Influence

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.

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!!!