This document summarizes a collaborative action research project conducted by teachers at Spring Ridge Middle School to address students coming unprepared to class. The teachers collected pre- and post-assessment data on student preparedness and installed signs with empathetic messages. Their analysis found that most students' preparedness levels did not significantly change, though some noticed the signs. The main reasons for unpreparedness were forgetting materials in lockers or at home. Allowing backpacks and keeping materials in class may increase student preparedness.

1. Collaborative Action Research Project:Empathetic Signs Spring Ridge Middle School Katie McDermott, Lindsay Myers, Laura Swann, Joanne Buchbinder, Brent Tomchik

2. Empathetic Signs

3. Justification for CARP 7th and 8th graders came to classes unprepared Forgot: pencils, pens, books, paper, assignments Being prepared for class is connected to several School Improvement Plan standards The backpack issue Effects of visuals/environment on people (Oliver & Frank, 2007), (Rowland, 2006), (Thompson,1994), (Vickie & Gary, 2006), (Willows, 1978)

6. Data Collection Plan

7. Pre/Post Assessment Items 1. How often are you prepared for class? (A) I am always prepared for class. (B) I am usually prepared for class, but sometimes I forget something (C) I feel happy with myself. (D) I am prepared about half of the time (E) I am almost never prepared for class. 2. Circle the main reason why you do not bring materials to class: (A) I accidentally leave my materials at home. (B) I accidentally leave my materials in my locker. (C) I am not concerned about being prepared for class. (D) I know I can borrow from someone or share with my friends. (E) I do not own the materials. (F) Other: ______________________ 3. How do you feel when you are unprepared for class? (A) I feel embarrassed. (B) I feel like I let the teacher down. (C) I feel happy with myself. (D) I do not feel concerned. (E) I am always prepared.

8. T-Test for Question 1 Survey Question 1. How often are you prepared for class? P-value = 0.311 The p-value from our data indicates no statistically significant change in class preparedness behaviors from pre- to post-test Most students indicated same levels of preparedness on the pre- and post- surveys

9. Answers to Research Questions Question 1: Did students bring their supplies to class? No significant decrease in student preparation, but many were same students Students who were frequently absent were often the students who forget their supplies Students who were allowed to leave all their materials (worksheets) in the classroom were often more prepared

10. Answers to Research Questions Question 2: For what reasons are students usually unprepared? Over half of all our students surveyed answered that they accidentally leave their supplies in their locker The next most frequent answer was that students leave their supplies at home When asked why they forget their supplies, many said they “just forgot” and a few said that they didn’t own the materials

11. Answers to Research Questions Question 3: Did they notice the posters? Yes, the students were excited about the posters; they commented and discussed the pop culture references on the posters In a few cases, students turned around and went back to their locker Students did not always make connection between signs and the message

12. Findings from Field Notes Many students did notice and stop to read signs. Some students returned to their lockers to retrieve supplies Student preparation did not significantly change throughout our action research Frequently absent students were more likely to forget supplies

13. Other Findings Homeroom classes and classes of students who are cross-teamers seem to forget supplies most often Preparation issue, or completion issue?

14. What We Learned From Our CARP Allowing students to carry backpacks with them might help increase student preparedness Allowing students to keep some materials in classroom can increase preparedness We need to explicitly teach organizational skills to students and discuss the importance of such skills

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