My action research plan focuses on how regular vertical
collaboration and planning effect student achievement in the areas of fourth
and fifth grade mathematics. I am
collaborating with fourth grade teachers to plan Target Time for the two grade
levels on our campus. Target Time is
thirty minutes, each day, set aside to focus on reteaching, reinforcing and
enriching skills and/or concepts. The
action research plan is set up to have a common assessment, Target Time,
formative work and summative assessments for each skill.
To
date, we are on track and progressing with the initial plan. We have analyzed the data from the STAAR
scores from spring 2013. We have pre
assessed multiplication in areas of computation and problem solving. We then grouped the students according to
their needs based on the assessment scores and daily work. In turn, we conducted Target Time covering
multiplication. We are currently moving
forward with division and will follow the plan as indicated. So far I have documented just over ten hours
of toward work with the action research plan.
Documentation
and data results, thus far, have indicated an increase in student achievement through
the vertical planning and teaching of the common TEKS for 4th and 5th
grade math. So far, the skills have been
spiraling with few new concepts added. My
colleagues and I have noticed a difference in the students and their demeanor toward
Target Time. Being able to work with both
the fourth and fifth grade teachers seems motivating to them. They look forward to this time of day, when
in the past, it seemed to be the dreaded time.
I am looking forward to May 2014 to determine the overall results of
this plan.
