Middle School Science SAC Agenda

Date:Tuesday, January 26, 2010Time:3:15 – 4:15 Willetts Tech Room

Attendees List of Names:√Paula Hodson√Brian Miller

√Barb AmesVeronica Balogh(game)√Laila Discenza√Janet Dooling

√Judy League√Rachel Lehman√Maria MattoxBridget Metzger (emg)

√Cheryl Porter√Wendy Sadd

√Alissa Sherman√Trista SmithMegan Vasu (game)Buddy Wolf(abs)

Agenda/ Actions:
1. Business Items

  • Michael Bouman and Joe Maichrye – BHS Science Department Chairs

Overview BHS Honors Biology option

This option is going well as they keep data on these students for the next several years. Placement from last year worked well. Timeline was passed out and shared. Letter home to all students will be sent to buildings and passed out with 3rd quarter progress reports. 8th grade Science Teachers: Students that express interest are given form to take home for parent signature and when returned teacher should fill out Criterion III section on paperwork. These two papers are to be sent to Mike or Joe at BHS by April 16th. They will handle the final reminders to students regarding qualifying test. Print copies of all forms were distributed to 8th grade teachers who were reminded to go ahead and sign off on student schedules at the present time (for Physical Science) regardless of whether students choose this option later.

  • 8th Grade Science Benchmark – Important Reminders

Timeline – Administer Feb 1 or 2, Norm Score SA/ER at each building;

Monday Feb 8 (a.m.) – Cards returned to principals

Monday, Feb 15 – Results posted on-line

Teachers were reminded that an hour block of time is required for test administration and the norm scoring is done by all science teachers at their home buildings. Principals were asked to allow time during the week of Feb 1 for this scoring during grade level and/or team meeting time (ie ., two periods needed for the scoring). Scan cards are to be in principal’s office for return to BOE by the morning of Monday, Feb 8th. Results posted on-line Monday, Feb 15th to examine for intervention prior to the OAT test.Print copies were given of directions, benchmark, and scoring rubrics.

  • 6th Grade EIE Training – Friday, March 12th a.m. – 7:40 – 10:40 – @Willetts in Sherman rm

Instruction Guide Book – passed out / process overviewed

Complete equipment sheet and return to PHodson@BOE

6th Grade teachers were asked to complete an equipment checklist (print copies) within the next two weeks and return to phodson at BOE. Thanks

2. Technology

  • Department Wiki – Time to explore and upload

Review direction sheets for upload – Time for teachers to upload Quality Resources and/or Gizmo feedback from USB/ Z drive

All teachers logged on to and were given the opportunity to overview the pages found on our department wiki. Particular emphasis was placed on checking the ‘News and Updates” page for current important info about our department. Most teachers were successful in uploading quality resources to the site at our meeting. Everyone was encouraged to explore these resources and continue to use the wiki as an important tool for ideas and resources. (Print copies of upload directions provided)

3. Meeting Focus – Intervention Ideas

  • Continue OAT practice items; review of available resources and implementation
  • LEXILE info and update – Bonnie Kubec to review

Bonnie shared info on lexiles and resources. She reviewed key pieces regarding lexile scores and the use of lexiled articles in classes, RICA and as intervention resources. All teacher’s user names and passwords are now updated to view MAPS scores and sort info. See Mike H, Heidi H, or Eric F at each building if you have difficulties with this. Teachers logged on to to review the lexile ‘find a book’ and ‘lexile analyzer’. Then they used user name: think, password: infohio to review navigating this site and article search. Teachers are encouraged to use the lexiled article search over the next few weeks and let Bonnie and/or Paula know if they run into difficulty in this search and/or efforts to use these with their students. Print copies of lexile reminders and bookmark were provided.

  • Use of webquests and/or enrichment ideas –

Not overviewed due to time

4. Planning Items

  • Professional development focus; Quality application lessons in Science that integrate technology
  • Examples provided/ discussed. Feedback requested

Not overviewed due to time.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 18th @ Edwards – Room 302

What:
Benchmark – Practice Test
Norm Score Benchmark
Cards to principals
EIE equipment list review
Check/Add Quality Resources to department WIKI
Get ready/Differentiate for OAT/ Lexile articles as 1 tool
Visit department wiki for News and Updates; ie planning items for professional development / tech focus / Who:
8th Grade Teachers
6, 7, 8 Science Teachers
8th Science teachers
6th Grade Teachers
MS Science Teachers
MS Science Teachers
MS Science Teachers / When:
Feb 1 and/or 2
Week of Feb 1 – 5
Monday, Feb 8th A.M.
Monday, Feb 8th to P.Hodson
Over next months
Next 2 months
Periodically over next 2 – 3 months