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Humanities Meeting Notes


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 
 
School Year 2011-2012 Meetings 
 
AGENDA 5/29/2012
no meeting MAP week
AGENDA 5/22/2012
Identifying anchor papers for grades 4 and 5
 
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
  • what to do about major spelling errors on student work, particularly, on posters?
  • allowing more time on day before Exhib. helps students prepare with oral presentations
  • new oral presentation rubric used in part by many to assess "auddience" portion
  • very early arrival time for some students and late departure for all - too much of an attraction with food in Comm. Room...concessions should close 20 mins before conclusion in classrooms
  • Day after had a fine variety of student performance in Charter Hall
  • Day after needs to be more focused; perhaps a scavenger hunt or make connections between what students see and their own projects
  • Great interaction overheard between 4th and 5th grader making a connection b/w Mesopotameia,cunneiform and the scribe in the middle ages...
  •  AGENDA 11/15/2011
       
      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 10/18/2011
      • Good presentation at Comm. mtg. with Julie Hahnke
      • Beverly Library - presentation on ebooks from the public library
      • webinar with Scholastic and authors of Dear America (date?)
      • 5th grade to Higgins Armory on10/19/11
      • Begin looking at trends in MCAS quetions 
      AGENDA 10/11/2011
      • Discussion of Reader's Notebooks and how they are being used at each grade level.
      • Curric. Maps if not completed, need to be for the entire year; This needs to be attended to after Exhib. Overview is submitted.
      • Each grade level should have calendar that all  dates can be added to.
      • speaking rbric for assessment
      • Unit plan vs. exhibiotn overview?.....how do we track the standards we are teaching....

      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..............
         
         
         
        AGENDA 4/26/2011
        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
        •  Welcome and intoductions for guest Alice Henry from Phoenix Charter School, Chelsea
        • Grading
                       - 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
        • Observations - Take Aways: "student hum" indicating engagement & interest in activity; teacher moving around room and checking in with students; planning is essential for an effective/productive lesson; differention of instruction can utilize students with a talent in that area;variety of activities for students;level of calmness and clear routines contribute a strong learning environment.
                  Agreement that this was a worthwhile activity and should be repeated;having a due date useful and motivating.
        • Grading - conversation about :mind shift" for new system; How many assessments are needed to determing proficiency? How best to communicate to parents? What are expectations actoss the grade levels.

         

         
         
        AGENDA 9/14/2010
         

         

        • Writing – discussion based on last week’s survey - 2 biggest challenges - sufficient time and editing/revising./conferencing -how to help students become more independent,self-correcting editors....handout from Ann of commonly mispelled words; also, students could create personal spelling list of commonly mispelled words

                          – student expectations in class and at home - next mtg.

                          – Writing support in the classroom - expectations of ELA specialist

         

        • Reading – Reader’s Notebooks (weekly letters have begun 5th-8th)
          •                 – Recording times, titles  (4th WEB dueMon.,5th Log dueMon., 6th WEBdueMon., 7th experimenting w/different formats, 8th working on creating a workable system)
                      
        • Observations  - check-in & topic on next week's agenda

         

      •        Community Meeting sign-up(Oct5 - Jeanne, Oct19 Molly&Molly,Oct.26Michele,Nov2Erin)

        •  

        • Standards (essential, highly desired, desired......topic for future mtg.)

         

        • Guest at next week’s meeting from Pheonix Charter, Chelsea

         

        • Poetry books from Carol - take what you want

         

        • AOB
        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?
        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
        • what to do about major spelling errors on student work, particularly, on posters?
        • allowing more time on day before Exhib. helps students prepare with oral presentations
        • new oral presentation rubric used in part by many to assess "auddience" portion
        • very early arrival time for some students and late departure for all - too much of an attraction with food in Comm. Room...concessions should close 20 mins before conclusion in classrooms
        • Day after had a fine variety of student performance in Charter Hall
        • Day after needs to be more focused; perhaps a scavenger hunt or make connections between what students see and their own projects
        • Great interaction overheard between 4th and 5th grader making a connection b/w Mesopotameia,cunneiform and the scribe in the middle ages...
      •  AGENDA 11/15/2011
           
          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 10/18/2011
          • Good presentation at Comm. mtg. with Julie Hahnke
          • Beverly Library - presentation on ebooks from the public library
          • webinar with Scholastic and authors of Dear America (date?)
          • 5th grade to Higgins Armory on10/19/11
          • Begin looking at trends in MCAS quetions 
          AGENDA 10/11/2011
          • Discussion of Reader's Notebooks and how they are being used at each grade level.
          • Curric. Maps if not completed, need to be for the entire year; This needs to be attended to after Exhib. Overview is submitted.
          • Each grade level should have calendar that all  dates can be added to.
          • speaking rbric for assessment
          • Unit plan vs. exhibiotn overview?.....how do we track the standards we are teaching....

          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..............
             
             
             
            AGENDA 4/26/2011
            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
            •  Welcome and intoductions for guest Alice Henry from Phoenix Charter School, Chelsea
            • Grading
                           - 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
            • Observations - Take Aways: "student hum" indicating engagement & interest in activity; teacher moving around room and checking in with students; planning is essential for an effective/productive lesson; differention of instruction can utilize students with a talent in that area;variety of activities for students;level of calmness and clear routines contribute a strong learning environment.
                      Agreement that this was a worthwhile activity and should be repeated;having a due date useful and motivating.
            • Grading - conversation about :mind shift" for new system; How many assessments are needed to determing proficiency? How best to communicate to parents? What are expectations actoss the grade levels.

             

             
             
            AGENDA 9/14/2010
             

             

            • Writing – discussion based on last week’s survey - 2 biggest challenges - sufficient time and editing/revising./conferencing -how to help students become more independent,self-correcting editors....handout from Ann of commonly mispelled words; also, students could create personal spelling list of commonly mispelled words

                              – student expectations in class and at home - next mtg.

                              – Writing support in the classroom - expectations of ELA specialist

             

            • Reading – Reader’s Notebooks (weekly letters have begun 5th-8th)
              •                 – Recording times, titles  (4th WEB dueMon.,5th Log dueMon., 6th WEBdueMon., 7th experimenting w/different formats, 8th working on creating a workable system)
                              
            • Observations  - check-in & topic on next week's agenda

             

          •        Community Meeting sign-up(Oct5 - Jeanne, Oct19 Molly&Molly,Oct.26Michele,Nov2Erin)

            •  

            • Standards (essential, highly desired, desired......topic for future mtg.)

             

            • Guest at next week’s meeting from Pheonix Charter, Chelsea

             

            • Poetry books from Carol - take what you want

             

            • AOB
            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?
            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
            • what to do about major spelling errors on student work, particularly, on posters?
            • allowing more time on day before Exhib. helps students prepare with oral presentations
            • new oral presentation rubric used in part by many to assess "auddience" portion
            • very early arrival time for some students and late departure for all - too much of an attraction with food in Comm. Room...concessions should close 20 mins before conclusion in classrooms
            • Day after had a fine variety of student performance in Charter Hall
            • Day after needs to be more focused; perhaps a scavenger hunt or make connections between what students see and their own projects
            • Great interaction overheard between 4th and 5th grader making a connection b/w Mesopotameia,cunneiform and the scribe in the middle ages...
          •  AGENDA 11/15/2011
               
              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 10/18/2011
              • Good presentation at Comm. mtg. with Julie Hahnke
              • Beverly Library - presentation on ebooks from the public library
              • webinar with Scholastic and authors of Dear America (date?)
              • 5th grade to Higgins Armory on10/19/11
              • Begin looking at trends in MCAS quetions 
              AGENDA 10/11/2011
              • Discussion of Reader's Notebooks and how they are being used at each grade level.
              • Curric. Maps if not completed, need to be for the entire year; This needs to be attended to after Exhib. Overview is submitted.
              • Each grade level should have calendar that all  dates can be added to.
              • speaking rbric for assessment
              • Unit plan vs. exhibiotn overview?.....how do we track the standards we are teaching....

              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..............
                 
                 
                 
                AGENDA 4/26/2011
                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
                •  Welcome and intoductions for guest Alice Henry from Phoenix Charter School, Chelsea
                • Grading
                               - 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
                • Observations - Take Aways: "student hum" indicating engagement & interest in activity; teacher moving around room and checking in with students; planning is essential for an effective/productive lesson; differention of instruction can utilize students with a talent in that area;variety of activities for students;level of calmness and clear routines contribute a strong learning environment.
                          Agreement that this was a worthwhile activity and should be repeated;having a due date useful and motivating.
                • Grading - conversation about :mind shift" for new system; How many assessments are needed to determing proficiency? How best to communicate to parents? What are expectations actoss the grade levels.

                 

                 
                 
                AGENDA 9/14/2010
                 

                 

                • Writing – discussion based on last week’s survey - 2 biggest challenges - sufficient time and editing/revising./conferencing -how to help students become more independent,self-correcting editors....handout from Ann of commonly mispelled words; also, students could create personal spelling list of commonly mispelled words

                                  – student expectations in class and at home - next mtg.

                                  – Writing support in the classroom - expectations of ELA specialist

                 

                • Reading – Reader’s Notebooks (weekly letters have begun 5th-8th)
                  •                 – Recording times, titles  (4th WEB dueMon.,5th Log dueMon., 6th WEBdueMon., 7th experimenting w/different formats, 8th working on creating a workable system)
                                      
                • Observations  - check-in & topic on next week's agenda

                 

              •        Community Meeting sign-up(Oct5 - Jeanne, Oct19 Molly&Molly,Oct.26Michele,Nov2Erin)

                •  

                • Standards (essential, highly desired, desired......topic for future mtg.)

                 

                • Guest at next week’s meeting from Pheonix Charter, Chelsea

                 

                • Poetry books from Carol - take what you want

                 

                • AOB
                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 Department Meeting Log

                posted Oct 8, 2008, 12:52 PM by rredmond@marbleheadcharter.com   [ updated Oct 3, 2012, 6:57 AM by Kay O'Dwyer ]

                       


                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.
                 

                Meeting  12/6/2011
                 
                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.

                *
                - Parent Satisfaction Survey 09 -10: Comments on Writing

                "I am not satisfied with the English Language curriculum." (This commenter went to say that he/she wanted more reading of classic literature, more grammar book use and more writing.)

                "Would like to see more reading/writing."

                "It is poor in terms of...scope and sequence....a structured language arts and writing curriculum."

                "The writing component is very weak."

                "Overall, I do think students should be writing more."

                "I would like to see more rigorous writing instruction."

                "There is much less emphasis on writing skills."

                "I am happy with the school in general but would very much like to see a stronger writing curriculum."


                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


                1.) Work on curriculum maps

                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.

                2.) We'll talk about encouraging our students to get their work out there, whether its writing, music or artwork of some sort. To that end, we'll talk about specific events/contests/etc.

                3.) We'll talk about a few teaching-writing workshops in April that may be of interest and use. (The fliers are on the back of the door in the "cake room/mail room.")

                4.) We'll plan another Tuning Protocol discussion for next week.


                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.



                Action Items/ Decisions




                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


                1. Discuss and decide on discussion protocol to be used in future department meetings.

                Action Items/ Decisions


                1. The department decided to utilize the "Tuning" protocol in upcoming department meetings. Michele agreed to be the first presenter at the next meeting, which will take place on 11/18/08. For this, she will bring 9 copies of student work, assignment handouts and rubrics for the protocol-guided discussion.

                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


                1. Reflect on Professional Development from last week. Thoughts for the future?

                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


                1. Announcement: Ryan will explain the plans for the Humanities Department to be expanded to include music, art and languages.

                2. Discussion: Ryan will present to the department plans for Wednesday's Professional Development and will seek feedback in order to finalize plans.

                3. The department will brainstorm and write about what should be included in a student portfolio.

                4. Shared needs



                Action Items/ Decisions

                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.

                2. Ryan will propose MAP goal writing prompt/rubric to be created by department: Map Reflection modeled on MCAS Open Response.

                3. The department will finalize our plans for Professional Development (for 10/22/08)

                Action Items/ Decisions


                1. Pam Miller joined the meeting and shared with the department her MAP reflection. The department looked over it, gave feedback and ultimately approved of it for use across the grade levels.

                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


                1. Hand in Curriculum Map/Scope and Sequence calendars.
                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


                Individually, Humanities teachers will work at completing scopes and sequences with the help of the list of curriculum standards as well as a blank calendar.




                Action Items/ Decisions


                At the next meeting, in addition to other agenda items, already on the calender, the Humanities teachers will present and share scopes and sequences.




                Date _9/16/08____


                Attendance


                Jeanne Dowdell _P_______

                Michele Gallo ___P_____

                Molly Dunne ____P____

                Karen Girouard __P______

                Ryan Redmond ___P_____

                Guests _____________________________________________________



                Agenda


                1. Look over the 6 Trait Writing Rubric created by the department during the 2007-2008 year
                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


                1. Ryan will contact Kathy Cormier and Elizabeth Lutwak about the school library/gift book program ideas.

                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


                __________________________________________________________________


                __________________________________________________________________


                __________________________________________________________________


                __________________________________________________________________


                __________________________________________________________________


                __________________________________________________________________

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