9/17 Science Facilitators

The facilitators met at WGHS room 324 from 8:30 - 3:30.  The agenda is located here.


We set goals for the day:

We made edits to the timeline

Then published the timeline here (and below):

We then clarified content at each grade level and updated the Teacher Resource Center.

The team then clarified the MySci Pilot for each grade level and content area.  I emailed the schedule to the MySci team to finalize details.

Teachers then set agendas for future gatherings on 10/23, 3/25 and 4/14, seen here:

10/23 Agenda

3/25 Agenda

4/14 Agenda

Teachers then wrapped up the day working on dreaming up resources we would need and adding them to the Teacher Resource Center.

8/1 New Teacher Training

Facilitated workshop with new teachers

5/22 End of Year Report

Accomplishments of the 

K-8 Science and Social Studies Program

Science and Social Studies Facilitators

• Established a CORE team (12 science, 10 Social Studies) that met and was paid for their time.
• Established a “Virtual team” to stay in the loop and weigh in on virtual conversations, announcements, etc. (11 Science, 11 Social studies).  This is also the group that filled in when someone wasn’t able to attend.
• Met 6 times
• 1. Notes: http://goo.gl/Up1Cn
• 2. Notes: http://goo.gl/2rNQu
• 3. Notes: http://goo.gl/djY7v
• 4. Notes: http://goo.gl/TLDrd
• 5. Notes: http://goo.gl/143Ui
• 6. Notes: http://goo.gl/rn7Xd 
• Finished Essentials and Learning goals for our current reality
• Social Studies: http://goo.gl/pBZYP
• Science: http://goo.gl/R3ATr 
• Determined we were not aligned to Grade Level expectations
• Piloted new Kit-sign up system

Science and Social Studies Vertical Team

• Created biannual meetings for Science and Social Studies
• Advertised, facilitated and communicated notes from the meeting to WG-Certified
• Vision for the meetings influenced by participants

Science Program

• Observed Science lessons
• Partnered with Litzsinger Road Ecology Center
• Accompanied Elementary Field trips
• Inspired Hixson Arcade
• Inspired Avery Garden Collaborative
• Inspired GPS unit project in 1st Grade at Hudson
• Digitized resources for access via the district server
• Inventoried science resource assigned to Coordinator: http://goo.gl/CTVir
• Inventoried science resources assigned to district: http://goo.gl/wPhH0 
• Piloted Discovery Education’s TechBook: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/techbook/science/ 
• Created first Draft of K-5 NGSS based units: http://wgsdsciss.blogspot.com/2013/05/k-5-draft-ngss-units.html
• Hosted a NGSS-based regional presentation
• Organized and hosted a 3-day NGSS read and review workshop
• Facilitated 6, 7, 8 full day curriculum workshops
• Presented on Curating a resource vs purchasing textbooks which led to the purchase of devices instead of paper/cardboard.
• Brought in textbook companies to present resource
• Collaboratively planned a unit of study with coordinator at Hixson
• Mentored and reviewed work from WGHS Science Department
• Began partnership with Washington University MySci Program

Social Studies Program

• Observed Social Studies lessons
• Partnered with the Social Studies Network at CSD
• Began dialogue with CECH: http://cech-up.org/
• Inventories social studies resources assigned to coordinator: http://goo.gl/e5IzC
• Collaborated with school Librarians to inventory social studies “kits”
• Wrote DRAFT K-5 units based on 08 GLEs: http://goo.gl/dhEeW
• Maintained in communication with DESE regarding the development of the C3: College, Career and Civic Life Standards
• Reviewed Draft 2 of the C3 standards
• Met weekly with Assistance Principal supervising Social Studies at WGHS

Office of Sci/SS

• Took a leadership role in the St. Louis Science Leadership Consortium
• Established a Daily Blog to increase transparency: http://wgsdsciss.blogspot.com/
• Supported Science Classrooms K-8 through Budget items
• Inspired server space for curriculum materials
• Inspired BYOD for staff and conversations about “permission” being with the person and not the device.
• Hosted an Educational Technology Association Meeting
• Led staff development at Edgar Road on Marzano Art and Science Chapters
• Planned and facilitated 2nd and 3rd year teacher meetings
• Presented Grade-Level Meeting dates
• Completed 6 modules of Google Apps for Education, scheduled assessment for the summer
• Led iPad staff development at Bristol
• Organized EdcampSTL
• Judged door decorating
• Toured the district at each Science kit pick up time to check kits
• Supervised Science kit staff
• Attended EdcampSTL, EdcampSGF, EdcampKC, EdcampChicago, METC, ETA meetings, CSD workshop with Ferdi Serim, Cathy Fosnot, 
• Used idonthis.com to track completion of tasks:

Estimated days observing classrooms:

School Cumulative Number of Days Spent Observing Learning*
Avery 2
Bristol 3.5
Clark 3
Computer School/Steger 2
Edgar Road 2
Hudson 5
TOTAL 17.5

* does not include staff development days, meetings, etc.

Estimated number of days spent outside of district at events/meetings: 8.5
Number of Sick days = 1
Number of personal days = 1 

Goals for Next School Year:

Science and Social Studies Facilitators

• Eliminate the team as it currently exists
• Due to the amount of curriculum work that needs to be created/accomplished shift to a focus with greater impact.
• ½ day curriculum workshops for every level K-5
• Keep Core and Virtual team
• Focus on:
• Science – Creating Essentials, Proficiency Scales and Learning experiences K-5 based on the Next Generation Science Standards
• Social Studies – Creating Essentials, Proficiency Scales and Learning experiences K-5 based on the Missouri Social Studies Grade Level Expectations

Science and Social Studies Vertical Team

• Find money to pay representatives to be there.
• Establish representatives from each grade level and continue to invite everyone, similar to PDC model.
• Collaboratively plan agenda with District leadership and Department Chairs
• Meet quarterly, possible agenda items for Science to include:
• Approve/review/revise Essentials and Proficiency scales created K-12
• Share learning experiences
• Develop Mentorship model through identifying expertise
• Prepare for the NGSS shift
• Collaborate around “authentic audiences” for our scientific practices
• Determine In/Out content/skills by grade level
• Reviewing MAP data performance
• What does it mean to experience science?
• Meet quarterly, possible agenda items for Social Studies to include:
• Vertical Creation of Research Skills K-12 (rely on TILS for advice)
• Approve/review/revise Essentials and Proficiency scales created K-12
• Share learning experiences
• Develop Mentorship model through identifying expertise
• Prepare for the C3 shift, should it ever happen
• Collaborate around “authentic problems” for our social studies
• Determine In/Out content/skills by grade level
• Reviewing MAP data performance WGHS implications for all
• What does it mean to be a citizen?

Science Program

• Continue to lead the St. Louis Science Leadership Consortium
• Pilot NGSS based units K-5 for adoption 14-15
• Finalize Essentials and Proficiency Scales K-8 based on NGSS
• Facilitate 3 full-day 6, 7, 8 curriculum workshops
• Facilitate curating process of resources for 7th and 8th grade science
• Determine viability of Discovery Techbook K-5
• Create science “kits” for new units
• Improve Science kits so no sign up is needed
• Promote multidisciplinary thinking about science to increase seat time
• Deepen relationship with Washington University MySci Program

Social Studies Program

• Lead a delegation to the NCSS national conference in St. Louis
• Take up leadership role in Social Studies Network and CECH board
• Planned 3 full-day 6, 7, 8 curriculum workshops
• Pilot 08 GLE units for adoption 14-15
• Finalize Essentials and Proficiency Scales K-8 based on 08 GLEs
• Investigate Discovery TechBook for Social Studies
• Promote multidisciplinary thinking about Social Studies to increase seat time
• Perform a needs assessment

Office of Sci/SS

• Spend ½ day every week in classrooms goal of 30 cumulative days spent in classrooms.
• Become a Google Apps for Education “Qualified Individual”
• Lead Flipped Teaching Workshop beginning January 14
• Leverage Apple Distinguished Educator network for science and social studies experiences that enhance learning.

Report completed by: Chris McGee

4/2 Office, Hudson, Steger

Started the day working on tasks:

1.  Summer sign ups for Science and Social Studies summer work

2.  Emails with sign up directions

3.  Planned science vertical team 2

4.  Made presentation for Science vertical team

Went over to hudson for Amazing MAP race (for review)

Student identified the errors and correct sentences:

 They learned about similes and antonyms:

 They evaluated answers to MAP like questions:

 They evaluated types of questions:

 The Met the Gnome at the end of the race:

 They answer questions about a section of reading:

Really fun atmosphere and tons of great review activities for the MAP test coming up!

After school met with 6th grade world studies, we discussed

• Latin America Goals
• Vertical Team meeting
• South Africa Unit

3/26 Edgar Road

Attended Faculty meeting at Edgar Road

Confirmed buses for Arcade

Prepped for meeting with 2nd grade teachers

• Pebbles, Sand, Silt: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/172oHmt8ut9B0QAJw0rrVOfBe3qbSgfmj5WqvBku2n84/edit
• Sound Unit: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1cExN1dvVX2TOYxIDq9VXh49drlmQMieCJcVvFWZ2l54/edit

Met with 2nd grade teachers

Prepped for vertical team

• Made posters
• Made copies
• Finalized GLEs

finalized budgets for science and social studies

answered tons of emails

Assisted 3rd grade teacher so their students can skype with another student in Belgium

Focus question for Skype: How does where I live affect how I live...

Call Krissy V re: non profit

3/13 Office Day

Hixson dropped off UbD book, walked around and said happy break to those I might not see

Finalized Hixson Arcade arrangements

• Confirmed dates
• reserved buses
• sent emails
• Got word I'll have to reschedule
• Rescheduled for April 5th

Watched this video:

Reviewed a Gifted Ed Grant

Met and had lunch with Kirkwood Social Studies curriculum coordinator

Testing SKYPE with teacher in building to see if it works for skyping student in Belgium.

Named number 22 in Edtech: http://bestcollegerankings.org/elearning-edtech/
The vatican puffed white smoke in my honor.

I created this form for people to sign up for Summer Science work: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNGYkZEcUVtRml6b2drYUIwMkFyYkE6MQ#gid=0

Wrote this blog post: http://coachinandout.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-importance-of-blogging.html

Made sign up sheets for Avery and Hudson: https://docs.google.com/a/wgcloud.org/document/d/1OU5yuZLn46C1pUHgOBjM_KANJRvfsFvSXPOigYGVMiw/edit#

Downloaded course description and CLEs for Vertical team

Pulled out CLEs for each course (took FOREVER)

3/4 Clark, PDC

Spent the day at Clark Elementary, home of the Eagles!

Kindergarten

I watched Kindergarteners build some log cabins inspired by Abraham Lincoln.

 

Also saw kindergarten students planting seeds:

2nd grade

I saw 2nd grade making timelines and shared with teachers about some online tools for creating a timeline.

Timeline resources:

• Best resources: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/08/06/the-best-tools-for-making-online-timelines/
• http://www.softschools.com/teacher_resources/timeline_maker/
• How to: http://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/timeline.html
• Cool resources: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-a-timeline
• Create one on the web: http://www.timetoast.com
• Timeline resources: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/
• Interactive timeline: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline/
• If you want to get fancy: http://www.tiki-toki.com
• 8 tools: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/08/8-excellent-free-timeline-creation.html
• SS for kids: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/timelines.htm

5th Grade

Integrating technology into the classroom

We discussed the SAMR (pronounced sam-er) model

Resources for SAMR model:

SAMR model: http://www.hippasus.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/rubenrp/mtype/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=SAMR+model

Examples: The SAMR Model: Background and Exemplars

Then discussed using Social networking with 5th graders.  Here is Edmodo!

• Edmodo in the classroom: http://inservice.ascd.org/technology/how-to-use-edmodo-in-the-classroom/
• Parent Edmodo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNBXYtCvcdI
• Teacher post on the first year using edmodo: http://idigedtech.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/feeling-like-an-ugly-duck-with-edmodo/
• Edmodo teacher stories: http://blog.edmodo.com/category/teacher-stories/
• Edmodo basics video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPqB8ewrYxQ

Wax Museum Prep

2nd grade was working on their Wax museum presentations

Students research, make poster or timeline, write speech, press button for timeline
 I saw posters from students on their famous people they researched.  This research was a part of the speeches they prepared for their wax museum they will be having over the next couple of days.

Teacher Meeting on How to use Youtube

Using Youtube

• Use it like a pro: http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-youtube-like-a-pro/
• How to use youtube video editor: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20010127-285/how-to-use-youtubes-video-editor/
• Youtube editor http://www.youtube.com/editor
• Youtube for schools: http://www.youtube.com/schools
• Eliminate clutter: http://instructify.com/2010/06/21/shhhh-quiet-tube/
• CHOP your youtube videos: http://www.tubechop.com
• Advanced features: http://www.cnet.com.au/youtube-guide-to-advanced-features-339296349.htm
• To download youtube videos to keep for yourself use: http://keepvid.com 
• NOTE: I’m a fan of downloading the MP4 file for quality and size balance.

1st Grade

Discussed the economics Old Webster project/unit

• Discussed the terms: Good, service, consumer, producer
• How to conduct and interview
• Channel 4 connection
• In the community on the 28th to get to local businesses

Discussed how we could move the project into the 21st century and make something for an authentic audience

What are 21st Century skills?

Then discussed the ability for individual students or teams to make their own video to be displayed to an audience. Here's a tutorial:

More 2nd grade

Saw another 2nd grade class of student presentations for their "wax museum." It is so cool to "press the button" and watch the students come to life as their famous person. Here's an audio recording of one....

Science

Wrapped up the day in Science class they were working on ecosystems and habitats.

 

Afterwords Attended the PDC meeting.  Agenda included:

• Application to lead PD
• Opening Day
• Welcome to new Co-Chair
• Website Expectations
• Identification (grade level, name, class etc.)
• contact info
• Link to resources you use
• link to common resources for all students
• Homework and/or home learning
• Sharing of Google Apps for Education
• Chrome Browser
• Google Apps for Education
• Drive
• Google Plus