9/17 Math Meeting

Present: Leslie Hoffman, Laura Relph, Deb Roth, Kelli Kempton, Lucdas Shivfers, Vicki Desbien, Darcy Hocker, Jessica Smith, Kristi Cook, and Denise Liby

1.  Refine or change the School Enhancement Plan goals (long term and short term).  Look at the Spring State Assessment scores to give us some guidelines for our decision.  Use the  STATE  STANDARDS  as a reference.

Number and computation in real world settings continues to be one of the lower indicators as we looked at the state assessment aligned with state standards  from 3rd-5th, so we kept the long and short term goals the same as before.

2.  Review the steps to achieve the long and short term  goals, discuss any staff development we feel is possibly needed (perhaps the EM rep coming to give a  refresher or more general instruction for all or some of us), and any extra resources we think are needed.

We liked the steps to achieve the long/short term goals, so they remained the same as well.  We asked about have the EM rep. come out for a two part training 1.  for new teachers to the series and 2. for some more advanced training for those using the series the past few years.  Denise Guy is checking into this.   Teachers at all levels still need calculators.   We would like to look at getting a complete literature resource set that goes with each EM level at the different buildings,  especially Kennedy teachers.  The k-1 teachers are very happy with the new journals and assessment books they are using.  They feel they are more kid friendly and developmentally correct (scaled back to be geared for the middle learner).  They would like a teacher's manual at some point.   Many asked if it would be possible to get a copy of the revised new student journals at the 2-5th level to see how they compares to what we have now.   

3. Look at, revise, and finalize the enclosed K-5 vocab. list.

The vocab. list looks complete and will be used this year.  Teachers wanted to know to what extent and if there is to be some kind of test over them?   Denise Guy said to use them as we are already doing this year and the vocabulary committee will look at how to best incorporate the list into the new format they will be working on.

4. If we have time we can possibly discuss MAP testing and how we felt that went in each building the past 2 weeks as well as thoughts from the meeting in the morning. Also,  how to best use the scores for preparation for the rest of the year in our classrooms, how they relate to the state testing,and  discuss preparation for state testing.   

The MAPs was discussed and we wondered if it would be possible to look at the scores at grade levels, break down by indicator and then do some ability grouping with the kids and have teachers work with those groups in sessions designed for their ability. Similar to a Fantastic Friday that centers around problem solving, or multiplication, etc....  More discussion on that would follow at grade level meetings.