EIGHTH GRADE LEVEL MEETING – MINUTES – MAR. 4, 2003

ATTENDANCE: Jodie Taylor, Jeff Thran, Julie Bennett, Sara Strommer, Sharece Steinkamp, Fred Chung, Sonja Moon, Jim Zurcher, Toby McKain, Peggy Zehnder

PLANNERS:  Peggy Zhender, Kulshan and Jim Zurcher, Whatcom

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 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 the buildings who can assist with web access and technology.

2.         Eighth Grade Teachers Group Email List – In Outlook, teachers will find a group list with all Eighth Grade teachers’ names.  This group address allows Eighth Grade teachers to communicate easily with all other Eighth Grade teachers. (In Outlook E-mail, address message “to” Teachers-Grade 8)

3.         Eighth Grade Folder – A folder has been developed in Outlook E-mail for Eighth Grade teachers.  Teachers may share documents, lesson plans, assessment tools, and unit designs with other Eighth Grade colleagues and get feedback. (This folder can be found in Outlook E-mail/Public Folders/All Public Folders/Grade Level Work/Grade 8)

LITERACY TASK FORCE UPDATE:

                The teachers looked at the Content Standards/Grade Level Expectations for Reading and Writing.  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 for formatting and clarification were made and would be given to the Literacy Task Force that will be meeting March 21^st.

ON-LINE PROJECT FOR EIGHTH GRADE:

                Teachers reviewed the district Technology Standards for grade 7 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), and the template for creating more projects.  Teachers discussed how these projects connect to current units of study and how they might be incorporated into their year long planning.  Nancy invited teachers to participate in the development of further online projects.

We are working toward the goal (Technology Plan and Social Studies Curriculum) of expecting students to complete one online research project per semester.

There is no 8^th Grade project on the district website.  Several ideas have been discussed, but no project is yet completed and posted which guides students through the steps of the Research Cycle as they collaboratively solve a problem.

SOCIAL STUDIES UNITS:

                Teachers discussed how they are currently teaching social studies units and strategies for “covering” what is listed in the social studies curriculum guide.  The group decided to meet in May and bring a unit that they are currently using, in process of being developed, or taught in the past.  The units would be shared in order to get feedback on rigor and suggestions for improvement.  The goal would be to develop quality units that are available for all Eighth Grade teachers.  Teachers will begin an online discussion (using the eighth grade group list in outlook) about the criteria for looking at their social studies units. 

READ ALOUDS:

                Teachers listed their “favorite” read aloud and the connections to units and concepts to be learned at the Eighth Grade.  The list will be put in the Grade 8 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 8 Folder in Outlook Public Folders.

MAY MEETING:

The next Grade Level meeting for Eight Grade Teachers is scheduled for May 8^th, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Shuksan Training Lab.