Week 5 Reflection

The assignments throughout this course seemed to flow as we learned step by step and prepared our action research step by step. The most insightful part of the assignments was learning to reflect. This is such a great tool for making any change, in the classroom, school or for personal growth. Everyone can benefit from stepping back and really taking a look at what has been done or what needs to be done. The best part about it is you can really take ownership of your accomplishment as you reflect on what you have done to make things better. As I reflect on this course, I feel my accomplishments and I know the direction in which they are taking me.

My Approved ARP!

GOAL: Changing the Perception of Word Problem        Implemented  by:  Donna Thompson September 2013 – June 2014
(1). Describe the goal and area of focus.	The new state of Texas STAAR tests will be a challenge for our 7th grade students, especially with the emphasis on increased higher order thinking skills and cognition. Research will be done and data will be collected to aid in reinforcing strategy skills for word problems so our students will achieve increased levels of competencies on the tests.
(2). Describe the factors involved in your area of focus.	Factors involved in my area of focus: (1) Students’ prior math development from earlier grade levels.  (2). Students’ aptitude for taking more rigorous, higher order thinking skills test.   (3). The students’ access to community resources to aid in success (4). Students’ and parents understanding of the STAAR test and its impact on math placement of students. I will send a letter to the parents and have the students fill out a survey to help in understanding the importance of the STAAR test.
(3). Develop research questions.	What resources and data can I accumulate from state, school, and district sources to aid in my action research on changing the perception of word problems in math?  What can I do to help the students succeed on the STAAR tests for 7th grade students? Am I able to persuade the understanding of students in the area of solving word problems using strategies as tools necessary to gather and analyze data?
(4).Describe the activities to be implemented	1. Draw picture of Diagram 2. Find a pattern 3. Acting it out 4. Making a table 5. Working backward 6. Guessing and Checking 7. Write an equation
(5). Develop a timeline for implementation.	The data collection will begin in September of 2013, and will be continued throughout the2013- 2014 school year. Every six weeks the district test will evaluated along with homework and tests that are given on Fridays. This will be an ongoing and fluid action research project, the results and findings constantly being monitored and adjusted.
(6). Describe stakeholders.	The stakeholders who will benefit from this research will be I, the students, fellow teachers and staff, our parents, and the administration. I hope to develop research that will be used as a model to be implemented to develop students’ success using word problems.
(7). Develop a list of resources to implement the plan.	As stated earlier, student data from six weeks test, benchmark, and STAAR accountability models will be used to develop proactive programs to correct the deficiency of students’ understanding on math word problems thus, maximizing success on the STAAR tests. Also, field research from the actual students will be implemented during this action research study.
(8). Describe the data to be collected for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives.	I will collect data on how many students take the pre-test; how many pass the pre-test on the first administration, versus students who do not pass the first administration; and how effective interventions and remediation activities will aid in improving student success. The ones that do not pass will determine the group of students I will be working closely with for my action research plan.
(9). Develop an assessment plan.	Data will be collected using state, district, and teacher’s resources. Also, field study and research will be conducted, the results being reported in power point.
(10). Develop an analysis plan.	When the findings are collected and organized, I will work collaboratively with fellow teachers and administrators to investigate the effectiveness of the action research on changing the perception of math word problems.
(11). Carry out the plan.	Strategies will be use and the data will be collected on an ongoing and a fluid basis throughout the 2013 and 2014 school term, and beyond.
(12). Report the results.	Results of the plan will be reported to all stakeholders through the implementation of a math department meeting. This will allow for collaboration on a school wide action plan. I will send a letter home to the parents to also let them know the results.

First ARP

Action Research Outline:   Changing the Perception of Word Problems How can I change the perception of how students look at word problems in math? After developing a consistent strategy plan, how will it impact all grade levels through the entire campus and will all teachers use it consistently? While creating my Action Research Plan, I will include the following components:   Changing the Perception of Word Problems Define the goal involved in my area of focus – using strategies to solve math word problems with at least 85% accuracy. Develop research questions - Am I able to persuade the understanding of students in the area of solving word problems using strategies as tools necessary to gather and analyze data? Describe the activities (strategies) to be implemented - Help students gain confidence in problem solving with modeled, guided, and independent practice. Build math writing skills through practice with constructed-response problems. Activities include: Drawing a picture of diagram Finding a pattern Making a table Working backward Writing a number sentence or equation Guessing and checking Develop a timeline for implementation- second week of school, September 4, 2013, implement strategies, Collect data from 2013 – 2014 school year, Analyze Data – June 2014, Share data with others through departmental meeting when school reconvenes. Define person responsible for implementation of plan – Donna Thompson and site supervisor Describe stakeholders - myself, parents, other teachers on campus, administrators, students Develop a list of resources to implement the plan- Research based strategies Describe the data to be collected for monitoring goals- Students class work, homework, surveys, six weeks test, benchmark test, and STAAR test Develop an assessment to evaluate  – Collect data from students, test, and surveys Carry out the plan – Using strategies for math word problems  Report the results – with the math department, parents, administrators, and students aptitude for taking higher order thinking test.

EDLD 5031 2nd week reflection

This week, a primary focus  at the base of choosing  any action research inquiry is how it will ultimately benefit student achievement or growth.   The education of our students is our primary task.  It is so important for today's teacher to be action research oriented in their classrooms in order to provide the best education possible for their students.

I also learned the nine passions that should drive a principal to success.  A good principal will always keep these passions in mind and continually review and reflect each one through action research to ensure that their campus is achieving it's very best.

How Educational Leader Can Use Blogs

How Educational Leader Can Use Blogs

I believe the ways an education leader can use a blog is unlimited. It depends on who you want to reach out to.  One way it could be set up to use in a classroom setting.  This type would allow the students access the blog and share thoughts or ask questions with other students and the teacher could be the facilitator.  Any student that was absent would have a place to find out what happened during class that day and not feel lost when they get back to school. If a student has a question about a certain problem they could get help with it at that time instead of waiting till the next day.  Another way it could be used is a staff site.  A staff site would allow teachers to share ideas, keep up to date with what is going on at the school, and a good way to support each other.  Many times we are so busy at school we only see the whole staff at department meetings or staff development. 

What I Have Learned About Action Research

What I Have Learned About Action Research

I feel I have learned a lot this week about action research.  At first I was thinking this assignment was just another research paper, but I have been pleasantly surprised.  I realize that if you are wanting to address certain areas that you feel needs to be changed an Action Research is the best way to do that.  By applying the research to a certain topic you can find many details and ideas of how to properly go about making wise decisions to improve that topic.  I am going to do an action research paper about the “Benefits of Solving Word Problems”.  I have already started looking into this subject and can see the benefits this would bring to my students.  One of the most important aspects of an Action Research is reflection.  Taking the time to discover possibly through trial and error the difference between the way I present word problems normally to my students and what ways would be the best way to teach word problems.  I think we get so use to the way we approach a concept that we fail to look for other means to convey the importance of accomplishing the task. In taking the time to reflect on how I teach and other possible ways to teach will be a transformation to my way of teaching and how I will be more conscious in the future as an administrator of looking at a concept in just one manor. I am excited to start this coming year off with this project because it will make me rethink what I have been doing for the last ten years and hopefully bring about more success in my students.