Surveys

This week I have sent home parent surveys and have given the student surveys to my students. I have received two parent surveys back so far and have found them to be very insightful and interesting when comparing their comments about sight words to their child's thoughts and feelings about sight words. I gave the students their surveys today orally in a one-on-one setting. I was wondering since I had to ask them the questions, would this make it an interview? I did not think of this when initially developing the survey last semester. Two students were absent today, so I have given four student surveys so far. Below is the student survey:

Student Survey: Sight Words

 

Name: __________________

 

1.                   What do you like about learning sight words?

 

 

 

2.                   When do you practice sight words?

 

 

 

3.                   How do you feel when you are practicing sight words at school? At home?

 

 

 

4.                   Why do you think it is important to learn sight words?

 

 

 

So far I have learned that all students surveyed today said that they practiced sight words at night with a family member. Also, when asked how they feel when they are practicing sight words at school and at home, all students surveyed said they feel happy or that they like practicing them. When asked why they thought it was important to learn sight words three students said that they help you learn to read or spell and one student said that you needed to learn sight words so you could be ready for the first grade. I found their answers insightful because they all described positive feelings toward learning sight words. However, when reading the two parent surveys it painted a different picture. Below is the parent survey:

 

Parent Survey: Sight Words

Parent and Child’s Name:

_________________

_________________

1.                   How often do you practice sight words at home with your child?

 

 

 

2.                   How do you help your child practice sight words?

 

 

 

3.                   Explain your child’s feelings toward practicing sight words at home? (frustrated, eager, nervous, etc.)

 

 

 

4.                   How can I better support you when practicing sight words at home with your child?

 

 

 

The parents of both students that have filled out this survey stated that they usually practice sight words 4-5 nights a week, they both use flashcards and writing practice to review sight words, and their child becomes frustrated and angry because they have a difficult time remembering the words. This shows me that the parents see something completely different at home. The students perceive themselves as sight word readers and like learning sight words. I wonder if this could be because I asked them the questions, or because they feel differently at home than at school? Both parents also left helpful suggestions to me about how I can support them better. One parent suggested sending home sight word activities, other than just their sight word lists. The other parent suggested a weekly sight word progress report. I think both of these ideas are important and I will try to begin doing this each week.

 

I look forward to getting back the other 4 surveys and completing the other 2 student surveys. What great insight this has given me about sight words in the eyes of the parents and the students. Now, how I can I make this better?