1. +
Focus on student strengths
Overview of MAT research project by A. Kay Alley
January, 2012 ED697 -- Black

2. The purpose of this action research project is to determine if
+ students can become more aware of their strengths and then
realize that potential in applying those strengths in daily
activities.

3. +
Research question
 Can SEL skills taught in brief
lessons followed by
opportunity for reflection and
application, increase students’
awareness and utilization of
specific strengths as framed
by SEL competencies?

4. + Social and
Character
strength
This study provides an emotional research from
learning -- a field of positive
opportunity for the strength in ASD psychology
integration of four
areas of research… Nature of the
middle school
Theory and
practice of
student – incl Kinlein
new info from
brain research
This review is in no way exhaustive; rather materials have been
selected that are central to the study to be accomplished

5. +
Methodology
A. First step: Design and teach mini-lessons based upon SEL
curriculum.

6. +
Methodology
Setting and population Data to be collected and
• Charter school science analyzed:
classes that meet one • Student pre- and post-
hour, twice weekly. survey of perception of
• Class of 6th, 7th and 8th success as a student in
grade students. science class
• Student artifacts, ie,
responses to mini-lessons
• Researcher journal that
documents student
response to instruction.

7. + Timeline
July 29: Submit Chapter 2 draft to committee for feedback
August 15: Submit Chapter 3 draft to committee for feedback
August 30: Submit Chapter 1 draft plus revised chapters to committee for feedback
September 15: Submit ASD request for approval of research packet.
January, 2012: Begin ED 697—Research and Data Analysis
January 10, 2012
Give pre-survey of student perception of success.
 Begin teaching mini-lessons, focus on use of strategies
 Begin researcher journal
January to March: Data collection
March 6, 2012
 Give post-survey of student perception of success.
 Complete researcher journal
March 9-25: Data Analysis and Writing of last chapters
March 25: Submit drafts of chapters to committee, begin final revising
April 2012: Prepare presentation and schedule it.
Graduate

8. +
 How did I:
 Accommodate APU
requirements for action
research?
 Obtain Anchorage School
District approval?
 Satisfy my original
intention for my master’s
work and my sense of
integrity?
 Benefit my students and
their families?
I take delight in assisting students to discover
their own capabilities to reason, to question, to
understand and then to integrate the new
things they have learned.

9. +
Last summer, I grew my
master’s…
Next summer, I am
growing my garden!

10. +
The end…
is in sight!

11. +
Chapter Two
 What is social and emotional  ASD standards and benchmarks
learning (SEL)?
 ASD Initiative to integrate SEL
 Benefit of SEL for student into science curriculum, 2010-
achievement 2011
 Self-awareness one dimension of
SEL
 What is self-awareness?
 What are the benefits of focusing
on self-awareness?
 Child development and self
awareness (characteristics of the
middle school student)
 Best practices that might foster
self-awareness