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.

Friday, December 4, 2009 Update

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

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

Teachers planned prior to the return of Courtney Gordon who spent the day with teachers in each building. The hands on training allowed for teachers to see demonstration lessons on writing using the techniques presented at the Opening Institute. The design of the professional development was to bring Courtney back to the District after teachers have had some time to work with Writer’s Workshop and 6 + 1 Traits of Writing. The exciting part about the training was that it met the specific needs of our staff. Teachers were able to spend time learning and working with the skills within their own building.

We look forward to Courtney’s return to our District later this year as we continue to focus on writing instruction and common vocabulary for our students and staff.

Mathematics

The Committee continues to develop the direction for the District Math curriculum with plans to make a recommendation to the Board of Education prior to the end of this school year.

Tasks that the committee has been working on include how to assess students to determine if they have mastery of specifically identified skills at certain grade levels. In addition, format of the assessment and other classroom assessments are being examined.

Committee members will be meeting in January with other grade level teachers to share the work of the committee. This is a year of study and the committee continues to ask important questions as they work to develop the math program of District #61.

Reading

The Reading Committee has been working on developing an overview of reading covering aspects, which are focus points for students. The purpose is to develop a handout to share with parents and other stakeholders explaining what reading is all about for District #61 students.

In addition, Reading Committee members have conducted Accelerated Reader orientation workshops in their buildings to familiarize teachers with the new web-based version of Accelerated Reader.

Science

The Science Committee has been examining the current Science Curriculum and determining where our District is with regards to Science instruction. They have been identifying topics that are taught at each grade level. This curriculum area was last reviewed in 2001 and tied to the Illinois Standards. During this review we are able to reevaluate the alignment and assess our science instruction.

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

MAP has been administered to all children in grades 1 - 8 this year. Due to other assessments being used Kindergarten students will take the MAP assessment at a later time.

Friday, October 16, 2009 Update

The following information is published in the October District Newsletter. The full newsletter, which will be mailed to the community, can be read by clicking on the link in the top left corner of the blog titled: October Newsletter. The full newsletter will be available after October 20, 2009.

CURRICULUM ROUNDUP

A strength of District #61 is the commitment of the teaching staff working with students. In addition to the daily work with children, teachers serve on various curriculum committees during their tenure in the District. We currently have a number of committees working to ensure that the education your child receives is second to none.

Staff Development Committee

The Staff Development Committee, chaired by Ms. Amy Brundage, is responsible for the planning of Professional Development activities for the school year. This team, consisting of Nikki Alessi, Jen Daniels, Roy Wolski, Kerri Augustyniak, Ashley Burg, Janel Smith, Joey Bonanotte, Mary Andersen, Karen Pudil, Michelle Sleboda, and Kim Spears, along with administrative representation from Ellie Ambuehl, Bob Carlo, Marty Casey, Mike Fitzgerald, and Lisa Lantvit, meet on a regular basis to ensure that the needs of the building staff, curriculum committees, and administrators are effectively implemented. After each Institute teachers provide feedback to the committee which is used for future planning.

Reading Committee

The Reading Committee, chaired by Mrs. Betty Faron, was established in 2006 with the direction to examine reading and assessment. This committee, consisting of Mary Anderson, Cindy Folkens, Cheryl Halla, Veronica Heggie, Jane Moss, Karen Phomvisay, Donna Pidde, Pat Strittmatter, Karen Ochoa, Kim Schultz, and Sera Scharf, developed the K‐8 Reading Instruction Model as the foundation for reading instruction in District #61. This model is available on‐line for anyone wishing to read the document. It focuses teachers and staff on a common vision to provide a strong K‐8 balanced literacy program, which will empower each child to reach his or her highest potential.

Writing Committee

The Writing Committee, chaired by Mrs. Kristin Shell, was established in 2007. Committee members, consisting of Janet Boslett, Bonnie Bucholz, Gerry Dulkoski, Meredith Holdman, Jorie Kaspar, Michelle Ktistou, Kristie Lupella, Melissa McGannon, Kim McShea, Jen Reyes, and Caroline Pratt, investigated how writing is currently taught, what the best practices are in writing, and received training on writing in order to make the recommendation to create common writing elements for students and staff. District #61 teaches writing through writer’s workshop using the language of Six Traits. We began the school year with writing training for all staff members. This will continue during the school year and you will begin to see the common elements across grade levels as we progress.

Math Committee

The Math Committee, chaired by Mrs. Amy Steffgen, has been examining current mathematic practices and how we can bemore efficient with our instruction. Committee Members, Donna Adams, Kathy Atwood, Amy Brundage, Melissa Cox, Rhonda Esposito, Amy Mordaunt, Marion Nyhoff, Julia Polasek, and Julie Vallo, have been meeting to develop a list of skills that all children should have at a certain grade level. These skills are tied to age appropriateness, state standards, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Focal Points. The committee is working to make a recommendation to the Board of Education later this year. That recommendation will be implemented in the Fall of 2010.

Science Committee

The Science Committee has been formed this year and will begin the process of examining our current science curriculum. Committee members, Jessica Guziec, Becky Johnston, Lisa Smith, Sally Sinow, Bob Johnson, Caroline Matkowski, Paula Perisin, Joe Polasek, and Cathy D’Aquila, will look at the current research on science education, best practices, State Standards and our current curriculum and determine the direction for the future.

Friday, September 4, 2009 Update

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district. It is also posted at: http://district61curriculum.blogspot.com/

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing
The Opening Institute on August 27, 2009 was very successful featuring Courtney Gordon, from the Smekens Group. She was able to provide training for all staff members on writing in District #61 using Writers Workshop and 6+1 Traits. She spent the morning working with the entire staff. In the afternoon she traveled to each building for individual building meetings with staff members. The staff feedback has been positive and the Institute Survey results will be shared later this month.

We are looking forward to Courtney’s return in December and March of this school year.

The Committee should be commended on the hard work they have done to prepare for the writing implementation this year. A job well done.

Mathematics
The Math Committee met this summer to continue the development of the concepts for mastery. Amy Steffgen shared the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Focal Points with the committee. The Focal Points are a list of skills identified as central to math curriculum. The committee compared the work they currently have done with identifying District mastery skills to the NCTM Focal Points.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009.

Reading
The Reading Committee has been working to be sure that the new Accelerated Reader program is up and running in each building. They are working with the technology team to be sure the teachers are able to fully use the new program.

In addition, they met this past week to establish the district-wide testing schedules for Fall testing.

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

MAP will be administered to all children beginning this year. Teacher received an in-service on this program during the Opening Institute activities. Teachers who used the program last year lead the training for the rest of the staff.

Friday, June 12, 2009 Update

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

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

The Committee will be meeting this summer on the 6 + 1 Writing Traits information in preparation for the Opening Institute.

The Opening Institute on August 27, 2009 will feature Courtney Gordon, from the Smekens Group, who will provide training for all staff members on writing in District #61 using Writers Workshop and 6+1 Traits.

The committee looks forward to working with the presenter during the 2009-10 School Year. We have scheduled two additional times for Courtney to come to our district in December and May for follow-up training.

Mathematics

The Math Committee will be meeting this summer to continue the work on the master skills for mathematics. They will continue the development of the concepts for mastery and the impact of 6 + 1 writing on mathematics.

May 8, 2009 Update

The following provides an update on curriculum issues and assessment/screening issues in the district. It is also posted at: http://district61curriculum.blogspot.com/

Curriculum and Instruction

Writing

The Writing Committee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 to prepare the presentation to be presented at the Curriculum Roundtable on May 12, 2009. The presentation will be posted for viewing on the website.

The Committee has worked diligently preparing the district to move forward with common instruction and language in the area of writing and is committed with an implementation plan for next school year.

The Opening Institute on August 27, 2009 will feature Courtney Gordon, from the Smekens Group, who will provide training for all staff members on writing in District #61 using Writers Workshop and 6+1 Traits. The committee looks forward to working with the presenter during the 2009-10 School Year.

In addition, a resource, A Principal’s Guide to Leadership in the Teaching of Writing, is being made available for administrators to help facilitate implementation with this writing process.

Mathematics

The Math Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

The Committee continued working on creating a list of common vocabulary terms for use in the district.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 3:15 PM.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)

This academic measure will be expanded to include all grade levels for the 2009-10 school year. The pilot use of the program has been very useful at grades 1, 3 and 6 during the current year and we are excited about expanding the use next school year.