Our
teachers are working hard to use technology effectively in their classrooms
under the direction and support of our new K-12 technology coach, Mr.
Strittmatter. Our laptop carts and computer lab are booked every day as
teachers experiment with new technology resources to engage their students and
enhance learning. In January, we rolled
out our first cart of Google Chromebooks, and it has been used on a consistent
basis ever since. Teachers are
experimenting with lessons designed around Bring Your Own Technology, using
Google Docs on a consistent basis, and finding new tech resources to use with
students.
CCMS
Social Studies teachers have begun the process of selecting a new textbook and
teaching resources for grades 6, 7 and 8 social studies. Our current books have significant age and
wear, and lack up to date electronic teaching tools to enhance lessons. During our January in-service, teachers
reviewed materials offered by Pearson and McGraw-Hill. On February 13, they will meet with a
representative from Houghton-Mifflin. We
hope to have a recommendation for purchase this spring so that we can purchase
materials in time for the 2015-16 school year.
In
language arts, our 6th grade Collaborative Literacy class is
producing some fantastic results. The
class is on pace to average one year of reading growth by the end of this
school year. This is taking place with a
group of students who have never achieved at that level in reading. The teamwork taking place among the teachers
of the class and the students is commendable.
In 8th grade, new non-fiction works have been purchased to
serve as the basis for units on Flight 93 and the Johnstown flood. Curriculum sequence and modules have been
created for implementation in 2015-16 using these new materials. Due to the emphasis on non-fiction text
required under the new standards, the teachers felt this was an area of
need. We had purchased new materials for
grades 6 and 7 last year, so these purchases continue the updating of our
materials in language arts. Our goal in
2015-16 will be to plan a cross-curricular unit in 8th grade
incorporating social studies and language arts centered around Pennsylvania
history and the Johnstown flood.
Finally, in language arts, our teachers who attended the Keystone State
Reading Association conference in November developed and presented an
in-service session to the middle school faculty at our January in-service. The presentation focused on vocabulary
strategies, and was videotaped so that teachers in other buildings could view
the session.
Our club
schedule during 9th period is up and running. Each student has been scheduled for a club
one day out of their six-day cycle during our Intervention/Enrichment
period. We view clubs as a form of
enrichment based on student interests.
Examples of clubs that our teachers are offering our: History club, Fit club, Book club,
Photography club, Math/Chess club, Art club and Science club. Altogether we have 12 clubs up and
running. The Cooking Club is our most
popular club right now, under the direction of Mrs. Fisher. The Nutrition Group has graciously offered to
supply ingredients for the club. We are
excited about offering a wider variety of options for our students.
