Category: Reading

Action research is intended to result in increased knowledge and insights that lead to actionable steps that improve the professional environment. Defending your choices in action research establishes the validity and reliability of your study. Justifying the selection of your topic, certain methodologies and data collection techniques demonstrate a thoughtful approach to the research process, lending transparency and credibility to your work. A clear and well-supported defense of your choices in action research strengthens the overall effect and contribution of your study while paving the way for informed decision-making and positive change within your professional field.
Note: This assignment may produce a high similarity index in LopesWrite.
Part 1: Analyzing Action Research
Analyzing another’s action research project provides valuable insight into differing methodologies, challenges, and successful approaches to driving change. By studying different projects, you can refine your own research and anticipate potential questions or critiques that may arise while defending your action research.
Select an exhibit from “Resource D: Sample Abbreviated Action Research Reports,” in the textbook. Analyze your selected exhibit and complete Part 1 of the “TCH-539 Analyzing and Defending Action Research” template.
Provide the title and a summary of the selected action research report.
Generate two potential questions that could be posed by stakeholders after reviewing the research report. 
Assess the validity and reliability of the research by suggesting at least one change that could be made to the research or report.
Part 2: Defending Action Research
In preparation for presenting your action research in Topic 6, use your own knowledge and research, along with feedback you have received in previous topics, to complete Part 2 of the “TCH-539 Analyzing and Defending Action Research” template.
Justify why you believe your research is needed and the benefits of your topic within your professional field.
Rationalize the selected methodology and design, including how you know your study will be valid and reliable.
Potential practical applications of your study in your workplace/field. 
Generate 3-4 questions that stakeholders could potentially ask after reviewing your research, along with your anticipated response to each question.  
Support your work with 2-3 scholarly resources.
While APA Style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite Technical Support Articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

What do I love most about the arts and arts integration?  They naturally support social and emotional learning!  The arts foster empathy.  They help students identify and process emotions.  They provide safe opportunities to practice decision-making.
When students make art together, they invest in the outcome.  The arts motivate students to practice relationship skills in an authentic way.  To answer the discussion questions, you will need to read the reading assignment for this module, “The Socio-Emotional Benefits of the Arts.” 
Discussion Questions:
Explain how arts education programs foster students’ socioemotional development in areas more directly related to the arts?
Explain how arts education programs foster socioemotional development in areas less directly related to the arts?
Explain how arts education programs foster socioemotional development in areas of artistic self-awareness such as artistic goal orientation, self-concept, or self-efficacy?

The first mention of art in the Bible is in Exodus 31. God is instructing Moses to create a tent for the ark of the covenant, and God mentions several artisans whom He has chosen to create “artistic designs” to beautify the tent. God says, “In the hearts of all who are skillful, I have put skill.” We learn two things about God’s view of art in this passage: He likes it, and He is the source of it. He wants man to create beautiful things, and their skill in doing so is from Him.
Later, in 1 Kings 6, we see Solomon creating a temple for the Lord. In verse 4, “artistic frames” were made for the house. This reinforces the fact that God does desire beauty and likes to be surrounded by it. If Solomon did not think that God was glorified by beauty, he would never have taken the trouble to create “artistic” window frames. Again, in the Song of Solomon, the beauty of the bride is compared to “the work of the hands of an artist” (7:1). God is the creator; He is the artist whose hands create beauty. It follows that any beauty we create is glorifying God, our creator.
There are literally millions of ways artists can depict God’s glory. Their creativity and the skill that God has placed in the artists’ hearts, heads, and hands will guide them to create art that will help us transcend the ugliness and pollution of this world. Whatever their medium—paint, pencil, textiles, marble, metal, drama, music, etc.—artists share a common mission and are a special and valuable part of God’s kingdom.
Reflection Questions:
How can you use art in your classroom to depict God’s glory?
How can you use art in your life to depict God’s glory?

For this assignment, we will be learning how to use learning activities to better understand their social-emotional well-being.  The activity you will be completing is one that I hope you will integrate into your classroom practices as a teacher concerned about your students’ well-being.  With students in the classroom, they would use crayons or markers to do this activity.  However, since you are a college student, you will create a power point or google slide to create your activity.
Instructions:
You will create three different pictures to compare.
First, you will create a picture of what you look like when they are happy.  Include in the picture examples of things that make you happy.
Second, you will create a picture of what you look like when you are angry.  Include in the picture examples of things that make you angry. 
Third, you will create a picture of what you look like when you are sad.  Include in the picture examples of things that make you sad. 
The discussion questions I am asking you below are also helpful for you to use when comparing the pictures with your students.
Answer the following questions in your PowerPoint or google slides for each picture. 
If you used dark colors in your picture, explain why you choose those colors to express each emotion? 
If you used bright colors in your picture, explain why you choose those colors to express each emotion.
Tell me about the things you chose to draw that make you feel happy, angry, and sad.
Describe the features you included when you drew yourself happy, angry, and sad? 
What stands out the most to you about each picture? 
Your presentation may be created using Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slide.  Please upload the presentation into the submission section for this assignment.  You will have at least six but no more than 10 slides to support the learning activity.  Include a title and reference slide.  GET CREATIVE (creativity is a trait of gifted/talented learners).  Make it interesting, relatable, and fun!
What I hope you take away from this Activity: For some children, drawing may be a more effective way of expressing and processing their emotions rather than verbalization. This activity incorporated into the classroom will help children make connections between their emotions and things they associate with those emotions as well as compare what each of those emotions looks like to them.

Options and Motivation
Giving choices instead of dictating all required content enhances motivation and engagement by allowing students to decide what is most interesting and relevant to them. Developing students’ self-directed and autonomous learning skills also helps them become more aware of their interests and how to pursue them to guide their learning. Choice can be given via a prescribed, curated list or set of materials (as we do here) or by allowing students to choose materials freely on their own.
Reading Options 
You are required to read one of these articles – you may choose which one. But be sure to identify which one you selected in your written submission.  Read your selected article carefully. Then, follow the directions below. 
Chose from the two readings (attached) 
Instructions
After you finish reading one of the articles above, share with your peers and me by submitting a 1-page assignment answering all of the following questions:  
Which Reading Options text did you choose, and why?
What was the most important thing that you learned from the text you chose to read? 
How will you apply what you learned from this article in your work with students? 
What additional thoughts or questions came to mind as you were reading and thinking about this article? 

Instructions
In this discussion, you will share and gather ideas with your peers.
Please share at least three classroom activities and ideas for Project-Based Learning. The initial post must be at least 250 words. Be sure to include the following information: 
The name of the activity and where you learned about it. If you share an activity that you found online, please only use your own words. We are more interested in your explanation of the activity than in the original content, so there is no need to copy and paste.
The specific purpose of the activity (make sure it’s related to Project-Based Learning).
The amount of time needed for the activity, plus any materials that are needed.
A description of the activity: What do teachers and students do? 
You can put your three activities/ideas in one discussion post. 

For this assignment, you will develop a presentation that explores the use of Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a method to enhance student motivation and engagement in the learning process.
Follow the instructions below:
Slide 1: Title Slide
Title: “Fostering Motivation and Engagement through Project-Based Learning”
Your name and date
Slide 2: Introduction to Project-Based Learning
Define Project-Based Learning (PBL).
Highlight the key characteristics of PBL.
Slide 3: Importance of Student Motivation and Engagement
Explain why student motivation and engagement are crucial for effective learning.
Share relevant statistics or research findings.
Slide 4: Advantages of Project-Based Learning
List and elaborate on the benefits of using PBL to foster motivation and engagement.
Include aspects like real-world relevance, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Slide 5: Elements of a Successful Project-Based Learning Experience
Identify essential components for a successful PBL experience.
Discuss the role of inquiry, collaboration, and creativity.
Slide 6: Examples of Engaging PBL Projects
Provide examples of engaging PBL projects from various subject areas.
Include visuals, descriptions, and outcomes.
Slide 7: Student-Centered Learning in PBL
Discuss how PBL shifts the learning experience to be more student-centered.
Emphasize the role of autonomy and personalization.
Slide 8: Impact on Student Motivation
Present evidence or anecdotes illustrating the positive impact of PBL on student motivation.
Share personal insights or experiences if applicable.
Slide 9: Tips for Implementation
Provide practical tips for educators looking to implement PBL in their classrooms.
Include considerations for planning, assessment, and reflection.
Submission Guidelines:
Create your presentation using a platform of your choice (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, PDF, etc.).
Ensure clarity in your content, use visuals effectively, and stay within the time limit if presenting live.
Get creative with images, art, pictures, etc.

For this assignment, you will read The Socioemotional Benefits of the Arts reading assigned below.  After you have read the assignment, complete the Lecture Reflection assignment. Remember your overall written response must be at least 2 to 3 paragraphs.