Action Research

Action Research
Goal: To create writers before 4th grade by involving K-3rd grade teachers in the writing process.
Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Meet with necessary administration to discuss, adjust, and finalize the research plan.	Amber Guy Necessary Administration	Mid to late July or early August 2012.	* Writing TEKS * Writing CSCOPE * Book Ideas	Agree on a final plan of action to involve K-3rd grade teachers in the writing process.
2. I will then meet with all K-4th grade teachers that teach writing and we will: *Look at a sample 4th grade STAAR Writing test *Spend a few minutes going through the questions and begin answering them for themselves *Look at the composition topics and take a few moments to write a partial composition * Discuss the editing and revising portion of the test as well as look at the rubric for a 4th grade composition * Look at the writing TEKS for each grade level and check the alignment across grade levels * Answer survey	Necessary Administration K-4 teachers	Start: August 2012 before school year starts End: August 2012 before school year starts	* Copy of STAAR test for all teachers * K-4 Writing TEKS * Survey	Review survey on how they feel their writing practices support 4th grade teachers in the writing process.
3. A second meeting will be held with the same teachers to: *  Introduce the research plan * Look at our book for the book study * Look through the CSCOPE writing lessons to see if there are ways that we think this would support our lessons within CSCOPE * Discuss the requirements of the teachers as far as reading the book, posting a response to the chapter on our book study blog page, and posting comments of how they tested the mini lessons in their classrooms and how the writing samples turned out *  View blog site *  If necessary, set up necessary accounts in order to be able to follow and answer questions and post responses to our blog style book study	Necessary Administration K-4 teachers	Start: August 2012 before school year starts End: Mid May 2013	* Writing TEKS * Writing CSCOPE * Book  for book study * Access to computers view blog and to set up any necessary accounts to be able participate book study	* Check blog to make sure all teachers are participating * Writing samples must be turned in every six weeks
4. Hold a final meeting to discuss the year and what they learned about the writing process and to complete the same survey from above to see if their opinions have changed.	Necessary Administration K-4 teachers	Start/End: End of May 2013	*Survey	Review survey on how they feel their writing practices support 4th grade teachers in the writing process.

Lessons Learned in Week 2

After reading the text and watching the videos for this week, I feel a little more prepared to step into action research.  I have a better understanding of what I need to do.  I am now more aware that I need to make sure that the topic I chose is really relevant to my campus because I may have an idea in mind, but if it does not truly benefit my campus and only fulfills my need to have some things done "my way" then it is not a valuable research project.

Action research is something that is going to take time, but if it benefits our district and most of all our students and their learning, then the process will be well worth the time.

Educational leaders and blogging

Blogging is something many teachers have taken hold of and have utilized in their classrooms in one way or another. I have thought a great deal about using blogging with my students and completely intend to use it this coming school year, so why could it not be used as a tool for educational leaders?

Principals could use blogging as a resource for parents to voice their opinion on an upcoming issue, to suggest concerns for the upcoming school year, or simply voice their opinions on just about any topic.  They could also use blogging as a suggestion board for teachers to discuss changes that would positively influence their school.  A principal might also want to use this as a tool to discuss subject matter between teachers in the district - to plan upcoming events, get suggestions or ideas from those more experienced in a particular subject area, or to share valuable information or helpful information.  Finally, I think the principal may be able to find a way to utilize blogging as a Professional Learning Community.

Other educational leaders may find blogging useful as well. They could use a blog site to post any positives that are going on in their district - kind of a internet show and tell. 

Blogging could be used for so many things.  I know, as in all areas of internet use, we must be cautious, but it is a great tool and if planned and used accordingly, I think it could be something very positive for a district.

Action Research

Action research is not at all what I thought it was.  As I first glanced at the lesson, a horrible vision raced through my mind.  I pictured me pulling my hair out, not being allowed to spend time with my children, and neglecting myself all together due to the fact that I was going to be spending countless hours in the library or sitting in front of a computer digging for information.  But now I know, that is what action research is not.  However, I do know that action research is a positive way for all stakeholders to be involved in the growth of their district, school, administration, teachers, curriculum, etc., but most of all, students.  And just as many concepts in the classroom are spiraling, action research has the same effect; one question or inquiry almost always unveils another question or inquiry that needs to be investigated. I know that I need to use action research to constantly look into my district, school, classroom, and the mirror to find ways to improve student learning and growth as well as district learning and growth.  Action research allows me to actually take steps to look into all the areas of education that I have always sat and pondered.  It allows us to no longer be on the outside looking in having others tell us of our shortcomings and what needs to be done to improve them, but rather to be right there in the middle of it all, from seeking out the areas for improvement, to planning the process, and finally to carrying out the vision. I guess to sum up all my thoughts, it is a way to actually be involved or to take action in making the plans for our district’s or school’s growth by studying our schools, collecting data, analyzing, necessary research, developing a plan, and finally turning our plan into a reality.  We must also keep our eyes open for new opportunities to grow. 

We must also include reflection into our action research because, in all actuality, they seem to go hand in hand.  I feel this is true because reflection is the window into every situation or element of our school.  We must first begin our action research with reflection to gain insight into what area of our school we need to look at first.  Then, we must take the time along the way to constantly reflect on our decisions to ensure that we are headed in the right direction or if we need to realign.  When our research is complete, we must then reflect more to either determine that we were successful or determine what we could do differently to meet our goal.  I feel that a decision made in a school is never initially perfect.  It is always in need of tweaking according to the needs of our students, staff, etc.  We must always be looking at ways to reflect upon ourselves, our school, and the needs of staff and students in order to make advancements and improvements in our district/schools.