Thursday, June 20, 2013

Action Research Plan


Action Planning Template
Goal: Will incorporating brain research memorization skills help students retain basic math facts better than skill and drill alone?
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation
Find the latest brain research related to memorization and math facts.
 
Hutcherson
July 2013
To
August 2013
Internet
 
Library
 
Give a math fact pre-assessment to all of my classes.
 
Hutcherson
September 2013
Math Fact Test
The number of correct answers in the allotted time.
Use the demographic make-up of the classes and the results of the pre-assessment to choose two different classes to observe.
 
Hutcherson
September 2013
Result of test
 
 
Give both classes the same skill and drill type instruction for math facts including Flash Masters and Speed Tests
 
Hutcherson
 
Social Studies Teacher
September 2013
To
March 2014
Speed Tests
Flash Masters
 
I will practice memorization techniques in relation to the math facts to one of the two classes.
 
Hutcherson
September 2013
To
March 2014
Memorization strategies
 
Journal about the methods used and how they are received by the students.
I will continue to give speed tests to gauge progress in the automaticity of the math facts.
Hutcherson
September 2013
To
March 2014
Speed Tests
Spreadsheet for recording data
Keep a record of the data achieved.
Give a final assessment to determine how much improvement has been made.
Hutcherson
April 2014
Final Assessment
Compare the number of correct answers in the allotted time to the pre-assessment.
Evaluate the results to determine if there is a noticeable difference between the two groups.
Hutcherson
May 2014
Data to compare
Compare the number of correct answers in the allotted time to the pre-assessment.
Share the findings with the district curriculum director.
Hutcherson
 
Curriculum Dir.
May 2014
Results of research
 

3 comments:

  1. Wow, you've done so much already. Might I suggest adding a google+ follow button. That seems to be how most of the class is following others.

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  2. Nicole - I really like your topic! This is an ongoing battle for a lot of campuses. Good detail on your plan. There is so much literature on best practices for learning math facts. As we know mastery equals automaticity especially when it comes to math facts. I will be looking forward to the detailed activities that you will be implementing in your plan. Looking forward to the progress!

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  3. It seems that the push to focus on higher order thinking skills has inadvertently eliminated time able to be spent on many of the skills that require basic rote memorization. I think your study will have a big impact on how math classes are taught on your campus.

    A few things I thought about while reading your plan...
    Have you considered the need for accessing demographic information from either your campus registrar, eduphoria!, or other school resources?
    Also, I wonder if collecting data in the middle of the year would provide any benefit.
    Would it be feasible for you to consider if these brain memorization skills have any impact on standardized test scores?

    I am curious to see how your project turns out. On a

    The link to my blog is posted below. I would greatly appreciate any constructive criticism you could offer. Thanks!

    http://wbrown5301.blogspot.com/

    On a side note, I grew up in Stinnett. My dad worked for Diamond Shamrock for 20+ years. He and my two uncles grew up in Cactus (in the good ole days) and graduated from Dumas High School in the 60's. It's a small world!

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