Linda-Action Research

Linda-Action Research

This is yet another very useful site for me to use in the future. I appreciate having access to other educators views on what works and what doesn't. As I read the introduction to the proposals, I was excited by the idea that this state cares so much about improving the quality of educators placed into classrooms in order to ensure the optimal learning for the students. I find it encouraging that so much is being done to find out what works, what doesn't work, and what strategies just need improving. One thing I think will be a challenge as a new teacher is really knowing what works for the individual child. Each child can learn so differently and I want to be able toapply various techniques to make sure each one of my students gets the most from their year in my classroom.
Over the past seven years I have worked with numerous students who struggle with reading. I was very interested in the Action Research proposals that addressed phonics, peer-teaching, and pair reading. I particularly liked the proposal on page 48, Jeff Bargs. I worked individually with a student last year in the first grade who struggled a great deal with reading and the program we used really benefited him. It is Total Reading for anyone interested.
It is interesting that so much time goes into the collecting of information and doing the work, and yet the proposal is so straight forward. The sharing of information between teachers is so great. I know that I heard somewhere that all good teachers or coaches are great at borrowing and adapting other people's ideas and strategies. If it works then why not?
I believe one point that the introduction says is very important. We have to continue to learn and study in order to perform well as quality teachers. I think that we are in a profession where if we stand still and just get the "necessary credits" to stay accredited, and don't really strive to improve how we do things, we will be doing a great disservice to not only the kids but inevitably to the country and ourselves.