School Year 2013-2014 4/10/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Alanna,Polly,Cara, Kay, *Writing Support - documentation of services, efficacy of program to support application for Title 1 funds as per Nina's email Action: send email requesting specifics about Title 1. *Writing Support - formalize process for identifying students; schedule changes - how to avoid conflict of students in need of both writing and math support and/or desire to take a foreign language? Note: All faculty conversation on schedule ...how to ensure a guaranteed curriculum that is not dependent on available personnel? All faculty conversation on academic probation...criteria and process *Ed Eval. Time at 2:30 to be used to work on gathering evidence to be included in portfolio *Differentiation - fourth grade reading ..Carol McEnaney to share.. 11/7/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie,Polly, Kay, 1. Ten Min. Observation of another ELA class by 11/14....Lots of opportunity to visit ...check the schedule Schedule Fri A Block - Grade 7 (8:30-9:15) Grade8 B Block Grade5, 8, 7 (10:30-11:15) Tues. A Block - 4,6, 7,8 B Block - 5, 6 C Block - 4,5,7,8 Wed. A Block - 4,5,6 B Block - 4,7,8 C Block - 5,6,7,8 2. Writing Support More questions than answers....how to meet the needs of students who need writing support if schedule does not change or if there is not a block from which they can be pulled without losing academic time 3. Curriculum Overview for ELA Similar to Global Studies, Math Each grade to develop a parag. on writing at each grade level for all school ......google doc to be created for this purpose 10/31/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Meghan, Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie, Kay, thoughts.......... CCSS abbreviations on curriculum doc. can be cumbersome... Performance Assessment Cycle conversation needed for all faculty Educ. Eval -is data collected at Dept. level, what does it look like/criteria? What is schedule? Community Meeting Sign up.........thank you Nov. 5 Carol and Carol Nov 12 Pam Miller Nov. 19 Meghan Dec 10 Molly 10/24/2013 Work on Curriculum Maps (fifth grade at Higgins Armory) 10/10/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Meghan, Polly , Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie, Kay, Planning PD for week of October 21 Focus - WHAT is the implication on CCSS on the subject area you teach? HOW are you bringing change/how is your curriculum/instruction different in your classroom? Task - Each of us should look for a quality article about reading/CCSS in the subject areas outside of ELA that could serve as an introduction to the activity.....send them on to me During the PD we should have a hands-on and/or takeaway......perhaps find an informational piece that supports a topic your are reading...then how to use it for more than just fact-finding (maybe audience, author purpose, bias... REMEMBER - No Humanities lunch 10/17 MAP and 10/24 FIfth Grade trip to Higgins Armory. Agenda 10/03/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Meghan, Polly , Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie, Kay, Nina Agenda 1. Writing Support Schedule? -Nina will ask Alanna if she can stay until noon -Possible one day Math Support, one Writing Support...Cindie/Katie do know of this possibility -Any revision to list of students based on yesterday's data work? -Does not work for 6th grade -pullout from Health/Wellness in 8th grade -notification must go to parents 2. MCAS - a takeaway to implement in class? 3. Curriculum Overview for ELA to mirror Global Studies? 4. PD on writing & CCSS Oct. 21st. 5. Comm. Mtg. volunteers? Fourth Meeting 9/26/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Meghan, Polly , Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie, Kay, Nina Agenda 1. Writing Support Delivery? Foreign Language? Advisory? Option of Recess?In lieu of CSL/Health/Exhibition Wkshop? In Class?(planning time w/teacher is a must for this) 2. Student names submitted...Nina will check with lists from Math Support to identify overlapping students 3. writing portfolio at each grade would help highlight skills, also useful for presenting a grade 4-8 overview of writing at MCCPS Third Meeting 9/19/2013 Present Carol, Carol, Meghan, Polly , Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Addie, Kay, Nina Agenda 1. Nina invited to discuss Writing Support provided by Alanna Shone - times available? - type of support...within or out of class - identify students (focus on non-IEP students with needs in writing) 2. Addie shared about writing enrichments: Fountain of Information (students encouraged to sign up, informational writing, 18 students; Creating Writing (student choice) 10 students. Second Meeting 9/12/2013 Present Carol, Meghan, Polly , Molly, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Kay Agenda 1. Discussion on using vocabulary program/strategies and logistics 2. Online Sign-up (and trouble-shooting) for Sadlier Vocab Program First Meeting 9/5/2013 Present Carol, Meghan, Polly, Molly, Addie, Lyndsey, Matt, Ann, Pam, Kay Agenda 1. Foundation Grants (a) Kay will order magazines for all grades - as requested and approved- and distribute to all grades. (b) Meghan has requested quote from Wit and Whimsey for MCBA books as approved by Foundation. These books for grades 4-6 will be separate from classroom library and students will be encourage to participate in the MCBA program. 2. Study Skills Questions - what is the curriculum? - how is it being coordinated with grade level teams? - what skills are being taught? 3. Distribute Teacher's Edition for new vocab program - books to follow 4. Plans 2013-2014: Supporting writing across the disciplines Implementing CCSS PD ideas for all school....teachers writing in their subject areas; using school-wide writing rubric; sharing Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (CCSS) ; calibration and validation activity using writing from non-humanities subjects School Year 2011-2012 Meetings
AGENDA 5/15/2012
Sharing scores and validation
AGENDA 5/8/2012
Scoring grade 5 papers
AGENDA 5/1/2012
Scoring grade 5 papers
AGENDA 4/24/2012
SIGN Up Comm. Mtg
May 8 Jeanne
May 15 8th grade
May 22
May 29 8th grade
June 5
June 12
Begin grading of 5th grade paragraphs using amended rubric.
AGENDA 4/10/2012
Debrief/Reflection on process
Review and modify rubric.
(guests from Malden interested in innovation school).
AGENDA 4/3/2012
Continue calibration.
AGENDA 3/27/2012
Begin calibration and explanation of grades.
AGENDA 3/20/2012
Continue compliling scores. AGENDA 3/13/2012
Begin compiling scores from grading process.
AGENDA 3/6/2012
Continue reading and scoring of papers or Exhibition prep.
AGENDA 2/14/2012
Continue reading and scoring of papers (follow-up from last week)
AGENDA 2/7/2012
Continue reading and scoring of papers (follow-up from Thurs. PD)
AGENDA 1/31/2012
Dilemma: How can we show gradation and examples of proficiency at each grade level if we use one common rubric for each grade level?
Consensus:Working document rubric - at least begin process with current doc.
Protocol: we get together as a group, we read one paper together, score it, discuss the scores. Re. Then work independently. This process begins at PD on Thurs 2/2/12
* Per Matt: We make note of accommodations, changes, etc needed for the criteria, the rubric, the prompt etc. These will be documented in order to come back to them later. 3. All writing prompts to be turned into Molly Wright and Erin by 1/31
4.Each attendee needs to complete MAP sheet by end of week.
2. Writing Rubric - created for writing prompt - Erin will send copy with edits for review. 1. Spelling Bee - reviewed procedures and competition AGENDA 1/24/2012 Community Mtg. sign-up
1/17 Molly W.
1/24 Jeanne
1/31 Matt
2/21 VACATION
3/20 Erin AGENDA 1/17/2012
Prompt
In November 2012, the people of the United States will vote for the next president of this country. What do you consider are essential habits or qualities that every president should have? Write a clear, well-organized paragraph identifying three essential qualities or characteristics that a good president should demonstrate. Schedule
1/17 Develop Rubric
1/31 Pass in clean, coded class set of papers to Molly Wright or Erin to collate
Lunch mtg. REad 4th grade prompts
2/7 Read papers
ina in attendence - discussion of professional MAP goals...coordinate with department goal of establishing
AGENDA 1/10/2012
Nina in attendence - discussion of professional MAP goals...coordinate with department goal of establishing an all-school writing prompt; dual purpose - help toward a guaranteed curriculum (and student achievement) and writing expectations at MCCPS will be more clear(esp. useful for new faculty members)
Action Item: Come to meeting with a writing prompt to share. AGENDA 1/3/2012
Discussion about creating a prompt for all-school student writing...dual purpose -calibration and alignment AGENDA 12/20/2011
Sharing of term 2 Exhibition projects and curriculum maps.
Check Perfection Learning for teacher resources. AGENDA 12/13/2011
Noon Dismisal
AGENDA 12/6/2011
MyOn Reader Discussion with Nina: not recommended for all school use - low appeal in terms of interest and level.
Curriculum Map - term 2 should be completed by 12/20
Create a list of supplies to support global studies curriculum, send to Molly Wright - better bargains buying in bulk. AGENDA 11/29/2011
Exhibition Review
Last mtg of this term.......
Curric. Maps need to be completed for term
Use of oral presentation rubric for Exhib
Looking ahead - how are we supporting our struggling readers and writers; how are we challenging accelerated learners?.
AGENDA 11/08/2011
Power School..."so far so good" in terms of parent queries...yes, that number really is the grade.
Rubric - to be disseminated to all faculty for feedback.
Grant - request from Nina - what do you need to support instruction and student achievement? Request it!
Books for PD...shared by Pam.
Check out Dedicatedteacher.com
MCAS - data - plan of action...follow up from last WEd PD
AGENDA 11/1/2011
Grade 6-8 @ Romeo and Juliet
Created Oral Presentation Rubric.
AGENDA 10/25/2011
Task- Develop a Speaking Rubric that can be used school wide on a variety of assignments. For next mtg (minus gr 6,7,8) come with draft to create final product.
AGENDA 10/11/2011
Next week - MCAS - begin looking at data - what do we notice about particular questions...well answered/in need of attention etc... AGENDA 10/4/2011
Discussion: Books to share with students at community meetings to generate interest and enthusiasm.
Community Meeting - 10/11/11 Kay
10/18/11 Pam
10/25/11 Molly and Carol
11/1/11 Molly Dunne, Matt Cronin
11/8/11 Jeanne
11/15/11 Erin
Continue to share book blurbs/excerpts/authors with students and ensure there is sufficient time allotted for sustained independent reading (always a challenge with the schedule).
Supporting reluctant readers - resources
Book Wizard on Scholastic
Lexile.com,
MCBA at http://www.salemstate.edu/academics/schools/3698.php (helps determine "readability" of books)
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm
http://www.threadsofreading.com/
http://www.carolhurst.com/index.html
http://www.reading.org/General/Default.aspx
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/kirkusreviews/magazine/childrens.jsp
http://nonfictiondetectives.blogspot.com/
Local author Julie Hanke will be "writer in residence" for 6th grade and will lead one writing workshop per grade level this term, due to grant from FMPS and book grant from Rotary. AGENDA 9/20/2011
Parent Night Feedback....some questions in grade 7 about change in global studies curriculum
Should this be addressed at Parent Orientation?
Reading:
How to we generate excitement about books?
Community component?
Book recommendations "must read"
Faculty could model this at Comm. Mtg. - Share a book that is meaningful to you..one that would capture student interest...Similar to a book buzz - title, author, genre, 2-3 sentence summary/why this book grabs you and read a "gripping/thought provoking/attention grabbing excerpt" This could help develop a "go-to_list that may help students in selecting books. Also, they could do sharing of books at tables and to all comm.
ACTION- Bring books for sharing to next hum.lunch.
AGENDA 9/13/2011
Curriculum Maps on one document and made uniform for distribution on Parent night,
Reader's Notebook - *what is the purpose? Don't let it be determined by logistics of schedules.
It is essential that we teach and model how to talk about books.
What do we expect from readers' responses over the years? How do expectations change over the grades?
Action: Bring copy of Guided Readers and Writers next mtg, 9/20/11
Week of 9/19 starts NWEA
Future topics
*Student Portfolios: work has "followed" students...what do we do for consistency?
*Struggling Writers - how are we supporting them?
AGENDA 9/6/2011
CHOPS check in - 4th grade have this pasted into writing journals.
- all grades encouraging this strategy for revision and edits
Professional Dev - workshop on best new young adult lit with Kathleen Odean (Kay says a good workshop!)
- is money available for one or two to attend?
Reader's Notebooks - agenda next week
CURRICULUMMaps - term 1 is completed
- share overview of grades 4-8 with parents. Include the big question..focus on skills and not merely laundry list of topics. KAy will create a synopsis for handout.
AGENDA 8/26/2011 Common Core Curriculum - strands for GS for inclusion on Power School are as they were on MA Frameworks*History*Geography*Economics*Civics&Government
- How to reference the standards in a user-friendly way when putting standards in the Curriculum Map?
FORMULA Code (from topright of page) Grade level Page number
e.g. 5L pg.40 5b
NOTE:Curriculum Map for first term is due on first Hum Dept lunch mtg. on 9/6/2011
Dept Chair should speak at Parent Night to provide brief overview on global studies changes and classroom teachers will provide more details in the class presentation.
Plagiarism
Wrtinging Expecations
AGENDA 8/23/2011
Curriculum Map Update: Gr.4 Early Man, What Make's a Civilization?
Gr.5 Medieval Times, Who Has the Power?
Gr. 6 Why do we explore? Start with Marblehead
Gr.7 How does Expansion shape national identity?
Gr.8 Power Unites and Divides
For Parents' Night documentation on Google could be basis of handout for indicating course of study in GS
To Do:Writing and Reading schoolwide expectations, Reader's Notebooks, How to support writing without a writing support program......
Remember:Students always write better when they know the purpose of the writing, and their work is more focused when they strive to pull in their audience
School Year 2010-2011 Meetings
AGENDA 6/08/2011
Summer Reading - lists readyto go with writing assignments for grades 6,7,8. Present to students after Comm. Mtg. 6/14/2011
Topics for next school year - supporting struggling readers
- providing opportunities for more indepth, higher quality writing AGENDA 5/24/2011
Local assessment portfolio - work time at Wed PM professional development to compile rubrics and exemplars of student work from Reader's Notebook.
Summer Reading...lists to be updated and uniform in appearance;titles could be informed by NWEA scores;both required and suggested reading; perhaps a summer writing requirement?
What to do with Top Five Books - end of year reading acitvity - CommMtg?
AGENDA 5/17/2011
Local assessment portfolio - Reader's Notebooks
Check in on observations
AGENDA 5/10/2011
1.Conversation on Common Core Curriculum continued- TOPICS/THEMES to consider....
Civics, Government, Citizenship
US geography
Current events/modern world
Ancient history/world history
other cultures
economics & innovation
war,colonization/expansion
Any topic could be taught under these themes and addressing the standards of the Common Core Curric.
Chech out this -
Teaching History Thematically: http://teachinghistory.org/nhec-blog/24585
2. Video featuring Judy Willis, neurologist and education..."what can we use from video games to create an achievable challenge lesson"
3. check in re.observations
AGENDA 5/3/2011
Conversation on Common Core Curriculum......http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf
pg61 History
Schedule at MCCPS - do we support sufficient time for literacy in grade 4; does a lack of attention to develop skills in gr. 4 result in reteaching or some students struggling with literacy....should a gr.4 mimic a gr,.8 schedule or shouldthere be different focus..............
Mini-Observation forms distributed &conversations to set up times and observation focus
REVIEWING Writing Support for 2010-11
-some challenges in terms of planning for classroom teacher to fit that particular block as writing - it may not always fit in logically
-some students would benefit from more focused instruction through pull-out..how to determine who goes to writing or math. often same student needs help in both areas
-would it be better not to include something like Wellness and use this for writing support
-what about writing support during Enrichment
Reminder May18th MyOnTraining - web type reading program
AGENDA 4/12/2011
Discussion of Mini-Observation Form - last observation to take place during May
Reading- students to develop a "top ten must reads"...could help younger students select good books
- 5th grade web page - book reviews
- awards ceremony for favorite book/main character for end of year?
Power standards for Global Studies - skills to teach; research Common Core Curric. to infrom conversation
Request for Exhib. Project overviews to be placed in binder AGENDA 4/4/2011
(Abbreviate mtg. due to to CCE )
Debrief from last Wed. Professional Dev. - identifying critical standards
Sign up for Community Mtg AGENDA 3/29/2011
Reading - How much opportunity do we give studnets to "buzzz" about books? Two minutes at the start of class can generate enthusiasm, highlight "good reads," hear from teachers sharing their reading and responses to books. Using Exhib. workshop to talk books; we need to continue to develop a srong reading culture. Kay talk to Pam Haley about school book fair. Perhps end of year Awards Ceremony..top ten titles, Best Main character etc. (Oscars for books). Add to Book Review Blog (Enrichment)
Observations - Abbreviated Response Sheet - three categories:what to look for (initial conversation) what did you see (evidence of quality teaching and learning) what did you learn. Form to follow
Community Meeting - sign ups
Project Binder - add second and third term Exhibition project
Writing - opportunities for indepth responses...using examples of "c" level assignments to coordinate spiraling. AGENDA 3/22/2011
Erin shared grade 8 exemplars of "c" level writing - historical fiction. (abbreviated conversation due to MCAS schedule) AGENDA 3/15/2011
Topics to address in Term 3
-ELA support for struggling writers
- Books for Book Clubs (selection and financing - identifying books to meet the needs of higher level readers and how how to provide $ for purchasing)
-Reader's Journals (revisit Guiding Readers and Writers)
Can these responses be used to document an assessment for 3rd term?
How are expectations for Book Clubs / reading responses vertically aligned....are
quotes/references/page numbers expected in answers)How do we assess?
How do we assess reading?
How can we better spiral reader's journals ot support student understanding?
- Standards - do we have a "top ten" that must be addressed.Global Studies standards should be examined as a department.How do we combine/assess/spiral skills if not content. -What about move to Common Core Standards? Kay attending p.d. out of building on this topic.
-6/7 Book Club very much enjoyed visit from author Phyllis Karas after reading The Hate Crime - how can we connect with more local authors?
-Provide opportunities for publication student work 1) details on Grade5 web page about HUTCH(1-5) 2) Teen Ink
3) Essay contests
AGENDA 3/8/2011 EXHIBITION
AGENDA 3/1/2011
Molly shared grade 7 exemplars of "c" level writing - Ancient Egypt
no meeting next week - Exhibition day
AGENDA 2/15/2011
Writing and publication opportunities for students - Teen Ink (monthly publication for older students)
HUTCH - next submission deadline March 31st
publishes stories, poetry,art,reviews from grades 1-6
Swampscott residents, grade7, 8 -poetry competition for students
Molly shared grade 6 exemplars of "c" level writing - research essay on African poets
Conversation about students transitioning between fiction and non-fiction.
AGENDA 2/8/2011
Reviewed guidelines for FMPS grant application
Michele shared grade 5 exemplars of "c" level writing - folktales
AGENDA 2/1/2011 Jeanne shared grade 4 exemplars of "c" level writing - personal narratives
AGENDA 1/25/2011
Review of last Tues/Wed. professional development - helpful to see what others were doing; useful to be in group with dept. colleagues;protocol very user friendly.
Next steps for "c" - Look at example of student work in writing, starting with 4th grade and proceeding up.
Jeanne shared about her course work & project re personal spelling lists and dicitonary to improve student spelling; she will be gathering data and will share findings
Essential skills and habits need attention; are we enabling students or encouraging them to be resourceful. How do we encourage them to use their initiative to problem solve, and to be responsible and reliable?
Distributed articles from Molly Wright pertaining to reading journals.
AGENDA 1/18/2011
Continuation of Sharing and Discussion of "c" "d" "i" assignments: Grade4 Adverbs; Grade5 Folktale and Character; Grade8 Analyzing primary sources and use of media/propaganda.
NEXT week - looking at student work on a "c" level assignment AGENDA 1/11/2011
Sharing and Discussion of "c" "d" "i" assignments: Grade7 Romeo and Juliet; Grade6 MiddleEast/Africa.
Question to consider"How much support do we give students who really need the support when they are working on a "c" assignment?
AGENDA 1/4/2011
*Reader's notebooks
- Discussion -how do we ensure quality letters, more than a mere summary of reading? Rubrics? These journals are one opportunity for a "portfolio of progress" and by 7th grade there should be a considerable degree of independence and understanding of requirements. Journals should not be a chore but should generate some enthusiasm about books and reading.
-Perhaps a Professional Development on Reading/Reader's notebooks/ teacher responses. Useful to review and clarify expectations, particulary for people who are not part of discussions at Humanities meetings.
Two books that have been used Into Focus and Guiding Readers and Writers
Next Week- Bring an assignment that you have determined to be a "c" "d" "i" to initiate discussion on expectations, prepare for looking at studnet work and as part of larger task for determining what is proficient.
AGENDA 12/21/2010
*Renew contact with Ann Dolbear regarding professional development tailored to MCCPS, perhaps with focus on vertical alignment.
*What opportunities do we provide students to attain a "4" on an assignment?
Some assignments, particularly "i" do not have a "4"
Comprehension/depth of answer may indicate "4" quality; including a requirement on rubric, perhaps response contains a direct quote; use examples of student work to show what a "4" looks like; we must explain it wellso that students have the opportunity to go above and beyond.
*Continue CUE conversation; we need to look at our strands and determine what we set as proficient/advanced. Set the expected level at the beginning and plan out assessments to get there.....
AGENDA 12/14/2010 Renewed call forUnit Plans and reading lists.
Items for January - Looking at Student Work Protocols
- Book Clubs and reader's notebooks across the grade levels
- notetaking across the grades AGENDA 12/07/2010
1. Shared comments from parent survey that pertained to language arts.
2.Agreed to send Chair copies of Term 1 Unit Plan & Exhibition overview to begin collating a curriculum overview for all grades that would be accessible to all, and that would assist in the work on vertical alignment.
3.Develop a master booklist for novels read in class/book clubs throughout the year - again, sene list to chair
AGENDA 11/30/2010
*check-in on grading and CUE progress
*read two articles from Marshall Memo (11/22/2010). (1)Subsequent discussion on Questioning Strategies in the classroom...using wait time, not accepting answers from students who call out and who ignore the hands up rule, prompt &probe to encourage more thoughtful responses...promote involvement by directing questions to studnets randomly, using "I'll come back to you" to give students a chance to think, using questions to elicit deeper responses than merely gathering information (2)Article on Building a Strong Middle- and High-School Writing Program generated a duscussion on school wide expectations for student writing..what should be evident in all student writing regardless of the content area...How do we convey this to students and faculty...brainstormed the "musts"
The Musts of Every Piece of Writing · Write a complete, coherent sentence beginning with a capital letter and ending with correct punctuation · Indent paragraph · A complete paragraph must have topic sentence, 3-5 detail sentences, and a concluding sentence · Proper MCCPS heading · Restate the question in the answer, and all words from the title/question must be spelled correctly in the answer. [Editorial Comment: all reflections written after the movie today should adhere to these requirements] AGENDA 11/16/2010 AGENDA 10/26/2010
*Rubric - six trait writing rubric being used regularly in fifth grade and other grades will report back on how useful it is and any modifications that may be added.
*MCAS -
Observations: students struggle with open responses
because we have a small population, a handful of students leaving answers blank can adversely affect school-wide scores
"mood, tone"" Daunting" - grade 8; "figurative language" - grade 6- questions that were not well answered
- grade 4 - first time students use two booklets - can we familiarize them with this?; is there an issue of stamina to completing
the test?
*WE should be emphasizing to students that "Exhibition quality" should be evident in their responses; take the habits/terminology we ordinarily use and connect it to their MCAS work.
*FUEL people will not be at 11/2/10 mtg.
*Reminder that classroom observations due 11/9/2010
*Letters About Literature - letter writing competition under the auspices of www.massbook.org. Email with details to follow.
*Ann shared Don Brown's books.
*Request from Molly to gather class set of writing samples for next stage in grading/calibration purposes
AGENDA 10/19/2010
MAP goals were shared and it was discussed how colleagues can support one another and contribute to the attainment of each other's goals.
Rubric Six trait writing rubric was discussed regarding its suitability for use on everyday, non-major writing assignments. It was agreed that it was functional and easily adaptable; content category could be included for factual pieces and Voice could be altered to Audience or Purpose.
Next week's mtg. will conclude Rubric conversation (for now); Ann Chandler will share books; conversation on MCAS .
AGENDA 10/12/2010
Grading: -"the better/more specific the directions, the easier the grading process"
- the descriptor on the CUE should be used to clearly explain i,d, c
- a possibility with Spelling tests to provide opportunity to attain a "4" is for students to both spell and use in sentences words from previous lists
- communicate clearly with students "this is what you need to do to get a 3......"
10/20/10 - work on developing a generic type of rubric for everyday writing assignments
MAP goals - conversation to begin about how colleagues can contribute to each other's goals
Next round of classroom observations using checklist to be completed by Nov.2nd.
Handout of titles from Writing Workshop by R. Fletcher &J. Portalia for using picture books in the classroorm for modeling when teaching writing.
AGENDA 10/05/2010
- How to determine "above and beyond" for spelling tests? Is getting all words correct at expected level or beyond?
- How about using words in other assignments, thus demonstrating mastery?
- What about "fuzzy" writing assignments? When planning the assignment, ask "what is the purpose" of this assignment? Plan ahead for what YOU want to see in the answer and this may help with determining the teacher expected level and the acutal grading.
- Does there need to be greater conformity across the school with descriptions of assignments on the CUE?
- Should the raw score be included on the CUE or on the assignment
- We need to have a conversation with students so they are clear on the grading process
Looking Ahead: How to categorize assignments (i) (d) (c).
Look at student work for determining teacher-expected level
"To encourage students to expand their written vocabulary, teachers need to support student experimentation and reward use of even partially known words." excerpted from The Words Students Need, Lawrence, White, Snow in Education Leadership, OCt.2010
Perhaps this could be part of a 4 on rubrics for using rich language/newly acquired vocabulary
AGENDA 9/21/2010
Agreement that this was a worthwhile activity and should be repeated;having a due date useful and motivating.
AGENDA 9/14/2010
– student expectations in class and at home - next mtg. – Writing support in the classroom - expectations of ELA specialist
AGENDA 9/7/2010
*Writing SURVEY
1. How would you describe your approach to writing?__________________________________ 2. How much time do students spend writing in your class per week (approx.)? _____________ 3. How much time do you think they spend working on writing at home?___________________ 4. What challenges do you encounter when teaching writing?___________________________ 5. How do you think the writing support initiative can be used most effectively in your classroom? What would you like to see me do?________________________________________________
*Pre & Post Writing Assessment 2010-11 Sixth grade example of a "timeless assignment" with rubric.....helps identify a baseline for student writing and areas of need; can be adminstered mid-year and end-year
to determine progress and improve instruction
*Summer Reading
This research shows the value of student-selected, high-interest level reading choices rather than teacher-selected, curriculum-driven titles for summer reading. WE will revisit this in the spring when planning for summer reading.
Discussion about how we have students record their reading at home; varies per grade level but we agree that it should be done.
*ClassroomObservations To be completed by 9/21/2010. Visit a colleague and we will discuss what we saw when we meet 9/21/10.
*Reading Journals I will do five Reader's Notebooks per grade level (7th, 8th grade - Fri., 6th grade - Thurs., 5th staggered collection, day to be determined for me, 4th grade begins later)
*Shakespeare Now Co. November production in Cambridge - 6th, 7th, 8th grades will go. *Any Other Business
What types of wrting for home and class? |
Humanities Meeting Notes
Humanities Department Meeting Log
HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT MEETING LOG 2012 -2013 School Year 10/22/2012 Present Jeanne Dowdell Carol McEnaney Molly Wright Pam Miller Meghan Hale Polly Conti Kay O'Dwyer Ann Chandler Darren...(intern) Nina Cullen Hamzeh (first portion) 9/25/2012 Present Jeanne Dowdell Carol McEnaney Molly Wright Pam Miller Meghan Hale Polly Conti Kay O'Dwyer Ann Chandler Matt Cronin Nina Cullen Hamzeh (first portion) 9/18/12 MAP week Meeting 9/11/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Meghan Hale
Polly Conti
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Meeting 9/4/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Meghan Hale
Polly Conti
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Carrie Gallugi
Matt Cronin
Nina Cullen-Hamzeh (first portion) HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT MEETING LOG School Year 2011-12
Meeting 5/22/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Molly Dunne
Steva Pierce
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Nicole Bingham Meeting 5/15/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Molly Dunne
Steva Pierce
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Nicole Bingham Meeting 5/8/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Molly Dunne
Steva Pierce
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Nicole Bingham
Meeting 5/1/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Nicole Bingham Meeting 4/24/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Nicole Bingham Meeting 4/10/2012 Present:
Guests from Malden
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 4/3/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 3/27/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 3/20/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Pam Miller
Erin Flynn
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 3/13/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Kay O'Dwyer
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 3/6/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Kay O'Dwyer
Molly Dunne
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 2/14/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Kay O'Dwyer
Molly Dunne
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 2/7/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Kay O'Dwyer
Molly Dunne
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham Meeting 1/24/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Molly Dunne
Ann Chandler
Steva Pierce
Charlene White
Nicole Bingham
Meeting 1/17/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Pam Miller
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Molly Dunne Meeting 1/10/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Ann Chandler
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce
Nicole Bingham
Charlene White
Molly Dunne Meeting 1/3/2012 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Ann Chandler
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce
Nicole Bingham
Charlene White Meeting 12/20/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Ann Chandler
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce
Nicole Bingham
Charlene White Meeting 12/13/2011 Noon Dismissal - no mtg. Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce
Meeting 11/29/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce
Meeting 11/15/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce Meeting 11/8/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce Meeting 11/1/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 10/25/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Pierce Meeting 10/18/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 10/11/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 10/4/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 9/20/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Peirce Meeting 9/13/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Steva Peirce
Charlene White Meeting 9/6/2011 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Pam Miller
Nicole Bingham
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
________________________________________________________________________ Meeting 6/07/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 5/24/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Carol McEnaney
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 5/17/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin Meeting 5/17/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Meeting 5/10/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 5/3/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 4/26/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 4/19/2011- Vacation week
Meeting 4/12/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Patricia Rietti Kay O'Dwyer Meeting 4/04/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 3/29/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 3/222011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 3/15/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 3/1/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale
Ann Chandler Kay O'Dwyer Meeting2/15/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Erin Flynn Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Meghan Hale Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting2/8/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Erin Flynn Ann Chandler
Meghan Hale Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting2/1/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Matt Cronin
Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo
Ann Chandler
Meghan Hale
Mike Quinn Kay O'Dwyer Meeting1/25/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting1/18/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn
Matt Cronin
Carol McEnaney Michele Gallo Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting1/11/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Meghan Hale
Michele Gallo
Mike Quinn Kay O'Dwyer Meeting1/4/2011
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Meghan Hale
Michele Gallo Kay O'Dwyer Meeting12/21/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Molly Dunne
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Meghan Hale
Michele Gallo
Mike Quinn Kay O'Dwyer Meeting12/14/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Meghan Hale Kay O'Dwyer Meeting12/07/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Meghan Hale
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting11/30/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Mike Quinn
Kaitlyn Bishop
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting11/16/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Mike Quinn
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting10/26/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting10/19/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Megan Hale
Matt Cronin
Mike Quinn
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting10/12/2010
Present: Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Megan Hale
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer Meeting10/05/2010 Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 9/21/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Ann Chandler
Megan Hale
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting 9/14/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Michael Quinn
Ann Chandler
Megan Hale
Matt Cronin
Kay O'Dwyer
Meeting Date 9/7/2010
Present:
Jeanne Dowdell
Michele Gallo
Molly Dunne
Molly Wright
Erin Flynn
Carol McEnaney
Michael Quinn
Kay O'Dwyer
Date __6/15/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P___ Matt Cronin _____P_____ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______A_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Will discuss what needs to get done this year and what needs to get done next year. Action Items 1.) The department will work to complete the Alignment Document - or as much of it as possible - by the end of the year. Our plan is to clearly document the writing that our students do at each grade level. Additionally, we will make sure to attach - in a binder - a student work example for each major standard or group of standards taught. (As many as possible on this one...) 2.) Grammar resources for next year: Dedicated Teacher Advanced Grammar for grades 4 - 8 3.) Reading initiatives for next year. Brainstorm: book sharing during community meeting, "count the minutes" or some program where reading is measured and students are rewarded, all school book, CSL class involvement, author study (local author programming), battle of the books, book club enrichment, reading resources (book wizard) Date __5/11/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____A___ Carissa Caulfield _____A_____ Matt Cronin _____P_____ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Discuss end of the year goals: fully develop Vertical Alignment documents; ensure that students are very clear on expectations for summer reading. Action Items: 1.) Next week, department members will bring the following documents for further vertical alignment work: the document thus far (printed and handed out by Ryan a few weeks ago) and a copy of the ELA standards. Date __4/13/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Discuss National Poetry Month and Vertical Alignment. Date __4/6/10 - 4/7/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P/A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P/A_____ Carol McEnaney ______P/A____ Agenda 1.) Discuss the grade level writing compiled in all grades (4-8) and discuss what we see in each writing as a means of coming closer to clarifying what we expect our students to do in writing. Date __3/30/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______A____ Agenda 1.) Discuss comments made by parents on the 2010 satisfaction survey which pertain to concerns with our writing program* (See below.) Action Items 1.) The department discussed better sharing what we do: reading journals, peer observations, lesson sharing and student work sharing. 2.) Next week, the department will read through examples of student writing at each grade level in order to make observations (Ryan will collect samples and make a packet for each person.) The activity is intended to shine a light on just what our students are writing, just what our expectations should be of that writing and what the gaps are between those expectations and the work produced. * Date __3/23/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Discuss three things: summer reading; Ann Dolbear; and alignment. Action Items 1.) The department will create a Google Doc in which to paste summer reading lists from all grade levels so that all ELA teachers can see all suggested titles. 2.) The department decided that while students must read at least one book over the summer, the activity done with that book is up to the grade level. Thoughts: 5 favorite quotations; book jacket; character sketch or letter 3.) The department also decided that it needed to clearly communicate to parents and students the requirements for summer reading by the end of May, so that it comes before the MCCPS Book Fair in June. 4.) Next week, the department will look over the vertical alignment document, highlight common threads and annotate a piece of writing at each grade level to identify the expectations for writing at each grade level (as determined by those common threads). Date __3/2/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Build collegiality! Date __2/23/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Discuss bringing an outside speaker into the school to speak with the school community about service work (relating it to Three Cups of Tea). Date __2/9/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Agenda 1.) Vertical Alignment 2.) Community Meeting: Wednesday. Date __2/2/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Carol McEnaney ______P____ Ann Dolbear _____P_____ Nina Cullen-Hamzeh _____P____ Agenda 1.) Quincy will present to the department her plans for Wednesday's morning meeting, so that the department can offer feedback and suggestions. 2.) We will continue to work on the vertical integration of our writing instruction. 3.) Ann Dolbear with speak with us about her own teaching experience, her expertise and how she may be able to assist us here at MCCPS. Date __1/26/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Agenda 1. We will discuss the Wednesday professional development activities and what materials are needed. 2.) In addition, we will discuss the Three Cups of Tea initiative and the morning meeting presentations, specifically Wednesday's meeting. Date __1/19/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______A_____ Agenda 1. We will discuss the Three Cups of Tea initiative and the morning meeting presentations. Action Items Date __1/12/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____A_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Ann Chandler ______P_____ Agenda 1. We will discuss the Three Cups of Tea initiative and vertical alignment. Action Items Friday - Reading of the picture book version of Three Cups of Tea Friday Advisory - Hand out books, read the Promise and the Foreword Week One, Wednesday - Overview of Afghanistan/Pakistan (Ryan) Week One, Friday - Mountaineering (Matt) Week Two, Wednesday - Education (Michele) Week Two, Friday - Discussion Week Three, Wednesday - Pennies for Peace/Philanthropy/Humanitarianism (Quincy) Week Three, Friday - Discussion Week Four, Wednesday - Letter writing project Week Four, Friday - Discussion Week One: Ch 1- 6 (ends at 40) Week Two: Ch 7 - 13 Week Three: Ch 14-18 Week Four: Ch 19-22 Date __1/5/10____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____A____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____A_______ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1. We will discuss the Three Cups of Tea initiative and work on Exhibition overviews and calendars. 2. We will read the picture version of the book Three Cups of Tea in Community Meeting on Wednesday, January 6. In addition, Ryan will write a letter to parents to be sent home with students on that very Wednesday. In this letter, the book initiative will be explained and the request for donations will be made. Date __12/15/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____A____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____A_______ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Nina Cullen Hamzeh ______P______ Agenda 1. We will discuss the Three Cups of Tea initiative and work on Exhibition overviews and calendars. 2. We will read the picture version of the book Three Cups of Tea in Community Meeting on Wednesday, January 6. In addition, Ryan will write a letter to parents to be sent home with students on that very Wednesday. In this letter, the book initiative will be explained and the request for donations will be made. Date __12/8/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____A___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1. At this week's meeting, the Department will discuss the following: the Three Cups of Tea initiative; a short video interview with Maja Wilson, teacher and author of Rethinking Rubrics; and our use of and strategies for using our grammar books this year. 2. Next week, the Department will create outlines explaining what grammar is taught in ELA classes at each grade level. Notes on discussion: Date __12/1/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____A___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____A___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____A_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda At our department meeting tomorrow, let's hammer some of this out and discuss the following: 1. What version of the book would we like our students to read? (If you have the book, would you bring it, please?) 2. Will we have each students have a copy to read or will some classes/grade levels read the book aloud? 3. During what time will we do our "work" on the book with students? During class time? During Community Meeting? 4. What themes do we really want to emphasize by reading this book? What skills? 5. What community-wide actions do we want to do while/as a result of reading this book? Responses 1. We'd like all students and teachers to read the young reader's edition - 260. Parents will be encouraged to read the adult version with their children. 2. The students will discuss and talk about the book: The Humanities Department will develop questions/themes for mixed-grade level discussions during Community Meeting and lunch. 3. We will begin after Christmas and take this on in January 3 meeting times in January: a.) Mountaineering. b.) Schools c.) Larger-service oriented meeting. a. b. Tea c. Afghani food? Notes on discussion: Date __11/24/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1. Exhibition Check-in Notes on discussion: 1. Exhibition Pluses - Most students bought into the interactive portion of the 7th grade project: money granted to groups which presented well. - The preposition poems worked well in 6th grade. - 4th grade: The students, set up in a different way, did much better. Jean did many read alouds with the kids, modeling for them picture books and immigrant stories: this process taught them much more about immigration and about how a story book is constructed. -6th grade car project: came together much better this year due to having gone through the project last year. The students practiced much more this year and graded one another. The poetry cafe went really well. The music there kept people's attention. - Visitors/Alumni are great to have back. It really tells us the impact we've had on them, academically and socially. 2. Exhibition Minuses - Parent high jinx: derailing of the handing-out-of-money. - Exhibition day and the day after: the task is unclear such that behavior can be bad. - Trouble with scheduling during the opening event at Exhibition. The 7th and 8th grade students waited in the Community Room for about 20 minutes, due to the backed-up schedule. - At the same time, the alumni sometime prove to be distractions on Exhibition night itself. Date __11/17/09___ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) Check-in meeting Action Item Date __11/10/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) All-school book? Action Item 1.) Here's the initial thought from the Humanities Department about implementing an all-school book. All School Book: Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea (Adult version, adolescent version, children's picture book version) Encouraged Event: Mortenson at Boston Public Library on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:30 pm. All School Film: Blindsight Date __11/3/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) We will discuss the terminology outlined in the book Building Academic Vocabulary and look to identify what terminology we introduce, use, focus on and teach at each grade level. (Thanks for the materials, Jeanne!) Date __10/20/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) We will discuss any shared needs, then read "Jamie Oliver Puts America's Diet on a Diet" followed with a discussion. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, we (the ELA folks and other interested parties, Quincy and Carissa) will discuss how vocabulary and how grammar is taught at the different grade levels. 2.) Next week, we'll look at creating a homework rubric. 3.) In addition, in the future, differentiation activity... 4.) In addition, in the future, M.A.P. goals, for us, upcoming... 5.) In addition, in the future, a conversation about Department priorities need to be determined... 6.) In addition, in the future, expect a conversation about reading (an all school book, for example)... 7.) Grading, grading, grading conversations... Date __10/27/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____A______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) We (the ELA folks and other interested parties, Quincy and Carissa) will discuss how vocabulary and how grammar is taught at the different grade levels. 2.) We will also look at creating a homework rubric. Date __10/20/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) We will discuss any shared needs, then read "Jamie Oliver Puts America's Diet on a Diet" followed with a discussion. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, we (the ELA folks and other interested parties, Quincy and Carissa) will discuss how vocabulary and how grammar is taught at the different grade levels. 2.) Next week, we'll look at creating a homework rubric. 3.) In addition, in the future, differentiation activity... 4.) In addition, in the future, M.A.P. goals, for us, upcoming... 5.) In addition, in the future, a conversation about Department priorities need to be determined... 6.) In addition, in the future, expect a conversation about reading (an all school book, for example)... 7.) Grading, grading, grading conversations... HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT MEETING LOG Date __10/13/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____A___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____A_____ Matt Cronin _____P_______ Molly Wright _____P______ Kay O'Dwyer _____P______ Agenda 1.) The ELA teachers will discuss frequently used language on MCAS testing. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, Ryan will bring student work and materials for a Tuning protocol. Date __10/6/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin ______P_____ Molly Wright _____P_____ Kay O'Dwyer _____P_____ Agenda 1.) Molly brought up the continued need for MCAS preparation/open response writing preparation needed. In addition, Molly raised the possibility of offering a writing enrichment for second term for students not pulled out from language class but who need help. 2.) In addition, a discussion of the culture around how we talk about/present MCAS was raised. Culture shift needed: we need to make it more formal, more serious, more relevant, and avoid dismissive attitudes regarding the MCAS. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, we'll look at MCAS questions to identify essential language used in the tests. Each ELA teacher will print out 5 relevant questions from the grade level MCAS. 2.) Next week, each ELA teacher will bring 5 examples of MCAS questions in order to discuss the language used in MCAS questions. 3.) In two weeks, Ryan will bring student work and materials for a Tuning protocol. Date __9/22/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Adria Smith _____A____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin ______P_____ Molly Wright _____P_____ Kay O'Dwyer _____P_____ Agenda 1.) Discuss and delegate Tuesday morning meetings. 2.) Discuss any shared needs. 4.) (in ELA specific group) Continue to discuss the MCAS open response issue from last week. Come up with action plan. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Dominique - will present the Fundreds project at next week's Tuesday Morning Meeting. In addition, the calendar for Tuesday meetings until November 10 is set. 2.) How do we create more even splits for language classes? In 5th grade French, one class is huge, one is small. Idea: Have 4th graders take, in tandem, Spanish and French at the beginning of the year. Then pick. Date __9/15/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Adria Smith _____P____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin ______P_____ Molly Wright _____P_____ Kay O'Dwyer _____P_____ Agenda 1.) We will continue a "Consultancy" conversation begun with Jeanne having presented a dilemma for the group. 2. ) Next week, we will discuss the MCAS Open Response issue: our students don't do well on it, so how can we support them and better teach them the skills needed? Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Suggestions about Open Response questions: Many students in 6th grade skipped the questions. Some students are burned out by the end of the test and don't do well on the OR's. Some students may lack the vocabulary necessary for content-specific questions. How do we teach logic and the reasonable response? We need to teach them a formula, a template, with how to answer? How to we change the psychology of not using complete sentences, complete, thorough answers on the part of students? We need to hold students accountable across the board, not just in ELA. We need to teach them across the board, not just in ELA. The ELA folks will plan to meet to come up with some action plans when the MCAS official results are released. 2.) Jeanne's dilemma - how to meet the needs of and teach 4th grade students of so widely varying abilities in reading - raised a very important question about phonics versus whole language reading pedagogy. Date __9/8/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Adria Smith _____P____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin ______P_____ Molly Wright _____A_____ Kay O'Dwyer _____P_____ Agenda 1.) Discuss curriculum mapping. 2.) Discuss discussion protocols (Critical Friends Group-oriented protocols) Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, we will continue a "Consultancy" conversation begun with Jeanne having presented a dilemma for the group. 2. Next week, we will discuss the MCAS Open Response issue: our students don't do well on it, so how can we support them and better teach them the skills needed? Date __9/1/09____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Adria Smith _____P____ Carissa Caulfield _____P_____ Matt Cronin ______P_____ Molly Wright _____P_____ Kay O'Dwyer _____P_____ Agenda 1.) Relax. Kick Back. Read "At Louvre, Many Stop to Snap but Few Stay to Focus" by Michael Kimmelman (New York Times, 8/08/09). Discuss. Ease into department meetings. Action Items/ Decisions 2.) Next week, we'll discuss curriculum planning as well as Critical Friends Group-oriented protocols. Date __6/15/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) ELA grammar books: likely we will get them. 2.) What to work on for next year? a. The department will discuss this year and next year: what worked and what should we do in the year to come? b. The Tuning Protocols were useful for the presenter and the participants. c. How to teach study skills and organization: needed. Discussion about reading, how we approach it: needed. d. Did we go over Professional MAP goals at the beginning of the year? We should, as the year continues. e. How else can kids reflect on the MAP goals? Could they grade one another? Could they follow a protocol to evaluate one another? Could one day per week be the designated MAP reflection day: writing, discussion, etc? Are the goals ambitious enough? Time should be taken by team to discuss possible goals before the MAP meetings. f. Supply lists: Teachers should have checklists to determine what materials students brought in. g. How do we commend ELA students, like ALEKS students are commended? Guiding Readers and Writers? Reader's notebooks? Documenting what students read? Having students write journal entries on their books? Workshop on how to maintain student reading, train teachers. h. Late work? Missing students? What do we do with late work? Late work policy? Action Items/ Decisions 2.) See above. Date __6/8/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____A____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) The department will discuss end of the year needs, concerns, questions, etc. In addition, the department - or the ELA portion of it - discussed the use of grammar books and summer reading. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Ryan will speak with Jeff regarding the ordering of the grammar books. Date __5/18/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) The department will discuss MAP goals and summer reading. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) ELA teachers will compile readings lists and send them on to Matt. Lists of recommended books will be created along with a smaller list of three or four books from which each student, at each grade level, will read one. 5/11/09 Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Ryan will present either a video or a dilemma for a group discussion. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) The group discussed the following issues: How many assessments are enough for assessing a student in a given strand? How do we ensure that we grade for academic understanding over effort in our grading system? Are there ways to ensure that our students and parents look at the CUE Report? Date __4/27/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Karen will present - in a "Tuning Protocol" conversation. Action Items/ Decisions Date __4/13/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Rosanna will present in a "Tuning Protocol" discussion. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Karen will present - in a "Tuning Protocol" conversation - at our next meeting. Date __4/7/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Julie Burridge (guest) Agenda 1.) Rosanna will present in a "Tuning Protocol" discussion. 2.) Because of the shortened time - it was raining and recess was inside - we decided not to begin the "Tuning Protocol" discussion, and instead, used the time to speak a bit with Julie, a onetime Enrichment leader at MCCPS, who had contacted the school interested in learning about teaching. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, Rosanna will present. Date __3/24/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. We'll talk a bit about Wednesday Community Meetings again. If you've had brainstorms over the past week, please be ready to share. (In addition, for a bit of context, the Math/Science department folks are taking on their Community Meeting day on a rotating basis. Not that we have to do that, but it's a thought.) 2. I'd like for us to make plans for another Tuning Protocol conversation for our next meeting. 3. Please bring materials with which to work on your upcoming Unit, Exhibition guidelines, rubrics, etc. We'll spend some time at today's meeting getting this work ready. We'll be presenting to colleagues tomorrow afternoon. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, Rosanna will present in a "Tuning Protocol" discussion. Date __3/17/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 2.) Discuss the use of Wednesday morning meetings Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, the department will work on tweaking and reworking third trimester curriculum maps. Date __3/3/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Work on curriculum maps for the third trimester Action Items/ Decisions Date __2/24/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Discuss how to use meeting time during department meetings Action Items/ Decisions 1.) Next week, the department will work on tweaking and reworking third trimester curriculum maps. Date __2/10/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) Tuning Protocol: Molly will moderate and Quincy will present. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) In two weeks time - after the coming vacation - our agenda will be to look at what we should do in department meetings for the remainder of the year. Date __1/27/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1.) We'll check-in on what's working and what isn't working in terms of the work we've done as a Department thus far. Action Items/ Decisions 1.) In next week's Tuning Protocol Discussion, Quincy will present and Molly will moderate. Date __1/27/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. We will discuss what materials need to be ready for Exhibition Two and for the presentations in the all staff meeting on 1/28/09. After questions are clarified and brainstorming is done, members of the department will work on their own to prepare materials: overviews, rubrics, etc. Action Items/ Decisions Date __1/23/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. Adria will present student work in another Tuning Protocol discussion. Action Items/ Decisions Date__1/13/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. The Department will discuss possible ideas for Black History Month. Action Items/ Decisions 1. On January 20, Inauguration Day, one day after Martin Luther King, Jr day, the department will present an assembly for the entire school focusing on the legacy of Dr. King as well as the inauguration. The school will watch, in real time, the inaugural address. Date __1/6/09_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. The Department will discuss and give feedback - in the form of writing - to Elizabeth Lutwak who is currently writing an grant for an NEH-funded library of classic American texts. 2. The Department will discuss possible ideas for Black History Month. Action Items/ Decisions 1. On the December 17 all staff meeting, the department will hand out copies of the Tuning Protocol, explain what it is to the rest of the staff, run through a truncated, sped-up version of 2. The Department decided that it didn't want to do anything contrived or forced and would like to do some presentation/activity around the inauguration of Barack Obama. Next week, in the department meeting, the team will plan this out. Date __12/16/08_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. The Department will plan out how to present this work to the rest of staff on December 17. Action Items/ Decisions 1. On the December 17 all staff meeting, the department will hand out copies of the Tuning Protocol, explain what it is to the rest of the staff, run through a truncated, sped-up version of the conversation and then facilitate a discussion after about the uses and benefits of such work. Date __12/9/08_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. Molly Dunne will present work as the department works through another round of using the Tuning Protocol. Action Items/ Decisions 1. The department will plan a presentation to the rest of the staff about the Tuning Protocol, to be presented on December 17. Date __12/2/08_______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____A____ Agenda 1. The Department will proceed through the rest of the Tuning Protocol, begun at the last meeting. 2. Decide who will present the following week in another conversation about our work guided by the Tuning Protocol. Action Items/ Decisions 1. Molly Dunne will be the presenter next week. Date ___11/25/08______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____A___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. We will review the Tuning Protocol and Michele will present student work. Action Items/ Decisions Date 11/18/08 Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ____P____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Quincy Carpenter ____P___ Dominique Dart _____P___ Rosanna Longenbaker __P_______ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda 1. We will discuss writing MAP goals, share ideas of soon-to-be or past MAP goals, brainstorm together and then write our own.
Date _11/4/08________ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___A_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___A_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Quincy Carpenter ___A___ Dominique Dart ____A____ Rosanna Longenbaker ____P____ Adria Smith ____P_____ Agenda Action Items/ Decisions Date _10/28/08________ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Quincy Carpenter ___P____ Dominique Dart ____P____ Rosanna Longenbaker ____P____ Adria Smith _________ Agenda 2. Thoughts on how to best facilitate the MAP grading exercise in tomorrow's Professional Development. 3. Ryan will share handouts, thoughts on and plans for introducing some Protocols - for looking at student work - to department meetings. Action Items/ Decisions 1. For next week, we will read through the three protocols. At next week's meeting, we'll decide upon which protocol to use, ask for volunteers for the first facilitator and first presenter. Date __10/21/08______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ___P_____ Michele Gallo _____P___ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Quincy Carpenter ___P____ Dominique Dart ____P____ Rosanna Longenbaker ____P____ Adria Smith _____P____ Agenda
Shared Needs: Do faculty meetings apply to all? Perhaps not all staff need to attend all faculty meetings. Should Special Education staff participate in other Department meetings? Date _10/14/2008___ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ____P____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne _____P___ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Guests ___Pam Miller________________________________________ Agenda 1. Ryan will give an update on school-wide English support structures. Action Items/ Decisions 2. Because the department did not finalize plans for Professional Development for 10/22/08, Ryan agreed to put something together to share with the department at the 10/21/08 meeting. Date _10/8/2008___ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell __P______ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda 2. Discuss ways in which we, as a department, can help to support, promote and accentuate Writing Across the Curriculum. Action Items/ Decisions The department discussed and collected information on what we might be able to present to the entire staff in a Professional Development workshop: the focus being how can we teach our non-Humanities teaching colleagues about teaching and assessing writing. Date ___9/30/08______ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell __Absent______ Michele Gallo ____Present (P)____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ____P____ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda Action Items/ Decisions Date _9/16/08____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell _P_______ Michele Gallo ___P_____ Molly Dunne ____P____ Karen Girouard __P______ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda 2. Look at curriculum mapping 3. Discussion of department materials/where department materials should be kept Action Items/ Decisions 1. In our next meeting, September 30, we will bring our curriculum maps to share. In addition, in that meeting, we will look at the Unit and Lesson Planning Database. Date _9/9/08_____ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell __Present (P)_____ Michele Gallo ____P____ Molly Dunne _____P___ Karen Girouard ___P_____ Ryan Redmond ___P_____ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda 1. Speak about our culture of silent reading, Advisory time as reading time, the gift book program 2. Community Service Learning: Read excerpt from staff community service learning book, make observations, speak about our goals as a community to this end Action Items/ Decisions 2. Ryan will email the long-range planning calenders to the department. 3. Ryan will email out to the department the writing rubric with the department worked on last year. Date _________ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ________ Michele Gallo ________ Molly Dunne ________ Karen Girouard ________ Ryan Redmond ________ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Action Items/ Decisions __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Date _________ Attendance Jeanne Dowdell ________ Michele Gallo ________ Molly Dunne ________ Karen Girouard ________ Ryan Redmond ________ Guests _____________________________________________________ Agenda __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Action Items/ Decisions __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ |