Action Research for Reggie Sanders Atlanta Public Schools

1. A.R.T.S. APS Active Research Reginald Sanders Cohort 2

2. Action Research Problem Statement There is a problem at Sammye E. Coan Middle school. Specifically the problem is maximizing engagement and participation in choral class. Currently students are losing focus and talking excessively causing a loss of instructional time. Currently detention, additional work, and administrative referrals are given to address the problem.

3. Aim: Find and implement creative methods to maintain a high level of student engagement.

4. Test Group/ Domain 7th grade Girls Chorus 3rd period 18 students 60 minute class Meeting time 11:45-12:45 B Day only

5. Method One week of off task count with normal rehearsal Survey of students’ opinion of classroom climate One week off task count with the addition of a warm-up CD One week off task count with the addition of a Student Director One week off task count using all three CD, Student Director, and accompaniment CD Extra: One week off task count placing each section on smart music/ garage band or computer applications while the other part rehearses with teacher.

6. Off task count Week #1 Average percentage of students off task during a normal class rehearsal First ten minutes: 50% Twenty minutes: 9% Thirty minutes: 90% Forty minutes: 30% Fifty Minutes: 30% Sixty Minutes:20%

7. Off task count Week #2 Average percentage of students off task during aaltered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s First ten minutes:15% Twenty minutes: 20% Thirty minutes:14% Forty minutes: 30% Fifty Minutes:2% Sixty Minutes: 5%

8. Off task count Week #3 Average percentage of students off task during aaltered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s and student director. First ten minutes:11% Twenty minutes: 15% Thirty minutes:25% Forty minutes: 40% Fifty Minutes:12% Sixty Minutes:10%

9. Off task count Week #4 Average percentage of students off task during aaltered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s , student director and accompaniment CD’s First ten minutes:10% Twenty minutes: 11% Thirty minutes:22% Forty minutes:41% Fifty Minutes:21% Sixty Minutes: 16%

10. Off task count Week #5 Average percentage of students off task during an altered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s , student director, accompaniment CD’s, and sectionals/ small groups: First ten minutes: 5% Twenty minutes: 13% Thirty minutes:18% Forty minutes: 30% Fifty Minutes: 5% Sixty Minutes: 10%

11. Off Task Count Results Average percentage of students off task during an altered class rehearsal: First ten minutes: 10% Change of : -40% Twenty minutes: 15% Change of: +6% Thirty minutes: 20% Change of: -70% Forty minutes: 35% Change of: +5% Fifty Minutes: 10% Change of: -20% Sixty Minutes:10% Change of: -10%

12. Results of student engagement and participation Comparison Percentage

13. Survey Data Result

14. Off Task Behavior Contributing Factors: Students were given a survey containing nine open response questions. Students completed the survey anonymously to ensure they answered honestly. The top factors were: Number one contributing factor 80% Talking and or Joking around Number two factor: the other students around them. Number three factor: Song Selection Class selection: Students being placed in chorus without choice or placed in wrong choral level class

15. Action Research Process Step one: Live Warm-ups Make varying CD’s with the warm-ups already prepared. Allow one student to run the entire warm-up routine with the teacher facilitating. Question 3 from the survey: Would you like to have student leaders for rehearsal? The results were50/50 split when it pertained to another student leading,however, 95% wanted to be a student leader.

16. Action Research Process Steptwo: Add student director. usingvarying CD’s with the warm-ups already prepared, allow one student to run the entire warm-up routine with the teacher facilitating. Question 3 from the survey: Would you like to have student leaders for rehearsal? The results were50/50 split when it pertained to another student leading,however, 95% wanted to be a student leader. Students were extremely vocal about who should be chosen to lead them.

17. Action Research Process Stepthree: Get from behind the piano. Make CD’s of accompaniments for each song in repertoire Students used them in sectionals and small groups. Students used them to record themselves and use Smart Music. Some students even requested a copy for home rehearsal Cd’s allowed me to let the choir keep singing while, I could physically walk in the midst of them for independent diction, breathing and posture correction.

18. Solutions: What Did Not Work Computer software such as Musictheory.net trainers Randomly picking student directors Using New student directors every rehearsal

19. Solutions: What Worked The use of technology such as Cd’s and Smart Music Smaller groups or sectionals Allowing students to earn a chance to lead their peers