Ode to Action Research
by Lara Smith

What is action research? We asked at the start.
Find something to improve and pick it apart.

What do you want to change? You need to start small.
A focused concern is no trouble at all.

You then need to think of alternative ways
To approach your pursuit; it takes many days.

Brainstorming ideas - it's important to think
Which changes may float and which ones may sink.

Now, with your students, alter your class.
What happens next? Do your practices pass?

Whether or not you meet with success,
To a critical friend you must go and confess.

What are your thoughts? You need to reflect.
This collaboration needs mutual respect.

Open and honest; a real sharing, too.
It's important to hear an alternative view.

Of course this whole process should be written down.
A focused reflection; your thoughts will abound.

Keep trying new actions en route to your goal.
Don't give up now - you're on a real roll.

This process continues until you call an end.
It can be hard to close once this project's opened.

Your final report deserves a gold star.
It contains all your work and your learning thus far.

Do some questions remain? Have new ones come through?
Why, you're in luck! Action research is for you!