Secondary Essential Curriculum
Updates: September, 2015
Secondary Task Force
A task force has been formed to tackle the work of developing Transfer Goals and Cornerstone Tasks for grades 6-11. The team consists of 72 teachers, 36 representing the Humanities courses and 36 from STEM courses. As evident on the Task Force member chart, each middle and high school in WCPS has at least one representative. The secondary Content Specialists support the task force as they engage in learning and collaboration.
Initial Meeting
Secondary Task Force members launched their efforts on September 9th from 4:00-6:00 in the Auditorium of CES. Dr. Pugh opened the meeting and the Content Specialists facilitated professional conversation around big picture expectations. View the presentation for details of the meeting. As follow-up, the teachers read two articles, UbD Framework and Transfer Goals.
Jay McTighe Presentation: September 24th
The Department of Instruction engaged in a small group discussion with Jay about Transfer Goals and how WCPS can move forward with curriculum development. In the afternoon, he engaged in a Q&A with the smaller group of Content Specialists, Supervisors, and Dr. Pugh. From 4:00-6:00, the Secondary Task Force had the privilege of learning from the Understanding by Design expert. He shared details of curriculum blueprints that begin with Transfer Goals and are anchored in Cornerstone Tasks. You can view his presentation here.
Professional Conversation
Jay McTighe answered specific questions about the WCPS Essential Curriculum and offered support for the Elementary and Secondary Essential Curriculum.
Selfie with an "Educelebrity"
Liz Matheny (Smithsburg High) took advantage of the opportunity to pose with Jay!
Collaboration Across Schools
Secondary Task Force Members engaged in collaborative conversations, making meaning of the implications for our future work with transfer goals.
Looking Ahead...
October:
- Draft K-12 Transfer Goals by discipline
- Draft Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions by discipline
November
- Share transfer goal drafts at Supervisor Led Professional Development
- Learn from Jay McTighe on November 11
- Refine transfer goals
- Continue work with Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions