The Action Research Plan

Gathering of baseline data

Students will take notes the way they have been taught in previous years of schooling. No introductions to graphic organizers will be made. At the end of the 1^st six weeks, students will complete a survey, interview, and 2-3 unit tests.

Survey Interview time

Unit test grades

If the student is not in an in class support classroom, it will be the responsibility of the general education teacher. I will be conducting the surveys and student interviews that require active listening to gather qualitative data.

By the end of the 1^st six weeks

Gathering of data after the introduction of the graphic organizers

During common assessment week which is the first week of the 2^nd six weeks, students will be introduced to the use of teacher-made graphic organizers. Students will be taught how to take notes after being given notes via SmartBoard. Students will take notes on each concept identifying the important vocabulary and over-arching concepts.

Survey Interview time Unit test grades Gathering of the graphic organizers to create a portfolio

Update of the blog to disseminate findings

If the student is not in an in class support classroom, it will be the responsibility of the general education teacher. I will be conducting the surveys and student interviews that require active listening to gather qualitative data.

By the end of the 2^nd six weeks

Continuation of step 2; gathering of data after introduction of graphic organizers

Students will take notes on each concept identifying the important vocabulary and over-arching concepts.

Survey Interview time Unit test grades Gathering of the graphic organizers to create a portfolio

Update of the blog to disseminate findings

If the student is not in an in class support classroom, it will be the responsibility of the general education teacher. I will be conducting the surveys and student interviews that require active listening to gather qualitative data.

By the end of the 3^rd six weeks

Introduction of creating student made graphic organizers

Students will take notes on each concept identifying the important vocabulary and over-arching concepts.

Survey Interview time Unit test grades Gathering of the graphic organizers to create a portfolio

Update of the blog to disseminate findings

If the student is not in an in class support classroom, it will be the responsibility of the general education teacher. I will be conducting the surveys and student interviews that require active listening to gather qualitative data.

By the end of the 4^th six weeks

Students will continue creating their own graphic organizers/Portfolio will be handed back to students to study for the TAKS test; this will allow me to also gain more practice in leading analysis, designing, and development of Instruction, which I scored medium on when taking the TELSA.

Students will take notes on each concept identifying the important vocabulary and over-arching concepts./Upon writing my dissertation, I will lead a staff development to disseminate results.

Survey Interview time Unit test grades Gathering of the graphic organizers to create a portfolio Science TAKS scores

Update of the blog to disseminate findings

If the student is not in an in class support classroom, it will be the responsibility of the general education teacher. I will be conducting the surveys and student interviews that require active listening to gather qualitative data.

By the end of the 5^th six weeks