Action Research Draft Report

Elizabeth Bostic

Lamar University- Educational Administration

Hickman Elementary- Garland Independent School District

Using Music, and Small Group Intervention and Technology to  Increase Science, Math and Reading Test Scores

      Our reading scores on the STAAR test and in comparison to our math scores and our district scores have grown since the first time the test was administered.  For several years it was our fifth grade scores that made our campus acceptable on the state rating score.  As a fifth grade teacher I’ve been looking for ways to improve our reading and math scores.  Although we’ve made improvement in our score from unacceptable to Recognized we can’t seem to get past recognized to Exemplary. The fact that we just couldn’t s seem to get over the hump really inspired my project.

My hope is that the students will take on the responsibility for their own learning – that they would realize they have control over their actions. Students in the fifth grade science classes through teacher guidance will be allowed to use blogs to collaborate and elaborate science learning.  For many students this will be the first time to use such a collaborative technological resource.  I met with the fifth grade teachers and explained my action research project.    I am hoping that this new format will excite and encourage science communication and collaboration that will facilitate science learning.