Action Research Plan- Revised

Action Planning Template-Revised
Goal: Success for hyperactive and behaviorally challenged students, and to improve the overall environment of the classroom, through the use of safe places.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Speaking to targeted students privately, upon entering music classes, that they may move to the safe place when feeling frustrated or need more room to move.	Music Teacher Assistant Principal School Counselor Classroom Teacher	January 2013/May 2013	January 2013/May 2013	Interviews with. Classroom Teachers Counselor Principal Classroom Observations Referrals Interviews with Parents of Targeted Students
Privately teach targeted students breathing techniques to “calm down” when feeling frustrated.	Music Teacher School Counselor	Jan./ Feb. 2013	Literature on Dealing with Kids with behavior Challenges. Recommendations from the Districts Diagnostician. Advise from PE Coach Advise from Yoga Instructors	Classroom Teachers Counselor Principal Classroom Observations Referrals Interviews with Parents of Targeted Students
Teach stretching techniques to the entire class to not single out any students. This will help with the feeling of anxiety.	Music Teacher School Counselor PE Coach Therapist	Jan./ Feb. 2013	Recommendations from the Districts Diagnostician. Advise from PE Coach	Classroom Teachers Counselor Principal Classroom Observations Referrals Interviews with Parents of Targeted Students
Tutorial of music computer programs that can be used when targeted students are unable to listen to lectures. After each class track whether there was difference in the behavior of the targeted child. Share documentation weekly with campus administrator and classroom teacher. Final Meeting with campus administration on findings of action research project. Final meeting to determine when action research project can be presented to the campus staff. Goal date would be the opening meetings of the 2013-2014 academic school year.	Music Teacher Campus Technology Specialist Music Teacher Classroom Teacher Music Teacher     Music Teacher Assistant Principal Principal Classroom Teacher Music Teacher Campus Administration Classroom Teacher Campus Administration	Jan. – May 2013 Jan. – May 2013 May 2013	Computer Music Programs Classroom Computer Station Headsets Charts to track date, strategy, and behavior. Charts to track date, strategy, and behavior. Spreadsheets/Weekly To track any changes. Spreadsheets/Weekly To track any changes. Charts and Spreadsheets Charts and Spreadsheets Final Spreadsheets showing documentation on action research project. Copies of documentation PowerPoint Presentation	Interview classroom teacher on whether there has been any difference in behavior due to implementing strategies and safe place. Interview with campus administration on whether there was a decline in referrals due to the implementation of safe places and calming strategies. Presentation to Campus Staff.

Action Research Project

Action Research Project Overview Action Research Project Topic:  Do safe places in the classroom aid in the overall academic success of hyperactive and behaviorally challenged students? Goal: Allow children who cannot engage in a regular classroom lesson due to hyperactivity, or behavioral challenges, an alternative way to learn without causing distractions for the teacher and other students. Setting the Foundation:  Each year there seems to be an increasing number of students who are unable to sit and listen to classroom lectures without causing some type of distraction. They are unable to engage due to hyperactivity, or are considered behaviorally challenged.  Many times, due to interruptions by some of these students, a teacher must stop the lesson and address behaviors that are unacceptable. In some cases, so much time is wasted on discipline that the remainder of the class misses out on learning, and therefore falls behind.  Although all educators pray for a class full of students who will sit quietly, love all material being presented, never complain, finish all homework, pass all exams, and behave, we know this is not reality. Instead of fighting battles day after day, we must meet some of these hyperactive and behaviorally challenged students half way.  No matter what we do or say, kick and scream, some students will not, and cannot, behave in a way that we expect. Even though their behavior is frustrating, as educators, we owe it to them to provide a quality education. The thought of my action research came when thinking of these special students and how to keep them engaged in a different way. I wanted to give them an outlet where they can feel comfortable and keep distractions from occurring.  A classroom “safe place” would be an area in the classroom where a student, who is feeling frustrated, or unable to sit still, can move to and listen.  This area would have enough room for a student to stand, or walk around, while continuing to participate in the discussion. Also, there would be a few computers close by where a student could work on a music program and not distract the class.  The idea is to keep these students, who need modified instruction, to learn and not cause interruptions so learning can continue to take place.  Analyze Data: When students are identified, then different strategies and techniques can be used when problems arise. After a situation, then strategies and techniques used to calm the situation will be documented on specially created templates.  Then after a few months of documentation, we will be able to tell if the “safe places” were effective. Developing Deeper Understanding: After the observations and the data have been documented, my assistant principal and I can see whether there is a pattern with my targeted students. If strategies, calming techniques, computers, and safe places, are aiding in the engagement of our hyperactive and emotionally challenged students, then this information can be passed onto the regular classroom teacher.  Engaging in Self Reflection: During this action research project consistent documentation is key.  After each problematic situation, records need to state what was the altercation? What was the strategy used to calm the situation? Was it effective? Did learning continue for the student and the rest of the class?  Also, I will continue to share information that is working through my blog. This action research project, if done correctly, can help educators from elementary to secondary.  Exploring Problematic Patterns: This action research project will also include interviewing and feedback from the school counselor and campus administration. Is there any information that I should know that will help my targeted students? Also, by interviewing district therapists, I can gain insight to more calming techniques and strategies that will help with my research. Determining Direction: Throughout my action research project I hope to meet regularly with my assistant principal to report my findings.  Also, I would like to keep in close contact with the teachers of my targeted students. Have they seen a difference in behavior after the implementation of safe places? Since I am one of their teachers, I would also document any changes negative and positive. Taking Action for School Improvement: If my action research project proves to be successful then I would like to encourage all staff members to incorporate safe places into their classrooms. With less discipline problems, learning can take place for the entire class.  If effective learning is happening, then the educational environment will be a positive one, promoting academic success. Sustaining Improvement: My goal is for my action research project to be promoted annually by our campus administration. If safe places in the classroom prove to be successful, I would encourage administration to strongly recommend that all classroom teachers have one.  It would also be very helpful for first year educators who do not have experience with hyperactive or behaviorally challenged students.

Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan Template Do safe places in the classroom aid in the overall success for hyperactive and behaviorally challenged students? Goal: Success for hyperactive and behaviorally challenged students, and to improve the overall environment of the classroom, through the use of safe places. Action Steps Person Responsible Timeline Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation Speaking to targeted students privately, upon entering music classes, that they may move to the safe place when feeling frustrated or need more room to move. Privately teach targeted students breathing techniques to “calm down” when feeling frustrated. Privately teaching stretching techniques to help with the feeling of anxiety. Tutorial of music computer programs that can be used when targeted students are unable to listen to lectures. After each class track whether there was difference in the behavior of the targeted child. Music Teacher Assistant Principal School Counselor Classroom Teacher Music Teacher School Counselor Music Teacher School Counselor Music Teacher Music Teacher January 2013/May 2013 Literature on Dealing with Hyperactive Students in the Classroom. Literature on Dealing with Behavioral Challenged Students in the Classroom. Computer Music Programs Classroom Computer Station Headsets Charts to track date, strategy, and behavior. Interviews with. Classroom Teachers Counselor Principal Classroom Observations Referrals Interviews with Parents of Targeted Students Interview classroom teacher on whether there has been any difference in behavior due to implementing strategies and safe place.
Share documentation weekly with campus administrator and classroom teacher. Final Meeting with campus administration on findings of action research project. Final meeting to determine when action research project can be presented to the campus staff. Goal date would be the opening meetings of the 2013-2014 academic school year.	Music Teacher Assistant Principal Principal Classroom Teacher Music Teacher Campus Administration Classroom Teacher Campus Administration	March 2013-May 2013 May 2013 August 2013	Charts and Spreadsheets Final Spreadsheets showing documentation on action research project. Copies of documentation PowerPoint Presentation	Interview with campus administration on whether there was a decline in referrals due to the implementation of safe places and calming strategies. Presentation to Campus Staff.