Week 5 - Reflections

       WOW!  The old saying "Time flies when you are having fun" is true about this course!  I can't believe that it is almost over.  This course has totally changed my thinking of "research".  I really use to dislike the idea of research, but now I am excited and looking forward to this new challenge.  Finding answers to my question, and seeking ways to improve my teaching has lit a new fire inside me.  I am ready to get started!  I do feel a bit overwhelmed with knowing that I have work, an action research plan to do, and all of the activities on my internship plan to complete throughout this year.  Not to mention normal life at the Tirey house!  Oh well!  I have always loved a good challenge (I am extremely competitive!).  I am excited to see what this year has in store for me.  Please continue to follow my blog and comment.  I would love to get more input on my action research plan,  ideas to improve my blog, and inspiration to keep me going! 

Week 4 - Revision to my Action Research Plan

          I have to say that blogging has been way more exciting and fun than I ever imagined!  I find myself checking my blog regularly and excited when I have a new follower.  Ever since I posted my action research plan to my blog, I find myself looking even more with hopes that someone has posted a comment or suggestion about my research plan.  I am so excited about my plan and want to make it the very best and beneficial that it can be.  I feel that getting helpful suggestions for improvement or affirmation of my plan can only help me to strengthen it and make it better. 

          I did not repost my Action Research Plan because, my site supervisor approved the one that is already posted.  I did revise the posted action plan to reflect changes that were discussed with my site supervisor and suggestions made on this blog.  The only change that I will be making is taking out TPRI as a tool for gathering data.  Having never taught a grade where the TPRI was administered, I assumed that it gave data on math.  That teaches me a lesson on assuming!!! It only give data on reading.  For this reason, I will be gathering data from the Pre-K through 1st grade teachers on specific math skills that need to be worked on.  I had that already in my plan.  I will also try to tie the monthly checklist for Kinder and 1st to our CSCOPE curriculum in order to not add extra work to those teachers.  I don't want unhappy teachers!  I want this to be beneficial for all, not misery! I also added that teachers would be posting comments on this blog about activities that worked and progress being made in their classrooms.  I would love to get more input on my plan and any suggestions for activities.  Thanks!

Revised Action Plan! 6/29/12

Just the Facts—Increasing Basic Math Skills for LaMesa Elementary Students

Action Research Plan

(Revised 6/23/12)

Goal:  The goal of this action research plan is to determine ways that LaMesa Elementary teachers (Pre-K through 4^th Grade) can improve the teaching of specific math skills in order to increase student learning and retention of those skills.

Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation/Monitoring of Achievement of Goals and Objectives
1. Develop a committee to determine the math skills for each grade level and the specific activities and assessment that will take place.	Brandy Tirey	June 25 – July 13, 2012	None	Determine participation of a committee member representing each grade level as well as administrators.
2.  Look at data on math skills.  Look at the end of the year math scores on the Fast Math program for grades 2 – 4 , and the TPRI scores for K & 1. Gather information on math skills from the Pre-K teacher.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright, Principal	June 25 – August 10, 2012	End of Year Fast Math Score Printouts, K & 1 data from , teachers, Info. from the Pre-K teacher on Math skills Reflection Journal	Looking at the Fast Math scores, TPRI scores, and Pre-K information, determine the progress that was made on math skills from last year.  Look to see if there are major gaps.
3.  Make a list of ideas to discuss at the meeting we will have in August.  Look at Fast Math activity ideas, the book Number Facts & Jumping Jacks, and on line math resources.	Brandy Tirey	June 25 – August 10, 2012	Fast Math program, Number Facts & Jumping Jacks book, a computer. Reflection Journal	Create a list of ideas to discuss with the committee of possible activities for our campus to use.
4.  Create math facts and numbers on posters to place on stairs and walls around the building.	Brandy Tirey Possibly some committee members	June 25 – August 10, 2012	Poster board, paper, markers, scissors, glue, tape	None
5.  Conduct grade level meetings to get input on specific skills they feel are important to focus on and discuss activities.	Brandy Tirey All grade levels – Pre-K to 4th (Individual mtgs.)	August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)	Reflection Journal for notes. List of possible activities I generated.	Journal ideas in reflection journal and use them when I meet with the committee.
6.  Have a committee meeting to determine specific math skills to target and track throughout the year for all grade levels.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright - princpal Alissa Carter – Asst. Principal Committee members – 1 from each grade level	August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)	List of activities, data from Fast Math, TPRI scores, and information from Pre-K, Posters created in step 4. Reflection Journal	Get feedback from committee members, determine a plan of action for each grade level, and determine assessment method for each grade level.
7. Conduct staff meeting with entire campus to present the action plan and activities that will be conducted throughout the year.	Brandy Tirey Entire LaMesa Staff	August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)	List of committee members, List of activities with descriptions of each activity, copy of assessment tool for Pre-k through 1.  2 – 4 grades will turn in Fast Math monthly reports. Reflection Journal	Evaluation from the principal on how the meeting went and was conducted.
8.  Distribute meeting evaluation/ideas form to all staff to receive ideas and feedback.	All Staff at LaMesa Elementary	August ( Same day as meeting)	Evaluation/ideas form	Determine new ideas from the evaluation forms.
9.  Begin activities in all grade levels.	All Staff at LaMesa Elementary	August 20, 2012 – April 26, 2013	Plan of Action for all teachers and list of activities and assessment dates.	Discuss with teachers weekly to determine success and problems.
10.  2nd – 4th Grade students will complete SMI test, and Pre-K through 1st grades will do checklist determine baseline scores and teachers will turn in reports.	Brandy Tirey	August 27 – 31, 2012	Computer lab computers, check lists	Analyze data to determine problem areas.
11.  Teachers turn in monthly reports and checklists.   Teachers will also make comments to blog about activities and progress.	Brandy Tirey All Teachers	Last Day of each month August 2012 – April 2013.	Reports/Checklists	Monitor student progress from reports and checklists.  Make any necessary suggestions and activity changes to focus on specific skills.  Check blog for comments and suggestions.
12.  Meet monthly with committee to discuss data and make any necessary changes needed in activities or add new ones.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright Alissa Carter All Committee members	September  2012 – April 2013	Reports Reflection Journal	Compare results from month to month, determine activity effectiveness.
13. Blog results of findings monthly.	Brandy Tirey	August 2012 – May 2013	Reports Reflection Journal	Regularly check blog for comments.
14.  Present Findings	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright	May 2013 (date will be determined by her schedule)	Monthly reports and checklists	Evaluation by site supervisor, Sharon Wright.

Week 3 - Action Research Plan Draft

Well, another week of planning my action research plan!  Wow!  I feel really pretty good about my plan to research how my campus can improve our teaching of math skills and increase student learning and retention of specific math skills.  I feel that this will be an extremely beneficial research plan for my campus.  Finding a way to improve our students' math facts has been on my heart for a while, and I am excited to see my thoughts and ideas be put into a plan.  I would LOVE some feedback on my plan!  I am open to suggestions!  Please tell me what you think! 

Just the Facts - Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan

Just the Facts—Basic Math Skills for LaMesa Elementary Students

Goal:  The goal of this action research plan is to determine ways that LaMesa Elementary teachers (Pre-K through 4^th Grade) can improve the teaching of specific math skills in order to increase student learning and retention of those skills.

Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation/Monitoring of Achievement of Goals and Objectives
1. Develop a committee to determine the math skills for each grade level and the specific activities and assessment that will take place.	Brandy Tirey	June 25 – July 13, 2012	None	Determine participation of a committee member representing each grade level as well as administrators.
2.  Look at data on math skills.  Look at the end of the year math scores on the Fast Math program for grades 2 – 4 , and the TPRI scores for K & 1. Gather information on math skills from the Pre-K teacher.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright, Principal	June 25 – August 10, 2012	End of Year Fast Math Score Printouts, K & 1 TPRI Scores, Info. from the Pre-K teacher on Math skills	Looking at the Fast Math scores, TPRI scores, and Pre-K information, determine the progress that was made on math skills from last year.  Look to see if there are major gaps.
3.  Make a list of ideas to discuss at the meeting we will have in August.  Look at Fast Math activity ideas, the book Number Facts & Jumping Jacks, and on line math resources.	Brandy Tirey	June 25 – August 10, 2012	Fast Math program, Number Facts & Jumping Jacks book, a computer.	Create a list of ideas to discuss with the committee of possible activities for our campus to use.
4.  Create math facts and numbers on posters to place on stairs and walls around the building.	Brandy Tirey Possibly some committee members	June 25 – August 10, 2012	Poster board, paper, markers, scissors, glue, tape	None
5.  Have a committee meeting to determine specific math skills to target and track throughout the year for all grade levels.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright - princpal Alissa Carter – Asst. Principal Committee members – 1 from each grade level	August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal)	List of activities, data from Fast Math, TPRI scores, and information from Pre-K, Posters created in step 4.	Get feedback from committee members, determine a plan of action for each grade level, determine assessment method for each grade level.
6. Conduct staff meeting with entire campus to present the action plan and activities that will be conducted throughout the year.	Brandy Tirey Entire LaMesa Staff	August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal)	List of committee members, List of activities with descriptions of each activity, copy of assessment tool for Pre-k through 1.  2 – 4 grades will turn in Fast Math monthly reports.	Evaluation from the principal on how the meeting went and was conducted.
7.  Distribute meeting evaluation/ideas form to all staff to receive ideas and feedback.	All Staff at LaMesa Elementary	August ( Same day as meeting)	Evaluation/ideas form	Determine new ideas from the evaluation forms.
8.  Begin activities in all grade levels.	All Staff at LaMesa Elementary	August 20, 2012 – April 26, 2013	Plan of Action for all teachers and list of activities and assessment dates.	Discuss with teachers weekly to determine success and problems.
9.  2nd – 4th Grade students will complete SMI test, and Pre-K through 1st grades will do checklist determine baseline scores and teachers will turn in reports.	Brandy Tirey	August 27 – 31, 2012	Computer lab computers, check lists	Analyze data to determine problem areas.
10.  Teachers turn in monthly reports and checklists.	Brandy Tirey All Teachers	Last Day of each month August 2012 – April 2013.	Reports/Checklists	Monitor student progress from reports and checklists.  Make any necessary suggestions and activity changes to focus on specific skills.
11.  Meet monthly with committee to discuss data and make any necessary changes needed in activities or add new ones.	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright Alissa Carter All Committee members	September  2012 – April 2013	Reports	Compare results from month to month, determine activity effectiveness.
12.  Present Findings	Brandy Tirey Sharon Wright	May 2013 (date will be determined by her schedule)	Monthly reports and checklists	Evaluation by site supervisor, Sharon Wright.