Monday, April 20, 2009
Action Research Addiction
One thing I do really like about an action research project is even when you are not working on it ideas tend to pop into your head. While I was out pounding the pavement in the Waldronville sunshine (trying to burn off all the chocolate I ate over Easter) I had another idea for my research. When I was surfing the net last night I found a typical outline of a written book report on penguins. I thought I would get my reading group to complete this penguin report and rate their enjoyment. The next day I would get the children to podcast the penguin book using Kidpix and rate their enjoyment of this activity. I would then compare their ratings and comments, as well as the quality of the information they reported.
Cluster Maps
I have just added a Cluster Map to my blog. This tracks any visitors to your blog on a world map. If you are interested in adding one to your blog check out the following site: http://clustrmaps.com/getone.php
Book Reports & Podcasting
I have just found an article about turning book reports into podcasts. I know that Jane Nicholls is an expert on this. I will email her tomorrow and she what pearls of wisdom she can offer. I will share this with you soon.
The Evils of Book Reports
Whilst surfing the web tonight I found a great article titled "The Evils of Book Reports" written by Dr Scott Mandel in Los Angeles. Obviously from the title of her article she disagrees with the idea of a traditional book report. The reasons she gave are as follows:
• "A MAJOR GOAL OF MOST TEACHERS IS TO GET STUDENTS TO ENJOY READING.
• ALMOST EVERY TIME A BOOK IS ASSIGNED, THE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WRITE A REPORT
• STUDENTS HATE BOOK REPORTS
• STUDENTS ASSOCIATE BOOK REPORTS WITH READING
• STUDENTS DO NOT VOLUNTARILY READ"
She believes that reading needs to "become a pleasurable experience--not one associated with a dreaded "book report"!"
I agree with Dr Mandel as one of the main aims of the reading programme in my classroom is to foster enthusiasm for reading and a love of books. Reading needs to be pleasurable and fun.
One of Dr Mandel's suggestions which she has successfully used in the classroom is to:
• "Start a classroom "card catalogue". After each student reads a book, he/she makes a card with a short summary for other students in the class to read. This is an easy way to check on the students reading!"
I thought this was a great idea but I would modify it slightly for my classroom. I thought I may trial a wiki of our favourite books. Therefore the children could write about their books and share them with others. Thanks for the inspiration Dr Mandel!
If you are interested in reading this article it can be found on the "Teachers Helping Teachers" website at the following address:
http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel/LanguageArts.html (Or click on the site under Miss B's Useful Links)
• "A MAJOR GOAL OF MOST TEACHERS IS TO GET STUDENTS TO ENJOY READING.
• ALMOST EVERY TIME A BOOK IS ASSIGNED, THE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WRITE A REPORT
• STUDENTS HATE BOOK REPORTS
• STUDENTS ASSOCIATE BOOK REPORTS WITH READING
• STUDENTS DO NOT VOLUNTARILY READ"
She believes that reading needs to "become a pleasurable experience--not one associated with a dreaded "book report"!"
I agree with Dr Mandel as one of the main aims of the reading programme in my classroom is to foster enthusiasm for reading and a love of books. Reading needs to be pleasurable and fun.
One of Dr Mandel's suggestions which she has successfully used in the classroom is to:
• "Start a classroom "card catalogue". After each student reads a book, he/she makes a card with a short summary for other students in the class to read. This is an easy way to check on the students reading!"
I thought this was a great idea but I would modify it slightly for my classroom. I thought I may trial a wiki of our favourite books. Therefore the children could write about their books and share them with others. Thanks for the inspiration Dr Mandel!
If you are interested in reading this article it can be found on the "Teachers Helping Teachers" website at the following address:
http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel/LanguageArts.html (Or click on the site under Miss B's Useful Links)
Current Student Achievement
STUDENT A
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 4 mths
Probe Reading Level: 11.5 yrs
STUDENT B
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 4 mths
Probe Reading Level: 12.5 yrs
STUDENT C
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 6 mths
Probe Reading Level: 9 yrs
STUDENT D
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 3 mths
Probe Reading Level: 9.5 yrs
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 4 mths
Probe Reading Level: 11.5 yrs
STUDENT B
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 4 mths
Probe Reading Level: 12.5 yrs
STUDENT C
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 6 mths
Probe Reading Level: 9 yrs
STUDENT D
Age (1/1/09): 7 yrs, 3 mths
Probe Reading Level: 9.5 yrs
Students involved in my study
I have decided that four children will be involved in my action research project. For the purpose of this study they will be know as:
STUDENT A
STUDENT B
STUDENT C
STUDENT D
STUDENT A
STUDENT B
STUDENT C
STUDENT D
New Title
The new title for my action research project is:
PS If you want to make a fancy heading like this check out Webfetti on Miss B's links (click and it will take you right there) or if you want something a bit plainer try Cool Text.
PS If you want to make a fancy heading like this check out Webfetti on Miss B's links (click and it will take you right there) or if you want something a bit plainer try Cool Text.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
