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.

I have begun practicing some of the strategies that I will be using in my action research project.  One strategy is speaking to my students before entering my class, and making them aware that they may move to the back of the room if they feel they need to get the "wiggles" out.  It is very difficult for some of my more "active" students to sit and listen to my music lesson.  Instead of disrupting the class, and keeping learning from taking place, they may quietly move to the back and stand, but still continue to listen and participate.  Some have taken advantage of this and it has been very helpful to them, the other students, and me!

I've learned a great deal this week in regards to action research.  I have to admit that what I have learned has not come from the weekly readings or videos.  My fellow classmates have been my best source of information on this subject.  I am in awe of the many action research ideas shared through discussion board and blogs.  Some of the action research projects that I believe are very beneficial to education today are...  Improving staff moral, student attendance, the quality of seat time of  students, preparing students for a financial future, and eliminating stress for teachers and it's impact on student performance.  It is obvious that my classmates are very knowledgeable and passionate about making a positive change in education. I can't wait to see the results of these projects within the next 18 months.

I love being a teacher and I love my students! Although I am the adult, they are the ones who teach me every single day not to judge, forgive, respect, be happy, and most importantly love.  They are my teachers and inspiration.

     Educational leaders use blogs for the reason of sharing ideas that are useful in education. We are in this profession for the common goal of educating children.  Blogs are a beneficial way of sharing ideas to help educators reach their goal of success for all students.
     An educational leader may  use blogs to help share ideas and strategies that have not worked in the classroom. As an educator, I would appreciate someone informing me of a curriculum, computer program, equipment, that was not successful.
     Blogs can also be used to allow the staff to communicate with one another.  I have two wonderful friends on my campus. We are so busy throughout our day, there are times we can't even say hello. Blogs can allow us to connect in a way other than an e-mail or text. An educational leader can recommend that a school staff do the same, communicate to keep each other connected. Staying connected and sharing positive feedback could improve school moral.
     In these stressful times, it is important for us to assist one another in any way possible. Blogs are a great means of information that can be useful in so many ways.

     The topic of action research is very interesting and makes a lot of sense. I have to admit that this is a term that I was not familiar with, even though I have been teaching for fifteen years. Although it's unfamiliar , I agree with what it entails.  Action research is identifying a real problem and changing old habits to promote success for students.  The research is done in many different ways.  It involves collecting data, observations, interviews, or other methods that prove a "new idea" is working. More importantly, it's research that would benefit your classroom or school, because you are the individual who is aware of what your students truly need.
     The thought of implementing strategies to help hyper-active students in the classroom, is what I am leaning towards for my action research.  I decided on this topic because I am facing the problem of my own child having difficulty in school.  At times my son needs a "safe place" where he can move and release frustrations without disrupting the other children.  I envision creating a place in my classroom where my students can do the same. An area where they too can stretch, take deep breaths, or whatever makes them calm down and return to their desks without interrupting the lesson for the rest of the class. My research would also involve speaking to different therapists and yoga instructors on stretching and breathing techniques that have been proven to help "calm" the body and mind. After speaking with my students parents in which this might be useful, I can convince them to try these techniques at home.  Also, in this "safe place" I would like to have a computer center where they may work on a computer game, write a letter about their feelings, create a piece of art, or anything else to keep them engaged. As the school music teacher, I have a wide range of students to include in my action research. I service students from kinder to fifth grade.  It will be interesting to see what techniques and strategies will be  beneficial.
     It is unrealistic for educators to think that children can sit in a desk and listen to their teacher lecture for a long period of time. We must adapt to the children of this generation and make every effort to meet their needs.