Elizabeth Lisa Yang's Padlet by Lisa

Action Research Topic Idea #1

eyang5 — 2016-01-10 16:47:05 UTC

How to foster more positive student relationships within the classroom

Good Rationale - Dr. Sprague

debbiersprague — 2016-01-27 00:48:54 UTC

This is a good rationale. You have stated the problem and the consequences. You should include a sentence at the beginning that outlines the ideal situation (students getting along and welcoming each other). I also suggest ending the rationale with fostering more positive relationships with each other. It is not necessary to include the rest of the statement as this is not addressed in your research question.

When we write research we write in the third person and not in the first person (no use of I or me). Remind me to tell the class this.

NEW Rationale & Research Question

eyang5 — 2016-02-06 18:29:28 UTC

Problem Statement:

In an ideal world, all first graders will come to school with great confidence in themselves and be ready to take risks in their learning. In actuality, however, some students come in with a very fixed mindset about their capabilities. For example, a struggling reader may come into class with the fixed mindset that they are not a good reader and that they will never become a good reader. Another student may have a preconceived notion that he is a bad person, which may be reinforced by his fellow peers as he engages in undesirable behaviors. Students with this fixed mindset may find it very difficult to see growth in themselves and their abilities, which can hinder their academic and social progress and growth in the classroom.

Research Question:

How would the implementation of lessons and activities that explicitly teach students positive attitudes affect students' abilities to foster a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset?

Hypothesis:

1) Mini lessons that teach students positive attitudes and their attributes will help students see potential growth in themselves and their learning.

2) Incorporating opportutnites for students to recognize and celebrate instances of positive attitudes may help students break down some negative perceptions about themselves and their peers.

3) Some students may not be affected by the mini lessons on positive attitudes.

New Topic - Dr. Sprague

debbiersprague — 2016-02-06 19:23:50 UTC

It is early enough that changing topics will not be a major problem. You may proceed with this topic. Your Problem Statement is clear and well written. The first hypothesis needs to be stronger. I suggest changing "my" to "will."

Context and Change

eyang5 — 2016-02-08 01:53:14 UTC

The school in which this research will take place is a non-Title 1 school in a suburban neighborhood. Of the 500 students enrolled, 44 percent of the students are female and 56 percent are male. The school provides services for English for Speakers of Other Language students, which make up 28 percent of the school population, and Special Education Services for students, which make up 18 percent of the school population. A small portion of the student population (24 percent) receive free or reduced lunch.
The first grade responsive classroom in which the research will be done consists of 25 students, with 10 females and 15 males. Of these students, 44 percent are identified as white, 24 percent are asian, 20 percent are hispanic, eight percent are black/African American, and four percent is identified as two or more. There is a wide range of home languages that the students speak at home: 28 percent of the students speak English, 24 percent speak Spanish, eight percent speak Russian, eight percent speak Arabic, eight percent speak Korean, eight percent speak Malayalam, four percent speak Turkish, four percent speak Vietnamese, four percent speak Cantonese, and four percent speak French. Most of the students live at home with both parents (80 percent), while 20 percent live at home with just one parent.
Three of the students are pulled out once a week to attend the Young Scholars program. One student is part of an intervention reading group that meets every day with other intervention students from the other first grade classes.
This research will focus on helping students with fixed mindsets learn habits that will help them develop a growth mindset. Some students come into the first grade class with a preconceived notion that their abilities are limited and that no amount of effort will change things. They have a difficult time understanding that although it takes work, growth is always possible. Mini lessons on instilling positive attitudes, such as optimism, persistence, flexibility, resilience, and empathy, will be taught to students two to three times a week for three weeks. Mini lessons will include read alouds with stories in which the main characters display these attitudes. Students will engage in discussions on what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like when we have these positive attitudes in difficult times. Students will then be encouraged to draw or write on a post-it notes throughout the day whenever they find themselves displaying these positive attitudes or whenever they see a classmate displaying these positive attitudes. They can stick the post-it note on a designated area in the classroom and students will have time to share their post it notes. The idea is that creating a classroom culture of celebrating these positive habits of mind will help students with fixed mindsets realize that they can always grow in their learning.

Context - Katherine Hogan

khogan13 — 2016-02-09 01:44:48 UTC

Wonderful job Lisa! I really got a feel for the students that are in your internship classroom. You also did a great job going into detail on your intervention plan.

Context and Intervention - Dr. Sprague

debbiersprague — 2016-02-09 20:44:29 UTC

Great job! The Context is clear and paints a good picture of the school and classroom. You have two APA errors to address.

First, acronyms should be spelled out (defined the first time you use it), even common ones like ESOL.

Second, number under 10 are written out, 10 and higher you use numerals. Therefore, it should be 10 females and 15 males. Also four percent, etc.

Intervention looks good, but you need to include the time frame. How long will you do this?