The “Mystery” of Student EngagementThe “Mystery of Student Engagement” utilizes the Deeper Learning Tool From Puzzles to Paradoxes to increase Student Engagement within the ELA Classroom. At the beginning of the year, students reported rarely experiencing engaging lessons during...

Because Cooperative Learning Means Deeper Learning When analyzing the data from the beginning of the year Measures of Academic Progress assessment I noticed that sixty-three percent of students are performing below grade level benchmark. As I desegregated the data a...

Reading for meaning (World Civilization sources analysis) For my action research plan I chose to use the reading for meaning tool. The tool focuses on helping students break down excerpts by utilizing claims and counterclaims. The various claims are meant...

4-2-1 Summarize My action research project is based on the tool “4-2-1 Summarize.” My students were having trouble summarizing texts. They wanted to include every minute detail in their summaries, making them as long as the text itself. Summaries are...

Using the tool, Constructed RESPONSE, to increase student proficiency in answering constructed response questions The action research project, “Using the tool, Constructed RESPONSE, to increase student proficiency in answering constructed response questions,” was conducted by a fourth and fifth grade...

Mathematical Vocabulary ApplicationThe tool for which I based my action research project on was Explaining Solutions from the Tools for Thoughtful Assessment.  This tool has enabled my students to grow and develop their written and verbal communication skills by...

Jenkins High School:Effort Tracker The effort tracker is a great way for both students and teachers to reflect on their lesson. It is intentional and causes the students and teachers to reflect on their effort. The effort tracker is a...

Using Convergence Mastery Quizzes to Increase Retention of Grammar Skills The action research project, "Using Convergence Mastery Quizzes to Increase Retention of Grammar Skills," explores the implementation and effectiveness of a teaching strategy aimed at improving grammar skills among 11th...

Making Math More Engaging and Easier to Retain Using Memory Box Showdown Through my observations and assessments of my 3rd grade students I noticed that students struggled to retain information.  I wanted to incorporate a strategy into my Eureka squared...

Rationalize Your Thinking My action research project focused on Rationalize Your Thinking, Utilizing Kagan Structures, specifically Numbered Heads Together with the "because" tool from Thoughtful Classroom. When analyzing the data from weekly short response questions on our weekly reading assessments,...

Kagan and Civic Engagement My project focuses on student engagement and performance when tasked with a test that has known questions and answers. High school students are required to take and pass a Citizenship test in order to graduate....

Memory BoxMy action research project was titled, “Memory Box.”  Upon careful analysis of my two fourth-grade classes, I had noticed that my students struggled to provide evidence and elaboration for their academic thinking.  Despite being provided with clear learning...

Improving Deeper Learning Implementation Through Individual CoachingIn the Letcher County Schools, it seems that teachers have more resources than ever before at their disposal. With the combination of items/resources purchased at the district level, there is also the addition...

Using House Systems to Cultivate a Culture of Thinking and LearningInspirationDuring the summer of 2023, a group of teachers from Jackson Independent visited the Ron Clark Academy and was immediately impressed and inspired by the House System used at...

Linking Vocabulary & Problem Solving with VKR During my observation of two fifth-grade mathematics classes, I noticed that students struggle with understanding various mathematical concepts due to their limited knowledge of mathematical vocabulary. Despite being exposed to such vocabulary...

The Power Of Because and Cooperative LearningWhen analyzing the data from the beginning of the year Measures of Academic Progress assessment I noticed that sixty-three percent of students are performing below grade level benchmark. As I desegregated the data...

Breaking the CodeLearning is a constant and continual progression that encompasses the conversion of information and experience into abilities and knowledge.  However, the question remains of how educators can transform superficial learning into a deeper and more meaningful learning...

Reading Fluency and ComprehensionIn this study, I administered the Fall Star Assessment to second-grade students and observed that they struggled with comprehension and reading skills. To address this issue, I decided to focus on the specific standard RF.2.4, which...

The Impact of Phonological Awareness on Reading ComprehensionThis action research was conducted to determine the impact of using comprehension strategies such as Reading for Meaning with students who receive strategic reading intervention. In order to compare the impact of...

Single Sentence Summary After attending the initial meetings through KVEC's Pathway to Deeper Learning, we were introduced to various tools to promote deeper learning in students. I needed to identify an existing problem within my school/district related to student...

Scavenger Hunt Project Showcase   Project Defense Powerpoint

Pairing the tool “Reading for Meaning” with Coach Digital Reading Passages on InferencingI have been teaching for 11 years and each year I watch students struggle with inferences. That is why I chose to complete my action research around...

Is It Cooperative Learning or Group Work? The action research project focuses on answering the question, “how does comprehending the distinctions between cooperative learning and group work (demonstrated through practical application) impact student recall and retention of instructional material?”  Cooperative learning...

Tracking Effort for SuccessDuring the initial months of the school term, we observed certain students who struggled with formal quizzes and tests despite demonstrating comprehension during class assignments and formative assessments. Identifying a potential lack of effort as a...

Empowering Students through reading for meaning"Reading for Meaning" is more than just a tool; it is a transformative approach to learning that fosters deep comprehension and critical thinking skills. Rooted in the concept of active reading, this method encourages...

Math Notes: A Tool for Solving Word ProblemsI have been teaching for 13 years and each year, I see many students consistently struggle with solving math word problems. So, for my action research project, I decided to incorporate the...

Engaging Students with Questioning My action research was based on the strategy “Questioning in Style.” As I started this deeper learning journey I was unaware of this specific strategy; however, over time I have gained a new appreciation for learning...

Increasing student engagement with Deeper Learning tools Even though we teach very different subject areas (mathematics and health/physical education), we are experiencing the same types of behaviors from our middle school students.  In any classroom regardless of subject area, teachers...

Ongoing Support The research aimed to investigate the impact of individual coaching on the level of deeper learning in the classroom and its effect on student achievement on the MAP assessment. I worked with Fleming-Neon Middle School and focused on...

Sum It Up: An Approach to Improving Reading Skill Ability The study that I investigated was in regards to improving reading comprehension and fluency skills. After an extensive analysis of our schools Kentucky State Assessment and MAP testing, I was...

Implementation of Single Sentence Summary in First Grade I joined the Thoughtful Classroom as a Deeper Learning Coach nearly two years ago. The impact this has made on my classroom is incredible. The tools and reflection tools I have gathered...

Jenkins High School:Effort Tracker The effort tracker is a great way for both students and teachers to reflect on their lesson. It is intentional and causes the students and teachers to reflect on their effort. The effort tracker is a...

What’s the Big Deal with Word Problems?In teaching, we learn and adapt daily. One specific concept that challenges my classroom is word problems. My research plan is titled, “What’s the Big Deal with Word Problems,” and takes an in...

Unlocking the Power of Science Vocabulary I began to notice that there was a problem in students science vocabulary as we started getting back to the new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. Students seemed to really struggle answering DOK level...

Developing Text Evidence Through BecauseIn our action research project, we started by identifying our problem. The main problem identified was that our students were struggling with written responses using text evidence to support their claims and explaining the evidence...

Let’s Get to the Root of the Problem:  Using Kagan Structures to Build Mathematical Understanding and Discourse In collaboration with the 3rd grade math teacher, I began an action research project aimed at investigating the impact of implementing the Kagan...

Tracking Effort for Success Over the first couple months of school we observed students that are unsuccessful with formal quizzes and tests in the class, but showed understanding during formative assessments and class assignment. Since these students are successful in...

The Power of BecauseOver the course of the 2023-2024 school year, we have worked to assess what the success rate would be if we added the “because” tool within our language arts classrooms. The initial problem of practice was...

Using House Systems to Cultivate a Culture of Thinking and LearningInspirationDuring the summer of 2023, a group of teachers from Jackson Independent visited the Ron Clark Academy and was immediately impressed and inspired by the House System used at...

Developing Text Evidence Through BecauseIn our action research project, we started by identifying our problem. The main problem identified was that our students were struggling with written responses using text evidence to support their claims and explaining the evidence...