To:       Social Studies Curriculum Committee

From:   Jay Marino and Kay Ingham

Re:       November 5th- Social Studies Curriculum Meeting Minutes

Date:    11-6-02

 

 

Meeting began at 8:30am with a review of:

ü      Last meeting’s progress

ü      Committee member representation

ü      Updated calendar/meeting schedule

ü      General tasks & activities- plan for this year’s meetings

 

Teachers were divided up into teams by level. 

The task was to review, analyze, and clarify the Illinois Learning Standards and Benchmarks at each grade level 

Groups were formed as follows:  Early Elementary (PreK-3), Late Elementary (4-6), Middle/Junior High (7-8) and High School (9-12).  Teams worked in groups to address the following:

ü      What do the standards and benchmarks mean at each level? 

ü      In which grade level are the standards and benchmarks currently being taught?

ü      When comparing the Illinois Learning Standards to current RISD instructional practices, where are the gaps?

 

Teams reported out findings by level.

ü      Each group made a brief presentation of their findings with particular attention given to the gap analysis

 

Teams met to discuss transitional issues. 

ü      Late elementary met with early elementary and high school met with junior high school to discuss strengths and areas for improvement regarding the promotion and transition of students from one grade to the next.  This was the first of several sessions to occur around this topic.

 

Social Studies resources were shared and passed around

ü      Illinois Handbook of Government (2001-2002)-  Call 1-800-782-7300 for free distribution

ü      Illinois Experience- 4th Grade Student Book (Correlates with ISAT)-  View the website for online ordering information about this book and other ISAT preparation products at http://www.illinoisexperience.com

 

Next steps were discussed:

ü      Next meeting will be on November 21st (3:45 – 5:15 pm in room 23)

ü       Committee will review formalized findings from November 5th (currently being typed)

ü      Committee will review Social Studies ISAT trend data

ü      Committee will begin looking at ISAT sample tests

 

Evaluation of meeting.

The meeting ended with a plus/delta evaluation (see below)

 

Parking Lot

 

·        A copy of what should be taught at each grade level needs to be given to all teachers across district

·        Test-taking strategies - how about some of the tips listed in bullets for all teachers

·        Behavioral expectations

·        I do feel that there should be a check list for each grade level what is expected to be taught

 

Plus

 

·        Nice to talk with other levels

·        Like discussing curriculum with the various grade levels

·        Reviewing benchmarks

·        Working in teams

·        Ideas for what needs to happen to make it work

·        Talking with same grades as well as with grades above/below

·        Great discussion with our K-3 team with looking at social studies standards

·        Meeting w/ grade levels first - need to work with same grade levels - then expand

·        Critically considering each goal

·        Hauberg is a wonderful environment - comfy/not cramped

·        Keep putting stuff online

·        Getting the chance to talk to high school social studies dept.

·        Looking closely at standards

·        Lunch

·        Good communication

·        Sharing among the groups - listening to concerns

·        Being able to talk to grades above and below

·        Shared info on what is covered at different grade levels

·        Absolutely awesome meeting.

·        Feel like we’re making an impact on curriculum and for students

·        We need to know what is expected

·        Excellent group and working

·        Being part of a dedicated group of teachers

·        Talking with junior high teachers

·        Jr. high and high school having a +/= conversation

·        Glad to see and have special education involved

·        Really appreciated this opportunity.  Everything was great

·        Gave me a lot of ideas I need to incorporate in my lessons.

·        Nice to know shared concerns across district

·        As a new teacher, force me to sit down and look at and analyze the shared goals

·        Organization

·        Good articulation and cooperation

·        Groupings

·        I found that taking a better look at each benchmark helped me with understanding what’s expected

·        Opportunity to share and talk with others at grade level as close to

·        Good meeting - it is important for us to work with the other teachers on these issues.

·        Meeting with other teachers to discuss goals

·        K-12 communication

·        Setting/Hauberg is great place to meet

·        Food

·        Exchange of info w/ staff we never get to converse with during work hours

·        Talking w/ other SS teachers in district from

·        Talking w/ other SS teachers in district from all levels

·        Good interaction within and between groups

·        Meeting at length with colleagues!

 

Delta

 

·        A little too warm in here

·        More representation of each specific grade level

·        Need a K or Pre-K teacher to add to 1-3 group

·        Pretty good job today, but keep everything focused on the topic at hand

·        Name tags - I don’t know everyone

·        More representation from all buildings

·        More beneficial for middle school to meet w/ upper elementary

·        Let’s get all the scores for ISAT going to the right places

·        Include freshman teacher

·        Talk middle level w/ 5th & 6th grade teachers.  Keep communicating all levels.

·        Those who should have been here, but weren’t invited

·        Include Head Start representation and Kindergarten representation