Dec.+2009

December 2, 2009
 * Curriculum Council Minutes**

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Michael Bessette, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Mark Dickson, Liz Durant, Chris Kelley, Marcia McCaffrey, Eileen Reinacher, Dave Tilley, Trish Underwood Minutes submitted by: Nancy Alibrandi
 * Members Present:**
 * Place and Time: MSS 3:17 - 4:15

Items Discussed: Cycle of Curriculum Revision**
 * The Cycle of Curriculum Revision needed updating to include the creation of power standards and common assessments. During this first time through the cycle, it is not only a cycle of revision, it is a cycle of curriculum creation (we are creating the process as well as the power standards and common assessments).
 * The proposed changes to the Cycle of Curriculum Revision were discussed and the document was edited during the meeting. To see the current draft, click on Curr. Revision (draft) ; if you click on the HISTORY tab you can see some of the changes that were made.
 * Michael Bessette mentioned the difficulty in finding time for Science committee members to meet during Year One (this was also difficult for the Math committee); a Pre Year One category was added so that committee members would be contacted and meeting times would be established prior to Year One - enabling the committee to begin their work earlier and facilitate meeting more often thoughout the year
 * Question was asked whether the TASK FORCE was the same as the Professional Learning Community (PLC). The TASK FORCE will be leading the PLC... in a "train the trainer" model - especially important for creating common assessments
 * Question about whether curriculum mapping would be done; teachers on TASK FORCE will highlight major units - what they spend the most time on, and, intuitively, what is most important that they teach during the year - what are the Enduring Understandings
 * Discussion about when to look at assessment data and what data should be examined (assessment committee can provide guidance with this)
 * Question about what was meant by "overarching questions" - these are "demanding questions" or "parking lot questions"...ones that will take longer than the 3 day academy to answer and will help to guide investigation
 * Discussion about budget implications - in order to "implement" new materials in Year Four they must be budgeted for in October of Year Two (a lot of significant work yet to be accomplished at this point - does not allow enough time to make major decisions); will need to budget a consistent amount each year for curriculum materials

Define Power Standards
 * We ran out of time, so I'm hoping we can use the wiki to create a working definition of the term 'power standard' for the Hopkinton curriculum task forces. Committee members have been asked to join the wiki, so they can add to the discussion. To view the page click on ' Power Standard - Definition .' Click on the DISCUSSION tab to add your thoughts.

Next meeting: **Wednesday, January 6, 2010**

__Proposed Agenda Items for January meetin__g:
 * SOPPADA for High School English Course?
 * Approve Changes to Cycle of Curriculum Revision Document
 * Discuss and Approve Definition of Power Standards
 * Define the process for Unpacking the Standards

__Proposed Future Topics__**: Update on Math Committee and Math Power Standards Resource for 4th grade Social Studies Writing Exit Skills**