How does peer goal-setting before Daily 5 increase student cognition?

To access the beginning of my Action Research Process use the archives on the right hand side of the screen. My blog lists posts from newest to oldest.



Friday, February 17, 2012

More Data and More Changes

Based on the data for the past few weeks not all students were thinking about their goals throughout the Daily 5 cycle.

This week I implemented the change that as students were coming to the floor for their mini-lesson they would do a 1 minute check in with their critical friend.

After surveying the class this week:

83 percent of students stated that they "Got it!" They shared their hope and goal with their critical friend and thought about it while they were participating in Daily 5.

17 percent of students stated they they were "On Their Way". These students shared their goal with their critical friend but may not have thought about their goal throughout Daily 5.

0 percent of students reported that they were an "Uh-Oh". No students did not share their goal and did not think about their goal throughout Daily 5.

I see the implementation of walking and talking with your critical friend after each Daily 5 to be a vital component to the success of a critical friend.

Walking and talking is where students place their book box on their desk and meet to walk to the floor together.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Data

Students were given this rubric:

Uh-Oh: I did not share my goals and hopes with my CF.

On my Way: I shared my goal Or my hope with my CF. I might have thoughts about my goal and hope during Daily 5.

Got it: My CF and I share our goals and hopes. I think about my goal and hope during Daily 5.

The first time students were surveyed zero percent said that they were an "Uh-Oh", 24 percent stated that they were "On my Way", and 76 percent stated that they "Got it!"

After gathering this data I changed the way I had students set their goal. First I had students decide if they were going to work on "C-Comprehension", "A-Accuracy", "F-Fluency", or "E-Expand Vocabulary". Once students decided which part of the menu they were working on I asked them to pick a specific strategy in that category and share the goal with their CF.

When students were given the same survey as above 1 week later:

1 percent said they were an "Uh-Oh"
31 percent said they were "On my way" and
68 percent said they "Got-it"

Using this information I have once again changed a procedure. At some point during our Daily 5 routine I now have the students check in with the CF. I also remind them of their goal several times by saying, "This will be our last Daily 5. Think back to your goal. What else can you do to meet your goal today?"

I look forward to giving the students the survey next week to see what new insights I gain.