We had a great first week of December. I have been doing a number of classroom observations and I have been blown away at the high levels of learning that is going on in our classrooms. We have a few items on the agenda this week and I am hoping that everyone has a great weekend.
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Cultural Fair
I know that I mentioned how cool our cultural Fair was last week...but take a look at these pictures. I want to make this event bigger and better next year!
District 96 parents are asked to complete online the parent portion of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by Jan. 18, 2019. Access the survey: https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/
As a parent, this is your opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of your child’s school’s effectiveness. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeanne Spiller
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Current Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process
Over the last few years, Stevenson High School and the feeder middle schools have created a scope and sequence and aligned the curriculum to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics, as well as created common benchmarks for the end of each unit for both the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 courses. The consortium has created criteria that defines the four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight the attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. The criteria are grouped into three categories (See chart on second page):
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Procedural Skills & Fluency (How well you can correctly use mathematics.)
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Conceptual Understanding (How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.)
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Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence (How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.)
Over the course of the year, the mathematics teachers will be discussing these criteria with the students in class to create a portrait of each student. This portrait will be used to recommend the students into the mathematics course at Stevenson High School that matches their content knowledge as well as level of mathematics proficiency at this time.
As a district and consortium, it is our vision that each student move on to the next course in the sequence providing that there are not significant gaps in content knowledge. If there are significant gaps in content knowledge and a change in recommendation occurs, we will contact you. We feel that this process allows a mathematical picture of the student to develop over time, which will provide a more informed recommendation
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2018-19 |
Sequence of Courses |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th |
Algebra 1 |
Algebra 2 (AC) |
||
|
9th |
Algebra 2 |
Algebra 2 AC |
Geometry AC |
Geometry HN |
|
10th |
Geometry |
Geometry AC |
Precalculus AC |
Precalculus HN |
|
11th |
Precalculus |
Precalculus AC |
Calculus AB |
Calculus BC |
|
12th |
Calculus AB |
Calculus AB |
Statistics |
MV / Statistics |
| Procedural Skills & Fluency | Conceptual Understanding | Problem Solving with |
|---|---|---|
|
How well you can correctly use mathematics. skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately |
How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts. comprehension of mathematical concepts, operations, and relations |
Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning. capacity for logical thought, reflection, explanation, and justification and ability to formulate, represent, and solve mathematical problems |
|
I can identify and use the most efficient method for the problem. (MP7) I can use mathematical computations, terms, symbols, formulas, and language appropriately. (MP5, 6) I can recognize the algebraic structure in problems and use rules or procedures to solve or simplify. (MP7) I can solve problems with accuracy. (MP6)
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I can use diagrams, pictures, and symbols to justify my work. (MP4) I can understand and justify the “why” of the procedure. (MP3) I can justify solutions algebraically, graphically, and numerically. (MP3) I can explain my solution with sound mathematical reasoning using precise mathematics vocabulary and terminology. (MP3, 8) I can determine the reasonableness of my answer. (MP2) |
I can select and use all the pertinent information to solve the problem. (MP2) I can determine a solving strategy by forming logical relationships among concepts and situations. (MP7, 8) I can represent a situation mathematically using modeling. (MP4) I can retain and apply information and skills from previous units to solve problems alongside new concepts. (MP7,8) I can make connections between multiple mathematical concepts to solve problems in unfamiliar situations. (MP7,8) I can persevere when encountering new and difficult concepts.(MP1) |
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Finally, I need an interpretation of something. Quite a while ago, (which was absolutely done on purpose, most likely during a Sunday night football game because when reminded, I would have no recollection of this) I was asked “permission” (and let’s be honest, that was a courtesy at best) for my wife to go on a long weekend to celebrate a special birthday with her sister. Now, here is my question to the world...what constitutes a long weekend? In my understanding of the term, a long weekend is three days. For example, “There is no school on Monday because of Columbus Day, enjoy your long weekend.” Somehow, this “long weekend” business was never clarified by a number of the husbands/significant others before arrangements were made. Once all reservations and transportation plans happened, I was introduced to what a long weekend really meant. My wife's interpretation was leaving immediately from work on Thursday, (with a blaze of smoke in her rear view mirror) and lasting well into the day on Monday. My wife, her sisters and a couple of cousins from around the country met up in Nashville.
Now while my wife is gone, my goal is to make it seem like handling the house is no big deal, in no way giving my wife the satisfaction of me not being able to handle things when she is gone. That plan went out of the window at 6:10a.m. this morning when chaos reigned supreme in my house. My daughter was supposed to be at high school gymnastics practice at 6:30a.m., my son needed to catch the 6:34a.m. train downtown and I had a 7a.m. teacher meeting here at school. Although we all set our alarms, none of us responded to said alarms. Chaos. I digress...
I took my “long weekend” concern to the court of public opinion. I began with in the teacher’s lounge where a group staff members (all female) were talking. I was quickly informed that a long weekend could easily be 5 days, especially if you were going to a fun place like Nashville. They immediately broke into stories of their trip to Nashville and I certainly didn’t feel any better about it. My next stop was to talk to a couple of my coaches and P.E. teachers (all male). They all saw my point of view and agree that a long weekend is 3 days. Still searching out data, I talked to the P.T.O. volunteers at dessert day (almost all female - 1 male). This was a mistake on my part, mostly because the ladies I asked are a part of a Bunco group. The only group that is as close knit as a Bunco group is a Book Club (what happens at these gatherings is a blog for another day). Anyways, they were in complete agreement. When I turned to my male counterpart for support, all he could do was talk about how great it was in Nashville. Thanks for nothing Charlie...it is cool, he is part of the music scene. By the time I returned to the Bunco crew, they were in full husband bashing mode. Time to move on. My final stop was the office staff. I knew that this was a lost cause from the start because of our office staff numbers. 6 ladies and myself. They fully supported the “long weekend” and were very direct and pointed in their opinions about the trip and how I should just toughen up. Some of the comments were really quite hurtful. My nurse doesn’t have to even say a word to cut into me, she only has to give me a look.
The verdict is clear. I clearly have no understanding of what constitutes a long weekend.
Have a great regular weekend.