Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Below is my Action Plan.  I know it may need some updates, but it is really nice to see it in a timeline form.  I think this will also help keep me on track through the school year.


Action Planning Template
Goal: How can the use of PLC’s increase student achievement in writing and more specifically improve writing scores of 4th grade students? 
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation


Create Writing PLC
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker, Principal
July 25, 2013 –August 1, 2013
Binder for each PLC member to keep agendas, PLC policies and other collaborative work.
Have PLC established by August 1, 2013 and set timeline for additional PLC meetings throughout school year.


First PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard (4th)
Karen Decker (Principal)
Tammy Sanders (5th)
Linda Vernon (3rd)
Kyra Spann (2nd)
Sept 3 –6, 2013
Binders, need to establish guidelines for PLC and what is was created for, set timeline for collecting data
Make sure everyone is on board with PLC and why it was created.  All guidelines are understood and agreed upon.  Timelines for PLC were set.



Send out teacher/student survey to gain insights to how they teach writing/whether students enjoy writing
Leigh Ann Howard
Sept 9 – 13, 2013
Use Survey Monkey to send out surveys
Send out and collect data on teaching writing perceptions.




Administer writing benchmark to establish writing abilities baseline
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Sept 9 – 13, 2013
Create a benchmark that is grade appropriate and collect to get a baseline ability of students
Teachers administered benchmark and was graded by Leigh Ann to set a baseline of what student’s ability are.
PLC Meeting
Talk about 1st benchmark and talk about what we can implement to improve writing skills
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Sept 30 – October 4, 2013
PLC Binder, Initial benchmark test that was administered
Reviews data from benchmark and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer end of 1st 6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Sept 30 – October 4, 2013
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Nov 4 – 9, 2013
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer 2nd 6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Nov 11 – 15, 2013
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Dec 2 – 6, 2013
PLC Binder, 6wk  test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Jan 6 – 10, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer 3rd 6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Jan 13 – 17, 2014
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Feb 3 – 7, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer 4th  6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Feb 24 – 28, 2014
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
Mar 3 – 7, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer 4th grade writing STAAR Test
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Early April 2014
4th Writing STAAR Test
Administer Test and wait for results.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
April 1 - 4, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
Administer 5th  6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
April 21 – 25, 2014
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
May 5 - 9, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Reviews data from 6wk test and decides what else to be implementing.
End of year teacher/student writing survey
Leigh Ann Howard
May 26 – 30, 2014
Send out survey on Survey Monkey
Analyze results to see if student have a different perception of writing at the end of the school year as compared to what their views were beginning of year.
Administer 6th  6wks test
Leigh Ann Howard
Tammy Sanders Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
May 26 - 30, 2014
Administer 6wk test.
Grade (by Leigh Ann) and present data at next PLC meeting.
Final PLC Meeting
Leigh Ann Howard
Karen Decker
Tammy Sanders
Linda Vernon
Kyra Spann
June 2 – 6, 2014
PLC Binder, 6wk test that was administered
Review all 6wk assessments; create chart/graphs to summarize data; create recommendation to school for improving writing achievement.





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27 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    First, I love all your PLC meetings. I can see that you would want to schedule regular specific times for those meetings. The rest of your plan is a tight timeline, too. You have really thought this entire project through! The only thing I might add is a section on implementing a new strategy that was discussed during the PLC meeting. It just looks like you meet and test. Of course you are doing more and I'm not sure how you want to address that. I'll be following to see how these writers improve!

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    1. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 6:48 PM

      Tammy - I agree with implementing a new strategy, but I want to see what the PLC comes up with since, that is part of what I want the PLC to do. Is collecting data every 6wks too much? I am going to be the 4th writing teacher so that data is easy to get. I don't want to ask too much from the other teachers, so I am only asking for more of a sample once every 6 weeks.

      Delete
    2. crmecheAugust 1, 2013 at 6:50 AM

      I don't feel that collecting data every 6 weeks is too much. It would be the same as student's taking a multiple choice CBA. Sometimes ELA teachers have to remind others that the best way to assess student writing abilities is by having the student write. Also, every 6 weeks allows you to make mid-course adjustments based upon meeting findings. It's putting what has been discovered in the PLC into action.

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Leigh Ann-looks awesome! What will your student survey consist of? My only suggestion is to add a "sharing" section at the end to share your results with the rest of the staff/administration. I like how precise you are and how many times you are getting together with the PLC to discuss the results. Your plan is going to ROCK!!

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    1. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 6:51 PM

      Lauren- For my student surveys, I am thinking of using survey monkey. I can go to the other classrooms during my conference times to help the teacher complete the surveys or they can complete them all at one time in the computer lab. I also thought I could create an ActivInspire slides with the questions that the students can answer with the voter devices. I have to share with staff and administration at the end. Maybe I was not very clear. I will take a look at that!
      Thanks for your input!

      Delete
  3. BacardiBLKJuly 30, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    Leigh Ann you did you great job in creating your action research plan. However, I would suggest conducting a PLC meeting after you have compiled the data from your survey. Or you could allow time in the next PLC meeting to discuss your findings from your teacher survey. I think it would benefit all members of the PLC to hear different instructional strategies used to teach writing.

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  4. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Really busy this week, I'll comment more but it'll be Thursday probably...maybe manana! Have a great night, but I'm sure your stuff will be awesome.

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  5. Cherie ChristenJuly 31, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Great job! Your plan is very well thought out and easy to understand. Just a thought - Would you want to find a way to gauge understanding and buy-in after the first PLC meeting? You could do an survey to ask what they understand a PLC to be, what they are most excited about and most concerned about. You probably don't need it but I was the only suggestion I had.

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    1. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 3:52 PM

      I will probably talk about what a PLC is during the first PLC meeting. Great thought though, thank you!

      Delete
  6. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    I really like how your are incorporating this through your PLCs. One question I had was the share/review at the end of your project but after looking at it again I can see that you are going to do that with your last PLC meeting. Are the members of your PLC just the 4th grade teachers? I think this is a very thorough plan and I feel you will be very successful in implementing this project.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 3:54 PM

      Thanks for the comment Kelly- The teachers involved will be one 2nd, one 3rd, one 4th (me) and one 5th. The principal will also be part of the PLC. I am thinking that I might need to add the 4th and 5th at-risk specialist to the mix.

      Delete
    2. crmecheAugust 1, 2013 at 6:51 AM

      I think that adding the specialist will be a good choice. It will help in keeping them in the loop, and it will also help collaborate efforts.

      Delete
  7. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    Writing is a great topic to gain more information and to research. Have you thought about having teachers in your PLC do some sort of reflective journal? This could also be data that you could use in your report.

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    1. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 3:55 PM

      Felix-

      I had not thought about having the members of the PLC do some reflections, but that is wonderful! Thank you so much for that comment. I will add a section to their binder for reflection.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    I am an 8th Grade ELA teacher so I am very interested in your action research. We teach separate reading and writing classes, so most of our writing time is spent preparing our 8th graders for the Freshman EOC. The majority of our students struggle with writing and we spent a lot of time researching ways to improve these skills. Great idea....what kind of survey are you doing with your teachers?

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    1. UnknownAugust 1, 2013 at 5:02 AM

      I want to get their thoughts on writing. How much time to they spend on writing K-3. I want to send it out BOY and EOY to see if their feelings and the way the teach writing changes over time. Thanks for the comment!

      Delete
  9. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    PLCs are such a simple idea yet its scary how few schools use them and use them correctly. I have been teaching for 5 years and just recently heard of them for the first time. Yes, my department always got together for planning but it was never a true PLC. I am very interested in your results. Your outline looks great, you have a lot of tasks ahead of you! Good luck!

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  10. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    BTW, how did you get your spreadsheet posted inside of your blog, I could not figure it out!!! scream!

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    1. UnknownAugust 1, 2013 at 5:02 AM

      This is going to probably irritate you...Copy and Paste!

      Delete
  11. UnknownJuly 31, 2013 at 9:39 PM

    The timeline is fabulous! I so wish our campus would follow this type of plan for our PLCs.

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  12. crmecheAugust 1, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    Great timeline. I like that you are including other grade level teachers. Often people assume that writing is taught only in the grades in which they are tested. It frustrates me to hear, "It's not tested." I guess they don't consider vertical alignment of the TEKS. Writing instruction has to start early on and build each year. The only way to increase writing proficiency is to write.

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  13. UnknownAugust 1, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    I am doing my action research over PLC's as well! I like the idea of keeping a reflective journal!

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  14. REVIVEAugust 1, 2013 at 7:47 PM

    I would love to be a part of a productive PLC - one that has true collaboration at the heart! And I think that's the best way to build capacity among teachers. Hopefully your findings will provide some insights for me. :)

    Your plan was the foundation for mine...that's for such a clear example to consider.

    Good luck with your ARP.

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  15. UnknownAugust 2, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    PLC are very beneficial! I like that your plan is well thought out. I would like to suggest to get kinder and 1st involved as well. It should be a whole school project, because everyone will benefit. It can be simple journal writing ideas. I hope to read more as we go from course to course. Good Luck!

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  16. UnknownAugust 2, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    Your plan is very detailed and a great way to stay on task throughout the year. This is a beneficial topic for everyone, I think. I teach 8th grade History and heaven forbid me to ask them to write a paper with actual paragraphs and sentences. I can't wait to hear about the progress and results.

    Great plan for all the PLC meeting, however I would include a time to share progress with your colleagues throughout your adventure. Keeping everyone enformed will increase encouragement and meaning feedback at the end. Great Job!

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  17. UnknownAugust 2, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    PLC's have made such critical increases in achievement at my school. I'm sure you will have great results with your research project. Although sometimes teachers get aggravated with always spending their planning period in meetings, they come to appreciate the results they see from it. I like your idea to have binders. I think that will keep the teachers more on track, stop the visiting that often happens when the administrators aren't present, and hold people more accountable. I also like your idea to use Survey Monkey. At the beginning of the year, (heck, all year) teachers are so busy, by making the survey online it will be such a time-saver for them. Great job on your plan!

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  18. UnknownAugust 3, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    This Action Research Plan is very organized and seems very well thought out. PLC's are a great resource and can be very helpful in a school setting. I like that you are meeting every six weeks which will be an excellent way to track how much change is occurring. Good luck!

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