Tableaux and Story Sequence
Action Research by Jody Staab
Introduction to Study
The purpose of this study was to determine if performing tableaux using pictures clues and without pictures clues would enhance my students' sequencing ability of their weekly reading story. Sequencing in this study is story details from beginning, middle, and end. This was a skill that I determined from looking at test questions missed by students and class participations that the class as a whole struggled with.
Study-How It Was Conducted
- Each week for four weeks my class performed tableaux (frozen pictures) that were based off of our weekly reading story. Each scene (six in all) was from the beginning, middle, or end. (There were two pictures per part of story.)
- The first two weeks we used picture clues and the last two weeks we did not use picture clues to form the tableaux.
- Every Friday, I gave the students a piece of paper and the pictures from the story and they had to put it in the correct order from beginning to end. There were six pictures in all.
Method of Data Collection
- Quantitative Data Collection: Interviews on students' feelings towards using the tableaux and how it affected them with their sequencing skills.
- Qualitative Data Collection: Assessment over story sequence. Students put the story pictures (six of them) in order from beginning to the end of they story.
Results
Overall the students made positive gains in their sequencing skills with and without the use of picture clues when performing their tableaux. I looked at subgroups of the high and low reading groups, EIP (Early Intervention Program) Reading groups versus the non EIP grouped students. All students in every group performed well on their assessments. Their comments were all very positive about the use of tableaux and they preferred to use picture clues.
Future Use
I will use this research to enhance my students reading skills and look into different Fine Arts integration such as Visual Arts. I will also use this strategy in other content areas such as Science and Social Studies. I have also shared my results with my colleagues and administrators and got to share my results at a faculty meeting.