1. Area of Focus:

The proposed area of focus is constructing meaning in reading, which obviously has a great deal to do with teaching and learning but may be a bit vague to suite some people interested in replicating the action research project

2. Research Questions:

The author does have one research question: "What is the effect of an altered curriculum on student performance?" I believe the question is somewhat disconnected to the findings of the study; it is unclear whether the altered curriculum has a greater effect on building meaning in reading than the use of a traditional curriculum.

3. Locus of Control:

Because the author of the study was the facilitator of the classroom reading and discussion times, analyzing the potential impact of the alternate curriculum was within his locus of control.

4. Data collection:

The author used interview with students (qualitative) , personal observations (qualitative), statewide assessment scores (quantitative), and regular collection of student work (qualitative?) to help determine his findings. The author seemed to draw heavily on quantitativeness methods for determining his findings, which may be appropriate given the subjective nature of determining whether meaning was increased.

5. Ethics:

According to the text there are no ethical considerations, but I wonder if another researcher could perhaps propose some ethical considerations, such as the impact different cultural backgrounds could have on how meaning is evaluated.

6. Reflective stance:

The author's use of action research has seemingly caused him to be more reflective and more willing to use action research in the course of his professional development.

7. Action:

As to whether the study facilitated action, the answer is a clear yes. The author has used his study to evaluate himself as a teacher, and his findings have led him to utilize a variety of instructional methods so as to foster enhanced vocabulary development in his classroom. In addition he is continuously looking for new methods for improving vocab development.

8. Action-data connection:

The author demonstrated that the data he looked for, collected and analyzed have led to his taking action as a teacher, and that the findings of his study have greatly aided him in implementing effective strategies for enhancing the meaning taken from reading for his students.