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 4th Grade) can improve the teaching of specific math skills in order to increase student learning and retention of those skills.
Action Step(s)
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Person(s) Responsible
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Timeline:
Start/End
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Needed Resources
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Evaluation/Monitoring of Achievement of Goals and Objectives
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1. Develop a committee to determine the math skills for each grade level and the specific activities and assessment that will take place.
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Brandy Tirey
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June 25 – July 13, 2012
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None
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Determine participation of a committee member representing each grade level as well as administrators.
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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.
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Brandy Tirey
Sharon Wright, Principal
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June 25 – August 10, 2012
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End of Year Fast Math Score Printouts, K & 1 data from , teachers, Info. from the Pre-K teacher on Math skills
Reflection Journal
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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.
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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.
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Brandy Tirey
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June 25 – August 10, 2012
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Fast Math program, Number Facts & Jumping Jacks book, a computer.
Reflection Journal
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Create a list of ideas to discuss with the committee of possible activities for our campus to use.
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4. Create math facts and numbers on posters to place on stairs and walls around the building.
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Brandy Tirey
Possibly some committee members
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June 25 – August 10, 2012
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Poster board, paper, markers, scissors, glue, tape
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None
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5. Conduct grade level meetings to get input on specific skills they feel are important to focus on and discuss activities.
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Brandy Tirey
All grade levels – Pre-K to 4th
(Individual mtgs.)
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August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)
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Reflection Journal for notes. List of possible activities I generated.
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Journal ideas in reflection journal and use them when I meet with the committee.
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6. Have a committee meeting to determine specific math skills to target and track throughout the year for all grade levels.
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Brandy Tirey
Sharon Wright - princpal
Alissa Carter – Asst. Principal
Committee members – 1 from each grade level
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August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)
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List of activities, data from Fast Math, TPRI scores, and information from Pre-K, Posters created in step 4.
Reflection Journal
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Get feedback from committee members, determine a plan of action for each grade level, and determine assessment method for each grade level.
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7. Conduct staff meeting with entire campus to present the action plan and activities that will be conducted throughout the year.
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Brandy Tirey
Entire LaMesa Staff
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August 2012 (date to be determined after in-service schedule has been made by principal and superintendent)
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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
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Evaluation from the principal on how the meeting went and was conducted.
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8. Distribute meeting evaluation/ideas form to all staff to receive ideas and feedback.
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All Staff at LaMesa Elementary
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August ( Same day as meeting)
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Evaluation/ideas form
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Determine new ideas from the evaluation forms.
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9. Begin activities in all grade levels.
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All Staff at LaMesa Elementary
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August 20, 2012 – April 26, 2013
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Plan of Action for all teachers and list of activities and assessment dates.
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Discuss with teachers weekly to determine success and problems.
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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.
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Brandy Tirey
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August 27 – 31, 2012
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Computer lab computers, check lists
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Analyze data to determine problem areas.
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11. Teachers turn in monthly reports and checklists. Teachers will also make comments to blog about activities and progress.
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Brandy Tirey
All Teachers
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Last Day of each month August 2012 – April 2013.
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Reports/Checklists
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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.
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12. Meet monthly with committee to discuss data and make any necessary changes needed in activities or add new ones.
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Brandy Tirey
Sharon Wright
Alissa Carter
All Committee members
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September 2012 – April 2013
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Reports
Reflection Journal
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Compare results from month to month, determine activity effectiveness.
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13. Blog results of findings monthly.
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Brandy Tirey
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August 2012 – May 2013
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Reports
Reflection Journal
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Regularly check blog for comments.
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14. Present Findings
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Brandy Tirey
Sharon Wright
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May 2013 (date will be determined by her schedule)
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Monthly reports and checklists
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Evaluation by site supervisor, Sharon Wright.
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Focusing on Math at an early age is crucial. I know how much our high school kids struggle so any help kids can get early on should prove invaluable.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great plan. I feel that anything we as teachers do to encourage retention in all subject area skills at a young age will greatly aid how kids retain information as they get older. The only thing I might do is set up a time where your teachers look at your blog, make sure they have the ability to post responses to your blog, and encourage them to respond to your blog weekly, as well as, post activities they completed in their classes that were successful in case other teachers want to try the activity before you have your monthly meetings. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteLooks good Brandy. I'm the math specialist at my campus and a total math nerd! :) I'll be following your progress!
ReplyDeleteOk after looking at your template, I think I did this right.. I need to go back and be a little more specific but looking at yours helps me out! Good job!
ReplyDeleteBrandy, I like the way that you have the teachers referring and following your blog for updates. I might add a component similiar to it to my plan. I already blog on my coaching blog for my teachers to see examples of instructional strategies, but as I post on my EDLD blog action research updats, I can repeat the post on my coaching blog so that they can see the progress they are making since they are the ones whose teaching I want to impact. (only reason I'd do it as a duplicate post is so that my teachers don't have to follow 2 blogs) Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteBrandy,
ReplyDeleteExcellent job with your action research plan. Researching means to increase math scores on your campus is relevant and interesting. Keep it up!
Dr. Abshire