TEA Collaborative Learning Group
Team Meetings

Forbes
2003

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Date: 12/5
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Butterfield School
Parcticipants: Ethan Forbes, Ann Murray, Jake Strunjo, Courtney Neal, Johnna Herbert

Goal(s) of Meeting
Last meeting, our author day (Jean Craighead George Day was reviewed and planned. We had an update on the readings, the activities, and the dates. We discussed how each classroom would proceed once they finish their novel.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We worked on all novels, making sure of the relevancy and grade level appropriateness. The resources used were activiteies that would apply across curriculum (expository writing, art, polar research, Internet research on author. Novels being read are Julie of the Wolves (gr.6), Julie (gr. 3), Water Sky9gr. 5), Nutil, the Wolf Pup (gr.2).

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
This study is a multi approach to the Arctic Region. Each class will use technology for research on animals, weather, state facts, polar facts, culture, geography. Even though this is a social science, data collection all on work is being done.

Additional reflections:
The principals of the three schools are made aware of all meeting as well as the progress and update on all activities. Schools are Butterfield, Dexter park, and Fisher Hill. These meetings are considered professional development. Each person working on our meetings are awarded PDP'S, which counts towards our recertification.

Goal(s) of Meeting
We had 3 meeting sessions to write a Toyota Tapestry Grant. Meetinf 1: brainstorm session to study the grant, and list how to go about writing and assign different sections. Meeting 2: We started writing the grant. Meeting 3: We finished writing. We then, as a group went thru the entire grant, making sure all was in place and the guidelines were followed.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We have never applied for this grant. We met with Robbie Haigh (principal, Butterfield School) to discuss guidelines. Mr. haigh gave us copies of other grants to study, and refer.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
The purpose of this grant writing is to hopefully be given the awarded grant to 1. purchase 4 laptop computers (one for each class in our mentoring group) 2. purchase 4 digital cameras for each class 3. Go on a whale watch in Newburyport, MA

Additional reflections:
We lerned the importance of guideless, staying on task for what we want, and writing of a grant. If awarded, this will help all 4 classes with research, word processing, working with digital cameras, and learning how to do research on the web.

Goal(s) of Meeting
Plan for work being done, to be exhibited in the Wheeler Public Library, and all 3 schools at the end of the school year.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Planned is the collaboration of classes for an animal research project (gr. 2 and 5, and Gr. 3 and 6. ) Check on work in progress to ebsure all activites are being worked on. To answer all questions and to co-ordinate classrooms and times for work.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
All 4 classes will be reserearching weather, animals, cultures,, and whales. Studenst are learning how to show resiurces in their writing (bibliography), how to assess educationl sites on the Internet. They are learning how to use at least 3 sources.

Additional reflections:
Our goal for the year is for our students to learn how to research on the Internet, work collaboratively, learn about different resources and how to write a bibliography. These are 2, 3, 5, and 6,th graders, but it is very importqant that they start to learn the proper methods to reseraching a, writing bibliography's.

Goal(s) of Meeting
As a result of an oral history project (during mny fieldwork) with the 4 students, we have been asked by my PI, Dr. Roger Harritt, University of Alska, Abchorage, ENRI, and Anna Kerttula, NSF, to present our work at the Alaska Anthropolgical Association meeting in Fiarbansk, in March. Three 3 sessions were to beging putting the presentation together, having the studenst work on a powerpoint presentaion, and study more about Wales, Alaska and the people they interviewed.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Brief history of Project 1. Select 4 students for oral history reserach 2. Study with studenst the importance, methods, and practice of oral history. 3. Learn about Powerpoint and transcriibing recorded material. 4. Practice techniques learned. One student interviewed, recorded and transcribed part of an interview with her 104 year old great grandmother. 5. Assign each student a person to interview in Wales, AK. Study the culture and people of Wales. 6. While in Wales (July-August) each studenst interviewed over the phone. I recorded the interviews. 7. Upon returning home, each student was given their recording. They then worked on it, editing the report, putting together a Powerpoint. This tooks weeks. Ann Murray and I worked with the students during the school day, helping with the project. They did all of the work, we just gave advice anf tecnical help on powerpoint and writing skills.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Use of Powerpoint The stuents have put their projects on my web site Learn to transcribe (not easy for 12 year olds).

Additional reflections:
These 6 meetings were the most important. This was a great deal of work for the students (Us also). They had to "put it all together". Each aspect of this study was very important. They had to be prepared, be able to answer questions, about their work, about the culture, and about Wales. They had to learn to be professionals. They would be in front of many scholars, professors, anthropologists. All of us were representing our school, our community of Orange, MA, and the TEA program.

Goal(s) of Meeting
Prepare for thr trip to Fairbanks. Practice the presentation. Begin journal writing, This is being required of all students, Ann, and I. This will be done in detail. Practice on front of parents.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We also planned for other events while in Fairbanks. Present at the Conference. Lake ice experiements with Martin Jefferies Visit a 6th grade class in Fairbanks Visit the Museum of Natural History and People at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. We contacted the curatores who were intrigued about why we would be in Fairbanks. A tour was arranged witha visit "downstairs" to see collections not shown to the public (hopefully one day they will have the opportunity to display all of the collections. Mush with huskies Visit Chena Hot Springs Visit Ice Carving Championship

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?

Additional reflections:
We are ready for our trip. ann Murray (associate TEA) will be traveling with us. She has been a force since the beginning on all aspects of this study. This is the ultimate in teaching to be able to bring 4 students acroos the country to Fairbanks, to present our program of research. When this started back before my 2nd field season , we never thought this project would end up in Alaska. The 4 students were asked to take part in a great reserach project, learning about a Native People, learning about oral history, and learning aboutpresenting to the public (Orange, MA). So to then be invited to presnt our work is a great honor for all of us. This is what TEA stands for, transferring this experience to studenst and other teachers.