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Team Omega Members:
Matt Lutz, Language Arts and Social Studies, 7th grade support group ; Nancy Matthews, Science and Math, 7th grade support group; Patricia Netherwood, Spanish ; Sarah Pierson, French, 7th grade support group; Kristen Rathbun, Science, 8th grade support group; Mary Tierney, Mathematics, 8th grade support group; Leslie Williams, Language Arts and Social Studies, 8th grade support group
Team Goals:
To provide a stimulating, ordered, positive, and respectful learning environment; to provide meaningful, standards-based learning opportunities which enable our students to use academic skills in practical settings; to work with students toward an understanding of our individual responsibility to be contributing members of the school and local community.
Our focus is to develop a community of learners excited about building a solid, quality education through a combination of methods and techniques, including direct instruction and interdisciplinary, project-based activities. Additionally we are committed to the following goals:
· Our team will develop an environment in which students, teachers and their families work together to ensure a quality educational experience.
· Our team will work toward a standards-driven curriculum based on the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, as well as the Chittenden South Supervisory Union Curriculum Frameworks.
Methodology:
Although methods vary according to teacher style and course, learning occurs through an amalgam of teacher-directed and student-directed activities:
* Direct Instruction
* Interdisciplinary Projects
* Cooperative Group Learning
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Writer's Workshop/Writing Portfolio
* Writing on Demand
* Integrated Social Studies/Language Arts Activities
* Integrated Science Lab Activities
* Differentiated Instruction
* Science and Social Studies Inquiry
Each student is expected to come prepared to every class with a pen, pencil, three-ring binder, daily planner, in addition to a calculator, any textbooks or resource materials required for that class. The team has purchased planners for all students to be used to record assignments and other school and personal information.
Using the Internet, electronic multimedia, on-line databases and the CCS library, we will provide access to periodicals, reference materials, and literature throughout the world, developing skills to become electronically literate. Technology Grade Expectations (TGE’s) will help to guide our students in their learning in all subject areas.
Team Omega Guidelines:
* Strive to do your best.
* Branch out and include others.
* Make the environment safe and comfortable
so that we can learn productively.
* Be kind by keeping
rude and unnecessary comments to yourself.
Assessment?
We provide varied methods of assessment for work within our disciplines, based on the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Learning is assessed traditionally and using performance-based assessments, from quizzes and tests* to student-created projects, such as web pages and 3D models. Rubrics are often available for projects and other final products. These are informative tools used to identify levels of completion for aspects of the project such as content proficiency according to standards or clarity of presentation. Students will be trained in the dynamics of rubrics and encouraged to refer to them while the work is in progress. These rubrics are then used by teachers to guide assessment and determine a grade. Additionally, the team is continually refining a class participation rubric with the purpose of acknowledging positive learning and classroom community habits while providing opportunities for reflection and feedback for both students and teachers.
Communication of Student Progress?
Progress will be reported on a regular basis throughout the year. All important dates will be shared at parent information night and posted on the website.
* Conferences (parents, teachers and students)
* 18-week final report at the end of each semester
* Nine-week interim Snapgrades report at the midpoint of each semester
* Regular biweekly Snapgrade Check-ins (IPODs) which indicate any missing work and/or test/quiz grades. Homework updates are not sent home on interim and final report weeks. Snapgrades works best when students and parents regularly and independently monitor their progress in all classes.
o Missing work that appears on the Snapgrades update is expected to be completed during the weekend and turned into the support group leader and/or subject area teacher by the following Wednesday. Any work not received by the end of the school day on Wednesday will become a zero. If a student is absent on, s/he will receive an reasonable extension on assignments.
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PARENTS’ ROLE
Parents' role (in general) is to serve as the home advocate for the student's learning;
*communicate directly with your son/daughter's support group leader and other teachers regarding the student's progress
*provide a work space for student homework
*participate actively in the learning triangle: student, parent, and teacher
*additionally, you may want to volunteer as a book discussion leader or to serve as a PAC member.
PAC
A PAC committee composed of interested parents will be formed at the beginning of the year. Parents are welcome to join at any time throughout the year or to attend as schedules allow. We encourage a balance of parents from each support group. Meetings are held monthly. Parents serve as essential liaisons among parents, the community and teachers. They assist in organizing special events, such as helping with the monthly preparation and serving of meals at the Burlington Salvation Army. They also serve as a sounding board for the teachers, providing valuable input about programs and other concerns. If you have an interest in serving on the committee, you may notify us of your interest.
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