Title of Inquiry: Identifying Academic Vocabulary in Language Arts using Marzano’s training
Wondering: Will identifying academic vocabulary in Language Arts change teachers’ instruction?
Rationale/Purpose: To align the level of vocabulary taught throughout the district in Language Arts.
Data Collection: Teacher interviews, lesson observations, student survey, discussion of planning of instruction as a team.
Findings: Focusing on academic vocabulary will improve planning and instruction to increase student achievement.
Implications for My Practice: A deliberate and active role in focusing on academic vocabulary will ensure a more effective level of instruction and improve student achievement.
After reading the comments from my peers I have definitely thought about how I will be monitoring that the teachers are implementing the activities effectively and feel that creating the student survey will provide me valuable insight from the students themselves on the effectiveness of the activities. Another point that I have addressed after reflecting on the comments is that of how to document how the teachers’ instruction has been positively affected. AT this point I am very confident and proud that I work with such a professional group of teachers and know that their feedback and discussion will be truthful and sincere. There is much trust between us and understand that we all have the same goal: student success and as a team that communicates honestly we can reach our goal working through the wrinkles together.
I was able to meet with my administrator and discuss my action plan with her. The meeting was very positive. One suggestion that I received was to use my team as the target group to collect data so that time/schedules would not be an issue. Also the information collected from this research would be shared at a faculty meeting as well. My administrator was very excited especially because this is now a district initiative and our whole campus will begin staff development as early as next week.
