Aftermath for the Mock STARR reading

Well, are students took a Mock STARR test and after reviewing the data we have to throw out 12 out of 42 questions because the questions were bad and most didn't offer a correct answer choice.  We got the tests from region 10 or Scope, but it was horrible and the students felt really defeated.  I've been working on writing these last few weeks because that test is coming up. We started off by cutting up an expository story and placing the center idea on the top, after that the translation words went over the boxes that we drew and then the main idea of the paragraph was next.  Finally, we glued the closing down, and we talked about how the closing needs to restate the prompt. The students are much faster now on using the one-sided  flow map which we are using on the Expository writing to brainstorm.  We've been talking about which type of transition words to use with the different types of writing.  I will continue to work on writing after spring break.   

I haven't worked with the students in two weeks

I haven't been able to work with my group of students in several weeks.  The first week I was gone to region 10, for workshops and then later that week I had an RTI meeting during my planning time.  This passed week I did work with my group on Monday; we worked on editing and revising writing.  The rest of the week they were doing the MOCK STARR writing test.  I'll get to work with my group on Thursday of this week, because on Tuesday and Wednesday, they are taking the MOCK STARR for reading and math.  I'm going to try to meet with the teachers on Friday about the results.  This data should help us focus on the needs of the targeted population.

A few weeks into the Action Research Project

Well, I gave the fourth-grade students some second-grade  reading passages with questions to see what strategies they already know, plus I want to build their confidence.  After giving them the passages, we read the story jointly and checked their answers together.  I had them highlight where they found their answers, if had been taking a grade on this, I would have four out of the five fail. The next day we read  all the questions first, and then we read another second-grade  passage together and highlight where we found the answers it seemed to be the minor details that they are missing.  I also gave some reading benchmarks again checking for fluency.  Their fluency increased  a little.  They did perform better the next time that we did reading passages with questions, only two failed this time.  I also gave them some second grade vocabulary with pictures to help them understand.  They did tell me that sometimes they don't understand what different words mean.  I'm going to give them a vocabulary sheet everyday starting with second grade then moving to third and finally fourth. This next week we are going to work on editing and revising. 
   I'm going to have the fourth-grade teachers current test data that they just gave and see what TEKS the students struggled with.    

Had First Action Research Meeting

Well,  I had my first action research commitee meeting with our fourth grade teachers, reading specialist, assistant principal, ESL teacher, counselor, and our dyslexia teacher.  It was interesting the fourth-grade teachers wouldn't even make eye contact with me as I presented I had also reviewed the latest STARR information that came out before Christmas Break and informed them on the areas that fourth-grade  struggle with that was on the TAKS test last year.  The only comment made by the fourth-grade teachers was I guess I need to go and apply at Walmart because they can't handle all the news that I was giving them.   Well, I've started pulling five students from my targeted population group three times a week during my planning time.  We try a writing, and they didn't remember how to you the different think maps or how to come up with an opening statement, so I had to stop and take a few steps back and give them the extra support that they needed.   The students are so excited to come work with me, which it rewarding.  

What's next?

Well, what's next?  I've asked for addition data from our fourth-grade teachers, and they have been to that they must meet with me January 11.  So I'm glad that I have Christmas break to review additional data and really think through what and how I'm going to present to the action committee plus our fourth-grade  team.  I ordered RIGOR is Not a four-letter word by Barbara Blackburn, I'm hoping to be able to get some new ideas from that book.  It will be in sometime next week.  The fourth grade team has given me everything that I've asked for; I just need to make sure that I'm not wasting their time, so I can get them to buy into the plan.  I need to wrap my mind around all of this data and focus only on my targeted issue and not become distracted.  I'm going to try and keep the meeting short and to the point, so they won't dread coming to the monthly meetings.

Revised Action Research