Research_Chart

1. ROLE
I will be a participant observer. I will be implementing the intervention with my own students. I will be assigning the newspaper reading tasks, and I will be grading them. I will be maintaining the participation records on each member of my classes. I will be assessing success or failure of the intervention strategy.

2. CURRICULUM AREA
My action research study will focus on influencing reading habits, attitudes and achievement in English using the Newspapers in Education program. I will be studying my own English 8 students.

3. STARTING POINT
Most of my eighth grade students at Edwards Junior High do not enjoy reading. When extra time exists, they will put their heads on their desks rather than read. During read alouds, some will refuse to read. They do not perceive that reading is a life-long skill. They make statements such as, "I'll find a job where I don't have to read" and "I'll never need this anyway." I would like to determine if this is a result of a lack of student choice in reading assignments.

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
To what extent, if any, will using the newspaper in classroom assignments increase student participation in reading assignments?

5. FURTHER QUESTIONS
Does increasing exposure to newspapers increase reading success of students?
Does structured newspaper reading impact other types of reading?
Will participation increase over time?
Will academic performance increase over time?

6. LITERATURE REVIEW AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

7. DATA COLLECTION PLAN
At the beginning of the intervention, students will be given a list of options for newspaper related assignments. Each week, I will record their participation in the assignment.
During the intervention, students will write journal entries about any reading they do (cereal boxes, CD lyrics, newspapers, novels).
During the intervention, I will document students' averages to determine whether academic performance changes over time.
During the intervention, I will assess the reading of the students by recording my own observations of changes in skills and habits.

8. DATA MATRIX