Post 4 - Baseline Data collected!

After getting all of my consent forms back this week (bribery works miracles :) ), I was able to finally get some baseline data for my research.  I gave the students a pre-test this week that consisted of 15 vocabulary terms for our Linear Formulas unit.  This is a unit that we have just started, but most of the vocabulary should be review for the students as it is vocabulary they have been using with linear units for several years now.  For example, the students should have already known the definitions for: parallel lines, perpendicular lines, slope, and a coordinate plane.  Out of 11 students taking Algebra I in a resource setting, I only had one student get five vocabulary definitions correct on the pre-test.  The rest of the students only managed to get one or two vocabulary definitions correct.  This goes to show, in my opinion, that vocabulary is definitely an area that needs improvement.  Next week, I will begin Marzano's six-step approach to teaching the vocabulary and start collecting data on how the students do with small groups of vocabulary at a time.  I will update when I have that data!