Character Education Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan   Goal: To conduct an investigation on implementing a Character Education Program to see if there is an improvement in behavior, grades and incidents of bullying.   Action Step(s): Person(s) Responsible: Timeline Start/End: Needed Resources: Evaluation: 1)Students will complete an open-ended character pre-survey. Jackie Martinson December 20th , 2012   September 2013 Paper/Pencil Survey Read each survey and analyze students’ understanding of each character trait. 2)Implement various character education lessons and assigning corresponding activities. Jackie Martinson Students January - May 2013   September 2013 – March 2014 Various Materials/Activities Group/Independent Discussion Student participation and completion of activities 3)Teacher nominated  Fourth Grade Character STAR Jackie Martinson   3 other 4th Grade teachers Each 6 Weeks January - May 2013   September – March 2014 Nomination Sheet   “Fourth Grade Character STAR” Wall (Picture and Star)   Fourth Grade Character STAR Certificate Chick-Fil-A Gift Cards Teachers will select a student to nominate for each of the character categories in which they represent.  Students will receive a Certificate, a gift card to Chick-Fil-A and their name and picture on the Character Wall 4)Analyze classroom conduct charts to track weekly behavior changes Jackie Martinson 3 other 4th Grade teachers January – May 2013 (weekly)   September 2013-March 2014 (weekly) Weekly conduct chart Tracking weekly student behavior looking for positive effects 5)Analyze student grades at the end of every 6 weeks grading period Jackie Martinson At the end of every 6 weeks beginning January 2013 – May 2013    September 2013 – March 2014 Student report cards Track student grades by report cards every 6 weeks to watch for increases or decreases in grades. 6) Daily observations of bullying incidents and weekly or monthly 4th grade bullying referrals to the school counselor. -Jackie     Martinson -Other 3 4th Grade teachers -School counselor January – May 2013   September 2013 – March 2014 Weekly Bullying Reporting Sheet Track the number of 4th grade bullying referrals to school counselor. Track weekly bullying reporting and how the situation was handled within each of the 4th grade classroom. 7) Analyze data to decide what did or did not work, and if there are any changes to make which would improve the program for the next year. Jackie Martinson   Other 4th Grade Teachers May 2013 4th Grade Teacher Survey Use teacher survey and observations to improve this program to use for the 2013-2014 school year

Week 2: Action Research

There are so many things a teacher has to do on a daily basis, and somedays I wonder how any of us make it through!  There are many situations we face daily that we many not quiet understand, but while participating in this program we will learn how to gain a deeper understanding of anything we face.  Action research allows us to focus on one question at a time, and then extend our wondering in whichever direction we choose.

This week while watching the provided videos I learned a great deal.  Mr. Briseno caught my attention when he said he said if a teacher comes to him with a problem he first asks what the problem is, and the what the source of the problem is.  He said not to focus on the data for the whole story as to what an individual student's performance is.  His reasoning is one that I agree with whole-heartily.  Like him, I believe what happens at home has a great affect on a student's perfomance.  I've had students who were staying up late doing homework because they were too busy taking care of younger siblings to do it when they got home.  I've also had students who were going through unthinkable events.  I also have had students whom had test anxiety so bad that they shut down as soon as I started passing out tests.  One school year I had 4 girls that would cry and freeze up everytime we tested, and it took me about half the school year to get them confident in themselves so that they didn't break down. Now their class grade was great, but their test scores were lacking.  Data is not the answer we need, performance and understanding is what we should focus on.  I tell my students all the time if they work their hardest during the school year to learn as much as what they can, then when it comes time to test, they will okay.  I know what my students do on a daily basis, and I know what I do to help my students succeed, that i don't depend on data to give me any insight into my students.  I do what I have to do with the data for my district, but I put it off to the side and focus on what matters, the 75 futures I'm in charge of this year.

I've learned a lot just by reading the action research examples for the nine passions of leadership.  The nine passions include: staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, community/culture building, leadership skills, managment, school performance and social justice.  Each passion is important in the building of a great school leader, and the way one goes about implementing them is key to a successful school.