WHY CHESS? WHY NOT CHESS? ACTION RESEARCH

Action Planning Template
Goal: What effects does/will a chess club have on improving students’ attitude toward school, attendance, problem solving, logic and reasoning skills and efforts to achieve personal goals? Will implementing a chess club demonstrate a positive impact on academic performance and emotional intelligence?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Research the benefits of implementing a chess club for middle school students	Javannah McCully	April and May 2013	Internet, Lamar Library, Middle schools with chess clubs and literature on chess clubs	N/A
Starting a scholastic chess club-Solicit high school, parent and teacher volunteers/ Planning a start-up- Contact the school to ensure support	Javannah McCully	April-August 2013	Names, email addresses and phone numbers of volunteers	Gain feedback from volunteers
Schedule a meeting to discuss facility, equipment and student invitations/Organize Volunteers	Javannah McCully	August 2013	Computer, dept. stores for prices on chess sets	Consider and possibly implement feedback from volunteers
Book or reserve Facility for chess club (weekly) Equipment-Plastic mismatched sets picked up cheap at garage and clearance sales	Javannah McCully Principal-to approve gym, cafeteria, library or a designated classroom Javannah McCully	August –September 2013 June-August 2013	Computer, colored paper, printer Chess sets	Collect sign up flyer's for chess club According to students attendance be certain that there are enough chess sets
Student attendance-Average bright and fun-loving kids who just enjoy playing the game	Javannah McCully	August-September 2013	Attendance roll	Monitor weekly attendance
Scheduling –Pick a time that doesn’t conflict with similar activities (1 hour)	Javannah McCully/Volunteers Principal	September 2013-March 2014 (Monday 4p.m.-5p.m.)	Email	Approval of time from principal
Recreational Play-Emphasize purpose of the club (to play chess and have fun) group kids by skill level once they start playing	Javannah McCully/Volunteers	September 2013-March 2014	Chess sets/instructions, computer	If someone is willing more than losing, encourage tougher play. Always emphasize good sportsmanship
Instruction for new players	Javannah McCully/Volunteers	September 2013-2014	Chess sets/instructions	Any child that can be taught the alphabet can be taught chess.
Tournaments (possibly)	Javannah McCully/Volunteers/ Other middle schools	March 2014	Chess sets/medals	N/A
Create a survey to send out to teachers/principals	Javannah McCully	Ongoing (Monthly)	Survey monkey.com, Computer, email	Collect and analyze data from survey

I'm very eager to get started on my action research of whether or not a math club would benefit the GT student in order to enhance their learning.  I've learned that action research doesn't just involve the leader/principal but may also involve the superintendent, principals, assistant principals and teachers.  Community leaders would also benefit from action research by assisting other stakeholders.  Posing a question of curiosity or concern begins the process of action research.  Once my question has been formed and thought out, I will then begin the next step in the actual inquiry or hands on if you will.  Reading literature on GT students and what helps to enhance their learning will be my next step.  I've also learned that it will take more than just reading literature on my question or concern of interest but using technology resources, talking with other teachers and leaders and maybe visiting a campus that actually conducts a math club for middle school students.  I'm hoping to use my action research to further enhance the learning of the "in between" and higher learners.  I feel that this action research is my plan of action to target those students who I feel have been forgotten about. 

Educational leaders might use blogs as another form of communication to retrieve and share ideas of their action research or whatever discussions that may be considered news. Blogging may also help leaders to assist one another in a common topic of interest by posting comments and suggestions. We learn from one another, so blogging would be a great communicative asset for leaders.