Fenton Area Public Schools

Curriculum and Assessment Update - November 23, 2015

Did You Know?

Next Generation Science Standards were approved two weeks ago. See below for more information.
Plans are underway for a Grade 5 Exhibition and a Grade 10 Personal Project.
Department leaders will be gathering next month to continue discussions on a variety of topics related to moving forward without PYP and MYP, as well as enhancing DP. Your input will be needed in the next month or two.
FAPS now has elementary, middle school and high school competitive robotics teams. Thanks to our great coaches Andy Spiece, Tom Cavric, Sara Gadwa and Andy Cocagne!
Michigan has two grants available to assist with elementary literacy which we will submit applications for. Both are connected to improving reading proficiency rates by the end of third grade.
FAPS has two FAME teams, which stands for Formative Assessment for Michigan Educators. Team participants consist of Sara Gadwa, Marcy McCrate, Joy Sweetin, Lisa Barnett, Chelsea Chittick, Sonja Brooks, Amy Heslip, Laura Wagonlander, Claire Conley, Karen VanNorman, Becky Duncan, Valerie Niemann, and Katie Overfield. The two teams of teachers will be studying and implementing formative assessment techniques and reflecting on the process as it relates to student achievement.
Lindsay Grady and Sarah Anderson presented at a national conference last week. Both shared their expertise at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE (ALAN) conference last week. Lindsay was part of a panel of speakers on the topic, "Doing More Isn’t Doing Better: How to Be an English Teacher and Have a Life." Sarah's sessions were entitled, "Igniting Instruction" and "Reading through the Rhetoric: Using YA Literature as a Critical Lens." We are very proud of Lindsay and Sarah!
Michigan juniors will take the revised SAT in the spring of 2016. The math and ELA portions of the SAT will replace the state created M-STEP for juniors in these subject areas. Below are various valuable resources for all secondary teachers.
Also, Michigan 9th and 10th graders will take the PSAT in the spring.

Next Generation Science Standards

Fenton science department chairs and some teachers will be attending various meetings and workshops this winter to gather information and develop a roll-out plan for the change to NGSS. Please be assured that we, like other districts, are in the learning phase of NGSS. The changes are not required immediately, nor will the new standards be fully assessed in the next few years. Based on expected timelines, it may be 5-7 years until Michigan districts are fully implementing NGSS.

Michigan NGSS

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CK12

Great site with FREE Online Textbooks, SAT prep, flashcards, and more to add to your resources. If you set up an account, you can assign homework and monitor student progress. This is worth checking out!

CK12

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SAT-Instructional Strategies and Keys to the SAT

If you teach Middle School or High School and have not read this document, you will find the appendices beneficial. Appendix A, B and C outline key expectations and strategies to help students be successful on the SAT, all of which are tied to Michigan Standards.

Check out the OPTIC graphic organizer for informational graphics in Appendix B!

Guide to SAT

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SAT Practice App

Have your students signed up for the SAT Practice App? If not, check out this free resource which you may want to utilize during SRT or in your class.

SAT Practice App

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SAT Writing Prompt

Read the SAT essay prompt below. Do you see the connection and progression of writing standards from our youngest students to our oldest?

"As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses

evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience."

College Readiness Board Essay Prompt - Click here to access more information

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Sample SAT Math Questions

College Readiness Board Sample Math Problems

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Sample SAT Reading Questions

College Readiness Board Sample Reading Questions

Event Information

Transitioning from the IB Learner Profile - Input Needed

Are you interested in reviewing the IB learner profile attributes and IB's expectations for student action in an effort to create Fenton's student outcome profile?

I am looking for one or two teachers from each building to take part in discussions related to these two areas.

This district provided PD entails a minimum of two half-day meetings. The first meeting is to review IB documents and develop a Fenton student profile to take back to administration and teachers for their input. In February, we will regroup to discuss feedback, create resources, develop a roll-out plan, etc.

When?

Wednesday, Dec 16, 2015, 08:00 AM

Where?

Admin Building

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Global Mindedness Input

Given the move away from IB at the PYP and MYP levels, what does and should the teaching of global mindedness look like here in Fenton?

I am looking for 1-2 teachers per building to assist in developing a vision for transitioning from IB to Fenton's vision for global mindedness.

This district provided PD entails a minimum of two half-day meetings. The first meeting is to review IB documents and develop a Fenton vision to take back to administration and teachers for their input. In February, we will regroup to discuss feedback, create resources, develop a roll-out plan, etc.

When?

Wednesday, Dec 16, 2015, 01:00 PM

Where?

Admin Bldg

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PD Opportunity - GISD Formative Assessment Book Study

GISD Formative Assessment Online Book Study

FAPS November/December Book & Goodies Giveaway

I am giving away a great gift bag filled with goodies and the book The Motivated Brain: Improving Student Attention, Engagement and Perseverance by Gayle Gregory and Martha Kaufeldt.

To enter to win, complete the form below with your name and something positive that is school related and can be shared with others. Forms are due Monday, December 14, 2015.

FAPS November Book and Goodies Giveaway

We are Teachers - Enter to Win a Class Set of Books (secondary level)

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Melody Strang

Director of Instructional Technology & Curriculum

Email: mstrang@fentonschools.org
Website: www.fentonschools.org
Location: 3100 Owen Road, Fenton, MI, United States
Phone: (810) 591-4700
Twitter: @StrangMelody