This study found that the constructivist approach to instruction yielded increased student academic growth in both the sixth and seventh grade courses, with the sixth grade students‘ growth scores having a statistical significant difference between the mean scores for the two instructional methods. Future studies should consider using separate groups of students for the different instructional methods. Although limited in generalizability, this study, as stated by Herman & Knobloch (2004), ―provides an example that much can be learned when teachers research their practice in action‖ (p. 31). Even though teachers are prone to teach the way they were taught, which was likely traditionalism, this study shines light on the fact that teachers should consider other instructional methods, such as constructivism, and the impact they could have on their students‘ understanding and academic achievement.