Anticipating Action!

Hello Fellow Researchers!

I have FINALLY settled on a topic and plan to begin my Action Research project this Wednesday. Unfortunately, with the time restraints, I will not be able to submit for IRB approval for use in my Culminating Project...but I need to 'get the ball rolling" and focus on my Literature Review for EDL 596. This "balancing act" is going to kill me...

Here is my Action Research Timeline:

ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT: TIMELINE

WEEK	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
March 2-6	N/A	N/A	Meet with teachers to discuss project / Provide detailed information & plan for room arrangement, materials assessment, classroom schedule, Request that teachers complete pre-study questionnaire (due Friday)	Check with teachers to see if they have any questions or concerns regarding the project	Collect questionnaires and meet with Owner for school to discuss study
March 9-13	Assess classroom arrangement & change, if needed	Assess classroom schedule & display & change, if needed	Add gender-neutral pictures, posters, and sentence strips to the classroom	Meet with teachers to discuss classroom presentation; plan for center assessments	Assess Library center: Remove gender stereotypical books & replace with gender-neutral materials
March 16-20	N/A (will be absent)	Assess Music & Technology centers: Remove gender stereotypical materials & replace with gender-neutral items	Assess Dramatic Play center: Remove gender stereotypical materials, change “theme” (agreed upon w/ teachers)	Assess Block & Manipulatives centers: Remove gender stereotypical materials, replace with gender-neutral items	Assess Art & Science centers: Remove gender stereotypical materials, replace with gender-neutral items
March 23-27	Assess curriculum activities for current week	Observation of “Tolerance” activity in classroom	Observation of children’s outdoor play activities (focus on teacher language)	Observation of “Tolerance” activity	Meet with teachers to discuss weekly observations
March 30-April3	Assess curriculum activities for current week	Observation of “Tolerance” activity in classroom	Observation of children’s “free play” activities (focus on teacher language)	Observation of “Tolerance” activity in classroom	Meet with teachers to discuss weekly observations
April 6-10	Provide teachers with post-study questionnaire (due Wednesday)	Conduct informal observation in classroom	Collect post-study questionnaire	Conduct informal observation on playground	Meet with teachers to discuss research study / Future practices

The timeline provides a little over five weeks' worth of research with the teachers in the classroom. I am hoping to answer the following questions in my research study:

1. To what extent will adding gender-neutral materials to the classroom influence teachers' encouragement of non-stereotyped play?

2. What impact will the implementation of activities and classroom environment have on lessening the use of gendered expressions?

3. How will teachers react, or respond to, children's questions or stereotyped play?

I hope that this schedule can be followed appropriately during my normal business hours, as I will also need to complete necessary tasks during my 50 (average) hour work-week. My other hope is that my questions will be thoroughly answered. Without the flexibility to use recording devices, I will need to be actively observant and physically record language in the classroom.

My only concern is how the teachers will respond to my research study in the classroom. I have chosen the Pre-Kindergarten classroom for two reasons. (1) The children in the classroom have advanced gender knowledge and language abilities (2) One of the teachers of the classroom is male. I am hoping to gain insight into both genders' perspectives and observe a noticeable change within the 5-week timeframe. 

I wish you all luck as you begin this treacherous journey!