April+2012


 * Curriculum Council Minutes **
 * April 4, 2012 **

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Michael Bessette, Jacquey Blanchette, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Chris Kelley, Eileen Reinacher
 * Members Present:**
 * Place and Time**: MSS 3:15 - 4:20
 * Minutes submitted by:** Nancy Alibrandi


 * Items discussed: **
 * Summer Curriculum Timeline**
 * Summer curriculum will be discussed by the Leadership Team next week
 * Paperwork will go out to staff before April vacation
 * Summer Curriculum proposals are due in to principals by May 11th


 * Update from Math Task Force**
 * Job description has been developed for the new Numeracy Specialist; Bill Carozza and Michael Bessette are working on hiring and will talk about the time allocation between buildings
 * Two parents have joined the Math Task Force
 * Looking at some different programs: My Math, Singapore Math, Investigations
 * Task Force still needs to audit for Common Core alignment; still need statement about homework; and develop a common glossary for math instruction

> The support staff will have three options:  [] A list of workshops is provided below. Please remember to register on MLP. Thank you to the Student Support Task Force, the Assessment and Professional Development Committees and to the presenters for their effort in planning this important day. List of Workshops (as of January 31, 2012)
 * Plans for the Technology Professional Development Day**
 * Steve sent a letter to staff: __ [] __
 * Here is the list of workshops offered:
 * __Session 1: Aspen Gradebook & Class Pages:__Learn how to special codes, assignment comments and widgets to use Aspen for communicating with students and parents.
 * __Session 1: Digital Content Curation:__Are you experiencing information overload? Digital content curation is defined as finding, collecting, organizing and sharing the best resources on the web. In this introductory workshop, you will see examples of some basic web tools for managing and sharing digital information such as Wikis, LiveBinders, Evernote, and Social bookmarking sites such as Diigo and Pinterest. Lots of time will be given to browse for resources; especially Pinterest pinboards that other educators have created providing great ideas for your classroom, hobbies, and professional learning.
 * __Session 1: Google Sites:__Google Sites is one of Google's many free online tools that all Hopkinton teachers have access to. Sue Batchelder moved her Digital Media class onto Google Sites this semester, allowing all content of the class to be accessed by students from any computer, at school or at home. Students upload their work, download class handouts, view current and past assignments and examples of work, and share feedback. Students can access the Digital Media site from the X2 family portal with one click. Participants in this workshop will see the setup of this class and learn how it's run, hear about the not-too-steep learning curve with Google Sites and Google Docs, and create their own sites for use with current or future classes.
 * __Session 1: iPads for Elementary:__Learn how to use iPads as part of the elementary classroom. Apps and strategies for differentiated instruction in math and reading are discussed. Have your own iPad? Bring it along with you!
 * __Session 2 & 3: Digital Storytelling:__In this TWO-HOUR SESSION, participants will learn how to create a short digital story through a combination of still images, narration and music using iMovie. Strategies for managing this project in a K-12 classroom will be presented including script writing, storyboarding, collecting resources, and project assessment. Presenters will also demonstrate how teachers can create digital stories for use during instruction to motivate students, stimulate thinking about a controversial idea, and reach visual and auditory learners. "
 * __Session 2: Blogging for Kids, Classrooms and Teachers:__Google's Blogspot provides a fun and easy opportunity for teachers to set up a classroom website that can double as a blog for you or your students. In this workshop, you'll learn enough about Blogspot that you can get going right away on developing your own web page or blog.
 * __Session 2: Intro to Google Docs__ (see above)
 * __Session 2: Intro to LibGuides:__LibGuides: In this session, you will learn how to create an online resource, called a LibGuide, for any topic that you teach. Embed videos and tutorials, post handouts, post links to great websites and databases, and more. A LibGuide creates a "go to" source for students for any project, unit, or skill. Please come with a topic or unit in mind to begin making your own LibGuide. For an example, check out [].
 * __Session 3: Intro to Google Docs__ (see above)
 * __Session 3: Tech Exploratorium:__Not sure what tech we have or what it's good for? Come explore with a set of short guided exercises to explore tech that's available now. Come try out an iPad, document camera, netbook, Nook and more!
 * __Session 3: Top 25 Tips To Save Time with Your Mac:__Teachers' school lives are becoming busier than ever. But fear not! There are some basic principles using your Mac that can help you become much more productive. In this workshop we'll examine the tips that can help lower your stress and simply get more done.
 * __Session 4: iTunes U:__TunesU includes tons of free course materials, as well as entire courses distributed as apps. Come learn how you and your students can tap into a plethora of free content to expand learning beyond the classroom.
 * Student Support Professional Development Day**
 * Nancy wanted to have a list of the workshops that were offered on the February 6th Professional Development day included in Curriculum Council minutes
 * The following information is from an email sent to staff from Steve Chamberlin on January 31st...:
 * 1) Participate in the First Aid Course offered by our nursing staff. Please register on MLP. The first aid course will be offered in the middle and high school library.
 * 2) Sign up for individual workshops held throughout the day (the titles of the workshop will be listed as the end of this email as well as on MLP).
 * 3) For those who are interested in learning about technology, attending the April 6, 2012 Professional Development day is an option. The day is devoted to the tools that enhance instruction (planned by the Technology Committee.) Please let your building administrator know if you are opting for the April 6, 2012 day.
 * Teaching staff should register for sessions on MLP. The link below is to a draft of the structure for the day.


 * Co-Teaching/Collaboration (Regular Ed & Special Ed) in the Middle/High School
 * Strategies to Reduce Student Stress and Increase Learning
 * Accommodating for Struggling Readers in Content Area Reading
 * The Importance of Phonics in a Balanced Literacy Program
 * Math and Science Enrichment Across the Curriculum
 * Teaching Rocket Science to non-Rocket Scientists
 * How to Use Your DRA Results to Inform Your Teaching (K-3)
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Differentiated Instruction Using Three Tiers
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">We Have the Data…Now What?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">CBMs Part 2: Data-Based Decision Making
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">How to Use Your DRA Results to Inform Your Teaching (4-6)
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Think Math! (K-6)
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Strategies for Building Executive Function and Attentional Skills in the Classroom
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Setting the Stage for Learning – Using Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers to Enhance Learning for All
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">How Do I Read My MAP Scores and What Do I do With Them Now?
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Personalizing the Mathematics Classroom
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Using Writing Benchmarks to Drive Instruction K-6

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The links below describe the plans for each day. Please feel encouraged to contact an administrator if you have any questions. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Wednesday, March 28, ER Day <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Thursday, March 29, ER Day <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> []
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Early Release Days in March **


 * Next Curriculum Council meeting is May 2, 2012 at 3:15 in the MSS Conference Room.**

__Proposed Agenda Items:__
 * Discussion about changing "Physical Education'" to "Wellness"
 * Looking Ahead to Next Year

__Future Agenda Items:__
 * Summer Curriculum
 * Update the Database of Projects