Action Research Topic

Before landing on a topic, I was worried about whether I would choose "the perfect" research topic that would bring about lasting results in my classroom. Like Dr. Kirk Lewis mentioned in his interview, it's important that action research revolve around practicality; otherwise, one opens up room for elaborate studies that are not as beneficial in application as they are in theory.

I carried this thought with me for a few days, and mulled over several ideas. Discipline issues, technology implementation, lesson planning, etc., were all some areas I gave thought to while considering this research topic. Finally, I considered my discipline, and what I felt was something that was acting as the biggest hinderance in keeping my students from moving to the next level of thinking in literacy. I couldn't shake one concept: reading comprehension.

After attending a Margaret Kilgo training recently, I became very critical of my current approach to reading comprehension. The strategies, the "tips and tricks," and the memorization techniques all began to look more like distractions than development tools. I have since become curious about what I can do with my Pre-AP and on-level students to spark a higher level of compehension that extends beyond plot summary.

In my action research, I plan to study the effects of implementing new strategies in my instruction and assessment methods, such as minimizing "distracting" techniques for reading, and doing away with multiple choice as a go-to method for assessing comprehension. Though it will take a preliminary trial and error period and much self-evaluation, I am excited about the positive results that will ensue from this study.