FIFTH GRADE LEVEL MEETING – MINUTES – MARCH 18, 2003

ATTENDANCE: Carolyn Hinshaw, Jaylani Battle, Eric Sellereit, Peter Rasmussen, Tracy Bell, Beckey Candini, Leslie Rogers, Vicki Niles, Kristin Gresham, Susan Swank, Kelly Eret, Carol Beebe, Kelli Miles, Gretchen Offutt, Darlina New, Bill Palmer, Heather Gabrielson, Beth Kealy, Russ Nuckolls, Kiersten Barr, Kara Kisena, Heidi Hawley, Heather Caruso, John Livezey, Gerald Alford

PLANNERS: Beth Kealy and Beckey Candini

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 “Growing Up”. 

·            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 5^th grade teachers teach puberty? 

·            Sherrie explained that there is one unit for the 5^th grade girls on puberty. 

·            There are several videos to support instruction: “Whatsa Hygiene?”, “Grown Up! for Boys”, and “Growing Up! For Girls”.

UPDATE FROM ELEMENTARY MATH TASK FORCE

                The Elementary 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 support 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 for the Math Task Force:

1. Will the TERC Units be prioritized?
2. How will teachers be supported to learn new strategies?

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.         Fifth Grade Teachers Group Email List – In Outlook, teachers will find a group list with all Fifth Grade teachers’ names.  This group address allows Fifth Grade teachers to communicate easily with all other Fifth Grade teachers.  (In Outlook E-mail, address message “to” Teachers-Grade 5)

3.         Fifth Grade Folder – A folder has been developed in Outlook E-mail for Fifth Grade teachers.  Teachers may share documents, lesson plans, assessment tools, and unit designs with other Fifth Grade colleagues and get feedback. (This folder can be found in Outlook E-mail/Public Folders/All Public Folders/Grade Level Work/Grade 5)

4.         Learning Targets - Teachers were shown the Fifth Grade Learning Targets.  Teachers talked about how helpful this document would be when asked by parents, “What is my child learning this year??  The Learning Targets can be found on the district website at http://www.bham.wednet.edu/departments/currdept/curroff/LTIndex.htm

SCIENCE WASL:

What will 5^th grade teachers be expected to do to prepare for the students to take the science WASL?

·            Brian Rick, Assessment and Evaluation Coordinator, explained how the Science WASL would be administered in the 5^th grade this year. 

·            There will be no results released from this year’s WASL. 

·            Materials describing the WASL were shared.  Carolyn Hinshaw suggested that teachers think about how they are using the problem solving model/scientific process when using the science kits. 

YEARLONG LOOK AT SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE & HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION:

                Using a yearlong template, teachers shared how they organize and plan a yearlong study of the Fifth Grade units of social studies, health, and science.  Several examples were shared for integrating across subjects:

1.         Teaching social studies through the culture strand: How does culture affect how we see the world? (Jaylani Battle, Birchwood)

2.         Space Challenge – A field trip to the Museum of Flight (Eric Selleriet, Happy Valley)

3.         Example of yearlong plan that integrates reading and writing (Leslie Rogers, Lowell)

4.         Audio Tapes that accompany the social studies text support tangled readers

5.         Chunking units and focusing on a specific unit for a period of time rather than teaching all subjects every day allows for students to go in depth and focus.  (Beth Kealy, Lowell)

6.         Use the content of social studies to teach the reading and writing processes (Karen Blum, Northern Heights)

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 5^th grade online project, “Were Would You Settle”, and the template for creating more projects.

                The group reviewed the Social Studies Units development begun in October and talked about further strategies/activities and where the online project might be incorporated.   Teachers were invited to work with others on the development of multiple online projects. 

READ ALOUDS:

Teachers listed their “favorite” read-aloud and the connections to units and concepts to be learned at the Fifth Grade.  The list will be put in the Grade 5 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.  Please add any other books you may use in your classroom.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1.         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. 

2.         How can we get a copy of Joy Hakim’s History of Us, Bo0k 3, From Colonies to Country 1735-1791?

·            The “History of Us” book “From Colonies to Country, 1710-1792” is an adopted 8^th grade book that can be used as a teacher resource, but should not be purchased for use in 5^th grade.  The “History of Us” book entitled “Making Thirteen Colonies” would be excellent for use in the 5^th grade.

NEXT STEPS/TOPICS/SUGGESTIONS:

For a list of next steps, topics, and suggestions, please see the Grade 5 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.

MAY MEETING:

The next Grade Level meeting for Fifth Grade Teachers is scheduled for May 29^th, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Board Room.