CARP: School Wide Discovery Zones

Hollywood Elementary School

Amanda, Rachel, & Lela

What would the Discovery Zones promote?

• SIP Goal: All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free, and conducive to learning.

oDiscovery Zones will be a way to promote learning within our three classes (5th, 3rd, & 1st grade).

Implementation of Discovery Zones

• DZs introduced early• DZ rules

Level completion (colors) DZ relation to behavior 80% or better to move on Personal & classroom

incentive rules• Interns…

oCollected DZ worksheetsoAwarded incentives

DZ Observation Guidelines

• Teacher Pre/Post-QuestionnairesoPre-Questionnaire

Types of aversive behaviors Number of weekly referrals

oPost-Questionnaire

• Student Teacher ObservationsoBehaviors ObservedoCard Flipso Incentives

Discovery Zone Activities

• Create learning community within classroom

• Appropriate activities per each grade level (grades 1, 3, & 5) 

• Students completed an activity from each stationoGreen, yellow, red levelsoGrammar, reading, & math oMSA practice activities

Research Questions

• Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase positive student behavior?o Including self-regulation of behavior

• Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase the students' completion of assignments?

Data Collection Plan

Pre-post Assessment Items

• MaterialsoStudent worksheetsoManila folders for leveled activities

• Assessment ItemsoTeacher questionnaire pre & post

Intern Observations 1st Grade

• Excited about personal and class incentives. 

• Same students participated consistently. 

• LimitationsoRequired teacher assistance. oAfter implementation, a student was

removed permanently from the classroom for behavior issues.

Intern Observations 3rd Grade

• Enthusiasm in week 1oAsked when they can do moreoComments: "they are fun"

• Same group of early finishers participatingoNon-behavior problem students

• LimitationsoChoice activities for early finishers oAssessments during week 2

Intern Observations 5th Grade

• Extreme interest• Asked to take worksheets home during weekends

• Classroom incentive gained/individual incentives• Self-regulation

• Limitations: oStudents who did not participate had

Individualized Education Plans

Other Findings

• DZs more effective at upper-intermediate leveloReduction in aversive behaviorsoReduction in Card Flips

• Possible successful implementation of DZs in lower grades w/ changes•Non-worksheet based

• Younger grades have a packed day, and DZs required explanation

Overall Limitations

• Plan to implement DZs throughout the whole school 

• Mode of activity delivery

• Students not having enough free time

Research Question 1: Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase positive student behavior?

Research Question 2:Does the implementation of Discovery Zones increase the students' completion of assignments?

• Evidence found in 5th grade class• No change in 3rd and 1st grade classes

– Same students completing DZ activities

Where do we go from here?

• Future applications with:

oSchool year long extension activitiesoStudents who are gifted/talented or usually

have down timeoChange the type of activities within the DZs

for first grade

Final thoughts on Discovery Zones

• DZs more appropriate in upper grades

– Modifications in the lower grades– Implementation with centers