1. Action Research Proposal Presentation Krista Hill EDU671: Fundamentals of Educational Research Dr. Casey Reason April 16, 2014 1

2. Reason for Action Research Plan Action research specifically refers to a disciplined inquiry done by a teacher with the intent that the research will inform and change his or her practices in the future (Ferrance, 2000). For teachers instruction to continually be meaningful they need to stay aware of the changes in the area that they are classified as expert in their field of studies. Action research can be research performed by one teacher or with in a collaboratively method with other educators to solve a problem that is pending in the school setting. 2

3. Area of Focus Statement The purpose of this study is to find a strategy to make my fifth grade students more engaged in their leveled reading groups reading time of the day. The goal for the purpose of this study is to increase each individual student reading by at least one grade level before the end of the school year. 3

4. Explanation of the Problem Students have a difficult time staying focused when it is time to do their individual reading groups that are based on their reading levels. This is an issue because this is the only time that some students have to read out loud with their leveled group independently. This is important to help to increase their reading levels. The observations that led to interest in this action research project were that of teacher observation of the students and their data used to measure their reading levels per quarter. 4

5. Define Variables The population that has been selected is my fifth grade students that are below, on or above grade level in reading. This fifth grade class has twenty- eight students some are classified as five of them are special education labeled LD (Learning Disabled) and the rest are regular education students. 5

6. Reading is Fundamental There is not importance of reading in the homes of the students which plays a significant part in students putting forth the effort in reading and all others academic areas of study. Reading is a basic strategy as a reference for learning, it is a skill that all of the teachers should develop and necessary in almost all the stages and types of teaching, (Eüers, & Pinkley 2006). 6

7. Intervention Plan The first step for this plan will be to have classroom observation that will go from two to three. The second phase of the plan is to pass of survey to the students and the parents to get their feedback about reading and from there the information will be reviewed by the teacher and the administration to see what could be done to get everything involved and engaged in the reading process. The third and final phase will include student summary will be worked on throughout the plan implementation but this will part of the final piece. 7

8. Research Questions What is the effect of web-based reading on students engagement in the classroom setting? How does a student learning styles affect their success with reading groups within the classroom setting? If the students have a hand in the selection process of their groups reading books will this improve their levels of engagement? 8

9. Reference Eüers, L, & Pinkley, C (2006). Metacognitive Strategies Help Students to Comprehend A Text Reading Improvement, 43 (1), 13-29. Ferrance, E. (2000). Themes in Education: Action research. Providence, RI: LAB at Brown University. Retrieved from http://www.brown.edu/academics/education- alliance/sites/brown.edu.academics.educatio nalliance/files/publications/act_research.pdf 9