My Not-So-Revised Action Research

Well, at this time, I am not revising my action research plan.  I have already met with parents who were interested in looking at the curriculum, I have received all of the permission slips (with 100% of my students participating) and I will actually begin the lessons on Monday, Dec. 13. 

I'm sure that I will be making changes at some point, but right now, we are going with what we have!

My Action Research Plan

My Action Research Plan

1. Goal and Objectives/Outcomes of the research investigation:

The 2010-2011 6^th grade students will learn the importance of how to use the internet, social networking and cell phone etiquette properly.

The 2010-2011 6^th grade students will learn of the possible ramifications when not using proper etiquette with the internet, social networking and cell phone use.

The 2010-2011 6^th grade students will learn the importance of “Making Wise Choices” in their personal and academic lives.

2. Activities designed to achieve the objectives:

1. The 10 lessons from the Worth the Wait Curriculum: 

a.    Positive Personal Character Traits and Emotional Needs

b.    What’s Puberty?

c.     Anatomy/Puberty Review

d.    Pregnancy and STDs

e.    The Benefits of Waiting

f.      Healthy Relationships with Family and Peers

g.    Not Thank You!  Mastering Refusal Skills

h.     Media and Its Influence

i.       Sexual Abuse

j.       I’m Worth It

k.     After each one of the above lessons, the students will take home a paper that has 2-3 questions specific to the lessons.  The students are to ask these questions of their parent(s) or guardian and then write their answers.  The plan is for each student to bring these back with signatures and the comments.

2. Toothpaste Activity!  In this activity, the students will have a piece of colored construction paper and a small tube of toothpaste (travel size).  The students will be in small groups.  As we discuss the importance of (being careful with what we say, type, put on social networks (facebook, myspace, etc.), pictures sent through text messaging, words over text, etc.) what we say and do and how it can “hurt others”, the students will “squirt” a small amount of toothpaste on the construction paper.  We will then discuss “taking it back”, and the students will use a craft stick and try to put the toothpaste back into the tube.  It is impossible to put toothpaste back into the tube, just like it is impossible to take back what we say and do!  (Activity idea given to me by Margie Faulkner, 6^th grade teacher CCES)

3. We will look at articles that show “bullying, cyber-bullying, text messaging and sexting, and so on.  These articles will help the students look into how it can really hurt the victim and the antagonist(s).
4. We will look at actual “budgets” from people who have young babies and children in their homes.  The information is coming from teachers on my campus.  These teachers have 2 income families and they include small children who are healthy and some who have had emergency surgeries.  This information will also include how much necessary objects (diapers, formula, doctors, etc.) cost. 
5. We will Role-Play “making a good choice.”

3. Resources and research tools needed for data gathering:

A.   Worth the Wait Curriculum – developed by Scott & White Sex Education Program/Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic

B.   Activity provided by Margie Faulkner (6^th grade science teacher CCES)

C.   Articles from magazines and the Internet

D.   Budget and Money information from the Staff of Curington Elementary

E.   Up to date data concerning the above situations from the State of Texas

4. Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities:

Nov. 29, 2010:  Letter sent home to parents

Dec. 7, 2010:  Parent night to come and view the curriculum and have a question and answer time.

Dec. 10, 2010:  Permission deadline

Dec. 13, 2010:  Lessons begin

Dec. 20-Jan. 4:  Christmas Break

Jan. 8, 2011:  Final Lesson

Jan. 9 & 10, 2010:  End of Lessons Survey

The above dates are for the 2010-2011 6^th grade students.  I will have an “Open Lunch Time” for students who may need to “talk” about any situations or issues for the rest of the school year.  Possible end of school year survey.  Also, possibly survey former students who went through this curriculum with me 1 and 2 years ago, to see if they felt that this was helpful for them with decision making.

5. Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan:

The Boerne Independent School District adopted the Worth the Wait curriculum during the school year of 2007-2008.  We implemented the first lessons beginning the Spring of 2008. 

I, Mary Beth Cuevas, and our PE teacher, Mary Meckel, have been the instructors for the entire time at Curington Elementary.  I teach all of the lessons, but when we split the boys and girls for 3 lessons, I teach the girls and Mary teaches the boys.

6. Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives:

I give a pre-test and a post-test.  I will be adding a student survey and possibly a parent survey.  If possible I will survey students from 1 and 2 years ago.

7. Assessment instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study:

I plan to put together a survey.  The information from these surveys will be shared with the campus administration and with the district administration.  This will hopefully give us the kind of information we need to help our students learn how to “help themselves” for their personal and academic liv

My Action Research Topic

At this time, I have met with my site supervisor and she is excited with the topic for my action research.  My site supervisor also had me contact our Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum to make sure that I wouldn't be stepping on any toes.  She is also behind me on this and thinks it is a really good idea.  I will be working with 6th grade students, but I might be surveying students and faculty from the middle school and high school that my elementary school will feed into.

The topic has to do with implementing "Making Good Choices" with our Worth the Wait Curriculum.  When it comes to making good choices, the students need to know the kinds of ramifications that can and will take place if they don't make good choices, but students also need to know that they can redeem themselves when they don't make good choices.  Basically, 6th grade students watch a lot of television, they are on the internet and they have cell phones with all of the bells and whistles.  The problem?  They don't know how to use these great tools the proper way.  When these kids watch television, they see so many things that are on "reality tv", but don't realize that isn't the "real world".  These kids see so much on the internet and think that if they can see it or watch it, it is OK to do and replicate.  These kids have the "best of the best" cell phones (probably better than ours) and they tend to take inappropriate pictures and then pass them on, they tend to write inappropriate messages (we call it sexting) and then pass them on, and these kids do not realize how they can hurt someone or even hur themselves.  I believe it is time for someone to really tell these kids what can happen.  So many parents don't know what is going on, so many parents don't know "how to talk to their children" and so many parents don't know what can happen legally.  So it is time to get out the correct information to not only the students but their parents.  One step at a time!!

How can educational leaders use blogs?

The more I read and the more I actually get to write on my blog, the more excited I get!  Leaders in education can teach their staff how to use blogs, one more technology to learn, but at the same time - we can help save the environment by not using paper.

As an educational leader, I can ask other educators to become a part of my blog and give me insight as I ask questions to become a better leader.  It isn't always easy to hear how I can improve, but deep down I know it is very essential that I learn how to be a better leader and to keep learning. 

Educational leaders can use blogs for Leadership Teams, PLC's, Announcements and personal journaling.  I'm sure there are many more ways but this is what I have come up with so far.

Action Research

When we were first given this assignment, I couldn't quite grasp what they were asking us to do.  But as I started to read the articles, I began to realize that action research is a very necessary tool for educators, leaders in education, and leaders in general.  Everything can improve and everything can be done "a better way", but many times people want this control that keeps them from improving something that can be phenomenal (like students learning and being successful.) 

Action research gives leaders an opportunity to ask a question that can help them help others.  Action research allows people to collaborate and brainstorm, kind of like the old saying "two heads are better than one." Action research allows a leader to inquire about something.  It is kind of funny how we tell young people to "ask questions", it helps you learn!  But as we grow older, we think that questions make us look un-intelligent.  So, which is it?  My personal feeling is that we should always keep asking questions and learning.  It can give us a purpose and when given a purpose, we tend to set goals and strive to meet those goals.

How will I be able to use action research?  Oh, in so many ways!  I like the idea that I am not too old to learn.  I like the idea that I can always ask a question, help a person or persons and then grow from it.  Reflect and improve.  It is a lot like goal setting and I think that is so very important, to keep people grounded and to give people something to strive for and look forward too.