TEA Collaborative Learning Group
Team Meetings

Foster
2004

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Date: 8-12-04
Duration: 3 hours
Location: My home 828 Eagle Drive Aurora, IL
Parcticipants: Amie Foster, Karen Morris, Scott Dillard, Jeff Ulbrich

Goal(s) of Meeting
Put togther a pilot curriculum for Simmons and if successful, other schools in district 131

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We discussed the state standards and how to incorporate inquiry based learning with our current science instruction. We printed the descriptors for the state science standards and began to search our 12 texts, checking off the descriptors everytime they are addresses in the books

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

Additional reflections:
This is to address our standardized testing, by teaching the things that students need to know.

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish list of state descriptors Set up science lab for maximum ease of inquiry based learning.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
-Set up lab -Cataloged new supplies -Went through books and planned activities and ordered additional resources - Continued working on the list of state descriptors

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
We treid to incorporate open-ended scientific inquiry and examination of real research.

Additional reflections:
Deceided to make a list of real research that is accessable to students for teachers in the district.

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish descriptor tick marks Add them up and determine which book to use which year

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Put together a list of recommendations for the order of the books, the progression of the science fair through all three grades and additional projects in science and other content areas to evenly meet the state descriptors

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Wnt to stress the importance of inquiry learning. Have decided to write some optional lesson plans to help teachers prepare more hands-on lessons for science fair and open-ended projects.

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Develop a method to help teachers use descriptors more evenly.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Put together a check list for teacher's to keep in their lesson planners so that they can put a mark every time they use a standard so that standards aren't missed or "over" hit.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Illinois Standard 11 is entirely to do with the process of science and it is not given equal coverage by teachers in our building. It is our hope that if they have to fill in a check list that the desparity will become more obvious

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Discuss the results of the curriculum realignment wit the principal.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We presented our plan to Mr. Ellison. He was very interested (He had asked us to realign the curriculum) He was willing to go with our suggestion of using the science book on the human body as the school health book taught by the gym teachers. He would like us to present the new book order, the projects and science fair scaffolding to the entire science staff at the next faculty meeting He would, however like us to make a plan to cover any holes in the curriculum.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
We discussed science being taught in other areas. Having the reading teachers use some science texts as expository, have the tech lab teacher make bridge support and aeordynamic cars with students.

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Present realignment of the curriculum to science faculty

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Discussed new order for the text books and mini-projects and science fair scaffolding. We fielded many questions and met with a lot of resistance.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
We tried explaining how we arrived at the book selection and how if fit with the preformance descriptors. We gave everyone a copy and showed them how this would improve the level of science in our school.

Additional reflections:
Teachers here have had their books switched for the last couple years and they are tired of it. So I expected a less-than-freindly welcome. We do have our principals support as well as one of the other teachers currently on medical leave, so we expected this to take some time.

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish setting up lab

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Continued putting lab together. Tried to make "packets" of materials so teacher's could easily pull one to add to their activities.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
We feel that students can better address the inquiry if they are able to do a lot of experimenting.

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
make plans in the first two books

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Went through the books "Inside Earth" and "Earth's Changing Surface" and looked specifically at the prepared activities. Determined which we felt were benifical to inquiry learning and which did not do what we need them to do.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Provide teachers with a connection to online activities connecting students with real research.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Looked up different research colaboration activites, most having to do with TEA and the Ililnois Department of Natural resources and began a list.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finsh teacher research aide

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We polished the list adding TREK and some more TEA contact info and distributed to science teachers at Simmons and mailed to the 2 other middle schools.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Sing Jeff and Scott up as TEA assosicates

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Jeff and Scott filled out the TEA Associate applications

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Start on lesson plans to help teachers prepare for science fair and to scaffold them in their inquiry based learning.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Shared portions the book TEA sent me on inquiry education and brain stormed some ideas that would be easy and interesting for teachers.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Tried to create lessons that would not be "too much work" for teachers or insult their intelligence but help them to be better faciltators of the scientific process

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
To clean and prepare Mr. Piekarski's room for new science teacher

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
As one of our 8th grade teacher's passed away this week we are trying to get his room set up so it is easy for a sub to take over and evenually another teacher when we can hire one without interupting the flow of learning.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish preparing the 8th grade lab

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Packed Mr. Piekarski's things for his family. Set up lab packets and labled them so the interim teacher can continue on.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Put more work into preparing the science fair lessons

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Decided what type of plan should be for each grade level. Made lists of the basic conpets kids should be aware of before a quality science fair. We adjust them so that each year was more indepth.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Tried to plan lessons that help student develop a deeper understanding of the process of science

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Write general teachign of concepts plan

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Wrote process of science introduction lessons wit a sample mini-experiment for all three grades.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Discuss the experiences at last years regional workshop and deciedi if we have the resouces/desire to plan on here.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
I showed pictures and materials that I received at last years regional workshop put on by Trummel, Huffman, and Tulley. We made some priminary plans and tried to decide what resouces we would nee dto apply for a grant.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Get permission from the Principal to hold a workshop t Simmons on a Saturday. Make a clear outline of our plan.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
The Principal was not amenable to hosting a workshop. We talked about having it at a hotel meeting room and deceided to look into local rooms and costs.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Find a location for regional work shop and make a skeleton plan of action

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We called several hotels and caterers tring to get some information about what we'd need in the way of a grant. We discussed, but haven't come to any decisions regarding the program.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
More work on regional conference.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Decieded definitely on Rueland's Caterers. Did not have as much luck with a program of events. I was unable to get in touch with my researcher. I'm not sure she'd be able to come during the school year, as she teaches and has a small child. We are still deciding if it is to be a polar conference or a science conference. I feel it needs a specific theme.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Continue work on science fair lesson plans

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We made a skeleton plan for a 6th grade whole class project to mirror a science fair, then a second group project on plants. Lessons still need to be fleshed out and standards added.

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

Additional reflections:
Due to an inability to come to a consensus on what to base a regional workshop on and the lack of desire to spend the amount of time required to put on such an affair (I was afraid al lthe work would fall on my shoulders) we have deceided not to put on a regional workshop at this time.

Goal(s) of Meeting
flesh out sixth grade science fair prep lessons

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We finished ther prep lessons for 6th grade and were able to brain storm on the 7th and 8th grade lessons

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Deciede how to show parents what we are doing during parent-teacher conferences.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
We decided to make a power-point presentation with all the things we have been doing and using my TEA work to loop in the hall while parent wait for their conferences. We sorted through some of my pictures.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish parent power point

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Karen and Scott went to scan pictures while Jeff and I put them together in a slide show

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish show and work on science fair lessons.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Added somemore pictures, finished slide show. (didn't get to lesson plans)

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Paste to make starter lessons for 7th grade science fair

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Asked on the the 7th grade teacher to give input. (Karen subbed for her so she could be there) We discussed our plans so far and she was concerned that this was not need for her class as she feels she works on the scientific method throughout the year. She was able to point us towrd some holes in the 7th grade curriculum in the area of environmental biology and said she would be interested in doing a project in that area.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Arcticulate the curiculum between middle school and highshool and fill in any holes

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Met in groups with other teachers and talked about the plan we follow at Simmons and the steps student need to get to in highschool. Shared teaching methods and activities.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Continue work on science fair lesson plans

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Reviewed the enviornmental biology book for ideas to help plan the 7th grade science fair starter lessons. Found a good activity with amphibians, but we have to buy the suplpies to raise frogs. Tried to meet with Mr. Ellison to ask permossion but he was unavailable. Wrote him a letter.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
See if we can get an answer from Mr. Ellison regarding the purchse of frog supplies Plan science fair lessons

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Was still unable to contact Ellison. Looked online and founda biodiversity webquest that had some good sites.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Work on 7th grade starter plan for science fair

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Mr. Ellison would not definitely agree to purchasing the frog raising materials (maybe) so we felt going with the online activity was a better be and we used several sites to put together an online treasure hunt. Need to have worksheets written to accompany it and a teacher's guide.

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

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
Finish 7th starter lesson plan for science fair

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
Jeff and Scott brain stormed and finished student sheets. Karen and Amie worte teacher background and information packet.

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

Additional reflections: