August 2008-July 2009.
• Funded by: Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
• Administered by: Region X Education Service Center
• Institute of Higher Education: Texas A&M University – Commerce
• Grant Provided:
  •  TAMU-C Graduate School application fees and course tuition (ELED 529, Summer I, 2009) for students (estimated 20-25).
  • Consultation and Training Sessions during 2008-2009 academic year.

“Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching” Grant -- $112,000

• Objective: To provide Earth Science training for elementary school (K-6) teachers -- September 2007-July 2008.
• Funded by: Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
• Administered by: Region X Education Service Center
• Institute of Higher Education: Texas A&M University – Commerce
• Grant Provided:
  • TAMU-C Graduate School application fees and course tuition (ELED 529, Summer I, 2008) for 19 students.
  • Consultation and Training Sessions during 2007-2008 academic year.

 “Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching” Grant -- $110,000

• Objective: To provide Earth and Space Science training for elementary and middle level (4-8) teachers
  June 2006-July 2007.
• Funded by: Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching
• Administered by: Region X Education Service Center
• Institute of Higher Education: Texas A&M University – Commerce
• Grant Provided:
• TAMU-C Graduate School application fees and course tuition (ELED 529, Summer I, 2006) for 20 students.
• Consultation and Monthly Training Sessions September 2006-April 2007.

Service

Scholarly Community
Editorial Board Member, Texas Science Teacher Journal

Texas A&M University – Commerce:

• Co-chair, Master’s of Elementary Education Program
• Advisor, Master’s of Elementary Education Program
• Member, EDCI Webpage Advisory Committee
• Member, Science Education Masters Program Development Committee 
• Member, Doctoral Committees

Community, Civic and Volunteer Activities
Classroom and School Volunteer, Parks Elementary School, Rockwall ISD, 2005-Present

Professional Associations

American Educational Research Association (AERA)
            SIG: Learning Environments
Association of Science Teacher Educators (ASTE)
Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)
National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)

Contact Info