Friday, December 10, 2010

Curriculum and Instruction

Reading

The Reading Committee met on December 6, 2010 to discuss the formatting of the Essential Reading Vocabulary Document. This document will have mastery words, by grade level, so as to develop common vocabulary across the district. They reviewed the State Learning Standards in relation to the Common Core Standards. These are currently being implemented. The Reading Instructional Model will be reviewed and revised at a future meeting so that the document accurately reflects what is occurring in our District.

The next meeting will be on January 24, 2011 at 2:45 PM.

Mathematics

The Math Committee met on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 to discuss issues related to the curriculum adoption. The committee reviewed the record keeping process being used in third grade to help demonstrate the mastery of skills and concepts.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM.

Report Card Committee

The Report Card Committee met on Thursday, December 2, 2010 to review feedback from the November Parent Teacher conferences as related to the current report card structure. Committee members shared feedback from other staff members and parents related to the elementary report card. Committee members will be getting more feedback on the ranking system for the next meeting. All members were encouraged to review the research packet of information prior to the next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2011.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

Curriculum and Instruction

Reading

The next Reading Committee meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2010. At the meeting they will continue to move forward on the 2010-11 established goals. (See October 22, 2010 blog for the Committee Goals.)

Mathematics

The Math Committee met on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 to discuss issues related to the curriculum adoption. Committee members from DeLay shared an overview of how the first two months of implementation have been going. Topics discussed included:

Pretesting and post testing of students;

Summer Skills packet;

Sharing information on scoring; and

Ways to record scores and follow results.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 7, 2010 at 3:15 PM.

Science

The Science Committee continues to review the newly developed curriculum maps, as a whole, create a parent survey, and plan for the future.

Report Card Committee

The Report Card Committee met on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 to prepared staff for the upcoming reporting cycle. The committee established a way to share the purpose and intent of the current report card with all staff members prior to report cards going home. They will be gathering input from staff members on the current reporting system and suggestions for improvement. Future meeting will continue with the discussion as well as gathering input from other stakeholders.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2010.

Friday, October 22, 2010

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

Curriculum and Instruction

Reading

On September 28, 2010 the committee meet to discuss the following items:

Accelerated Reader’s implementation in the District was discussed. This is not a pilot program, but part of what is done in all classroom. The reading committee’s role in the ongoing implementation is essential.

Fall Benchmark Triangles related to student performance were reviewed and discussed for each school by the committee.

MAP scores will be used to monitor comprehension for students. AIMSWEB MAZE probes will be administered, as needed, for progress monitoring.

Building updates on Guided Reading for each school were shared with the group.

Reading Committee Goals for 2010-11:

Begin to update the District’s Reading Instruction Model (This model was first presented in March of 2007 and last updated in October 2008)

Develop Essential Reading Vocabulary lists based on the new Core Standards to be taught at each grade level

Mathematics

The Math Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 to discuss issues related to the phased in adoption. The committee will evaluate the progress of the implementation, plan for the future, and assessment related issues.

Science

The Science Committee will meet on October 28, 2010 to review the newly developed curriculum maps, as a whole, create a parent survey, and plan for the future.

Report Card Committee

The Report Card Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 to prepare a common understanding of the current system to be shared with all staff, continue with the discussion on future reporting system, and getting more input, as the process continues, for other stakeholders.

Friday, September 24, 2010

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

Curriculum and Instruction

Reading

On September 28, 2010 the committee will meet to discuss the following items: Accelerated Reader, Fall Benchmark Triangles (See comment under assessment/screening), Goals, and building updates on Guided Reading. They will be looking at any needed revisions in the area of Reading instruction in District #61.

Writing

District #61 began the year with continued writing training from Courtney Gordon, a consultant, who is helping teacher get writing off to a great start. In addition, time was spent with our speaker addressing specific grade level writing issues during a portion of the institute. Teachers found the beginning of the year training to be beneficial.

Mathematics

This is the first year of implementation of the recommendation presented to the Board of Education last May. Teachers at DeLay School are beginning the math implementation while teachers at other grade levels look at ways to move toward mastering of skills. The adoption implementation will occur over time so that children can progress at a reasonable pace.

The Board Presentation from last May can be found on the District website, (www.darien61.org) along with the list of Common Vocabulary and Mastery Skills. On the site, click on Curriculum from the left hand column and scroll down to Math.

Science

The Science Committee continues to review curriculum alignment and assess the topics taught from Kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Science committee met over the summer and are working on updating the Science Curriculum map using a common process of understanding the Big Ideas, asking the Essential Questions and Vocabulary. This process will continue for the current school year.

Report Card Committee

We will continue to investigate our current reporting system and communication with parents on children’s progress. Minor adjustments have been made to the current K – 5 Report Card to reflect curriculum changes in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. The committee will be preparing a recommendation during the current school year in this area for the District.

They will continue to discuss the process that will need to be examined to bring about consistency in reporting on a child’s progress and articulation on the current structure among grade level teams.

Technology Update

Technology in District #61 is in the final year of the three-year purchase done in fiscal year 2009. The committee will be working to provided the Board with a recommendation for the future needs for technology in District #61.

Assessment/Screening

Curriculum Committees will be reviewing the Assessment Overview and make recommendations for updates and changes during the current school year.

Friday, May 21, 2010

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

As the 2009-10 school year comes to a close, this update serves as a review of the year for our curriculum. One of the strengths of the District is the time and energy that our teachers and administrators place on keeping our curriculum current and relevant. There was a tremendous amount of committee work that went on this year in District #61.

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

Very positive happenings are occurring across the district with writing instruction during the first year of the implementation cycle. As curriculum continues to evolve the implementation is a continuous cycle with this year’s focus on providing staff and students with training and skills necessary for effective writing instruction. Teachers have participated in professional development activities during this school year specific to Writer’s Workshop and 6-Traits of Writing. Next year we will continue to use the services of Courtney Gordon, as a consultant, to work with assessment of writing and building of rubrics and mini-lessons.

Mathematics

On April 27^th the Math Committee presented information to the School Board on their recommendation for math instruction. The committee was well received by the Board of Education as they presented their plan for mastery of skills and common vocabulary for staff and students.

The committee has been spending the year reviewing District curriculum and developing the recommendation for implementation. The Board Presentation can be found on the District website, (www.darien61.org) along with the list of Common Vocabulary and Mastery Skills. On the site, click on Curriculum from the left hand column and scroll down to Math.

Science

The Science Committee continues to review curriculum alignment and assess the topics taught from Kindergarten through eighth grade.

At their last meeting Joe Polasek presented the committee with an overview of how reference materials can be used to develop background knowledge for teachers on skills and concepts. In the future, the committee will be generating questions to be used to survey staff and parents about Science Education. This summer the committee will be working on further development of curriculum.

The committee’s next meeting is at 3:15 PM on Thursday, May 27, 2010.

Report Card Committee

The last meeting for this year was held on May 18, 2010. The committee reviewed feedback from grade levels on the current report cards. They discussed the process that will need to be examined to bring about consistency in reporting on a child’s progress and articulation on the current structure among grade level teams.

As the State of Illinois explores the growth model of assessment, this committee will continue to investigate our current assessment and reporting practices. They will compare our model to current research and information. Finally, based on a set of common standards, they will explore the most effective way to communicate that children are learning and successful.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

On March 12th Courtney Gordon continued to share information with our teachers and students on writing. In the morning she demonstrated mini-lessons to students at each of the schools while staff members were able to observe. During the School Improvement Day activities Courtney was able to sharing information with our staff on assessing writing and the use of Rubrics.

Mathematics

On March 15^th the Math Committee members presented information to their respective staff on the recommendation for math education in District #61. They shared common vocabulary, mastery skills, and gathered input from staff members. All this information will be presented to the School Board at the Education Roundtable beginning at 7 PM on April 27^th. The committee was well received by the staff and looks forward to sharing information with the Board of Education next month.

Science

The Science Committee continues to review curriculum alignment and assess the topics taught from Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Report Card Committee

The first meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2010. The task of this committee will be to review the current research on reporting information, examine our current system and prepare a recommendation for the future direction. The committee members are:

EJH: Amy Steffgen, Deb Kowal, Sue Tullar

Lace: Michelle Greco, Caroline Matkowski, Chris Nolen

DeLay: Jessica Guziec, Gail Stocchero, Mary Andersen, Maryellen Fender

At their first meeting, Janet Boslett (4^th Grade Teacher) shared background information on the current reporting system as she was a member of the original committee when the the reporting system in District #61 was last examined. The Committee work will begin by gathering input on the pros and cons of our current system.

Friday, February 5, 2010 Update

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district.

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

The Writing Committee will be meeting on February 9, 2010 as they continue to plan for upcoming events during the implementation year within our district. Courtney Gordon will be returning to the District on March 12, 2010 to work with our Language Arts/Writing teachers at each building. During this School Improvement Day Courtney will be with us while children are in session and in the afternoon when teachers will be participating in staff development activities.

Mathematics

The Committee met on January 21, 2010 to continues to develop the presentation on the upcoming math curriculum review. They discussed dates for implementation and needed time for the March 15^th Teacher Institute. The committee requested three hours from the staff development committee and it was granted. During this three hours the committee will present to the staff at their buildings and work with their grade level on developing skills more deeply for mastery. They have schedule future meetings for planning and organizing the activities for the March Institute on February 9 and 22, 2010.

Reading

The Reading Committee met on Monday, February 1, 2010.

Committee members completed A Parent's Guide to District 61's K-8 Reading Instruction Model. This pamphlet outlines the components of a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading and the National Reading Panel’s instructional recommendations for an effective reading program. This document can soon be viewed on the District's website.

Committee members from each building shared their 2009-2010 DIBELS Benchmark triangles showing the comparison between the fall and winter scores. Kindergarten Phonemic Segmentation scores were strong and first grade scores in the same area increased significantly. The DeLay reading teachers attributed this success to the adoption of the Michael Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program into the kindergarten and first grade curriculums during the 2008-2009 school year.

The committee discussed the need to update each building’s Three Tiered Reading Instruction Program Chart and the District’s Literacy Assessment Overview. Reading teachers from each building will make the necessary revisions so each document reflects current practices in District 61.

The dates for the District’s spring DIBELS Benchmarking are set as follows: Eisenhower students will be tested on May 4, Lace students on May 5, and DeLay students on May 6 and 7.

Science

The Science Committee continues to align the Science Curriculum and where our District is with regards to Science instruction. They are working to present an overview of Science education in District #61 in a fashion that will be informative and useful to staff and parents.