I spent the past week in Colorado with four of my boys hiking and fishing. I thought there would be some down time to rest, watch my school videos, and read. Between the hiking, fishing and little internet connection I didn't get much accomplished on my week's assignments, but I'm not complaining! I finally read the assignment and two things really impacted me. One, was the analogy about the hikers preparing to hike. On one of our Colorado hikes we did not prepare well or read a weather report. So, when my son and I showed up at the top of a mountain in shorts and the temperature read 48 degrees we were a little wary about starting our six mile hike. But we each had a jacket and so off we went. About a mile in it began to rain, and we got pretty chilly. The good news is it stopped and then it warmed up and we caught lots of trout! It is that way with action research. I think you must get yourself prepared and be ready for the bumps in the road for good results to be produced in your research.
The other thing that I learned this week was the value of reflection in many areas of my life. As I trekked over the trails next to noisy creeks, I had lots of time for reflection. It was then that I realized the worth of reflection. As a Christian I try to read the Bible on a daily basis, and when I take the time to reflect and journal my thoughts they seem to "stick" better. Applying this revelation to action research makes perfect sense. Taking the time to ponder and then scribbling a few notes will make this journey in action research worthwhile.
My action research project is: Will
specific strategies implemented to improve academic vocabulary across
the grade levels improve test scores and student success rates of ELL
and Economically Disadvantaged students? I was pretty certain before my trip that this is what I wanted to research, but after spending hours reflecting on the trail and driving there and back, I'm in!
Sounds like you had a great time and was able to get your thoughts together. I'm struggling with my action research project. I wanted to do look at how does differentiated instruction effect student behavior and discipline. From that idea my principal suggested I look at transition in the classroom and student engagement. He went through Lamar's program also so I feel he is guiding me to help me complete my task. I need to research what transition means because I have an idea but want to make sure we have the same understanding. Maybe I'm just having a block on what he means but he did give me good suggestions and research to look at.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time with your son! You are so right, getting away and finding time for reflection is critical to peace of mind. The "peace that passes all understanding" is what we should be looking for at all times, yet so often we let our life get too loud. It's amazing that inside of a class about working/researching we are reminded to seek peace and reflection.
ReplyDeleteI like your wondering. Vocabulary is so vital to success. So many low-income students struggle in this area. When I was at a private school we found that cultural literacy was an issue with our kids. Vocabulary is a part of this issue as well.
Good luck to you on your research and I hope you have a great weekend!
You sure had an eventful week, with your sons, Tammy! I am SO glad that you had an enjoyable time and that reflection was such a huge part of it! The results of your research project will be very impacting regarding ELL, ESL, and economically disadvantaged students and vocabulary and its immense significance on student achievement.
ReplyDeleteI know how it is to be busy and try to work at the same time. We had a family vacation to SeaWorld. It was interesting try to work and have fun.
ReplyDeleteI like your topic of inquiry, because it is similar to mine. I think finding solutions to this topic will also help increase scores across the other sub-population groups. If you have a chance, can you tell me what kind of strategies you are implementing. thanks.
I started to comment earlier in the day, but it would have been on my phone and I don't trust my typing abilities on my phone! I loved your analogy to hiking. That was great. Reflection keeps coming back to us. It is a wonderful tool and I think we do it more that maybe we realize. I tend to reflect when I am driving and by myself. I turn the radio off and just think. No husband or child talking to me, just me and my thoughts. Researching ways to improve vocabulary in ELL and low-socio-economic is great. I know that is an issue we have at my school. I had an ELL student who read the word "violence." I asked her if she knew what that meant. She said yes. I told her tell me, and she said you know to do this...she acted out playing a "violin." She did not know the difference between the two words and they kind of sound similar. Good luck on your project!
ReplyDeleteEll population is also an area where I am going to focus my action research. My school has had a vocabulary program that they implemented before I was there. They are not currently using it and I have no idea if it improved the ELL populations scores, which to me is sad because it is an area they all struggle with. I have read books with struggling ELL students and discussed meanings of words. I to like Leigh Ann have asked students about what words mean and when the student explained his or her understanding it is not even close. Think how confusing reading is when you are trying to understand and comprehend a story and a word is wrongly interpreted.
ReplyDeleteReflection is a powerful activity. I find it interesting that many scholars in leadership and education both have discussed the need for reflection. I became fascinated with practicing reflection when I was a teenager after reading the works of Catholic monk Thomas Merton. Monks have been practicing reflection in the form of Lectio Divina (divine reading) since St. Benedict in the 3rd century AD. I try to reflect on the day's happenings before I go to sleep each night. It also helps to have a beautiful natural setting, such as a hike in Colorado to inspire you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your vacation story. It was a great analgoy to compare with our research project. I also believe reflection is vital for our profession but also life in general. I am going in to my fourth year of teaching ELA and have recently realized that reflection is extremely important. It gives me the opportunity to look at what works and what doesn't in my classroom. As a reading teacher, I am interested in your research project and will be following your blog to see the end result. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSo insightful! And it sounds like you had a pretty good time as well. :-) It also makes me think that with the story of your hike, you have to be prepared for anything! Rain, cold, or shine. And you never really know what God is going to throw at you at any given moment. It is in fact just like our action research. You have to be prepared for anything the project throws at you. I like your topic. Very interested to see more!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy about your action research topic! Mine is very similar, however, I'm focusing only on 7th grade and one specific vocab acquisition strategy. I was also pretty sure early on that I needed to do research in the area of ELLs. I felt a great need has not been met within our school district. It is so true that writing it down makes it stick better!
ReplyDeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love what you have to say about reflection. I feel that it is so true and it allows you to be one step ahead knowing that you need to reflect. I always feel like I learn the most about myself when I sit or walk in reflection. I look forward to hearing about your ARP as an English teacher I am always looking for new ways to increase student vocabulary.
Good luck :)