Febtopics

=February Inservice 2007= =Devon Farm Campus= =Our first meeting, brainstorming minutes=

General Comments about Math/Science Education
o The trend: Problem Solving, Lab-based, Analytical, Skills-based, Inquiry-based, Higher Level Thinking o New Way (above) vs. Old Way (content-based) o Admissions: more questions about this curriculum area than any other.

Questions to Research and Explore
o Can we, should we incorporate more skills/inquiry-based learning in math and science? And if so, how? o How do we balance content and skills/inquiry-based learning? o What is the most relevant content for a skills/inquiry-based program? o How do we reassure parents/stake holders that a skills/inquiry-based program covers the appropriate amount of content? o How do we give the teachers the skill set they need to be skill/inquiry-based? o How do we best assess student learning in a skills/inquiry-based program? o How do we best prepare students for a skills/inquiry-based curriculum? o How do we best educate the students that struggle with the higher level thinking required in a skills/inquiry-based curriculum ? o How can we assess the effectiveness of our program? o Is there a difference between Ensworth students and new non-Ensworth students entering middle school, high school? o What does Ensworth do currently in math/science? o Are we getting academically stronger in math/science? o How do we best support the academically strong student? o What are the math/science related developmental benchmarks? Readiness? o What is the best order for math/science? o Which summer math/science courses should we offer? Should students be able to use these courses “to get ahead”? o What are the best types of homework assignments in math/science?

How do we research and explore these questions?
o Research: Here is the information you (Departments, Administration) need to make these decisions. o Visit Schools: Different Levels (Low, Middle, High) o Visit Schools to see students of varying levels of academic intensity? Learning styles? o Asks colleges about the best high schools for math/science. o Research Professional Development Opportunities for math/science Teachers: For example, Harkness Table Teaching in math/science. o Visit Ensworth math/science classes: What is happening at Ensworth? o Networking: School contacts, College contacts, Conferences, Community. o Research: the order of math/science classes (geometry in 8th grade? Which science first?) o Track our own kids. How are they doing? o Start a library of information (websites, books, periodicals) o Sarah’s dissertation (math as a predictor of success?) o Utilize National math/science associations. o Attend conferences or receive updates from teachers that did. (NSTA Conference in St. Louis, Spring 2007) o Study National math/science standards. o Study standardized test scores and content. o Think globally.

Next step…
o How do we divide up the work? o How much work do we need to do? o Set up electronic communication with Tony’s help. o Administration feedback.