SIXTH GRADE LEVEL MEETING – MINUTES – FEB. 27, 2003

ATTENDANCE:  Jan Westermann, Sandra Riggins, Mary Riley, Linda Chapman, Timina Eggert, Mary Gilson, Tim Lucy, Wendy Dutcher, Tim Cosgrove, Mary Erickson, Terry Pauls and Darilyn Sigel.

PLANNERS:  Wendy Dutcher and Jan Westerman

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:  Literacy and Social Studies (Online Projects)            

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 Tragets, 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.         Sixth Grade Teachers Group Email List – In Outlook, teachers will find a group list with all Sixth Grade teachers’ names.  This group address allows Sixth Grade teachers to communicate easily with all other sixth grade teachers. (In Outlook E-mail, address message “to” Teachers-Grade 6)

3.         Sixth Grade Folder – A folder has been developed in Outlook E-mail for Sixth Grade teachers.  Teachers may share documents, lesson plans, assessment tools, and unit designs with other Sixth Grade colleagues and get feedback. (This folder can be found in Outlook E-mail/Public Folders/All Public Folders/Grade Level Work/Grade 6)

4.         Social Studies Online Projects – Teachers reviewed the district Technology Standards for grade 6 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), 6^th grade online projects, “Zeus Successor Sought” and “ Ski-to-Sea: It’s Not Just a Race”, and the template for creating more projects

LITERACY TASK FORCE UPDATE:

                The teachers looked at the Content Standards/Grade Level Expectations for Reading and Writing for Middle School.  In four groups, they reviewed the content standards for two areas: 

Reading

1. Uses skills and strategies for reading
2. Comprehends what is read
3. Sets different purposes for different texts
4. Takes responsibility for reading

Writing

1. Uses characteristics of quality writing
2. Uses the writing process
3. Writes for specific audience and purpose
4. Takes responsibility for writing

Suggestions were made and would be given to the Literacy Task Force, which would be meeting March 21^st.

EXAMPLE OF A LITERACY PROGRAM

                Darilyn Sigel, Whatcom, shared how she implements “Book Clubs” to teach the Seven Essential Reading Strategies; making connections, using prior knowledge, questioning the text, visualizing, making inferences, using skills and strategies, and increasing vocabulary.  She provided handouts that described student responsibilities and time frames.  Contact Darilyn Sigel for more information.

READ ALOUDS:

                Teachers listed their “favorite” read aloud and the connections to units and concepts to be learned at the sixth grade.  The list will be put in the Grade 6 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 6 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.

MAY MEETING:

The next Grade Level Meeting for Sixth Grade Teachers is scheduled for May 6^th, 12:30-3:30 p.m. in the Board Room.