April 10, 2012
Meeting update:
An update from the recent analysis by the Math Council was presented. The analysis was teacher self-reported data by grade level. The analysis showed areas of concern in the curriculum. These will be re-analyzed after the Core Curriculum has been developed. The council will then look for new materials to fill any continuing gaps.
Social Studies update:
The 8th grad History Alive curriculum has been purchased for the 2012-2013 school year. The text has been purchased “on-live”. A classroom set has also been purchased to assist students that do not have computer access at home. The chair, Brett McPherson, has recommended that the 6th grade program be purchased and implemented during the 2013-2014 school year. If funding is available, the 9th grade one semester Geography course. This implementation would be ½ the cost because of the 1 semester course.
Common Core Process:
Dr. Steinbach explained the next years’ plan for the Common Core implementation. A discussion of the components included the Power Standards, Quarterly Course Objectives and Quarterly Common Formative Assessments.
Surveys GK University:
Dr. Steinbach indicated that two surveys will be sent out through Survey Monkey. He encouraged the committee to support the survey and request that their staff completer either the certified or the on-certified survey.
Other:
The committee discussed the new copier system and issues related to the implementation/staff development in 2012-2013 school year. Bruce Burkhart will be requested to attend the next meeting of the council on May 8th.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The District Council met on Tuesday, March 29th. The council heard from the Language Arts and Social Studies Council chairs. Mr. McPherson reported on the recommendation of the Social Studies Council. Like the Language Arts Council, they have been studying curriculums to match the Illinois and National Standards. There search brought them to the conclusion that the History Alive --TCI program was the best match. TCI a K-12 program that uses 5 well established educational theories. These theories are: Understanding by Design, Nonlinguistic representation, Multiple Intelligences, Cooperative Interaction, and Spiral Curriculum. The program is standards based in both social studies and language arts. Preview assignments for units include connecting to prior knowledge, developing vocabulary, and building background knowledge. Students are taught graphically organized notes and written work. Students writing and reading strategies are emphasized in the materials.
The Social Studies Council recommends the adoption of TCI’s History Alive K-12 as funds are available for implementation.
Mrs. Dudley reported on the 6+ writing model as recommended for use by the Language Arts Council grades K-12. The 6+ traits model is based on three beliefs: a common language and vocabulary is necessary for teaching writing, the process needs to support the writing process, and specific criteria are necessary to set the standards of writing. Mrs. Dudley gave the history of the common languages development from the 1960’s to the present. The 6+ traits are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Each trait uses mini-lessons to teach that specific trait. Rubrics are used to evaluate students work. Teachers facilitate writing and holds writing conferences with students. Traits are explicitly taught to students that include help for students to understand concepts in the specific trait.
Teachers will continue to be supported with staff development on the 6+traits during the transition to this writing model K-12 during the 2011-2012 school year.
January 6, 2011
The council discussed the draft of the Genoa-Kingston District 424 Professional Development Plan. The council made some minor corrections to the document. The document will now be taken to the administration for a final review and then Board of Education approval. A copy can be obtained from your building’s council member or contact Dr. Steinbach at Davenport School.
OCTOBER 7, 2010
The committee first agenda item was the current status of the Middle School CPO Science program. The teachers were trained this last summer and the materials were ordered and delivered for the 6th grade program. Mr. Lekkas, Principal, indicated that the program was being implemented and that the teachers felt that students were being successful. The committee discussed the current financial status and heard that next year (2011-12) the 7th grade program would follow. The 8th grade program may have to wait because of finances until the 2012-13 school year. The FOSS program was to be piloted this year and may still have some staff pilot it but implementation will depend on finances of the district.
The new Curriculum Blog for the district was shown to the committee by Dr. Steinbach. He indicated that it would allow district employees and the public to see the status of the development of the curriculum by having documents and minutes available to all. It would also allow for quick updates as it is a linked site. Mr. Lekkas suggested that each curriculum council might also have a dedicated page under the blog. Mr. Lekkas and Dr. Steinbach will be developing that part of the site.
Dr. Steinbach indicated that the Music Council had met and that the new music year curriculum being implemented in 4th grade was a success. The curriculum would need to be continued in grade 5 next year to follow this group of students.
The next meeting of the council will be Tuesday, November 30, 2010 in the Community Room at 3:30 pm.