Language Arts Meeting Minutes 3/05/08

Present:

Robert Bullock

Donna Collins

Karesa Crockett

Jaclyn Richardson

Debbie Wilson

Donna Frye

Jennifer Butcher

Paula Collins

Daniel Hill

Paula Collins

Absent:

Debbie Estes – Parent member

Angela Murphy

Teresa Yancey

Shelly Hargis

Meeting began at 3:36.

Committee Business:

1. Curriculum Map Update
   1. All grade levels are right on target.
2. PD Needs
   1. Portfolio scoring will count as either three or six hours.  Ms. Murphy told different amounts to different people. 
3. Review CATS Score Goals
   1. Reading 102.47
   2. Total Writing: 89.28

                                                               i.      Writing Portfolios: 89.28

1.      Goals have been set for specific numbers of proficient and distinguished.

                                                             ii.      Writing On Demand: 87.3

4. Portfolio scoring
   1. Training            April 17, 2008                                      3:30 – 7:00
   2. Scoring             April 21, 22, & 24, 2008                      3:30 – 7:00
5. Technology Use
   1. All teams have been using the ELMOs, airliners, and projector.
6. District Writing Plan
   1. It is not yet finalized.
   2. Writing folders that move from 7^th to 8^th grade need to contain portfolio pieces.
7. Spring Academy
   1. Daniel Hill is in charge.
   2. 7^th grade teachers are interested in working some days for portfolios.
8. Resource Needs
   1. None at this time.
9. Collaboration Strategies
   1. Donna Collins pointed out that the resource teacher covering during double planning time has helped the resource teacher become more familiar with all team students.
   2. Debbie Wilson was complimentary on how Lynn Todd had helped on the students’ feature articles.
10. Student Work Analysis
    1. Advertising Open Response

                                                               i.      The question given is a good one.

                                                             ii.      The Coach book has good resources for writing open responses

                                                            iii.      The committee still wants to emphasize students should write a full page.

                                                           iv.      Giving an open response every week is a lot of work for the students at this point.

                                                             v.      If a question does not ask for a certain number of items, explanations, etc. to use three.

                                                           vi.      The committee felt that multiple choice questions may not be emphasized enough.

Meeting was dismissed at 4: