A.R.T.S. APS Active ResearchReginald Sanders

Cohort 2

Action Research Problem Statement

There is a problem at Sammye E. Coan Middle school. Specifically the problem is

maximizing engagement and participation in choral class. Currently students are losing focus and talking

excessively causing a loss of instructional time. Currently detention, additional work, and administrative referrals are

given to address the problem.

Aim: Find and implement creative methods to maintain a

high level of student engagement.

Test Group/ Domain

7th grade Girls Chorus3rd period

18 students60 minute class

Meeting time 11:45-12:45B Day only

Method

• One week of off task count with normal rehearsal• Survey of students’ opinion of classroom climate• One week off task count with the addition of a warm-

up CD• One week off task count with the addition of a Student

Director• One week off task count using all three CD, Student

Director, and accompaniment CD• Extra: One week off task count placing each section on

smart music/ garage band or computer applications while the other part rehearses with teacher.

Off task count Week #1

Average percentage of students off task during a normal class rehearsal

First ten minutes: 50%Twenty minutes: 9%Thirty minutes: 90%Forty minutes: 30%Fifty Minutes: 30%Sixty Minutes:20%

Off task count Week #2

Average percentage of students off task during a altered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s

First ten minutes: 15%Twenty minutes: 20%Thirty minutes: 14%Forty minutes: 30%Fifty Minutes: 2%Sixty Minutes: 5%

Off task count Week #3

Average percentage of students off task during a altered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s

and student director.First ten minutes: 11%Twenty minutes: 15%Thirty minutes: 25%Forty minutes: 40%Fifty Minutes: 12%Sixty Minutes:10%

Off task count Week #4

Average percentage of students off task during a altered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s ,

student director and accompaniment CD’sFirst ten minutes: 10%Twenty minutes: 11%Thirty minutes: 22%Forty minutes: 41%Fifty Minutes: 21%Sixty Minutes: 16%

Off task count Week #5

Average percentage of students off task during an altered class rehearsal using warm-up CD’s , student director, accompaniment CD’s, and

sectionals/ small groups: First ten minutes: 5%Twenty minutes: 13%Thirty minutes: 18%Forty minutes: 30%Fifty Minutes: 5%

Sixty Minutes: 10%

Off Task Count Results

Average percentage of students off task during an altered class rehearsal:

– First ten minutes: 10% Change of : -40%– Twenty minutes: 15% Change of: +6% – Thirty minutes: 20% Change of: -70%– Forty minutes: 35% Change of: +5%– Fifty Minutes: 10% Change of: -20%– Sixty Minutes:10% Change of: -10%

Results of student engagement and participation Comparison

First

ten minutes

Twenty minutes

Thirty m

inues

Forty

minutes

Fifty in

utes

Sixty M

inutes

0102030405060708090

With CDs, Director

With CDs, DirectorRegular Rehearsal

Percentage

Survey Data Result

Off Task Behavior

• Contributing Factors:– Students were given a survey containing nine

open response questions.– Students completed the survey anonymously to

ensure they answered honestly. The top factors were:• Number one contributing factor 80% Talking and or

Joking around• Number two factor: the other students around them.• Number three factor: Song Selection• Class selection: Students being placed in chorus

without choice or placed in wrong choral level class

Action Research Process

1. Step one: Live Warm-ups• Make varying CD’s with the warm-ups already

prepared.• Allow one student to run the entire warm-up

routine with the teacher facilitating. – Question 3 from the survey: Would you like to

have student leaders for rehearsal? The results were 50/50 split when it pertained to another student leading, however, 95% wanted to be a student leader.

Action Research Process

1. Step two: Add student director.• using varying CD’s with the warm-ups already

prepared, allow one student to run the entire warm-up routine with the teacher facilitating. – Question 3 from the survey: Would you like to

have student leaders for rehearsal? The results were 50/50 split when it pertained to another student leading, however, 95% wanted to be a student leader.

– Students were extremely vocal about who should be chosen to lead them.

Action Research Process

1. Step three: Get from behind the piano.• Make CD’s of accompaniments for each song in

repertoire– Students used them in sectionals and small groups.– Students used them to record themselves and use

Smart Music. – Some students even requested a copy for home

rehearsal– Cd’s allowed me to let the choir keep singing while, I

could physically walk in the midst of them for independent diction, breathing and posture correction.

Solutions: What Did Not Work

• Computer software such as Musictheory.net trainers

• Randomly picking student directors • Using New student directors every rehearsal

Solutions: What Worked

• The use of technology such as Cd’s and Smart Music

• Smaller groups or sectionals• Allowing students to earn a chance to lead

their peers