1. Integrated Curricular Team Update
April 13, 2011

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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)

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

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

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