ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM UPDATE
November 21, 2013
Upcoming Dates to Note:
December 5: Math Program Discussion Meeting- after school (any Leadership Team and Pilot teachers that are able- C Building Room 226; 4:45-6:30)
December 4-10: K-5 Math Quarterly window; 4-5 Comm Arts Quarterly window
December 9-13: AIMS Web Testing
January 6-10: GATES testing (5th grade)
January 14: REVISION MEETING - Kdg Units of Study Semester 1 (C Building Room 114; sub code 053)
January 15: REVISION MEETING - Grade 1 Units of Study Semester 1 (C Building Room 114; sub code 053)
January 16: REVISION MEETING - Grade 2 Units of Study Semester 1 (C Building Room 114; sub code 053)
January 22: Math Leadership Team Meeting (BOE Room 8:30-3:30; sub code 053)
January 23: REVISION MEETING - Grade 3 Units of Study Quarter 2 (C Building Room 114; sub code 053)
Math Common Assessment Changes Based on 2013 IBD Reports (Grades 3-5)
We will make a few changes to this year’s tests starting with 2nd quarter. These slight adjustments were based on a review of how the scores between the MAP and the Quarterly compared.
THIRD GRADE: Students scored higher on both A1B (6.6 pts) and G1A (5.3 pts) on our quarterly than on the MAP, prompting us to consider that our district assessment could be less rigorous. The remaining standards are within 3 points of each other and are considered appropriate.
Changes for THIRD: Replace A1B DOK 1 question with a DOK 2.
FOURTH GRADE: Students scored higher on M1D (8.9 pts) on our quarterly than on the MAP, prompting us to consider that our district assessment could be less rigorous. Students scored lower on N3D (20 pts) than on the MAP, making us assume that our district assessment is more challenging. It was also noted that A1A was the Performance Event, which returned in 2013. This scored at 57%. A1A was not an assessed standard on the quarterly last year.
Changes for FOURTH: Change N3D from a DOK 2 to a DOK 1 and look to make one of the remaining 3 questions easier. Change one question on the 4th quarter tests to a different prompt than what has been used on previous tests. With the format of the question that we have been using, we feel we are on track with the test question we are providing, but it may now be a familiar test question.
FIFTH GRADE: Students scored higher on D1A (19.7 pts) and M1B (24.9 pts) on our quarterly than on the MAP, prompting us to consider that our district assessment could be less rigorous. Also noted was that 5 of the 6 GLEs tests had scores higher on our quarterly than on the MAP.
Changes for FIFTH: Remove conversion chart on M1B questions, requiring students to know standard and metric measurement conversions. Change at least one D1A of the survey questions to a more challenging question. Remove two M2E questions and add M2C (volume) which was a 53% on the MAP and was not previously on the Quarterly.
Spring Curriculum PD Information by Grade Level
Kindergarten Math Curriculum and New Program Training Dates: April 15 & April 22- everyone attends both days; 8:30-3:30 (Spencer Library; sub code 053)
First Grade Math Curriculum and New Program Training Dates: April 16 & April 21 (this is a new date - ACT training at the HS has made it necessary for us to change this date- everyone attends both days; 8:30-3:30 (Spencer Library; sub code 053)
Second Grade Math Curriculum and New Program Training Dates: April 17 & April 24- everyone attends both days; 8:30-3:30 (Spencer Library; sub code 053)
Fourth Grade Units of Study: March 25-26; 8:30-3:30 - everyone attends both days; 8:30-3:30 (Spencer Library; sub code 053)
Fifth Grade Units of Study: - April 8-9; 8:30-3:30 - everyone attends both days; 8:30-3:30 (Spencer Library; sub code 053)
Unit Revisions - K-3
Third Grade Adjustments to Timeline:
- The third grade writers have received feedback from coaches on daily plans for Unit 5 (which will be implemented in February). The original intention was to have those daily plans posted this week, but the team has not had the opportunity to meet to review the information and discuss adjustments. The team will meet on December 2nd and plans to have Unit 5 daily plans ready by mid-December. Unit 4, which will be implemented in January, has already been posted.
- Shelley Willott, Sherri Lorton, and the Units of Study writers have reviewed the information provided from the surveys for 1st quarter as well as the revision team that met on October 30. They are working on making adjustments to the first 2 units. These units will be presented to the team that met October 30th for review prior to being re-posted on HowellNET.
Need Funds to Enhance a Class Project or School Program?
K-12 School Grants: www.k-12schoolgrants.com lists hundreds of grants for funding classroom and school resources, special projects, and teachers' professional growth. Grants are grouped by academic area, locality, grade level, and school role (principals, librarians, teachers, etc.).
National Education Association Foundation Grants: www.neafoundation.org has several types of grants including Learning and Leadership Grants for professional development experiences and Student Achievement Grants for specific work to engage students in critical thinking and problem solving.
Fund for Teachers: www.fundforteachers.org awards fellowships for professional development experiences that broaden the teacher's skills and make a difference in their teaching.
Grants Alert: www.grantsalert.com keeps an updated listing of the latest grants available to schools and teachers. There are individual as well as classroom and program level grants sorted by grant type - foundations, corporate, federal, state, and fellowships.