http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/mathdifferentiation.asp

This website looks great for ideas in Math.  I would like to start tiering our lessons for our students.  I have a very diverse classroom with many different levels.  I think my students would benefit from tier lessons.  What do ya'll think?

Due to my recent classroom issues of students not understanding coordinate graphing and transformations, I am eager to start my training on DI!  I am tutoring like crazy!

My action research question:

How will incorporating differentiated instructional strategies improve student achievement in 7^th grade Math?  What differentiate instructional strategies are most beneficial in improving achievement?

I chose this particular action research questions because differentiated instruction is one of our campus’s initiatives for student achievement.  Our school has been working with Carol O’Connor of ASCD for the last three years to train the teachers on differentiated instruction and I have been asked to join the team.  This year, I will work closely with Ms. O’Connor – first being observed, then trained and finally a plan to implement the DI strategies.  As the only member on the team from my Math team, I am eager to learn new strategies regarding differentiated instruction and track the results based on a variety of data – test scores, behavior, etc.  These new strategies I will learn and implement will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the key math concepts and a deeper student understanding of the math, which in turn will lead to high student achievement and student performance. 

My target population is the 7th grade math students at Watkins Middle School in both upper and on level math classes.  This study will include general education and special education with an emphasis on our lower scoring student demographics of African American and Hispanic and those who are economically disadvantaged.  Traditionally, the students that fall within this population have not met AYP so I will pay close attention to these areas during my action research.  My sample size will include 457 students in 7th grade math. 

My initial summary would include background information on my school.  My focus is to improve student achievement and differentiated instruction is one our campus’s best practices; therefore, our Principal teamed up with ASCD to train the teachers. 

In addition to background information, it is necessary to share how we set up the inquiry.  Data will be collected from the analysis of test and benchmark results.  Additional forms of data collection will include surveys, classroom observation and core team discussion.

The analysis of data will occur every three weeks.  My team will use this data to identify areas of improvement and areas that still need work.  The frequent occurrence of data analysis will allow us to make necessary adjustments quickly. 

At the conclusion of the research project, I will share my findings with my Principal, administrative team and faculty.  This action research project will help us determine if implementing differentiated instruction has a positive impact on student achievement. 
I will conduct my research throughout the 2012-2013 school year.  I my timeline of events will include  the following actions:

Gaining approval from my principal, analyzing SFA data, analyzing behavior within in the classroom, creating a plan to implement DI strategies in my classroom with Carol O'Connor, being trained on DI strategies by Carol O'Connor, implementing DI strategies, analyzing test scores of students and analyze teacher contact logs.

I must say, I am beyond frustrated with week 3 of this.  I do not understand what I have to do for my action research draft.  I'd love if someone can help me.  I really want to understand this.  Are part 2 and 3 supposed to be different?  What if they are not?  I read all of the material before hand trying to get a firm grasp on how to create a draft and I think I soured my part two...how do I know what the outcomes are?  Will they be predictions??  So confused.

Action Research Week 2

This is getting more interesting as I go along!  I'm really enjoying this process!  This week I watched interviews from Dr. Johnny Briseno, Principal at Rancho Isabella Elementary School in Angleton ISD.  He was very informative regarding using both qualitative and quantitative research regarding action research.  What are the facts, what are the details?  He encouraged his staff to communicate with one another about the personalities of each class of students and share things like, what works and what does work with each class so the teachers are prepared.  I had an "ah ha!" moment when he said to Google problems that I may be facing in the classroom because there may be other teachers, campuses or districts that encountered the same problems and found a solution that worked.  I loved it!!  Duh!  

I also watch a video from Dr. Kirk Lewis who is a Superintendent at Pasadena ISD.  He was focused on practical research.  It makes so much sense!  All parties involved in practical action research will benefit from it!  It makes it interesting, the person doing the research is more focused and it will benefit the students on the campus.  Great suggestion!

I spoke with Josh about my action research project and we decided I should focus on the following:  In what ways will differentiating instruction help improve the Math STAAR scores?  What DI strategies are most beneficial in improving the scores?  As I proceed with this, I think I can pull in my other idea for action research because our Advocacy classes are a school wide focus.  If I can get my teachers on board with having at least 10 minutes of math practice during advocacy, I think we can really improve the scores!  That topic is:  What actions can the school take to improve the Math STAAR scores?  How can the Advocacy classes be used to foster the needs of students struggling with specific Math concepts?

Loving this class!

As a new blogger, this is really awesome!  I know blogging has been around for year but I am just know getting into it!  I think this is a great tool for educators to use to write their ideas down.  As Dana said, it "serves as a sort of 'online diary' where administrators can post commentary or news about the research they are currently engaging in." (Dana, 2009, p. 87).  I am very excited to have finally been introduced to blogging.  It will help me keep track of my research and thoughts to help me reflect on what I'm involved in.  Love it!

Action research is a very important aspect of education.  It defines the needs of the school.  The administrator seeks out change, reflects on their current practices through thought provoking questions, analyzes data, reads relevant literature, makes the appropriate changes based on their findings, and shares this new found knowledge with others (Dana, 2009, p. 2).  The educator is very involved in the action research and analyzes the results.  Changes can be modified or applied and solutions will result.  Not only will action research benefit the students but administrators and teachers can converse with others that may be experiencing similar situations to come up with an appropriate solution. 

I am very excited to learn how to actually do action research during this class.  I plan to use action research in my classroom this year to look at how differentiated instruction might improve my students' math scores.  My school is very focused on DI and I have been asked to be on the DI Leadership Team to become DI trained.  I was very excited!  Our school did not meet AYP this year and it was due to our Math scores.  I want to see if differentiating math will help improve our school scores and my students' confidence in math.

As I continue on my path in education, I know I will use action research often.  It is a great way to engage in best practices in the schools to provide the best education for the students.  As a classroom teacher, I will continue to use action research to improve our math scores.