When meeting with my site supervisor about my Action Research Plan I was concerned about what her initial response would be. This is her first year as a campus principal and I could tell that she is overwhelmed with her new responsibilies. I was worried she would not be interested in taking on this project with this being her first year as principal.
I was quite surprised of her immediate interest and support of this project. I think it definitely helped that my plan was very detailed and I was able address many of the concerns that she had. One of her main concerns about taking the 5th graders to an overnight Outdoor Education Program such as Sky Ranch was the cost. She made it very clear that numerous fundraising opportunities must be provided to help lower the cost of the camp for the students. Another concern was parent support. I was prepared with a detailed plan for a parent information night with a camp consultant who would be in attendance to address all the concerns the parents had. She was very pleased to know a consultant from the camp would be available to talk to the parents in person. Overall, she said she sees the planning and implementing of this project as a learning experience for all of us!
After our meeting was over I was very encouraged by her support. I am looking forward to meeting with other teachers who attend camp in our district. I think I will gain a lot of insight on how to make this a successful and fun learning experience for the students on my campus.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Action Research Plan
My Action Research will target the fifth grade students on my campus and it will determine if students who participate in hands on science lessons and lab activities will have a higher success rate on the Science TAKS Test and an increased number of students will obtain commended performance verse students who learn from more traditional forms of learning.
Because fourth grade does not take a Science TAKS Test I will focus on the fifth graders who failed the district science benchmark in fourth grade. My research will be based on data gathered from report cards, classroom observations and district science bechmark scores. I will use this data to create a variety of hands on labs focusing on and targeting 5th grade Science TEKS. I will closely track bubble students and students who are failing and monitor their progress. The final stages of my action research will be to provide all fifth graders with the opportunity to attend Sky Ranch Camp, an overnight Outdoor Education Program. Lessons will be tailored to meet specific curriculum needs at camp. Also, hands on lessons will be provided and will directly correlate with state and district curriculum and testing requirements at this outdoor education program. I will research other school with similar demographics as my campus, that have attended an O.E.P. and compare TAKS scores as well as percentages of commended performance achieved on the Science TAKS Test. I will present my proposal at the first staff meeting in hopes to gain support of teachers and administrators on my campus.
Because fourth grade does not take a Science TAKS Test I will focus on the fifth graders who failed the district science benchmark in fourth grade. My research will be based on data gathered from report cards, classroom observations and district science bechmark scores. I will use this data to create a variety of hands on labs focusing on and targeting 5th grade Science TEKS. I will closely track bubble students and students who are failing and monitor their progress. The final stages of my action research will be to provide all fifth graders with the opportunity to attend Sky Ranch Camp, an overnight Outdoor Education Program. Lessons will be tailored to meet specific curriculum needs at camp. Also, hands on lessons will be provided and will directly correlate with state and district curriculum and testing requirements at this outdoor education program. I will research other school with similar demographics as my campus, that have attended an O.E.P. and compare TAKS scores as well as percentages of commended performance achieved on the Science TAKS Test. I will present my proposal at the first staff meeting in hopes to gain support of teachers and administrators on my campus.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Narrowing "it" down!
After completeing week 2 I can say that I have narrowed my research topic. I had two topics that I was having a hard time deciding between: Would a mentor program decrease student tardies and attendance and increase academic success. The second topic: Would it benefit students to attend an over night hands-on science camp and would this experience help eliminate gaps in science knowledge. I am going to begin researching the benefits of Science Camp. I am very excited to begin the research process. I teach 5th grade and we are departmentalized. I am responsible for science. Our campus has made tremendous improvement in our science scores however I truly believe that incorporating a camp in which the rigor of the content is increased, my campus just may get the results that we are looking for in terms of TAKS science grades.
After completeing week 2 I can say that I have narrowed my research topic. I had two topics that I was having a hard time deciding between: Would a mentor program decrease student tardies and attendance and increase academic success. The second topic: Would it benefit students to attend an over night hands-on science camp and would this experience help eliminate gaps in science knowledge. I am going to begin researching the benefits of Science Camp. I am very excited to begin the research process. I teach 5th grade and we are departmentalized. I am responsible for science. Our campus has made tremendous improvement in our science scores however I truly believe that incorporating a camp in which the rigor of the content is increased, my campus just may get the results that we are looking for in terms of TAKS science grades.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
After reading Ch. 1 of Leading with Passion and Knowledge by Dana Fitchman, I have learned that Action Research is a process of reflection and inquiry. Action Research can be used to reflect on what is happening whether good or bad and then devise a plan to ensure improvement and growth. At this point, it is very necessary that the administrator implements the desired changes to ensure student success. Action Research can also be used as a guide to map out a plan and to focus efforts on improving the quality and effectiveness of a campus.
There are numerous ways in which educational leaders could use blogs. Blogs could be used as a network of support and reflection. Blogging could be used as way to exchange ideas and opinions and also to dialogue with other educational leaders. On another spectrum, blogging would be an effective way for an educational leaders to keep in contact with parents, students and teachers. Upcoming community and school events could be communicated through blogging. In turn, this would help eliminate the cost of paper and postage for letters that are normally mailed out.
There are numerous ways in which educational leaders could use blogs. Blogs could be used as a network of support and reflection. Blogging could be used as way to exchange ideas and opinions and also to dialogue with other educational leaders. On another spectrum, blogging would be an effective way for an educational leaders to keep in contact with parents, students and teachers. Upcoming community and school events could be communicated through blogging. In turn, this would help eliminate the cost of paper and postage for letters that are normally mailed out.
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