Language Arts PLC

Language Arts PLC

Agenda

March 11, 2010

RECAP

· Data was discussed last meeting

· Next year’s plan with data

· Meeting with Susan, handout

HOUSEKEEPING

· Duties C.E. will be taking L.Z.’s morning duty in April.

· Email List We formulated a list to make sure everyone is included with PLC information. If you get this and don't feel you need to get this information please email me and I will take you of the distribution list. If you look over the names and noticed that we omitted anyone, please do the same so I can add them.

DATA

· Priority List

·  Taking the data from the item analysis print-outs each teacher made a priority list. This list consisted of the topics that are of most concern (the questions that students scored the lowest on). We shared each teacher's top 5 concerns.

· Brainstorm ideas

·  Each teacher at the meeting was given a paper that breaks down the "broad" categories. This paper will be put in mailboxes if you were not at the meeting.

·  Open Ended Responses

·  AQUI method seems to help students

·  Using 4 square seems to also help students

·  Helpful tip: explain to students that for this we are not really interested in how "they feel" or "their opinion" they really need to get the information from the text

·  Text Structure

·  First, the lingo is different which could be causing some confusion to students. Instead of text structure, "Organizational Patterns" is often used in the test setting. As a group we think it is a good idea to start using both so the students are exposed to both terms.

·  I have attached a powerpoint via M. M. which can be used as a great tool in your classroom. She said that it is a bit obvious at the beginning, but towards the end it will create some great class discussions. She spent about half a period doing this in her class.

·  Michelle also said about a small packet she has about the moon that could be used, she will bring it next meeting.

·  Some teachers have done a scavenger hunt that goes with all of the students' textbooks which help with headings, subtopics, etc.

·  Nancy said about an idea of using science or history book and covering up the "Headings" and giving choices to come up with a new heading for that section. This could be something that all classes could be do as a "starter" in the classroom?? just a thought.

·  There is also a section in the back of the Interactive Reader that covers text structure.

·  Literary Devices

·  Just like the text structure terminology, literary devices caused the same issue. In our literacy board exercises we use the terminology "literary devices" but the test used "figurative language". In classes be aware of this and maybe start using them both interchangeably.

·  Context Clues

·  Just a hint to pass along to students when they have questions dealing with this. Have students place the word back in the sentence; if it messes up the flow and/or just does not make sense there is a very good chance that their answer is wrong.

SHARE We shared many ideas while we brainstormed today (see above)

NEXT TIME

· Tuesday’s Meeting in W16 Everyone will be here and Susan is going to discuss correlating the standards with LEQs which will be a topic in our PLC future.

·  Thursday's Meeting in E10 If you are attending, please bring your item analysis data, priority list, and any resources to share with the group. My goal is to wrap that up for the most part and start working on the timeline in future meetings.