EDLD 5397 Thoughts About APA

This week our professor gave us instruction on APA style.  For me, this was a bit confusing just because it's been so long since I was in school, and I don't think I had to write a paper using APA style even then.  So this was a week of truly new learning.  However, like so many things in life, with a little practice and perseverance it got easier and I became more confident and comfortable with the assignment.  Our assignment consisted of rewriting some in-text citations as well as reference citations.  This was to prepare us for a draft of our action research.  This coming week we must write a paper in APA style explaining our action research and do a literature review over our topic.  It is considered a draft because it will not be completed until our last course, which is also when our action research will be finished.

Reading Restaurant Pictures--Just a Few of Many

Reading Restaurant

On Wednesday, May 8 we had a Reading Restaurant.  Because there are so many things going on toward the end of the year, my principal and I decided that we would make this activity optional to teachers.  I also thought the participation rate would provide good information for my research.  How many teachers/grade levels would decide to participate?  Well, as it turns out, only my grade level (first grade) and Pre-K decided to participate.  Since it was the week before Mother's Day, Pre-K put their own twist on the idea and had Muffins with Mom.  For the reading aspect of the "restaurant" the moms read a story to their kids.  In first grade we set up our restaurant in the cafeteria so there would be plenty of space to spread out.  Each child had a menu of books from which to read.  Parents, grandparents, etc. were invited to come dine.  We also invited auxiliary staff from the building to come dine to ensure that every child had a visitor.  We had a delightful morning and great parent turnout.  Including Pre-K guests, there were 75 visitors!  Once again, it shows that if we invite parents, they will come!

Technology Night Photos

Parent Technology Night

Tuesday, April 16 we had a parent technology night from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  We had 38 parents sign up to attend, but only about half of them actually came.  That was kind of disappointing, but I think it's important to remember that it sometimes happens that way with events.  The parents that came were given a tour of the district website and introduced to Skyward, which is how they can monitor their child's grades.  They were also helped to put an app for Skyward on their phones!  The parents that did attend were pleased with the information they were given and were grateful for the opportunity to learn these things.  I spoke with our principal about the need for informing parents about Skyward early in the year, preferably during our Back to School/Parent Orientation night.  She agreed that that would be smart. 

EDLD 5326 Progress Report

Although I have been keeping my blog updated, the course I just completed requires that I post the update that was written for part of my last assignment...so here it goes!

My action research plan is going well.  During the month of January, I planned and implemented a Family Reading Night and I sent a school-wide survey to parents to find out what kind of parent and family involvement activities they are interested in.  Family Reading Night was an overwhelming success (as I have already posted on my blog).  The theme was “Cozy Up to a Good Book.”  Kids came dressed in their pajamas and teachers read stories in their rooms.  Each teacher chose a different theme.  Some of the themes were sports, Mo Willems, friendship, and Dr. Seuss.  Hot chocolate and cookies were served in the cafeteria.  There was also a book making station set up in the cafeteria.  I am thrilled to report that every child in attendance received a free book!  Including adults, 200 people enjoyed Family Reading Night.  Parents were also asked to complete a short survey about the evening.  Completing the survey got their name put in a drawing for door prizes.  All the feedback from the surveys was positive.  The next day, three gift baskets filled with books and games were given to students.  The other major part of my action research that has been completed is a school-weide parent survey.  The participation rate was great.  The feedback from this survey is what is really driving my action research.  Parental involvement needs to meet the needs of parents, so it is important to provide activities that they say they want to see on our campus.  That is why our upcoming activity is a technology night just for parents.  They said they want this, so I hope there is a high participation rate.  I also have a Reading Restaurant planned for the end of April, but a new event was just put on the school calendar for that date, so I’m going to have to reschedule it.  This will be a time for parents to come listen to their children read during the school day.  I’m trying to plan activities at different times (not always at night) so parents have a variety of activities to choose from.  I have also completed some one-on-one parent interviews to assess the campus culture and to hear directly from individuals what they think the school should do to involve parents.  My action research will go into next school year.

 

Parent Technology Night is in the Works!

Parent Technology Night is scheduled for April 16.  A flyer went home today so that parents could sign up.  We have three computer labs that will accommodate 60 parents!  I'm working on getting translators to help the hosts.  We will also have a session with one of the preschool teachers.  She is going to do a presentation on their computer program, Hatch, as well as highlight websites suitable for preschoolers.  I hope we have a good turnout, especially since parents responded to my survey saying they wanted this!  I'll keep you posted!

One part of my action research was to survey parents about what activities they would like to see on our campus.  I am excited to report that there was great response from parents.  A lot of surveys were returned!  Also, we learned some important things.  For example, only a small percent of parents (less than 15%) use the online system to check grades.  In fact, many comments were made that they did not even know what Skyward is.  Parents were most interested in attending sessions on reading, math, homework, and technology.  Over 60% of the parents said they would come to workshops even if their children could not attend.  That was super exciting to me!  Therefore, we are going to have a parent night in the three computer labs before the year is over.  One of the first things we'll do that night is introduce them to Skyward.  I am looking forward to updating my blog after this event!

Pictures from Family Reading Night

 Books to give away!

 Gift Baskets

Mrs. Weller, Principal

 Ms. McCain in her reading outfit!

 Some young authors

 Enjoying a book by Mo Willems

 Mrs. Cranek reading Corduroy

 Mrs. Horn reading a book about friendship

 Fun Family Time

 Choosing a book is serious business!

 Mr. Canaris reads Dr. Seuss

 Cuentos en Espanol

  Mrs. Gonzalez and her helpers stayed busy with hot chocolate

Winners of the gift baskets

All I can say is WOW!  Family Reading Night was a huge success!  According to the sign-in sheets, there were 200 people in attendance.  Even the mayor of our little town came by!  Every child got a free book, and lots of hot chocolate and cookies were consumed.  In order to have their names entered in the drawing for the three baskets, they had to complete a short survey about the night.  All the remarks were glowing.  I had several teachers tell me that they think the parents enjoyed the night as much, if not more, than the kids!  At our school morning announcements are done in the cafeteria--live!  So it was the perfect time to draw names for the baskets.  The baskets went to a kindergarten student, a second grader (one of my kids from last year!), and a third grader.  It was quite fun doing it that way.  Pictures will be forthcoming!

Family Reading Night Plans

Our family reading night is planned for January 24th, and the plans are well underway.  PTO generously donated money for books, hot chocolate, gift basket items, and Subway gift cards (thank you gifts for teachers).  A couple community members also donated money for books!  For books alone, I have $350 to spend!  How awesome is that?  I can get a slew of books through Scholastic for that, plus more books with all the bonus points that will accumulate.  I'm so excited!  I will keep the blog updated on our progress, and then I'll add pictures after the event!