Integrated Curricular Team Update April 13, 2011

Why was the committee formed? (Terry/Betsy) Feedback from a variety of sources indicated that teachers were looking for ways to integrate curriculum as a way to “fit it all in”. In July 2010, the CT. State Dept. of Education adopted Common Core State Standards (National Standards) that emphasize the importance of integrating reading/writing in the content areas. Members include one teacher representative from each building at the 5th & 6th grade level, Peg Bruno, Betsy Gunsalus and Sue Eblen.

Why was the committee formed ? (cont’d.) The team first met in October to review the Common Core State Standards and explore possible places in the curriculum for integration. In January the team reconvened to establish guidelines for integration and to create a proposed integrated curricular calendar.

Guiding beliefs that influenced our work We didn’t lose sight of the structures of reading, writing and math workshops. Work is distributed across content areas to allow for teacher and student choices and also frees up time for teachers. To increase and build upon real world situations by connecting math and science. Communication within the team so everyone knows what is happening in all content areas. Lessons and skills must be anchored in the Common Core State Standards.

Common Core State Standards (Ed/Katie) Common Core State Standards were adopted by the state. Created in order to ensure that all students are college/career ready in literacy by the end of high school. The standards lay out a vision of what it means to be a literate person in the 21st century. We will be using this document to make any decisions regarding curriculum changes over the next few years.

Common Core State Standards (cont’d.) Curricular teams and various groups will be reading and reviewing this document. We anticipate more defined direction from the state later in the spring which will influence our next steps for aligning all curriculum.

Common Core Standards Grade 5 Standards balance the reading of literature with the reading of informational text including history/social studies, science, and technical subjects both in and outside of the classroom. In writing, the focus is looking at text types and purpose, as well as the production and presentation of writing. There is a greater focus on the use of technology for production and presentation of written work.

Common Core Standards Grade 6 Standards require much greater attention to a specific category of informational texts that must take place in other content area subjects in addition to what happens in the reading classroom. In writing, the focus is looking at text types and purpose, as well as the production and presentation of writing. There is a greater focus on the use of technology for production and presentation of written work.

Common Core Activity Individual: Each teacher will read the document and mark it up for things that are confirming, different or any other observations. (15 minutes) Small Groups: Share findings and create a chart of findings. (15 minutes) Whole Group: Create whole group chart with findings and questions. (15 minutes)

Review the Common Core State Standards Confirmations (what are we already doing?) Changes? (what is different?) Other Observations

Overview of Curricular Calendar Draft 5th Grade (Megan) Month Reading Writing Math Science Soc. Studies Sept. Building a Reading Life Personal Narrative Multiplication/ Division See school specific tandem model Oct. Character Unit Personal Essay 3-D Geometry/ Measurement Civics/ Gov’t/ Election Coverage Nov. Non-fiction Unit Addition, Subtraction & Number System Dec. Informational Writing Fractions/ Percents N/A Jan. Short Text Unit/ Literary Essay 2-D Geometry

Overview of Curricular Calendar Draft 5th Grade Month Reading Writing Math Science Soc. Studies Feb. Test Prep Decimals See school specific tandem model N/A March Social Issues Book Club Unit Poetry Multiplication/ Division Exploration April Historical Fiction Editorials Multiplication/ Division Exploration/ Colonial Settlement May Patterns, Functions and Change Colonial Settlement/ American Revolution June Independent Reading Projects Independent Writing Projects Data Analysis/ Probability

Overview of Curricular Calendar Draft 6th Grade (Barbara) Month Reading Writing Math Science Soc. Studies Sept. Reading w/ Engagement & Stamina Personal Narrative Factors & Multiples Ecology 6.1 A Nation Emerges Oct. Character Unit Personal Essay Fractions, Decimals & Percents Nov. Non Fiction (5 wks) Part 1 2-D Geometry Westward Expansion Dec. (5 wks) Part 2 Feature Article Fractions, Decimals, Percents; Area/Perimeter Matter 6.2 Jan. Short Text Unit Statistics Civil Rights/ Industrial Rev.

Overview of Curricular Calendar Draft 6th Grade Month Reading Writing Math Science Soc. Studies Feb. Test Prep Fractions, Decimals, Percents Weather 6.3 Civil Rights/ Industrial Rev. March Fantasy Unit (approx. 6 wks) Poetry 2-D Measurement April Social Issues Book Club Unit Literary Essay Probability Go With the Flow 6.4 Civil War May Persuasive Essay Fractions, Decimals, Percents; 2-D Measurement *Editorial Assessment June Independent Reading Projects Independent Writing Projects Pre-Algebra Go With the Flow, it’s H20 6.4

Curricular Calendar Feedback Grade _____ (Meg/Pat) Strengths Questions/Concerns Other Recommendations

Next steps… (Melanie/Betsy) Our goal is to write an integrated literary essay unit with Kate Roberts this spring to be implemented during 2011-12 school year. Suggestions for next steps…