The Use of Combined Graphic Organizers And Their Impact On Student Ownership In A Middle School Science Classroom

• In Event: Learning From and Learning About Action Research: Preservice Teachers, Practicing Teachers, and Doctoral Students

Abstract

The purpose of this action research study was to observe the impact o a combination of graphic organizers on student ownership and attitudes towards science in a middle school classroom. A total of 18 public middle school science students, in the north east United States, participated in the study for 5 weeks. Participants constructed a graphic organizer of choice, each week and used it to keep track of science concepts that were learned. Data collection included student surveys, interviews, teacher’s journal and classroom assessments. All data was triangulated. Findings show enhanced achievement as measured by classroom assessments, positive attitudes towards both science content and graphic organizers and student ownership increased as students became more comfortable with their organizer of choice.

Authors

• Shana Andrea Sedaka, Rowan University

• Issam Hafez Abi-el-Mona, Rowan University