District Fall Vertical Team Meeting HISTORY August 13, 2013

Share what you’re hearing and learning today! #EtowahCoVT Additional Tags: #math #ELA #history #science #CCRS #Plan2020

Today’s Vertical Team Lead Teachers

Some words from Dr. Bice (Quotes from Mega Conference 7/16/13) "I don't care if you do anything the first week. Get to know your students.“ "RtI is not new to good teachers.“ We have to purge ourselves from the NCLB mentality. Don't teach to the test. Teach the kids to learn!“ Freedom Writer Clip: – "Will you be that 'home' for your students?" (in response to a clip from Freedom Fighters) “The gifted students are likely the ones we've most under served.“ “CAVE Dwellers: Citizens Against Virtually Everything”

A little history project humor….

Testing Updates for ACT will be administered to all juniors. However, writing will not be included as previously announced…as of right now. Due to funding issues, only these two ACT Quality Core End-of-Course Assessments will be administered: – English 10 – Algebra I

Testing Updates for EXPLORE and PLAN will be given to 8 th and 10 th graders, respectively, as originally scheduled. Students in grades 3-8 will take the ASPIRE in Reading and Math. Students in grades 5 & 7 will take the ASA (Alabama Science Assessment), formerly part of ARMT+.

Continuous Improvement District-Wide Goals (CIP)

District-Wide Reading Goals Goal 1 - Improve Reading and Writing Proficiency – Strategic teaching – Intensive reading/ writing strategies – Reading and writing across the curriculum – Read and write multiple genres – Address student needs – Increase honors/AP enrollment and success (middle and high school)

What is strategic teaching? Core teachers will open each lesson with a student friendly objective. All teachers will begin each class by establishing a purpose for the lesson (make the lesson relatable to the student, build background knowledge, generate questions to investigate, or discuss essential vocabulary) At the end of the lesson, teachers will reflect on the content of the lesson in a manner that formatively assesses comprehension of all students (questions, group share-out, retell, summarize, journal writing, etc.) All teachers will engage their students in higher-level questioning in an effort to strengthen understanding of the content.

What is strategic teaching? (cont.) During the lesson, all teachers will use various strategies to explore or explain the lesson (technology, integrate new information, explore predictions, student response groups, teacher-student conferencing, writing labs, portfolio assessments, after-school tutoring, graphic organizers, etc...) Teachers will correlate their lesson plans with the ALCCRS. Teachers (grades 7-12) will submit a syllabus (or course outline) for the entire course before school begins. These syllabi will be posted on each teacher’s website and be placed in the school evidence box for future reference. School administrators will ensure reflective planning is taking place by walkthroughs and submission (or viewing) of lesson plans.

Display 7-12 Student Work in Classroom and/or Website

CCRS

I Choose “C”

Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6-12 The literacy standards in the appendices of the 2010 ELA and Math courses of study (and that will be in the new science COS) are not just for ELA teachers. They are for social studies, science, math, and other technical teachers and students in courses such as those offered in career tech. PASS OUT Science/History Literacy Standards

Science and History Reading and Writing Content Literacy Standards

Vertical/Horizontal Team Goals Focus on learning and results Increase achievement for all students Improve communication between/among grade levels and schools Foster inclusion

Break into grade-level groups Choose a discussion leader per team Multi-grade teachers, pick a grade. HORIZONTAL TEAMS

Warm Up What do you think is your greatest strength as a teacher? What’s most stressing you out as the new school year begins? (Limit to one! )

Horizontal Team Discussions HT Questions/Discussions – Share a favorite lesson – Biggest challenges – Preparing students for EOCT – History and Science Content Literacy Standards – Favorite Resources – Other?

Break into 7-12 Vertical Teams RMS & SSHS GMS & GHS HBMS & HBMS WEHS Sardis Gaston

Vertical Team Discussion VT Questions/Discussions – Academic/curricular concerns for previous year's students (to share with teachers/schools receiving those students) – Possible “gaps” that may exist

Reflection 2:30-3:00