Academic Goals and PLC Progress Bixby Middle School

Academic Goals 1.) Increase our 7 th and 8 th grade Math OCCT scores to 90% or better. 2.) Maintain a 92% or better on all other OCCT scores. 2.) Maintain a 92% or better on all other OCCT scores.

Math PLC Teachers are using USA TestPrep in a new way (Class Party incorporates cell phones, IPads, IPhones, Tablets, etc. for students to answer questions) Teachers are using USA TestPrep in a new way (Class Party incorporates cell phones, IPads, IPhones, Tablets, etc. for students to answer questions) Teachers have put links on their websites that help students remediate and practice personal tutor videos from textbook publishers (Two of them actually video their own lessons and put them on their websites for students and parents to review at home) Teachers have put links on their websites that help students remediate and practice personal tutor videos from textbook publishers (Two of them actually video their own lessons and put them on their websites for students and parents to review at home) Teachers are using SmartBoard applications to promote more cooperative, interactive, and dynamic lessons to engage and motivate the students. Teachers are using SmartBoard applications to promote more cooperative, interactive, and dynamic lessons to engage and motivate the students.

Social Studies PLC Teachers reviewed the lowest student scores on last years OCCT tests and set specific goals to target those trouble areas. Teachers reviewed the lowest student scores on last years OCCT tests and set specific goals to target those trouble areas. Teachers are using document based questions (DBQ) using maps, graphs, and charts. (This helps students in reaching their Social Studies goals and these are skills used by the Science and Math departments to reach their goals.) Teachers are using document based questions (DBQ) using maps, graphs, and charts. (This helps students in reaching their Social Studies goals and these are skills used by the Science and Math departments to reach their goals.) Teachers are analyzing textbooks by using district rubrics to confirm that the textbook we adopt will address all C 3 standards. Teachers are analyzing textbooks by using district rubrics to confirm that the textbook we adopt will address all C 3 standards.

English PLC Teachers share best practices and are using online teaching sites to watch other teachers and to gain ideas enriching the classroom experience for all students. Teachers share best practices and are using online teaching sites to watch other teachers and to gain ideas enriching the classroom experience for all students. Teachers are working closely with the Media Specialist and Instructional Coach to obtain and identify current and relevant research tools to implement in the classroom. Teachers are working closely with the Media Specialist and Instructional Coach to obtain and identify current and relevant research tools to implement in the classroom. Teachers are using the Instructional Coach to help with implementing higher level strategies to meet C 3 standards. Teachers are using the Instructional Coach to help with implementing higher level strategies to meet C 3 standards.

Science PLC Teachers are using labs that include graphing, measurement, evaluations, and critical thinking skills to support their own goals but also to support the Math and Social Studies goals. Teachers are using labs that include graphing, measurement, evaluations, and critical thinking skills to support their own goals but also to support the Math and Social Studies goals. Teachers require students to explain scientific processes in written form which supports common core research skills through semester reports. Teachers require students to explain scientific processes in written form which supports common core research skills through semester reports. Teachers are all incorporating a specific reading strategy to help students pull important facts out of all reading done through their classes. Teachers are all incorporating a specific reading strategy to help students pull important facts out of all reading done through their classes.

Electives PLC Instrumental music has been implementing literacy through historical and other readings including their method book on a weekly basis. Instrumental music has been implementing literacy through historical and other readings including their method book on a weekly basis. Foreign Language is implementing Math and History in their curriculum through learning numbers and conversions as well as geography and history. Foreign Language is implementing Math and History in their curriculum through learning numbers and conversions as well as geography and history. Computer class is implementing literacy daily with the use of documents and projects. Computer class is implementing literacy daily with the use of documents and projects. Choir is imbedding literacy in reading text of music and math terms in relate rhythm to math problems. Choir is imbedding literacy in reading text of music and math terms in relate rhythm to math problems.

Middle School Actions to Achieve Goals Sharing strategies with each other through PLC’s. Sharing strategies with each other through PLC’s. Each Core PLC is generating Benchmark tests for all subjects through USA Test Prep. Each Core PLC is generating Benchmark tests for all subjects through USA Test Prep. Each PLC is collecting and interpreting the results from Benchmarks in their subject area and teachers are using results in their class rooms to teach and re-teach. Each PLC is collecting and interpreting the results from Benchmarks in their subject area and teachers are using results in their class rooms to teach and re-teach. Teachers have before and after school time to remediate and re-teach. Teachers have before and after school time to remediate and re-teach. Offer tutoring to the 4 core classes after school one day a week. Offer tutoring to the 4 core classes after school one day a week. The Instructional Coach is observing teachers in the classrooms and offering help in various ways. The Instructional Coach is observing teachers in the classrooms and offering help in various ways.

Closing Thoughts We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. Aristotle