Week 3 Post

As we get closer and closer to the end of the semester, I am slowly getting closer and closer to finishing my Action Research. This past week was the first week that I used written prompts for the students. Before starting the week I was almost postive that this type of prompt would be the most effective of the prompts that I've used. As the week has progressed I do believe that the written prompts have had more of an impact with the students than the oral prompts, but the visual prompts are a lot more challenging to keep track of then I thought. Each student has a sheet with a list of generic ways to be better in school (i.e. paying attention, following directions, respectful, and encouraging others). The students were aware of the prompts and tried to show proper behavior to gain points for the prompt, but as a teacher I found out how hard it was to go around and continually give points to the students who deserves it. As well I found out when I started to check a prompt I would notice others getting quiet, acting the way they should, etc. and it became harder to decifer who really deserved a tally and who didn't. Because of this I've decided to switch up my written prompts next week. I plan to make a modified chart for each student based on certain behaviors that Mrs. McLaughlin and I have narrowed as ways to improve each students learning. Granted it take time to do but I think will be a lot more successful than the general prompts that are currently on their desk. When the students see that their sheet is different than the others and realize that the prompts on their sheet are certain skills that they lack or need work on, I think it will encouage them to work harder at those needs. I think it will help because I've had conversations with numerous students about those skills. If they see it in writing and see when they've been successful, they might be able to improve their overall learning (that is my hope)!