FOURTH GRADE LEVEL MEETING – MINUTES – MARCH 20, 2003

ATTENDANCE: Tiffany Gutierrez, Teri Herda, Brook Stanton, Barb Campbell, Patty Keene, Sandra Charvat, Jaylani Battle, Gretchen Howard, Karen Blum, Deirdre Coleman, Mike Kettman, Kathleen Robbins, Debbi Dougherty, Analisa Ficklin, Rick Anderson, Debbie Hansen, Barb Reilly, Sheryl Binning, Patsy DeCastro, Lisa Conlon, and Cathy Young.

PLANNERS: Lisa Conlon

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, Social Studies Unit Design, 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 6, BSD Version of “Be Cool, Keep Clean”. 

·            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.

2.         Do 4^th grade teachers teach puberty? 

·            Sherrie explained that there is one unit for the 4^th grade girls on puberty. 

·            There is a video “Clean Kids” to support instruction.  Also, “Just Around The Corner: For Girls” (4^th grade girls only-hygiene video). 

·            Each building should have the video in the professional library.

UPDATE FROM ELEMENTARY MATH TASK FORCE

                Fourth Grade Math Task Force Representatives were introduced – Debbie Hanson, Karen Blum, and Tiffany Guitterez.  The 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 the TERC Units be prioritized?

2.         Since the 4^th grade teachers give the WASL, do we use the book to cover the concepts and use the TERC to increase mathematical thinking?

3.         Can we use the District Web Page to post on-line assessments for various strands of math?

4.         Is there a scope and sequence for the processes and contents for each of the strands at each grade level?

5.         (From the NCTM Document, Curriculum Principle) What does “recursion, iteration, and comparison of algorithms have emerged and deserve increased attention because of their relevance” mean?

6.         Let’s get started with the change process and provide support and different models of professional development that benefits each teacher and their students.     

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

DISTRICT WEB PAGE and On-line 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 buildings who can assist with web access and technology.

2.         Fourth Grade Teachers Group Email List – In Outlook, teachers will find a group list with all Fourth Grade teachers, names.  This group address allows Fourth Grade teachers to communicate easily with all other Fourth Grade teachers. (In Outlook E-mail, address message “to” Teachers-Grade 4)

3.         Fourth Grade Teacher Folder – A folder has been developed in Outlook E-mail for Fourth Grade teachers.  Teachers may share documents, lesson plans, assessment tools, and unit designs with other Fourth Grade colleagues and get feedback. (This folder can be found in Outlook E-mail/Public Folders/All Public Folders/Grade Level Work/Grade 4)

SOCIAL STUDIES-ONLINE PROJECTS:

                Teachers reviewed the district Technology Standards for grades 3-5 and a summary of the three big ideas from “How People Learn”.  This lead to a look at the research cycle (our district research process), a 4^th grade online project, Road Trip Through Washington, and the template for creating more projects. 

READ ALOUDS:

                Teachers listed their “favorite” read-aloud and the connections to units and concepts to be learned at the fourth grade.  The list will be put in the Grade 4 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.  Please add any other books you may use in your classroom.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1. How much support can a teacher provide when administering the WASL?
• Brian Rick, Coordinator of Assessment and Evaluation, explained the protocols for administering the WASL. 
• Teachers are to read the general directions of the test.  However, they cannot read the individual questions.  When a student says, “I don’t know what to do”.  The Teacher may respond with, “What do you know?”  “What can you do?”
2. Did we already pay for clock hours for these meetings?
• The clock hour fee for the grade level meetings covers the hours for October, March and May meetings.  If you have already paid, a “pd” is indicated next to your name on the yellow attendance sheet. 
• You can always call Cindy Backstrom, secretary of the Professional Development Office, at Ext. 6800, to check on your pay status. 
3. Can we have professional development sessions for math in the afternoons like we have for grade level meetings?
• The Elementary Math Task Force will develop a Professional Development Plan to support teachers to implement the Common Practices.  Grade Level Meetings will need to provide some of the math support as well as many other opportunities.
4. Will the Elementary Literacy Guide include information about the Text Forms and Features?
• Currently, the guide contains a description of the Text Forms and Features to be introduced and taught at each grade level.  Now that The Literacy Support Guide for Common Practices at the Elementary is now one year old, committee members will review and make identified revisions and additions. 

NEXT STEPS/TOPICS/SUGGESTIONS: 

For a list of next steps, topics, and suggestions, please see the Grade 4 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.

MAY MEETING: 

The next Grade Level meeting for Fourth Grade Teachers is scheduled for May 27^th, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Board Room.