Thursday, March 26, 2009

Regularly scheduled Inquiry Team Meeting is cancelled due to Data Specialist Meeting/Inquiry Team Meeting at IS 216 (Fresh Meadows) 8:30AM-11:30PM. Attended by both the ELA & Math Lead Teachers.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

ATTENDED BY: Mr. Nikc, Ms. Russell, Mr. Chesler, Ms. Pinero

We discussed variables outside the classroom which are effecting student learning inside the classroom. Ms. Pinero discussed with us the progress of four students she is seeing for guidance: JD, SB, JDLL, & AF. She told us that three out of four students have been re-referred to the clinic.

Ms. Russell shared with the group a sample of her "Writing Tracking Sheet" which keeps track of who is on-task in class. Mr. Chesler shared reports for Black History Month and DBQs completed by the students in Social Studies.

WHAT WE NOTICED FROM THE STUDENT WORK IN SOCIAL STUDIES:

• Mr. Chesler also had the students use the "oreo cookie method" of using the writing frame where the students were starting at the middle/the content and then adding on a introduction and conclusion at the end. Many students seemed to prefer that way of filling out the frame.
• Most students were transferring the skills learned in ELA to writing in Social Studies.
• Students who weren't transferring skills tended to hand in their work late or the work appeared to have been put together in a hurry. One student handed in a partial frame, but didn't complete the assignment. Another student on his DBQ didn't use a writing frame.

CHANGE STRATEGIES:

• Insist on the use of the writing frame for all extended writing.
• Use of a "Writing Tracking Sheet" or other type of documentation to attempt to track daily student progress so students don't get too far behind and diagnose problems quickly
• Continue to conference the guidance councillor, administration, and literacy coach to find methods of helping to differentiate for student needs.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Attended by: Ms. Russell, Mr. Chesler, Dr. Gamboa

The Inquiry Team invited Dr. Gamboa, our new science teacher, to join the team. Ms. Russell and Mr. Chesler revisited the history of the two-year study and discussed the status of the study.

The ELA portforlios of SB & DL in class 744 were used as examples to show the progression of the study. Mr. Chesler pointed out that a current paper in Social Studies handed in by SB was poor and appeared as if it were just thrown together at the last minute.

CHANGE STRATEGY: Introducing the use of a "Writing Tracking Sheet" (adapted from: Nonfiction Writing: From the Inside Out by: Laura Robb) to be able to carefully monitor the status of the students' class & homework. Ms. Russell mentioned that she used these sheets for extended writing projects and found it easier to see if students were on/off task. She also emphasized the importance of providing sufficent time in class to complete writing.

NEXT STEPS:

• Invite Ms. Weintraub (math teacher for class 744) to attend the next meeting
• Bring in work samples (extended writing) from Math & Social Studies and place it with ELA to determine trends

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Inquiry Team Meeting cancelled due to additional preparation for the upcoming NYS Math Exam.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Attended by: Ms. Russell, Ms. Norwood, Ms. Pinero, Ms. Swensson

The focus of today's meeting was looking at conditions that impact on student learning outside of the classroom. Ms. Pinero, our guidance councilor, brought everyone up-to-date on the status of each student involved in the Inquiry Team study.

Ms. Russell updated team on the results of introducing the creative writing period once per week for students in class 743 & 744.