Action+Research+Plan

__ Problem __: Based on last year's Dakota STEP results, eighth grade students at Vermillion Middle School scored the lowest on Standard 8.R.4.2--"Evaluate information about a topic gathered from a variety of sources." Since last year's students have moved on to the high school, I also checked where last year's seventh graders (present eighth grade class) scored lowest on the Dakota STEP; their lowest score was on Standard 7.R.4.3--"Evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information about a topic contained in multiple sources."

__Question__: What is the most effective and useful way to integrate 21st Century skills into my teaching so these standards can be improved?

__Plan __: I examined the 2007 Reading Standards and compared them to the 2004 Standards. Why? This year's Dakota STEP test will be based on the newest standards. So. . .I chose those standards which most closely matched those listed above. Those standards are: R.8.5.1--"Evaluate information and author's purpose about a topic gathered from information text;" and 8.R.5.2--"Recognize expository, persuasive, and procedural text." After administering the pre-test, the students and I examined the test and saw what "issues" needed attention. Students then examined several sources and source types by completing an activity using [|www.sdln.net] (the South Dakota Library Network's website). This examination continued when students completed a webquest on writing I-Search essays and finding effective and useful sources. __Reflection __: This was the learning experience I had hoped it would be. I'm still fumbling my way through the technology aspect of this, but I hope to continue integrating my technological and 21st skills as I progress as a teacher. I think one of the most important things the students learned was not only how to choose a good topic but also how to correctly use language when they are searching for research sources. Like me, the students continue to learn the "how to's" of the assigned task. Luckily, they have a technological advantage and I could focus on helping them develop language skills along with notetaking and summarizing skills. Once the language/usage/phrasing issue wasn't such a "problem," I could help the students choose useful sources; they could then determine what type or style of writing they were reading.

__Implication for Future Work __: I'll continue to assign students to write an I-Search paper. Likewise, I'll also continue to monitor Emetrics and watch where students need help. My goal is to help my students become better readers, writers, and lifelong learners.