As I was conducting my research project, I would constantly update my assistant on my findings and she would tell me if she noticed any changes in our students. Well, yesterday she informed me on how this project has influenced her.
As a school, all students are included in daily remediation that is geared toward th end of grade test. Currently our groups are working on math. My assistant has been pulled from third grade to work in fourth grade remediation groups. As of late she has come down hard on her group because of their lack in knowing their multiplication tables. Yesterday, she told me that because she has been tough on them she decided to change her tune a little and give them the positive reinforcement that we have been using in our room. After a week of this communication with her group she found a change in their attitude toward their work. She also noted that she was quite encouraged by their changes.
I must say that seeing someone else use the positive reinforcement for the encouragement of other students has made me believe even more in my research. I am excited to see this project continue not only this year but next year as well. After our presentation and question time, I am also ecouraged to share my findings with my colleagues. I believe that if the positive continues we may see a complete shift in their attitudes as they continue their education.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Value
I saw the value of my project again today. We were having our morning remediation groups and I told a young man how proud I was of him for how well he is doing. His expression said to me that he had never been told that before by a teacher.
Another instance happened today when we were starting our reading lesson. Many of my students were out for chorus, resource, and small group pullout leaving me with 10 students. During this time, one of my students figured out a division and mulitplication problem with the number of students in our group. I praised her completely for her very insightful work. It was not until later that she began to open up to me. I have been waiting for her to open up since the first day. I have been praising her and reaching out with positive communication with her famil. However, today there was breakthrough. I am so excited to see her change. What a day and what a project!!!
Another instance happened today when we were starting our reading lesson. Many of my students were out for chorus, resource, and small group pullout leaving me with 10 students. During this time, one of my students figured out a division and mulitplication problem with the number of students in our group. I praised her completely for her very insightful work. It was not until later that she began to open up to me. I have been waiting for her to open up since the first day. I have been praising her and reaching out with positive communication with her famil. However, today there was breakthrough. I am so excited to see her change. What a day and what a project!!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Presentation
I have begun to work on my presenation. What is interesting is how my project has turned out. I am very excited to share with my fellow researchers how my project helped not only my students but myself. I believe that through sharing the results of this project, I can demonstrate that phone calls home can be for the positive and negative.
On a side note, I had a conversation with a parent yesterday morning. She was worried about a situation that took place on Monday. During our conversation she stated that I could use her name as a threat to her son. She began assuring me that telling him that I would be calling her would be a wonderful way to get his attention. Also, she would be more than welcome to come to school and discuss with him the problem that he is having.
I am a bit disheartened by this convesation. I have worked very hard on using the positive for his communication and progress in the classroom. I think that if I change to communicating more of the negative with the mother that her son may revert to some of his old ways. I then am led to think that there has to be a happy medium with the type of communication.
If there is this conversion of the two types communication (positive and negative) would they cancel each other out or would the positive to continue ot outweigh the negative?
On a side note, I had a conversation with a parent yesterday morning. She was worried about a situation that took place on Monday. During our conversation she stated that I could use her name as a threat to her son. She began assuring me that telling him that I would be calling her would be a wonderful way to get his attention. Also, she would be more than welcome to come to school and discuss with him the problem that he is having.
I am a bit disheartened by this convesation. I have worked very hard on using the positive for his communication and progress in the classroom. I think that if I change to communicating more of the negative with the mother that her son may revert to some of his old ways. I then am led to think that there has to be a happy medium with the type of communication.
If there is this conversion of the two types communication (positive and negative) would they cancel each other out or would the positive to continue ot outweigh the negative?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
P.S.
I know that I talked about Anna beforer, but her reaction has had such a positive affect on me that I just had to say it again.
Method 3
Well.....My third method is complete and my excitement is oozing out of every part of me. I have found a complete increase in student attitudes towards learning!
What an experiment is has been. Not only have students attitudes changed towards learning but they are more excited in their daily work. I must say that one of the greatest parts of the experiement was watching their faces light up when they received an awards or heard me tell their parents what a wonderful job they are doing. Anna was the greatest to watch.
Anna is one that just wants to be loved. She is a student who has the whole list of emotional issues ranging from foster to care to abuse. She is precious and was part of my focus group. It was the first time I gave her an award for math. Anna and her partner had worked wonderfully together in the math lesson. Her awards was for being a great math partner. When I handed her the award, her face was just amazing. She lit up like a child who walked into a room at Christmas that was filled with everything she had ever wanted.
Then there was Dustin's mother. When I speak with her in the car riders line to tell her about the wonderful things that Dustin had done that day, she was very excited. It was almost as she though she had never been told by the teacher what a wonderful job he had been doing in the classroom. I must say that it has changed my relationship with his mother. It started out being very rocky to being solid in a positive light.
What a great project this has been. I must say that this is going to continue is my classroom from now on. It is also going to be present in my room in the future.
What an experiment is has been. Not only have students attitudes changed towards learning but they are more excited in their daily work. I must say that one of the greatest parts of the experiement was watching their faces light up when they received an awards or heard me tell their parents what a wonderful job they are doing. Anna was the greatest to watch.
Anna is one that just wants to be loved. She is a student who has the whole list of emotional issues ranging from foster to care to abuse. She is precious and was part of my focus group. It was the first time I gave her an award for math. Anna and her partner had worked wonderfully together in the math lesson. Her awards was for being a great math partner. When I handed her the award, her face was just amazing. She lit up like a child who walked into a room at Christmas that was filled with everything she had ever wanted.
Then there was Dustin's mother. When I speak with her in the car riders line to tell her about the wonderful things that Dustin had done that day, she was very excited. It was almost as she though she had never been told by the teacher what a wonderful job he had been doing in the classroom. I must say that it has changed my relationship with his mother. It started out being very rocky to being solid in a positive light.
What a great project this has been. I must say that this is going to continue is my classroom from now on. It is also going to be present in my room in the future.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Concerns
I am having some concerns about my third method. I know that what I am doing is working because I have seen a change in my students. However, what if their surveys do not change?
I have learned a great deal so far. My project has taught me that my students are like Pavlovs dog. Anytime that my students have heard that their teacher is going to call home they always assume that it is for the bad. However, it doesn't have to be a phone call for the bad, it can be for the positive. I have also found that my students would rather not have a phone call for the good because they want to be the one to tell their parents. So you ask, why don't you have the students make the phone call? Well, in surveying the parents, they do not want to be called at work unless it is an emergency.
Overall, I have found that this project has been very beneficial for my students. I have also found that their attitudes have changed!!!!!
I have learned a great deal so far. My project has taught me that my students are like Pavlovs dog. Anytime that my students have heard that their teacher is going to call home they always assume that it is for the bad. However, it doesn't have to be a phone call for the bad, it can be for the positive. I have also found that my students would rather not have a phone call for the good because they want to be the one to tell their parents. So you ask, why don't you have the students make the phone call? Well, in surveying the parents, they do not want to be called at work unless it is an emergency.
Overall, I have found that this project has been very beneficial for my students. I have also found that their attitudes have changed!!!!!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Parent Survey Analysis
I have completed the second method write-up. I found some very interesting information in my survey analysis. One of the most interesting pieces of information was in regards to the parent choices of communication. Overwhelmingly, the parents choice is a phone call. I find that this response is very interesting because I believe it is asking for more personal communication from the teacher about their child.
Another very interesting response was a parent asking for daily communication. The parent wrote in reference to the child's kindergarten teacher. This teacher had a daily notebook in which they wrote about the child's day to the parents. In return, the parents wrote back to the teacher. It is my question as to how the teacher had enough time in the day to write about each student. If I were to attempt this type of communication in my classroom on a daily basis, I would be writing for at least an hour. That is time that is not in my day.
Overall, I am finding that increasing the amount of communication is not only good for the student but for the parent as well. I find this to be true because it not only helps the child with their attitude towards learning, but it also helps to keep the parents abreast to the specifics of their child's education.
This project is proving to be a wonderful asset in my teaching and my learning.
Another very interesting response was a parent asking for daily communication. The parent wrote in reference to the child's kindergarten teacher. This teacher had a daily notebook in which they wrote about the child's day to the parents. In return, the parents wrote back to the teacher. It is my question as to how the teacher had enough time in the day to write about each student. If I were to attempt this type of communication in my classroom on a daily basis, I would be writing for at least an hour. That is time that is not in my day.
Overall, I am finding that increasing the amount of communication is not only good for the student but for the parent as well. I find this to be true because it not only helps the child with their attitude towards learning, but it also helps to keep the parents abreast to the specifics of their child's education.
This project is proving to be a wonderful asset in my teaching and my learning.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Method 2 and concerns
I have been working very dilligently on this project. This week I sent home my parent survey inquiring about the amount of communication and what types of communication they prefer. I must say that the responses were quite interesting.
On another note, I am worried that this project may not show changes in their surveys for the second time. However, what about the changes I have seen in my students in the classroom....do those count?
On another note, I am worried that this project may not show changes in their surveys for the second time. However, what about the changes I have seen in my students in the classroom....do those count?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The beginning of positive communication
I starte the positive communication yesterday. I have decided to send home certificates for my focus group as well as calling home. This is going to be a gradual process, meaning that this week I have started with the certificates and next week I will as the positive phone calls or notes home.
Today I realized what the implications of this research could be. Anna is part of my focus group. She comes from a very stressful background of foster care and abuse. She has struggled with behavior and feeling loved and valued. Although Anna has had a hard life she is the only one of her siblings that seems to care about her academic progress.
Her award today was given in response to her cooperative work with her peer during math. Anna worked very hard with her partner to answer some math questions that were hard. It was during this time that she demonstrated excellent behavior and wonderful thinking skills.
At the end of the day when I gave Anna her award, her reaction was priceless. Her face lit up like a child at Christmas who just walked into a room filled with every present she has ever wanted. She was so excited that she moved me to tears.
This is the exact reason for this project, this is why I teach.
Today I realized what the implications of this research could be. Anna is part of my focus group. She comes from a very stressful background of foster care and abuse. She has struggled with behavior and feeling loved and valued. Although Anna has had a hard life she is the only one of her siblings that seems to care about her academic progress.
Her award today was given in response to her cooperative work with her peer during math. Anna worked very hard with her partner to answer some math questions that were hard. It was during this time that she demonstrated excellent behavior and wonderful thinking skills.
At the end of the day when I gave Anna her award, her reaction was priceless. Her face lit up like a child at Christmas who just walked into a room filled with every present she has ever wanted. She was so excited that she moved me to tears.
This is the exact reason for this project, this is why I teach.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Method Discussion
Through that analysis of data for my first method I found that what I am doing is going to help support my research question. For the first time, I am actually very excited about this research. Here is to looking forward to more methods and responses!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Method 1
I conducted my first piece of research today. I had my students fill out a survey regarding their attitude towards school. My results were very interesting. I think that I was most surprised at their response to weather or not they would like a phone call home when they have a great day or get a good grade. I had four students reply that they would never like this.
What I found most interesting though was that my class had an even split of 50% each for liking and disliking school. Finally, the words that were circled regarding their feelings revealed that 15 out of 20 students were worried when they were told the teacher would be calling home.
I find that this has made me think about my own feelings and attitude about school when I was their age. I know that I didn't like school, but it was not because of the school or the teachers. I had many problems with my peers as being the brunt of their meanness.
Overall, I am finidng this interesting.
What I found most interesting though was that my class had an even split of 50% each for liking and disliking school. Finally, the words that were circled regarding their feelings revealed that 15 out of 20 students were worried when they were told the teacher would be calling home.
I find that this has made me think about my own feelings and attitude about school when I was their age. I know that I didn't like school, but it was not because of the school or the teachers. I had many problems with my peers as being the brunt of their meanness.
Overall, I am finidng this interesting.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
No progress
I am currently at a standstill because of the uncp email outage. I do not know how to get in touch with Dr. Hart so I have sent a message through blackboard.
So...Dr. Hart if you read this how should I proceed. Do you have any suggestions are needed changes to my survey. I would like to be able to hand in my first write-up on time.
Help........
So...Dr. Hart if you read this how should I proceed. Do you have any suggestions are needed changes to my survey. I would like to be able to hand in my first write-up on time.
Help........
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Research
I have done a lot of research on my communication project. I have even ordered some of the articles from the library and they should be sent to my home. However, I have yet to have them delivered. I ordered them two weeks ago and they have yet to arrive. I do not quite know what to do. Now we are having difficulties with accessing our email and I don't know where to go from here. Any suggestions.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Survey
I have come to realize that creating a survey is a bit more complicated than once thought. I am learning a lot through this project. I have found that simple things can make big changes.
Example
I have a student who is not a part of my focus group on purpose. I felt that including him would only play into his mothers hands of treating him like a baby. Therefore, I have decided to take a different positive communication approach with him. Recently, I have started to praise just very little things and encouraging him to be a good example like I know he can. On Thursday I saw a breakthrough and again today I saw a breakthrough.
On Thursday, he was sitting across from another student who was having great difficulty keeping his feet to himself. During this time he was kicking my other student. At the beginning of the year, student A would have kicked back and caused a problem. However, he instead chose to move himself out of the kicking line of fire. This helped to defuse student B who was kicking.
Today, I was informed of a wonderful behavior decision he made on Friday when I was not there. My assistant, who is aware of my project, informed me of what a wonderful job he did in making the decision. We both praised him and talked about how grown up he is becoming and what a leader he is starting to become.
After these two instances, I am concluding that the more positive encouragment and feedback I give to this student the greater the opportunity that he will continue to make such progress. I am very excited with these outcomes.
Example
I have a student who is not a part of my focus group on purpose. I felt that including him would only play into his mothers hands of treating him like a baby. Therefore, I have decided to take a different positive communication approach with him. Recently, I have started to praise just very little things and encouraging him to be a good example like I know he can. On Thursday I saw a breakthrough and again today I saw a breakthrough.
On Thursday, he was sitting across from another student who was having great difficulty keeping his feet to himself. During this time he was kicking my other student. At the beginning of the year, student A would have kicked back and caused a problem. However, he instead chose to move himself out of the kicking line of fire. This helped to defuse student B who was kicking.
Today, I was informed of a wonderful behavior decision he made on Friday when I was not there. My assistant, who is aware of my project, informed me of what a wonderful job he did in making the decision. We both praised him and talked about how grown up he is becoming and what a leader he is starting to become.
After these two instances, I am concluding that the more positive encouragment and feedback I give to this student the greater the opportunity that he will continue to make such progress. I am very excited with these outcomes.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Well...
So my feedback on the student survey was not as good as I though it would be. I have a lot of work to do on that matter. I am a little stressed about this project. I am feeling overwhelmed and am just struggling. I am in need of direction. Therefore, class tomorrow it is. I think that having the opportunity to meet with Dr. Hart with be very beneficial. Here is to looking at more enlightenment. (is that a word)......Wish me luck!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Success
Ahh, the feeling of success. I successfully, yes me, found research and ordered it from the library. It will arrive this week. I am so excited with my accomplishment! I have also designed two surveys, one for parents and one for students. I will be submitting them for review. Oh what a great weekend!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
a reflection
After class on Wednesday night, I have taken a few days to really think about what Dr. Hart and I discussed. My research is going to take a slight change. I am going to look at a focus group for attitude change with the increase of parental positive communication. I have narrowed my group to five students that I believe will greatly benefit from this type of communication. I am also going to use my students to help with the parent communication. We will be working on a weekly newsletter. This letter to the parents will be written 75% by students and 25% by me. The students portion will include a relfection of what has happened over the course of the week and some of the things that they have learned. The rest of the news letter will be written by me as an outlook of what is to come. I am very interested to know what the reaction of the students and parents will be during this time.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Too much
A state observation for two days because our county is in trouble for test scores (this week)
A husband in emergency for many hours over the weekend
A migraine that just won't go away is now going on two weeks
Graduate School
Getting really frustrated
A husband in emergency for many hours over the weekend
A migraine that just won't go away is now going on two weeks
Graduate School
Getting really frustrated
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Research
I would like to say that I have had a tremendous amount of difficulty finding traditional research on my topic. Also, I have had issues getting articles for free. Frustration level with these issues is quickly rising!!!!!
Interesting conversation
On Saturday evening, I was helping to host a charity event for a family in great need. While at this even I began a conversation with a fellow teacher. This fellow teacher began to explain to me that she had recently had a dialogue with her principal. Her principal had responded to an email regarding parents volunteering.
When the teacher stated that she was going to have parents volunteer in her classroom for the year, the principal stated that she was not going to have parents in her building. This struck me as very interesting because of some of the research I have found with parent involvement and communication. If there is a direct correlation between these, parent communication and student achievement, then there should reason for this principal to have parents involved. Furthermore, this school has very unsuccessfully maintained consistent growth and achievement test scores. Therefore, if this principal would allow parents to be invovled then how might her student achievement increase?
When the teacher stated that she was going to have parents volunteer in her classroom for the year, the principal stated that she was not going to have parents in her building. This struck me as very interesting because of some of the research I have found with parent involvement and communication. If there is a direct correlation between these, parent communication and student achievement, then there should reason for this principal to have parents involved. Furthermore, this school has very unsuccessfully maintained consistent growth and achievement test scores. Therefore, if this principal would allow parents to be invovled then how might her student achievement increase?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Simply Stated
This research is making me look deep into the question I want answered. It is also confusing me because I thought I knew my question. As of this evening I am sincerely confused and a touch frustrated. The research on parent communication is harder to find than I thought or I am not searching the right way. Then, when I do find an article that I believe would be very helpful it is not available on ERIC to print off without first paying for it. My frustrations are rising and I am in need of some help focusing my question more.........
Friday, September 12, 2008
When I inrease positive communication with parents I hope to see more parents involved with their child's education.
But, what if that is not the correct answer and what if that is not what I should be working on. What if it is increasing the responsibility of my students. Maybe I should be asking, If I incorporate positive communication for responsibility my students will be more responsible in their daily work and efforts.
Then again, what if positive communication is the answer to making happier students. So, through the use of positive communication I hope to see happier students who are more interested in their learning.
I guess that at this point I am struggling.
But, what if that is not the correct answer and what if that is not what I should be working on. What if it is increasing the responsibility of my students. Maybe I should be asking, If I incorporate positive communication for responsibility my students will be more responsible in their daily work and efforts.
Then again, what if positive communication is the answer to making happier students. So, through the use of positive communication I hope to see happier students who are more interested in their learning.
I guess that at this point I am struggling.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Module 1
Tonight I finished my module one homework. I must say that I enjoyed reading and comparing the two studies. What sticks out most in my mind regarding action research is how well the results can impact your classroom. The study showed that it was possible to increase student relationships in a variety of fashions given cetain opportunities. This in turn increased their social and or academic levels.
I believe that if my results demonstrate an increase in parent communication and students having a positive desire to achieve more academically then my students will become better students (academically and possibly socially) resulting in parents that are happier with the provided education.
What do you think the results will show?
I believe that if my results demonstrate an increase in parent communication and students having a positive desire to achieve more academically then my students will become better students (academically and possibly socially) resulting in parents that are happier with the provided education.
What do you think the results will show?
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Understanding Part II
Okay...
I think that what I really want to know is if I use positive communication with parents regarding their child's education will it change the climate in my classroom. The climate would hopefully change to students becoming more interested and excited about what is happening in the classroom and their learning. The communication would sound something like this, "I want to let you know that today your child shared their writing with the class because it contained great details. I believe that he/she is making tremendous growth in their writing and I am looking forward to reading more from their writer's notebook." The day that I make this phone call, I will also send a certificate home with the student also noting their accomplishment. I would be sure that all students are included in this process even if it is something small with their behavior. This could sound like, "I wanted to tell you that today Joe was able to get along with his peers at his table. I know that he has been working hard in this area and I think he did great today!"
Possibly then, I want to know if this kind of communication is implemented in my classroom if the students will become more excited about the classroom and also if the parents would be more open to communication from the school.
I think that what I really want to know is if I use positive communication with parents regarding their child's education will it change the climate in my classroom. The climate would hopefully change to students becoming more interested and excited about what is happening in the classroom and their learning. The communication would sound something like this, "I want to let you know that today your child shared their writing with the class because it contained great details. I believe that he/she is making tremendous growth in their writing and I am looking forward to reading more from their writer's notebook." The day that I make this phone call, I will also send a certificate home with the student also noting their accomplishment. I would be sure that all students are included in this process even if it is something small with their behavior. This could sound like, "I wanted to tell you that today Joe was able to get along with his peers at his table. I know that he has been working hard in this area and I think he did great today!"
Possibly then, I want to know if this kind of communication is implemented in my classroom if the students will become more excited about the classroom and also if the parents would be more open to communication from the school.
Understanding
I have now finished the first two chapters of our text. After completing chapter 2, I now have a better understanding of what is expected during this project. I believe that my goal is to increase parent communication through the use of phone calls regarding positive behavior in the classroom. The thought is that if positive phonecalls are made in coordination with a "Good for You" certificate the parents will feel more welcome to have open communication. I believe that if the results are as positive as I hope they will be then parent communication will become more frequent on both ends (the parents and myself).
Monday, September 1, 2008
Idea
Well this weekend allowed me the opportunity to bounce my research idea off of a former asst. superintendent. He was thrilled with my idea and gave me some great ideas on ways to find the existing research on the ways positive communication will affect parental communication as well as the climate in the classroom. I am truly hoping that I will be able to find what I need!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
My first post as a blogger
Last evening I began to think of some research ideas for my action research project. I began wondering if it would be possible to research mainstreaming. However, after some conversations I changed my idea to positive parent communication.
This thought has led me to wonder if the amount of parent communication and or involvment would increase with more positive phone calls. I have been guilty of not calling parents when there have been wonderful accomplishments in my classroom. I have made this phone call once or twice concerning testing. Yet, I am wondering if this is started early on in the year if there would be better communication from now until the end of school.
After discussing this idea with my Asst. Principal he brought up a good point as to whether or not I would be able to collect the data needed for this project. I too am starting wonder this. If this is a place where the project would lack then I have no idea where else to look for a possible research project.
Signed Hopelessly looking for a topic
This thought has led me to wonder if the amount of parent communication and or involvment would increase with more positive phone calls. I have been guilty of not calling parents when there have been wonderful accomplishments in my classroom. I have made this phone call once or twice concerning testing. Yet, I am wondering if this is started early on in the year if there would be better communication from now until the end of school.
After discussing this idea with my Asst. Principal he brought up a good point as to whether or not I would be able to collect the data needed for this project. I too am starting wonder this. If this is a place where the project would lack then I have no idea where else to look for a possible research project.
Signed Hopelessly looking for a topic
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