6th+Grade+Team+2010

6th Grade PLT Members: Collins, Fields, Wright, Carpenter, Saunders, Stack, Hatfield, Cummings, Conoly, Procknal - Please record the minutes of each PLT meeting on top of the previous minutes.

2010-2011 School Year
10-20-10


 * Facilitator:** Carpenter
 * Recorder:** Collins

Discussed student progress of several students and behavioral issues that have come up recently.

Also discussed ways to improve classroom mangaement to be clear and concise with expectations.

Watched short video on how to deal appropriately with students that have been diagnosed with ADHD. Discussed videos afterwards.

10/13/10

**__Facilitator:__** Cummings **__Recorder:__** Collins

Mrs. Saunders asked that everyone check and make sure their evaluations were complete. Also presented some resources for weekly vocabulary using Quizlet and Marvel comics. All accessible through the Virgo website.

Mr. Cummings presented the Online Education evaluation tool. He encouraged everyone to go online and explore the sit to make yourselves comfortable. You can access everything thorugh the NCCS website under professional development.

Ambassadors names were chosen by the 6th grade teachers.

10/6/10 **__Recorder__**: Procknal __Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying__ (File 8307) [] Child Abuse & Neglect (File 6440) [] Suicide Intervention - //__Never__// leave child alone -immediately notify counselor, Social Worker, Adminsitration - child must be sen by a professional (Licensed Therapist or Pedatrician) - if child has weapons, call 911 or School Resource Officer, and school administration Home Visit Safety & Meth Lab Protocol - upon conducting a home visit and you suspect that a Meth Lab exists, vacate the premises immediately without alerting the residents - after leaving notify school administration <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- Adminstrator must immediately call 911 <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- **Do not remove** children form the home or transport them in your car <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- if a child discloses information about a Meth Lab notify Administration and SRO immediately <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Carpenter- starting 10/11/10 7th grade Band students will be in the 6th grade lunch __ 9/29/10 __ __Facilitator__: Spencer/Saunders __Recorder__: Procknal
 * __﻿Facilitator__:** Collins

Class Scapes Update-

__9/22/10__ -Data Committee
 * Facilitator: Carpenter**
 * Recorder: Fields**
 * More tutoring slots available (tutors will be volunteers)**
 * --See Mrs. Robbins if you know of a student who could use the extra help**
 * Avid: Starting on Monday (9/27), avid will be selling the Frank Discount Cards.**
 * 9/15/10**
 * Facilitator: Carpenter**
 * Recorder: Fields**
 * Mandated Committees this year:**

-Project Committee -Process Committee -Cause & Effect Committee
 * Mandated Committees next year:**


 * Oct. 1st:** 5:30 (Avid Night), 6:00 (PTA & title one), 6:30 (Bingo Night w/ food & refreshments)


 * Wilmington Early College students:** will be here: 9:30-11:30 every other Friday starting Sept. 24

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">__**9/8/10**__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**Facilitator**: Carpenter
 * Recorder**: Procknal

Ms. Robbins reviewed the Compulsory attendance policy for New Hanover county & McKinney- Vento Act

__Excused absences__ include- 1. illness 2. death in family 3. quarantine 4. medical/dental appointment 5. religious observance 6. Court appearance 7. Farm/Housing Demands 8. Educational opportunity

__Un- Excused absences__ include- 1. missing bus 2. oversleeping 3. out of town trips unless prior consent from principal 4. vacations 5. inclement weather

__McKinney- Vento Act__ McKinney-Vento is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in U.S. public schools. It was reauthorized as Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act in January 2002. The McKinney-Vento Act was created with the goal of ensuring the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school. It provides states with funding to help remove barriers to education.

Children and youth experiencing homelessness find shelter in a variety of places. To help educators identify homeless children, the Act defines who is considered homeless. According to the U.S. Department of Education, people living in the following situations are considered homeless.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Doubled up with family or friends due to economic conditions
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Living in motels and hotels for lack of other suitable housing
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Runaway and "Throwaway" children and youth
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Homes for unwed or expectant mothers for lack of a place to live
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Homeless and domestic violence shelters
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Transitional housing programs
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">The streets
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Abandoned buildings
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Public places not meant for housing
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Cars, trailers, and campgrounds
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Awaiting foster care
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Migratory children staying in housing not fit for habitation

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">__Residency and Educational Rights__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Students who are in temporary, inadequate, and homeless living situations have the following rights: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">1) Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended or the school in whose attendance area they are currently staying even if they do not have all of the documents normally required at the time of enrollment; <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">2) Access to free meals and textbooks, Title I and other educational programs, and other comparable services including transportation <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">3) To attend the same classes and activities that students in other living situations also participate in without fear of being separated or treated differently due to their housing situations

__9/1/10__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Facilitator: Carpenter Recorder: Procknal

Ms. Robbins spoke to the group and indicated that there will be volunteers and mentors available for all of the students. She would like to know when and where they can be utilized, and would like teacher input on the names of students that would benefit most from their help. Ms. Robbins will also be presenting next week and the topic will be attendance policies in New Hanover County. She stressed that parents should be contacted after two consecutive absences, and that the homeroom teacher is responsible for touching base with the parents. If no contact can be made (phone disconnected, message not returned), please refer the students name to her and she will follow up.

All 504 related issues and questions should be referred to Ms. Hope the 7th & 8th grade Guidance Counselor.


 * __School Year 2009-2010__ in ascending order below:**

10/7/09 Facilitator: Carpenter Recorder: Saunders

Looked at wiki set up. Set team norms. Evaluated teacher needs. Examined relevant data Generated goal for team For next week: Review team wikis and bring information/articles related to our goal

** TEAM GOAL ** : Consistently and continually strengthen and examine relevant and realistic new ways to teach our students and know its impact on their learning through a variety of assessments. Facilitator for next week: Carpenter Recorder for next week: Saunders

10/14/09 Facilitator: Carpenter Recorder: Saunders


 * TEAM GOAL //(Revised)://**

Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __ Points/Focus of the Day: __ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We are currently using the following methods of data driven assessment: QRI’s, STS, Probes, EOG scores, cum folders, PSM, Reading Our World, formative classroom assessments, ClassScape; Many of the above assessments are smaller tests that target specific skills. Assessing more often. __Next Week:__ Wright will look for articles, share PSM information, look at reading probes, check Wiki Facilitator for next week: Saunders Recorder for next week: Fields

10/21/09 Facilitator: Saunders, Recorder: Fields


 * TEAM GOAL//://**

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: to look for relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __Points/Focus of the Day:__ Key Points/Ideas to Articles on PLT’s: Practical Tips: keep meetings action-oriented, increases content knowledge, increases moral Reasoning for establishing PLT’s: increase accountability, sustain high achievment, help low and underachieving students __Next Week:__ Look at the Rewards Reading Program Facilitator for next week: Saunders Recorder for next week: Fields
 * Reviewed the discussion board (responses left by Broderick & Carpenter)
 * Reviewed articles brought in (Fields & Wright)
 * Discussion of Probes: Viewed the student reading comprehension and math probes and discussed. Questions were answered by Mr. Procknal.

10/28/09 Facilitator: Saunders Recorder: Fields


 * TEAM GOAL:**

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: to look for relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __Points/Focus of the Day:__ -Used to help with Decoding, not Comprehension -will be used with the level 2’s and some level 1’s -We have the Middle(blue) & Elementary(red) level books -can be used in STS __Next Week:__ Comprehension Strategies & STS Facilitator for next week: Fields Recorder for next week: Van Pelt
 * Rewards Reading Program (Multisyllabic Word Reading Strategies)

11/4/09

Facilitator: Fields Recorder: Van Pelt

TEAM GOAL //:// <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: to look for relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __Points/Focus of the Day:__ -graphic organizers are not a big help with comprehension -vocabulary-word wall is an excellent comprehension strategy -Think Aloud - An interactive word wall, is a good strategy -summarizing is a definite mastery of comprehension -Ms. Wright has a book of Comprehension Strategies if anyone is interested __Next Week:__ Everyone bring a comprehension strategy that you have used and like. Facilitator for next week: Fields Recorder for next week: Van Pelt
 * Comprehension Strategies

11/10/09 Facilitator: Fields Recorder: Van Pelt

TEAM GOAL //:// <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'mso-bidi-font-size;"> Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: to look for relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __Points/Focus of the Day:__ *Comprehension Strategies: ”Talk and Draw” can also be used as an assessment. __Next Week:__ Everyone use a comprehension strategy during the week and be ready to discuss and show results. Facilitator for next week: Van Pelt Recorder for next week: Procknal
 * Ms. Wright made a packet of comprehension strategies for everyone in the group.
 * Mr. Fields went over one of the comprehension strategies that he uses in his scinece class, “Talk and Draw “.
 * Ms. Carpenter discussed the comprehension strategy she uses in her social studies class, “Think Aloud”.
 * Mr. Procknal talked about using “Think Aloud” in his Language Class. Reading short passages, stopping and discussing what was just read.
 * Ms. Brodrick discussed using the 3 X 3 Vocabulary Strategy in assisting with writing complete sentences.

Facilitator: Van Pelt  Recorder : Procknal TEAM GOAL //:// <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. //__Subtopic:__// What do we want to learn as teachers: to look for relevant and realistic new ways to deliver instruction. __Points/Focus of the Day:__ -Mr. Procknal shared rubric and writing process that he uses in his class. We viewed samples of student’s writing (rough draft and then corrected version). While the students are writing, they have a copy of the rubric on their desk to help them. This seems to help them remember things like indenting, topic sentence, capitalization / punctuation, etc. Mr. Procknal explained that he has students read their drafts aloud, which helps them notice their mistakes. -We discussed ways this would be helpful in each of our classes <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Next Week: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Everyone will explore different websites / materials that may be useful to assist students in their comprehension. Facilitator for next week: Van Pelt Recorder for next week: Procknal **12/9/09** Facilitator: Van Pelt Recorder: Procknal
 * 11/18/09 **

**Team Goal:** Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments. __Subtopic:__ What do we want to learn as teachers to look for relevant and realistic ways to deliver instruction. __Points / Focus of the Day:__ -The team looked at specific websites that can be used to help students become better students. -Some of the websites viewed were: pimpampum.net softschools.com/graes/6th kutasoftware.comfreeipa.html __Next Week:__ We will examine other websites as well as how to engage all students actively

**12/16/09** Facilitator: Saunders (fill-in) Recorder: Carpenter (fill-in)

**__Team Goal:__** Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments //Subtopic:// What do we want to learn as teachers to look for relevant and realistic ways to deliver instruction. __ Points / Focus of the Day: __ We reviewed another website (sciencemonster.com) and discussed various websites and how to actively engage all students. //Facilitator next time:// Holdridge //Recorder for next time:// Wright

**1/6/10** Facilitator: Wright Recorder: Holdridge __ **Team Goal:** __ Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments // Subtopic: // What do we want to learn as teachers to look for relevant and realistic ways to deliver instruction. __Points / Focus of the Day:__ 1) We discussed the credit received for completing PLT – and everyone was reminded to submit evaluation form in order to receive CEU’s. 2) We discussed changing / modifying our goal for the new year 3) Holdridge shared: she would like a list of compiled websites that each of us use that are helpful in our classes that her students may use when time is allowed on computers. Computer time is used as behavior modification – implementing technology in the classroom. 4) Ms. Saunders cautioned us to keep an eye out for students being on different websites than where they are supposed to be – she instructed us on how to be aware of this. 5) We discussed PBS and the benefits of it and maybe the possibility of trying it. Next Week: Each person is to think / consider the revision of our team goal. 1/13/10 Facilitator: Wright Recorder: Holdridge

Team Goal: Strengthen and examine relevant ways to teach our students and know the impact on their learning through assessments // Subtopic: // What do we want to learn as teachers to look for relevant and realistic ways to deliver instruction. __Points / Focus of the Day:__ 1)We discussed revising our team goal. We want to lean more towards student motivation / relevant impact on student behavior, when learning is realistic and motivated. 2)Mr. Cummings described the elective teachers’ classroom management system PBC > positive reward system > cougar tickets. 3)Carpenter explained speaking to students every morning – sharing time in homeroom. 4)Mr. Cummings addressed the article, Generation X 5)Wright and Saunders discussed using classroom tickets / rewards. Revised Goal: Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students.  Next week: discuss article, Generation X / discuss other ways of motivating students  **1/20/10** Facilitator: Wright Recorder: Broderick

Team Goal: **Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students.** Points / Focus of the Day: -reviewed notes from last week -read new goal -discussed a few report card issues -Mr. Cummings explained some changes for next year due to redistricting such as the special needs classes, number of students, etc. -discussed the Board members’ visit to Virgo (7th grade PLT) -we tabled the discussion on the article Generation X Next Week: article ‘Generation X’

**1/27/10** Facilitator: Wright Recorder: Broderick

Team Goal: **Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students.** Points / Focus of the Day: -Saunders showed us how to add a Powerpoint or site to our Webpages: -Log onto Teacher Webpages / site actions / view site actions / documents / upload -browse to where you have the item that you want to load (your documents, flashdrive, etc) -double-click on the site / OK / and it puts it in the server -go to links / site actions / edit page / new group (name it) -go to link URL: Browse -select the item you are adding -click ‘open’ in new window / click OK -We watched Ms. Saunders add a PowerPoint to Ms. Carpenter’s webpage. -We then viewed the PowerPoint that on Ms. Carpenter’s Webpage **02/10/10** Facilitator: Saunders (fill in) Recorder: Wright (fill-in)

<span style="color: blue; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">**__Team Goal:__** **Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students.** __Points / Focus of the Day:__ We reviewed Internet Safety and student AUP's. We discussed ways to prevent students streaming music and videos. The county is reporting misuse of bandwidth at our school and it is our responsibility to become more viligant. -We also discussed strategies for assessing students and grading practices. __Next week__ Read the article "The Learning Principal: Making the Most of Professional Learning Teams" and be prepared to discuss. Broderick will also share information on PLT's.

**2/17/10** Facilitator: Broderick Recorder: Carpenter

<span style="color: blue; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">**__Team Goal:__** **Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students.** __**Points / Focus of the Day:**__ We discussed the article, 'The Learning Principal: Making the most of Professional Learning Communities" Broderick led the group in a discussion of the role of PLC's and how it can help the teachers of today. We were divided into groups to take different parts of the article and discuss the main points of each section. We then presented our findings to the entire group. As we listened to others present, we completed and jigsaw puzzle to list the important points from each section. Each of us then wrote a summary statement.
 * __Next Week:__** Ms. Saunders will present/share new websites with us.

**2/24/10**
 * Facilitator:** Saunders
 * Recorder:** Holdridge

**__Team Goal:__ Strengthen and examine relevant ways to motivate our students** __**Points / Focus of the Day:**__ Technology. Ms. Saunders displayed new websites that might be of assistance in our classes and will also help in the area of Computer Skills. The websites that were introduced today were: 'Google Squared' and 'Wordle'. Google Squared is a good site for database. On this site, teachers may build their own databases to correspond with the subject matter taht they are teaching. Wordle can be used to assist students with vocabulary in any subject matter. __Next Week:__ Mr Fields will present math concepts that will be applicable in each subject area.

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