Action research plan

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Action research plan

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Action Research Plan

School Vision: The cohesive staff of Justin Elementary, working with the support of the community, will provide all students with an active learning environment, focusing on the success of the whole child.
How Will this Happen?
-Create partnerships with other staff members, community, and students
-Create a positive, safe, and well designed learning environment
-Set high expectations
-Provide relevant and challenging learning experiences
-Foster the desire to be a lifelong learner

Goal: To provide an outdoor garden that embraces the learning community in curriculum standards by providing hands-on experiences to engage and connect with nature.

Objectives/Outcomes of Research Investigation:
1. To improve student achievement and learning for all students.
2. To improve school community relationships.
3. To improve parent and community involvement.
4. To improve collaborative and cooperative learning.

Activities Designed to Achieve the Objectives
Setting up an outdoor garden committee meeting.(Misty Cheslock)
Meeting with grade level committee members to identify specific TEKS in curriculum that will be targeted as students engage in hands-on learning and observation of outdoor garden area.(All outdoor garden committee members listed below)
Discussion and decision-making on how to utilize funds obtained from grant to purchase necessary materials for outdoor garden. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin, Colleen Reynolds, Donna Coleman)
Brainstorming of plants to plant. (All outdoor garden committee members listed below)
Creating a seasonal planting schedule for when each grade level will plant. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin, Donna Coleman)
Creating a schedule for when each grade level will observe and engage in hands-on learning. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin, Donna Coleman, Colleen Reynolds)
Creating a schedule of ongoing maintenance and harvesting of garden. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin, Donna Coleman)
Plan of action for distribution of harvested fruits and vegetables. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin, Donna Coleman)
Assign committee member to be in charge of communicating progress and updates to parents and community members. (Misty Cheslock, Julie Gavin)

Resources and Research tools Needed for Data Gathering
1. Outdoor garden committee meeting- Need meeting space, paper, pens, pencils
2. Meeting with grade level committee members to identify specific TEKS in curriculum that will be targeted as students engage in hands-on learning and observation of outdoor garden area. Need copy of TEKS for each grade level, highlighters
3. Discussion and decision-making for utilization of funds- Laptops to use excel to create a spreadsheet to itemize spending and researching prices of materials, chart paper, dry-erase markers,
4. Brainstorming of plants to plant- Laptops to research best types of plant to plant in fall and spring, chart paper, dry-erase markers, pens, paper
5. Creating a schedule for when each grade level will plant- Laptop to create a schedule for when each grade level will plant, whiteboard or chart paper to sketch schedule, dry-erase markers, school calendar
6. Creating a schedule for when each grade level will observe and engage in hands-on learning- Laptop to create an excel spreadsheet for when each grade level will observe and engage in hands-on learning, whiteboard or chart paper to sketch schedule, dry erase markers, school calendar
7. Creating a schedule of ongoing maintenance and harvesting of garden- Laptop to create an excel spreadsheet of persons responsible for ongoing maintenance and harvesting, whiteboard or chart paper to sketch schedule, dry erase markers, school calendar
8. Plan of action for distribution of harvested fruits and vegetables- Paper, pens, pencils, dry-erase board, chart paper
9. Communication to parents and community members- Laptop to update information on website, paper for newsletters


Draft Timeline for Completion or Implementation of Activities
1. Outdoor garden committee meeting August 12, 2010-June 2011
2. Meeting with grade level committee members to identify August 19, 2010
TEKS to target
3. Discussion and decision-making for utilization of funds. August 25, 2010
4. Brainstorming of plants to plant. September 7, 2010
5. Creating a seasonal schedule for when each grade level will plant. September 15, 2010-June 2011
6. Creating a schedule for when each grade level will observe and September 22, 2010-June 2011
engage in hands-on learning.
7. Creating a schedule of ongoing maintenance and harvesting September 29, 2010-August 2011
of garden.
8. Plan of action for distribution of harvested fruits and vegetables. October 7, 2010-May 2011
9. Communication to parents and community members. September 7, 2010-May 2011

Persons Responsible for Implementation of the Action Research Plan
Outdoor Garden Committee Members:
Misty Cheslock- Administrative Intern; Leader overseeing implementation of garden area
Julie Gavin-Kindergarten Teacher(Wrote grant to get funding for outdoor garden area)
Colleen Reynolds-Fourth Grade Teacher(Assisted in writing grant for outdoor garden area)
Cathy Thomas-Third Grade Teacher
Barbi Longbrake- First Grade Teacher
Jennifer Wenger- Second Grade Teacher
Erika Oster- Fifth Grade Teacher
Donna Coleman-Librarian(Assisted in writing grant for outdoor garden area)

Process for Monitoring the Achievement of Goals and Objectives
The committee will meet monthly with a planned agenda to discuss progress of outdoor garden area. Each committee member will have an opportunity to discuss observations of what is working or is not working. Are there any conflicts with schedules of grade-level designated dates and times? Have teachers identified other areas that could be targeted in the curriculum? Are the assigned persons overseeing that the garden is maintained? Formative assessment data will also be shared at meetings to monitor progress toward achievement of goals and objectives. Formative assessment data will include: observation notes, field notes, student work samples, pictures, and benchmark data.
Committee members will also use outdoor garden blog created by Misty Cheslock to provide input and reflection on progress of outdoor garden area.

Assessment Instrument(s) to Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Action Research Study
The outdoor garden area research study will be evaluated by using surveys, student and teacher interviews, observation notes, student work samples, and test scores.

Reflection Week 2

There are a variety of passions which allow for administrators to embark on the inquiry journey. Reflecting on your own practice leads to much brainstorming on specific areas of practice to study and explore. As you begin creating questions and wonderings, you discover that one question immediately sparks another question or area of interest. Action research must be focused on discovering specific ways to improve student learning, not trying to change or control the behaviors of teachers. Action research is a process which serves as a powerful tool for educators to be constantly learning. If you are not learning, then your students are not learning. Educators should strive to constantly be looking for ways to meet the needs of students and ensure they are successful.

Why Leaders Should Use Blogs

Blogs allow for leaders to reflect on their thinking and learning. Blogs are an easy tool for leaders to use to document research and inquiry. Instead of it being a diary or journal that no one else views, a blog serves as an interactive tool to be shared with others. A leader is able to receive instant feedback from colleagues or other professionals that view it. Blogging provides opportunities for leaders to gain insights into the practices they are implementing. Blogs are also a great way to collaborate with others and make connections on insights, issues, and ideas in education.

Learning About Action Research

Action research is an essential skill administrators or teachers should utilize to make improvements in a learning organization. Action research improves teaching and learning. It allows for administrators and teachers to reflect on his or her own practices and analyze how these practices are impacting student learning. Action research ensures that appropriate and effective curriculum is implemented on a daily basis. Action research first begins by identifying a problem. A plan is developed, data is collected and analyzed, and an evaluation or reflection of the process is completed. Action research requires time and support from all members of the learning organization. Action research requires professionals to collaborate with others to systematically study practices and seek to make changes. As members of an organization engage in the inquiry process, they are gaining insights and understanding of themselves as educators ,as well as knowledge on better ways to implement best teaching practices. Action research also provides an opportunity to provide effective professional development, which contributes to making positive changes within the learning organization. Staff and administrators are in control of the knowledge created and delivered to all members of the organization. The focus is placed on engaging in inquiry to ensure all teachers and students are successful.

As a leader in my school, I will utilize action research to develop a plan to improve vocabulary instruction across all grade levels. Collaborating with other teachers on my campus to study how we can improve our teaching practices will contribute to increased academic achievement for all students.