CARP: School Wide

Discovery ZonesHollywood Elementary School

Amanda, Rachel, & Lela

What would the Discovery

Zones promote?

• SIP Goal: All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free, and conducive to learning.

oDiscovery Zones will be a way to promote learning within our three classes (5th, 3rd, & 1st

grade).

Implementation of Discovery

Zones• DZs introduced early

• DZ rules

Level completion (colors)

DZ relation to behavior

80% or better to move on

Personal & classroom incentive rules

• Interns…

oCollected DZ worksheets

oAwarded incentives

DZ Observation Guidelines

• Teacher Pre/Post-Questionnaires

oPre-Questionnaire

Types of aversive behaviors

Number of weekly referrals

oPost-Questionnaire

• Student Teacher Observations

oBehaviors Observed

oCard Flips

o Incentives

Discovery Zone Activities

• Create learning community within classroom

• Appropriate activities per each grade level (grades 1, 3, & 5)

• Students completed an activity from each station

oGreen, yellow, red levels

oGrammar, reading, & math

oMSA practice activities

Research Questions

• Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase positive student behavior?

o Including self-regulation of behavior

• Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase the students' completion of assignments?

Data Collection Plan

Pre-post Assessment Items

• Materials

oStudent worksheets

oManila folders for leveled activities

• Assessment Items

oTeacher questionnaire pre & post

Intern Observations 1st Grade

• Excited about personal and class incentives.

• Same students participated consistently.

• Limitations

oRequired teacher assistance.

oAfter implementation, a student was removed permanently from the classroom for behavior issues.

Intern Observations

3rd Grade

• Enthusiasm in week 1

oAsked when they can do more

oComments: "they are fun"

• Same group of early finishers participating

oNon-behavior problem students

• Limitations

oChoice activities for early finishers

oAssessments during week 2

Intern Observations 5th

Grade

• Extreme interest

• Asked to take worksheets home during weekends

• Classroom incentive gained/individual incentives

• Self-regulation

• Limitations:

oStudents who did not participate had Individualized Education Plans

Other Findings

• DZs more effective at upper-intermediate level

oReduction in aversive behaviors

oReduction in Card Flips

• Possible successful implementation of DZs in lower grades w/ changes

• Non-worksheet based

• Younger grades have a packed day, and DZs required explanation

Overall Limitations

• Plan to implement DZs throughout the whole school

• Mode of activity delivery

• Students not having enough free time

Research Question 1: Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase positive student behavior?

Research Question 2:Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase the students' completion of assignments?

• Evidence found in 5th grade class

• No change in 3rd and 1st grade classes

– Same students completing DZ activities

Where do we go from here?

• Future applications with:

oSchool year long extension activities

oStudents who are gifted/talented or usually have down time

oChange the type of activities within the DZs for first grade

Final thoughts on Discovery

Zones

• DZs more appropriate in upper grades

– Modifications in the lower grades

– Implementation with centers