Coaches: Sabrina Silverstein, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Elementary School Adaptable for grade levels: PreK-8 Key Subject Area(s): All Subject Areas
Study Group Teaching Method Description:
Use Action Research to transform your teaching! Action Research is the systematic process of taking a critical look at one aspect of one’s teaching in order to improve student learning and teacher effectiveness.
Study Group Team Members will learn how to use Action Research, beginning with choosing a research question. Teachers can focus on any topic that is pertinent to them, whether it be an academic, social-emotional, or classroom management issue. Examples of Action Research questions might be, “What methods lead to increased reading fluency in my fifth grade classroom?” or “What happens to student motivation and behavior when I begin a new classroom management system?” After selecting a research question, Study Group members will read about their topic, select data collection methods, analyze the data, and draw conclusions based on the data. If you are always looking for ways to improve your practice and have a willingness to reflect and probe deeply, then Action Research is for you.
Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks:
The action research process is applicable to all Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks and will be determined by the research area in which each teachers chooses to focus.
About the Coach:
Sabrina Silverstein teaches Pre-Kindergarten at Ortiz de Dominguez School. Sabrina is Nationally Board Certified and has mentored National Board candidates for three years through both the Chicago Teachers’ Union and Erikson Institute. As a Senior Fellow with CFE’s Teachers Network Leadership Institute, Sabrina is working on a joint project with the Chicago Public Schools to improve education for English Language Learners. Currently, she leads professional development for Pre-Kindergarten teachers on how to use Action Research.
Meeting Times:
The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
