6-8 Mathematics Meetings 2007-2008
GRMS Math Meeting 11/05/07
(Not really a meeting, but will share what we would have discussed otherwise)
Attendance: A. Smith
1. Probe Conference - any interested teacher who has not attended one yet (paper was in mailboxes earlier in the week)?
* Angela and Andrea are not able to attend since they have both had training already. Make sure to turn in your paper ASAP if interested.
2. Work on Standards-Based Grading/Unit Design/Changes to Curriculum by Grade level
* Thank you for a copy of the letter that was sent home for those who are grading standards-based this semester. Looking at rubrics for next year for assessments.
3. Concerns/Questions/Comments
* Interesting meeting with myself...
* Dennis is going to the ATOMIN conference the end of this week in Springfield, MA. He should have some stuff to share with us when he returns. Can I put you on the agenda for the next GRMS meeting Dennis?
* Angela e-mailed Art, Howie, and Patty regarding visits from Grade 5 teachers and visiting Grade 9 teachers. Howie is all for the visits. He thinks it could benefit us with the gaps. He will write a report for the visits. We need to make sure to write down our observations, questions, comments and give them to him. Art said that we are allowed to visit the other schools during Team Time or Prep. Time. I have yet to hear from any elementary school teachers or from Patty.
* Any 2 + 2 observations yet this year? Please feel free to come in anytime.
4. Next GRMS Math Meeting will be on Monday, November 19, 2007
5. Next 6-12 Math Staff Meeting at CO will be held on December 5, 2007
Remember, the GRMS meetings are not mandatory. They are set up for those who would like to work together in the same room with other grade levels or the same grade levels. They are a request from teachers from last year.
GRMS Math Meeting 11/19/07
Present: A. Smith, D. Haggerty, R. DeSoto, B. Waugh (2:25 pm - 3:05 pm)
1. RayeAnne - on-line math program
* Aleks - $35 per student (on year subscription) - can work on at school or at home. RayAnne would like to pilot it with our advanced students. She is looking for 10 students for a free pilot through Aleks. If not free, she can probably come up with money for 6 students. She would like to have the same number from each grade level. Constant assessment and feedback. Artificial intelligence - a student has to show mastery in order to move on to the next step. RayeAnne is waiting from company to see if it is constructivist based or skills based. She is looking for a program that is student and teacher friendly. RayeAnne would like our opinion on the program. If it doesn't fit then she will go on. It is aligned to the GLEs.
2. Dennis - ATMNE conference highlights
* Lots of great ideas especially some on the laptops.
* Graphing Calculator packet.
* Celebrating Pi packet.
* Dennis went to 13 different sessions in the two days.
* One session was on Differentiated Instruction - one author that was highly recommended was Peg Mongiello. One key was to only assess what you actually want learned. Use different verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy (RayeAnne's idea). Use different stations for the different styles of learning.
3. Concerns/Questions/Comments
4. Next GRMS Math Meeting will be on Monday, December 3, 2007
5. Next 6-12 Math Staff Meeting at CO will be held on December 5, 2007
Remember, the GRMS meetings are not mandatory. They are set up for those who would like to work together in the same room with other grade levels or the same grade levels. They are a request from teachers from last year.
GRMS Math Meeting Agenda for December 3, 2007
A. Smith, A. O'Brien, J. Heath (2:15 - 2:55 pm)
1. 2 + 2 Observations?
* None so far - too many meetings going on right now, but it is still our goal to continue with them since they are useful tools.
2. CTS?
* Andrea will send out some possible times to have a CTS over fractions sometime after vacation. She will send an e-mail with the dates before vacation to see if there is enough interest.
3. Work on Standards-Based Grading/Assessments
* Andrea reported out for the 1st quarter. More work for teacher because of chasing students down, rewriting quizzes/tests. Students would rather settle for the original score as long as it is a "passing" grade. If they fail, they still don't seem to care at times.
* Students who do retake the quizzes/tests, do seem to learn more.
4. Concerns/Questions/Comments
* Andrea discussed a class she is taking regarding using several standards for the same task and relating it to real life. Sometimes it is hard to relate everything little thing to real life. There comes a point when some things are beyond what the basic math requires for real life, but things the students need to know to move on. Some concepts you just cannot do glorified "fun" stuff that relates to real life.
* Geometric solids - being introduced in grade 6. Vocab. will be mentioned. Describing what the solid is made up of might be beneficial to understanding how to find area, perimeter, and volume of shapes.
5. Next GRMS Math Meeting will be on Monday, December 17, 2007
6. Next 6-12 Math Staff Meeting at CO will be held this Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Remember, the GRMS meetings are not mandatory. They are set up for those who would like to work together in the same room with other grade levels or the same grade levels. They are a request from teachers from last year.
GRMS Math Meeting 12/19/07
A. Smith, A. Cram, J. Heath, R. Waugh (1:45 - 2:30 pm)
1. Working on the Curriculum Document - We are putting our information into the four new standards of Number, Data, Geometry, and Algebra for Grades 6-8. We discussed Data Standard (Measurement and Analysis).
GRMS Math Meeting 1/07/08
Attendance: A. Smith, A. Cram, J. Cassidy, B. Waugh, J. Heath
(2:15 - 3:00 pm)
1. Continue work on the K-12 Mathematics Curriculum document. Please bring any material (MLR or GLE or Standards-Based Reporting) that may be helpful.
* Worked on Probability and Geometry - most of it was completed for Grades 6-8. Will continue at the next meeting. Few problems with the wording of the new document, but after talking it through, we were able to figure it out.
2. Questions/Concerns
Next GRMS Math Meeting: Due to the holiday on 1/21, I would like to have the next meeting be on Tuesday, January 22. Work will consist on continuing with the Mathematics Curriculum document unless something else comes up.