Post-Action Research Reflection

It's been a while because I couldn't find the way to post in my blog again.  I finally figured it out!  I finished the implementation portion of my action research project and am in the process of writing my final report in regards to my findings.  I will soon post it for your evaluation and analysis!!!

Strategies for Brain Compatible Classrooms

After researching about my topic, I created the following guide and presented it to my colleagues that will be conducting the action research with me.  They will use this to guide them through the process.  They will document insights in their daily journals and we will meet every three weeks to discuss findings. 

Incorporating Brain Based Strategies in the Classroom

1.   ENHANCE THE VISUAL ENVIRONMENT

A.   Incorporate color- walls, posters, handouts, graphic organizers, student work, etc… Be creative

*Recall learning by association with colors.

*Stimulate student learning to desired effects.

*Produce an engaging classroom.

·        Yellow- optimal for learning, stimulates positive feelings

·        Blue & Green- calming colors and concentration

·        Pastel colors-concentration and focus

·        Red and Orange - Increases blood pressure, respiration, perspiration, appetite, and brain wavelengths

·        White, black, browns-produces lower scores

B.  Use Optimal Lighting

·        Natural sunlight is the best.

·        Reduce the use of fluorescent lighting (agitates, stresses)

·        Supplement with lamps when necessary.

C.   Create a Home-like Atmosphere

·        Incorporate personal artifacts (pictures, awards, etc…)

·        Natural plants

·        Alternative seating (groups, carpets, etc…)

D.   Manipulatives- Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Ex.  Models, maps, experiments, etc…

·        Allow students to build and use manipulatives

·        Increases understanding and retention of content

2.    COMING TO YOUR SENSES

A.  Incorporate Music- Students might complain at first if music is different, but ask for it later.

·        Increase concentration, attention, energy

Ø Piano Melodies- relaxing, encourages positive learning environment (soft background music)

Ø Attention Getter- time for activity, signal of transition, noise level signal

Ø FYI: Be aware if a student is not able to focus

·        Increase retention of knowledge learned

Ø Words of Songs-connection to content, recall

Ø Students’ creativity in creating lyrics, etc… to demonstrate knowledge learned

B.   Aromatherapy-adapt environment for desired effect

·        Lemon-energize

·        Vanilla-concentration, reduces jitters before tests

·        Lavender-relaxation 

  

3.    SPEAK YOUR MIND

A.   Let students talk- Many discipline issues arise from communication.  Use it to your advantage!

FYI:  Students must repeat new knowledge learned a minimum of three times in order to internalize

·        Brainstorm and Discussion- Monitor on-task behavior

Ø Students learn 90% of what they say or discuss as they are completing an activity.

·        Reciprocal Teaching- Higher order thinking skills required

Ø Students learn 90% of what they teach to others

·        Humor- Strengthens immune system and quality of one’s health, puts brain is a state of optimal growth

Ø Riddles, rhymes, and jokes-

§  Preferably related to content area

§  Use your class clown for something positive

§  Engage the class

§  Use to tap on background knowledge

§  Set the mood for learning

Ø Games- Increase motivation fro learning

§  Engage students while reviewing content

§  Get students laughing

B.   Speak to the students-Create a caring and respectful relationship

·        Greet them at the door with a welcome and a smile

·        Speak in a calm tone despite behavior issues

Ø Separate the student from the misbehavior

Ø Earn students’ respect

·        Change voice tone to constantly engage students

Ø Depending on the need (Instruction, modeling, student feedback, dialogue, etc...

Ideas for Incorporating Brain Compatible Strategies

The purpose of this study is to find effective ways of increasing instructional time and student engagement in the classroom in order to increase student comprehension and reduce misbehavior. This will result in a proliferation of student success which is the purpose of all educators.

1.    Add 1-2 strategies at a time.

Ø It requires implementing continuously to form a habit.

Ø Be able to analyze effectiveness of particular strategy.

Ø Gives you time to adapt to your particular needs.

Ø Modify as necessary.

2.    You don’t have to change your teaching style.

Ø Slowly adapt strategies to your needs so you feel comfortable.

Ø Don’t do something you don’t understand or like.

3.    Analyze students’ reactions to new strategies.

Ø Is there an immediate reaction? (positive/negative)

Ø Did they notice?

4.    Document daily if possible.

Ø Reflective Journaling helps recall questions, insights, suggestions, implementation anecdotes, patterns.

5.   Discuss with colleagues.

Ø What is working?

Ø What isn’t working?

Ø Suggestions or Ideas?

Wilmes, B., Harrington, L., Kohler-Evans, P., & Kohler-Evans, P. (n.d.).

Coming to our senses: incorporating brain research findings into classroom instruction

. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, Retrieved

from http://academics.tulsaschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=760

Tate, M. L. (2006). Shouting won\'t grow dendrites, 20 techniques for managing a brain-compatible classroom. Corwin Pr.



Action Research Plan Reflection

Upon beginning my action research course, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I thought I was going to research on a designated topic and present a report at the end of the course.  I never expected to learn all that I have learned and comprehend the benefits of action research.  As the weeks passed, I obtained a better understanding of the process and was able to narrow down my topic.  One of the biggest problems I encountered was that I wanted to do too much at once.  I forced myself to narrow down my topic and be very specific so I can conduct an effective action research project.  I have so many other topics that I want to research, but will be taking it one at a time.  The biggest surprise I got from learning about action research was the beneficial use of blogs.  I had only once participated in a blog before and I really didn't know what I was doing and now I feel that I can effectively navigate and obtain highly knowledgeable comments from my peers that will continuously help me improve my project.

"Update Action Planning Template" Ready to Begin

Below is my updated Action Planning Template.  Changes were made based on peers' suggestions and site supervisor concerns and recommendations.  They helped me address areas of my action research that I hadn't explained clearly or emphasized.  I feel more comfortable and confident of having addressed all areas needed to make my action research project reliable and effective.  Please read below and leave any comments or suggestions you might have.  I appreciate learning how others view my plan and take your suggestions into consideration.  Thank You!

Action Planning Template
Goal: Incorporating Brain-Compatible Strategies in the Classroom to improve student comprehension and knowledge retention as well as reduce behavior problems.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1.Meet with content area teachers to discuss basics of action research	Focus Group: Hazel Valverde M. Placencio N. Esparza         R. Rodriguez        D. Caldera	1 day	Time after school	Teachers agreed to participate in the action research Project
2. Literature Review	Hazel Valverde	4 weeks	Research materials such as books, journals, articles, and blogs	Review material extensively to learn about and document on brain-compatible strategies
3.  Create a baseline for evaluation and a method for measurement	Hazel Vaverde	3 days	Literature review findings Action research plan	Identify what constitutes positive and negative results and method of measuring results.
4. Teacher self-reflection	Focus group teachers	1 day	Self-reflection survey	Teachers reflect on their teaching style to find areas of need
5. Meet with teachers to discuss action research goals	Focus group teachers	1 day	Time after school	Understand teachers’ needs with classroom management and engagement techniques
6.  Present brain-compatible strategies to focus group educators	Hazel Valverde Focus group teachers	1 day	Presentation source such as hand-outs, powerpoint Time after school	Teachers fully comprehend strategies to be implemented and ask questions if clarification is needed
7.  Practice strategies to learn and understand	Focus group teachers	3 weeks	Brain-compatible learning strategies, classroom instr. time, continuous support and guidance	Teachers review and practice strategies to learn and gain confidence about strategies.
8.  Implement and document on brain-compatible strategies	Focus group teachers	1 school semester	Brain-compatible strategies, classroom instructional time, means for documentation such as a teacher journal, blogs, etc…	Teacher field notes, discussions, interviews
9.  Post-Implementation Survey for focus group teachers	Focus group teachers	1 day	Post-implementation survey Time after school	Teachers reflect on their “new” teaching style after incorporating the strategies and find new strengths and areas of needs
10.  focus group teachers conduct a class discussion on strategies and document highlights of discussion	Focus group teachers and students	2-3 days	Focus group teachers and students Time in class Means for documentation	Teachers explain to students about strategies that have been used in the classroom for the past semester.  Students and teachers analyze ways strategies were used and their perceived effectiveness.
11.  Post-implementation survey for students	Focus group teachers and students	2-3 days	Focus group teachers and students post-implementation survey for students	Students analyze the unique attributes of their teachers and their ability to learn in that class environment.  What specific attributes did they find useful?  They will synthesize information from their previous discussion with the thoughts provoked from the post-implementation survey.
12.  Analyze the  effectiveness of the brain-compatible strategies and generate a report	Hazel Valverde	4 weeks	all documented qualitative and quantitative data gathered throughout the action research project	Results are compiled and evaluated to show if student performance increased and misbehavior decreased
13.  Disseminate and Post action research plan/project report in Google site and Hazel Valverde’s Action Research Documentation Blog, email to Marcia Tate	Hazel Valverde	1 day	Action Research Plan, Action Research Process, Google Site, Weblog, email	The plan and project are displayed and accessible to be viewed and analyzed by others
14.  Present findings to administration for possible adoption by entire staff if results are transferable and useful to student learning	Hazel Valverde Socorro Middle School Administration	1 day	Action research project, Meeting time with administration	Admin finds results from the Action Research Project useful to improve campus needs and implements strategies campus wide