FIRST GRADE LEVEL MEETING – MINUTES – MARCH 25, 2003

ATTENDANCE:  Jan Stamey, Stephanie Cooper, Amanda Voigt, Donna Ringwald, Kelly Glynn, Stephanie Horsfall, Sharie Burdick, Linda Stevens, Julie Jiminez, Jill Caldwell, Cynthia Webley, Grace Cronkhite, Becky Sipsey, Lori Thoreson, Jean Peaco, Kathy Larson-Howell, Pam Brink, Liz Wade, Kevin Quinn, Denisa Anderson, Valorie McElroy, Kristin Roche, Erica Reynolds, Analisa Ficklin, Lisa Miller, Shirley Potter, and Gayle O’Malley.

CO-PLANNERS:  Gayle O’Malley and Shirley Potter

OUTCOME:   Teachers will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with peers in order to increase understandings about district curriculum and direction, as well as to incorporate good instructional strategies into lessons and unit design.

CURRICULUM FOCUS:  Mathematics Instruction, Assessment, and Technology

GIVE ONE GET ONE/RECONNECTING WITH COLLEAGUES:

                Teachers shared instructional strategies, resources, and activities that they use in their classrooms in the curricular areas of social studies, health, and literacy.   Teachers asked questions that had surfaced during the sharing of strategies and activities.

1.            Will we be expected to teach all health units next year? 

·         Sherrie Brown, Director of Curriculum, told the group that the required unit is Unit 1, “Look Out!” 

·         Teachers may select other units as student interests and needs arise. 

·         The content of the curriculum can be taught through the processes of reading and writing.

UPDATE FROM ELEMENTARY MATH TASK FORCE

                The Elementary Math Task Force has two responsibilities for this year: To identify the Common Practices and Core Understandings and to outline a professional development process that will support teachers in implementing the Common Practices.

                Teachers worked in small groups to learn about the principles and beliefs that the Elementary Math Task Force have used as the foundation of their work.  Teachers used an “Anticipation Guide” (graphic organizer that supports before, during, and after reading) to clarify their prior knowledge about teaching and learning in mathematics.  The group reviewed and discussed the National Council of Mathematics Principles (www.nctm.org) and then checked their Anticipation Guide responses.

                Questions/Comments from Teachers for the Math Task Force:

1.            Will math have the same type of professional development that has been provided for literacy? 

2.           Will materials be provided to teach math in a meaningful way at the First Grade Level?

3.           Materials vary across the district First Grade Level classrooms. What will be done to ensure equity across the district?

All minutes and work of the Elementary Math Task Force can be read on the District Web Page  http://www.bham.wednet.edu/staff/elemmathtaskforce.htm

CURRENT STATUS OF MATH INSTRUCTION AT THE FIRST GRADE LEVEL

                Teachers worked in groups to describe the current status of how math is being taught in First Grade classrooms.  Each group took one of the math strands: number sense, geometry, measurement, probability and statistics, and patterns and relationships and described the following teaching characteristics:  amount of time spend teaching the strand, the materials and resources, instructional strategies, and assessment tools.  The information would be given to the Elementary Math Task Force to help with future staff development planning and assessment needs.  (See First Grade Folder in Outlook e-mail for discussion points from group analysis)

                Questions:

1.         How do teachers get materials that are part of the basic allocation?

The District allocated funds when the adoption was first made.  After the adoption year, it is the responsibility of the buildings to oversee maintenance of their materials.  If replacements are needed for lost materials, then the building budget is the resource for funding the purchase.  Some buildings have established a shared resource room or storage area where shared math materials are stored and accounted for each year.

2.         What are the consistent math materials that should be in every building? 

http://www.bham.wednet.edu/departments/currdept/curroff/currresk-8.htm

DISTRICT WEB PAGE and ONLINE  RESOURCES

1.         Nancy Messmer, Director of Library, Media, Technology, provided a tour of the revised district website, highlighting the “search” tools and sites of interest including Grade Level Learning Targets, Committee/Task Force Information, Maps/Driving directions to schools, and access to Central Services.  Teachers were reminded that librarians are helpful resource people in the buildings who can assist with web access and technology.

2.         First Grade Teachers Group Email List – In Outlook, teachers will find a group list with all First Grade teachers’ names.  This group list allows First Grade teachers to communicate easily with all other First Grade teachers. (In Outlook E-mail, address message “to” Teachers-Grade 1)

3.         First Grade Teacher Folder – A folder has been developed in Outlook E-mail for First Grade teachers.  Teachers may share documents, lesson plans, assessment tools, and unit designs with other First Grade colleagues and get feedback. (This folder can be found in Outlook E-mail/Public Folders/All Public Folders/Grade Level Work/Grade 1)

4.         SchoolKit and Investigations – Analisa Ficklin and Denisa Anderson, Teacher-Librarians, demonstrated lessons from SchoolKit and Investigations, which support First Grade instruction in math, social studies, and literacy.  The lessons are available in all schools.

LITERACY ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS:

                Teachers provided input regarding the process for marking the report card for reading. 

Teachers shared concerns using the current below, at, and above standard numbers.  A student can be marked at standard on performance but be below on the content standards/grade level expectation criteria.  (See Grade 1 Public Folder in Outlook E-mail for discussion points from group analysis)

READ ALOUDS:

                Teachers listed their “favorite” read-aloud and the connections to units and concepts to be learned at the First Grade Level.  The list will be put in the Grade 1 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.  Please add any other books you may use in your classroom. 

NEXT STEPS/TOPICS/SUGGESTIONS:

For a list of next steps, topics, and suggestions, please see the Grade 1 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.

MAY MEETING: 

The next Grade Level meeting for First Grade Teachers is scheduled for May15th, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Board Room.