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Comet 2009-2010 Open House. Welcome Comet Parents. Teaming makes a Middle School A hybrid model of elementary and high school models of instruction. Elementary Model – Parents and students know the teachers well; few daily transitions from teacher to teacher.
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Comet 2009-2010 Open House Welcome Comet Parents
Teaming makes a Middle SchoolA hybrid model of elementary and high school models of instruction • Elementary Model– Parents and students know the teachers well; few daily transitions from teacher to teacher. • High School Model – Content “experts;” many transitions from teacher to teacher.
A Middle School TeamFour content “expert” teachers who work together as one to provide the benefits of both the elementary and high school models
The Comet Team • Ed Leahy • Team leader and Math • Lucy Sweetman • Language Arts • Gretchen Sonju • Social Studies • Joan Israelson • Science first semester • Laurie Salva • Science second semester • Alison PetersonSpecial Education • Kathy Marzano GuidanceCounselor • Mary McMahon – Reading Specialist
How do we do it? Sharing the same group of students Common planning time • Students are assigned to one of 3 teams in 7th grade: • Comets, Novas, or Meteors • Teachers on each team have the same planning time and a daily meeting period. • Discuss student needs • Align curriculum and expectations • Parent meetings • Support staff meetings • Awards and recognitions • Address administrative concerns
Four working as one Content instruction Study skills • Concepts are referenced in many subject areas • Concepts are presented with similar vocabulary • Classroom policies are closely aligned • Unified application with direct instruction of these skills shared across the team • Coordination of assignments and tests to avoid overload days
AMS and the Comets will guide the transition to greater freedom and thus greater responsibility
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Sean Covey) Start with You • Private Victory (Independence) • Be Proactive • Begin with the End in Mind • Put First Things First • Be responsible • take more control of life • map out the future • establish priorities • execute a plan by staying disciplined and focused • Self-leadership: skilled in time management, planning, goal-setting, organization
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Sean Covey) Then Play Well with Others • Public Victory (Interdependence) • Think Win-Win • Seek First to Understand, then to Be Understood • Synergize • communicate effectively • balance courage with consideration • problem solve with others • conflict resolution skills • listening skills • creativity skills • teamwork skills
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Sean Covey) Take Care of Yourself • Sharpen the Saw
The 7 Habits Direct Instruction Embedded Reinforcement • An initial overview in math classes • Academic subjects focus on one or two habits each • Math – Be proactive and Put first things first • English – Seek to understand then to be understood • Science – Think win-win and Relationship bank accounts • Social Studies – Begin with the end in mind and Synergy • In all academic classes • Posters throughout the school • Team procedures • Use of Agenda planners • Student of the Month program
Advisory Program • Meets approximately every week for 25 min. • Topics discussed relate to: academics, social, emotional, and physical well-being of students • Designed for students to have a personalized experience at AMS with a small, close knit group of peers and their Advisor
Examples of Topics Covered during Advisory: • AMS Human Rights & Responsibilities • Getting Involved in Clubs/Activities • AMS Honor Code • Academic Goal Setting • Time Management
Realize that this is a transitional period Trust that your child is developing the 7 Habits of a Highly Effective Teen But Verify • Your child should be in charge of his or her academic progress • Ask clarifying questions • Stop by our website • Check the Power School portal • Monitor grades • See that time is being spent completing assignments; nobody gets it all done in school.
How we communicate with you • Our websites • All can be found in a link on Mr. Leahy’s website • Email and/or call when needed • PowerSchool portal
Communicating with the school • Individual subject concern • Contact the teacher by email or phone • A problem that crosses team subject areas • Contact team leader • Problems with a schedule, issues in non-teamed subjects, social/emotional concerns, etc. • Contact Mrs. Marzano
Tonight • Follow your child’s A-Day schedule • During Science go to the media center for a presentation from both science teachers • MC classrooms are in the media center