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Wing 3 to 5 version 2010


 * || 3/30/2010

Discussion about Constructed Responses Jan shared that she gave a question to the students and asked them to come up with gist answers. She thought it was good because kids came up with different gist answers for the same questions.

Should we talk to Tom about testing every two weeks instead of every week. This is taking over writing and reading instruction We'd instruct for two weeks and then assess every two weeks.

Should we mix the Time for Kids by level. The content is the same 3, 4, and 5 but the text is a little different between 3rd/4th and 5th. Every week the questions are very different. That is probably a good thing though because we don't want kids to get used to having the same type of question.

Develop a question for Time for Kids. Pull out details first. Then, try to find a main idea.

Possible questions: Explain/Identify/Describe the dangers the Japanese faced after the earthquake? Use details from the text to support your answer.

Two part questions:

Explain the tragedies that occurred in Japan. How will they impact the people who live there?

(3rd grade might have these as separate questions where 5th grade students might face both of these questions as one.)

Other ideas: Practice orally instead of writing Is using Time for Kids the best way to practice NECAP constructed responses? --We could look at Courtney's book? We could also use the NAEP questions? Information from other states. --Also, Reading A-Z might work too. Use the questions and the extended responses.

Next Steps: What should we do next time? Should we link it to our Smart Goal? Should Courtney and Maggie present and share at the next APG group? YES. We won't be meeting next Tuesday at lunch.

[|)cculley]

February 16, 2011

Our APG group decided to spend time this morning reviewing writing rubrics for each of the 3 types of writing.

We spent time discussing some of the wording we liked, how to finish the rubrics by filling in the 1s,2s,and 4s, and how to tackle conventions, which are not in the Common Core.

It was proposed that in the future we consider sharing ways we've taught writing leads using the workshop model and brainstorming a list of activities that could be used for the share/debrief part of a workshop.

At our next meeting(after March 4), Greg will share the information he has from the Data Team regarding how to better use data to inform our instruction. We're particularly interested in how the West Bath School is managing to use their NWEA data so effectively.

Have I missed anything?

It was suggested that we might need to meet after school if we are going to tackle this as effectively as West Bath. ||