DEPT. NOTES WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL / SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

ELA

Math

Science

This week in ELA, grades 9, 10, & 11 content PLC’s are reevaluating our curriculum language goals. We are adopting strategies from the Killgallon’s “Sentence Composing for High School” to create more engaging and rigorous lessons that embrace our language goals. Also, ELA 10 PLC is developing lessons for this Friday’s upcoming “Constitution Day”. Lastly, it seems our sophomores, juniors, and seniors have really adapted to use of Chromebooks. Within these first weeks of school, students have used a variety of digital platfor ms to complete and submit work, including Google Classroom and Google Drive, seamlessly

This week all standing professional learning communities in the d e p a r t m e n t h ave r e v i e we d a n d reflected on the cycle of inquiry that drives the work of a PLC. In addition, the teachers have begun to bring DoK into our PLC conversations with teachers sharing examples and lesson ideas, members giving feedback, others trying it in their classrooms and bringing back results, monitoring student response as we create the appropriate cultures within our classrooms and the team analyzing simple ways they can change their questions to raise its DoK.

Science classes are asking students to think critically about a variety of authentic problems thru the use of various DoK level questions discussed using Accountable Talk formats and researched keying students into quantitative and qualitative literacies.

Foreign Language

 

From Mrs. Garcia - For Spanish I students, we will begin the year learning about the different places Spanish is spoken in the world. I am excited to share my experiences from my summer trip to Cuba with them.  We were very fortunate to stay in the homes of various Cubans and get to know them personally as we traveled around different areas for two weeks.  Students enjoy hearing first hand accounts and seeing   pictures, as I have done with past trips, such as to Perú (where I hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu), various trips to Mexico, and many years living in Spain.  I hope to inspire the students to travel and use their Spanish abroad, as well as throughout the United States.

SPED During last week’s West Side Showcase parents enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about some of our programs, including Learning Center and Read 180. Our Inclusion Support team is up and ready to support our students, teachers, and paras.

History In World History this week, Absolute Monarchs are on their thrones, while in US 1 The French and Indian War is concluding. In US 2 great American Cities are rising from the ashes of the Civil War, while in our electives, a myriad of great content and classroom moments are taking place from a Socratic Circle on the tactics of Miltiades at Marathon through the landscape of the Brain in Psychology and Global Contemporary Issues exploration of the North Korean crisis. We are in the heart of September, and some great work is happening, with the help of great WS kids!

Art WSHS showcase seemed to go over well; studios were popular spots with families and students. The WSHS Band is excited to play the first football game and senior studio students are taking great advantage of dedicated time for ar tistic exploration.

PE & Health Currently, classes are participating in football, tennis, ultimate frisbee, badminton, spikeball, field hockey, weight training, and lifeguarding.  Health classes are learning about heart disease.   RY classes are in session and working hard.   Child development is in full swing as well.  It’s very busy and active in the PE/ Health department.  

BTCE

Guidance

Last week’s showcase brought many families to the business, computers, technology, and robotics spots in the building, including great t-shirt fundraising sales for the Conor Strong Team.

The class of 2016 at 21st CSA had a 100% graduation rate. Kudos to the students and to Bonnie Cofer who is the WSHS liaison to the program. The Guidance room was very well attended at WS Showcase. Counselors were on hand to answer questions. Also available were 2 year and 4 year college reps, and outside service providers from Rick’s Place and BHN. Beginning on 9/12, counselors will begin holding senior meetings. During these meetings, Your Plan for the F uture will be reviewed. Postsecondary goals will be discussed with all students.