Curriculum Meeting Minutes

SAC:Science Date: 9/8/08

Members Present: Bernie Leverett, Susan Miller, Mary Meyers, Risa Leonard Stevens

Members not attending: Sean Herbig, Kit Griffin, Cesar Pena, Connie Myers

Minutes of previous meeting read? Yes Approves as read: Yes

The meeting was called to order by Coordinator Risa Leonard Stevens. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Risa read the resignation letter from Mrs. Brooke Bultena. Brooke is now the 4, 5, & 6th grade Language Arts teacher. She will be applying for membership to the Language Arts Sac. It was consensus to accept Brooke’s resignation. Next on the agenda was the appointment of a new curriculum coordinating chair. Following discussion and much urging, Mr. Leverett offered his services as chairman for the 2008-2009 year. Everyone appreciates Bernie for taking on this challenge.

Mr. Leverett addressed the sac on the issue of textbook adoption. He will visit with Mr. Herbig, 7th and 8th grade Science instructor, about ordering sample copies from various publishers. Both Mr. Herbig and Mr. Leverett will then get the list to Risa and she will notify the publishers of their wishes for copies. Mrs. Mary Meyers also updated the committee on the new materials available through FOSS “Hands On” Science curriculum. She and Risa have already been in touch with Jennifer Notch, the company’s representative. She will be sending out additional samples for review. Risa reminded each member that the sample publications will need to be available for public review, as well. The middle/high school will designate an accessible location within their building and the elementary school will as well.

Risa then gave copies of to each member with the Kansas State Science Assessment results. She also provided each member with the state cut scoring guide. Each member then highlighted students that performed below the state standards. Discussion on the standards, benchmarks and indicators where district scores were low was educational for all. Member Mary Meyers shared her apprehension toward the 7th grade assessment, stating that she would be ordering materials to help her prepare 6th graders for the assessment they would take the following year. As the committee studied the performance levels, there was much discussion on those students with various ethnic backgrounds and their performance. The sac feels strongly about the introduction and development of vocabulary across the curriculum. It was the consensus that student’s need additional opportunities to develop science vocabulary for successful performance.

In closing, Risa addressed the need to incorporate the 08-09 District Math Focus Lessons wherever they fit into the Science curriculum.

All members would study the state outcomes and bring classroom curriculum to the October 13th meeting which will be held in Mr. Leverett’s Science Lab. Aligning curriculum will be an ongoing process. Risa will bring the Math Focus Lessons along with the standards that they address. Mr. Leverett will share with the sac his adventures with the Smart Board and all the possibilities it brings to students in the classroom.

Meeting adjourned 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Risa Leonard Stevens