In Action: Journaling

Getting ready for my action research project I collected quite of bit of observational data up front.  I began keeping a very basic journal where I could record different behavioral observations in my classroom.  My project focus is improving the culture of my classroom through focusing on a variety of ways to improve upon our the PBIS system that we already have in place.  As I am working through my project right now, collecting data, and making observations, I am so glad that I wrote in my journal up front.  Looking back through my journal has really helped me to notice changes in classroom behaviors and cultures that I may not have noticed otherwise.  I think that when completing action research, a journal to capture both formal and informal observations is important.  There are many things that we see day to day but may forget over time when completing research.  For my baseline data, my students took a survey answering questions about our classroom culture.  This data is helpful, however, I think that my journal entries have helped me track other data related to students' positive and negative consequences as well as various interactions between the students. 

In Context

It is time to begin my action research!

My research is going to focus on my classroom culture.  We have a school-wide behavior plan in place.  Many teachers at our school have stated few observations that this plan has helped with student behavior and classroom management.  I can say I have noticed a few changes but they are few and far between.  I wondered if there could be a possible link to giving students specific feedback on their target/goal behaviors and improving our overall school culture.  Improving our school culture after all is part of the intention related to our positive behavior supports.  I am starting my researching on a small scale.  I am going to be looking at how feedback can effect the culture of my classroom. Students will take a survey to begin and give me a baseline for their current perceptions.  The questions are related to specific behaviors as well as overall feelings about our classroom environment.  Through out the research I will look at target behaviors and provide students will specific feedback.  I am hoping this feedback will increase these positive behaviors and therefore improve our overall classroom culture.

I am excited to get started and see what I can learn about behaviors in my own classroom.  We are looking at ways to improve the school-wide program for the upcoming school year.  I hope that this data may provide us with help in this area as well.