1a. Initial Thoughts

Hi I'm Jessica. I have registered and would like to begin work in performing arts. I was doing work at a charity organization, DRUM (disabilities recreation unity movement) teaching drama to adults with disabilities. Though, planing drama lessons for people with disabilites was new to me, I found it challenging and rewarding.
I was a voluteer at a special needs primary school were I studies much about the different learning disabilities, laws, and inclusive practices. My project at the school was to do a small scale enquiry with selected parents and pupils of the school to find out if the inclusive practices the school implemented were appropriate, and were they pleased with them. Does this special needs school have a place in the education system? Is it used for outreach? The enquiry could have used more time, but served its purpose as an over view. The school received the information they were looking for, and the parents and students had their voices heard.
Now, I will be shifting the focus to inclusion and performing arts. Hopefully, continue work at DRUM while implementing special lessons and performances the group could contribute to their community. Hence, be included as part of the community. I think Paul Morral will be assisting me. I'm still not sure where I stand.
I find action enquiry interesting, because it is completely new to me and it would be a challenge. I have always wanted to implement new things and have record or how they work. this will give me that opportunity.
I do so look forward to begin working with you and all.
Thank you.
Jessica

Hello all,
My name is Michael Humphrey, currently Head of Music at Hendon School. Having researched Music Therapy techniques with targeted adolescent school-children, I'm keen to do something more curriculum focussed this time. A current priority in school is developing independent learning skills in our students. I would like to do some action research into the uptake and quality of extension work. The focus will be on looking for trends across a range of different kinds of extension-work to do with uptake (to include gender, current attainment level, ethnicity etc.), incentives for doing it, and quality of the submitted product.
All a bit vague to begin with, but I'll have it more clearly written up in the Needs submission at the end of the month

Hi Michael,
Your focus sounds interesting, and I look forward to reading in more detail the work you are going to do.
looking forward to finding out more about extensin work.
Jess

Hi, I’m Karen Littlewood and I am headteacher at a First School in Windsor. I have registered for action enquiry for improvement and I am interested in studying the impact /outcomes for children when nursery and reception provision is integrated in the Early Years. In January 2010, as part of school improvement work, we created a cohesive Foundation Stage Unit across Nursery and Reception. As a newly formed Foundation Stage Unit it is our intention to meet the individual needs of each child. Our unit consists of part-time children who attend for a morning or afternoon session every day, and full-time children who attend all day.
As a headteacher I am involved in planning, implementing and monitoring the impact of change regularly, but due to the crowded development agenda in school I rarely get the chance to explore practice across a wider range of schools/settings. Action research will enable me to develop my pedagogical understanding whilst at the same improve provision at school.
I look forward to working with you all.
Karen

Hi Karen and everyone. these look like good ideas.

Hi there, my name is Nicola Barron and I am a Drama and Performing Arts teacher at Hendon School. I am also the programme leader for BTEC Performing Arts. I am keen to look at alternative curriculum provision, i.e. BTEC. I have noticed that pupils taking BTEC courses can be motivated and successful when they are failing in many other subjects. I would like to look into how the vocational nature of BTEC courses affects pupil’s motivation and behaviour, both within their classes and at school. My focus will need to be largely within the BTEC performing Arts classes that I teach. Doing Action and Enquiry was an opportunity for me to continue studying for a Masters; I received 60 credits after completing my PGCE at Masters Level 2 ½ years ago and I’m keen to get back to studying. I look forward to getting to know you all !

HI,I'm Jessica.
I'm officially registered for May term. I will be working with Paul Morral next week and observe some inclusive performances. We will be discussing the focus. Performing arts has always been a part of my life whether on stage or off. I have used drama while teaching and found that it was a great venue for many students to express themselves, build confidence, retain information taught, etc..
I'm intested in action equiry to find out more in-depth information about a particular study. As I have a strong view about the influence drama has in learning, social skills, esteem, creativity, and psychology.
I work with disabled adults as a drama instructor. The results of a day from the start with discouragement to the end of the day encouragement.

hyhhhh

I have had the opportunity this year to teach a mixed ability class GCSE mathematics and found it very difficult to deal with the varying ranges of ability. Even though I work in a co-head school the classes were grouped using the sexes. I want to look at literature about setting and how it affects the gender as well as setting in mathematics. Is it a good idea. I would like to get views from the students as well as the teachers.