Curriculum Sub-Committee Minutes
February 24, 2005
Members Present: Chris Baer, Vince Caruso, Judi Juneau, Lisa McFee, Stuart Asch
Chairperson: Stuart Asch Recorder: Lisa McFee
Elementary Phys Ed Report Cards -
Elementary Phys Ed teachers have revised their report card based on their progression in the Excellence Award. The report cards for P.E. will go home one (1) week prior to the end of the year as a pilot this year with a feedback sheet for parents. Parents can respond to the new report card prior to the end of the year. P.E. teachers will make necessary changes and they will be taken to the Board of Education next fall for use next year.
High School Courses -
The following new high school courses will be offered next year:
AP European History 1 & 2 – This course
will also serve students who wish to gain college credit for introductory
college level classes in European History. Taking
two semesters of this course will fulfill the global studies requirement in
social studies. AP European History
will best suit students who desire an in-depth study of
Dance – This class will encompass introductions to all forms of modern dance as well as the execution of the wide variety of concepts they entail. In addition, students will participate in many popular varieties of dances such as folk, line, and ballroom dancing. Not only will students be expected to learn how to dance, they also will be allowed to choreograph their own dances. Students do not need any prior dance experience.
Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry 1 & 2 – Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry (FST) 1 & 2 is a course that continues and expands upon the major conceptual themes introduced in Advanced Algebra 1 & 2. Topics include data analysis; functions as models; transformations; circular functions; trigonometric functions; root, power, and logarithm functions; probability and simulation; sequences, series, and combinations; polynomial functions; binomial and normal distributions; matrices; quadratic relations; and advanced trigonometry (as time permits). The TI-83 plus graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. FST 1 & 2 may be taken as an alternative to Precalculus or as preparation for Precalculus 1 & 2, Honors Precalculus 1 & 2, or AP Statistics 1 & 2. The individual semesters of FST 1 & 2 may be taken in either order.
Introductory Composition 1 & 2 – This course is a yearlong class that provides balanced writing instruction for students whose skills are below grade level. It is designed to prepare students for the writing demands of high school and prepare them for the State test. This course will be a companion to Linguistics/Reading 1 & 2.
Science Kits -
Concern: The
kits don’t cover all GLCE’s.
Response: The science committee will be working on aligning the GLCE’s
when they come out this summer. Once
the curriculum is aligned with the new GLCE’s all materials will be reviewed.
If you need resources to help you cover the materials please follow the
process used in your building.
Writing Portfolios –
Concern: The usefulness of the portfolios as they currently are.
Response: The Language Arts committee is currently receiving these as common assessments and will make a recommendation concerning them.
Reminder –
March 14th Professional Development Day at building level.
Pinnacle Plus –
The technical problems have been worked out and the dates for training are as follows:
- Addams Early Adopters,
March 3rd
- Keller Early Adopters,
March 10th
-
Kimball, Dondero staffs – week of March 21st
Next meeting is scheduled for March 17th.
Please email any issues to one of your curriculum subcommittee members by
March 11th.