To: Social Studies Committee Members

From: Jay and Kay

Re: Social Studies Meeting Minutes

Date: 2-7-03

Meeting minutes from:

Social Studies Curriculum Meeting Agenda

February 4^th, 2003 / 3:45 – 5:30 pm

Room 23 Administration Center

Members Present: Pat Jepson, Bark Moskowitz, Alice Lee, Marilyn Fields, Rita Entsminger, Kim VanKirk, Elisha Bowers, Carol Greathouse, Janea Misfeldt, Marie Lindmark, Lou McLaughlin, Julie Briesch, Barb Ashpole, Debi Goslin, Jay Marino

Reviewed K-12 Social Studies Themes/Content Areas Document

-Document online at http://curriculum.risd41.org/committee/social_studies/Social_Studies_Themes.doc . Next meeting we will spend time going over the thoughts from the group:

-There is a gap between grades 4 and 7

-We should consider switching when we teach american history and geography (7th grade- American history, 8th grade- world geography)

-Economics is weak in our district

-We need to include Government at the H.S. level

-Need to add Pre-K

-We need to identify the “critical few” areas for each grade

Review of Social Studies Performance Descriptors (ISBE document)

-Participants received copies of the social studies performance descriptors that will assist us in developing the RISD Social Studies curriculum alignment document.

-Descriptors online at http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/descriptors.htm .

Task- Create Grade Level (or course) Alignment Document (Work In Grade Level Groups)

-Participants began the task of utilizing the ISBE performance descriptors and student friendly standards as a resource to create the RISD document. This task will continue next meeting.

Evaluation of meeting

-Plus/delta results are as follow:

Plus

-Greatly appreciated piece “social studies performance descriptors”- tremendous help

-It was a plus to have K/PreK join us

-Nice atmosphere, very welcoming

-I really like the performance descriptors, they will help with the next steps

-Good to meet across grade level span in initial group

-It is most interesting to discuss these items with all grade levels and throughout the district

-Great snacks, especially fruit

-Liked the descriptors

-Nice having representation from Head Start and Kindergarten

Delta

-Have highlighters for us

-Get more middle level teachers here

-Themes are weak for early grades

Next Meeting: Thursday, February 27^th/ 3:45-5:15pm in room 23 of the Admin. Center

-Continue identifying grade level indicators for social studies benchmarks