Drury Middle School Mr. Steele – Curriculum Director DMS Welcome – Dr. Slye & fellow colleagues 40 minute presentation on our Princpal’s vision for the upcoming year. VISON = “THEMATIC UNITS!!!”
Creating Thematic Units Oh so many ways…. So many ideas…. So many topics!
Considerations & of course the “Expectations” Curriculum that is challenging Assessment & Evaluation that promote learning Varied teaching and learning approaches Flexible organizational structures Comprehensive guidance & support
continued… A shared & agreed upon vision High expectations for all Positive DMS climate Educators committed to MS Students Programs & policies that foster health, wellness & safety Parent participation & our Culminating event
Standards GLE – Grade Level Expectations DOK – Depth of Knowledge Show Me Standards MoStep – Missouri Standards Thorough Lesson Plans!!!
Selecting a Theme Begin by identifying a title or theme to acknowledge a content area of study. This is the “hook” for your students to engage in meaningful activities.
1- Centers Computer center features software of the week or the day Teacher demonstrates the skill and activity prior to student use at center Students work with aide, peer tutor, or partner Structure/sequence of Unit
2- Daily Lessons Daily lessons must focus on OUR theme Progressive activities that build on the skill from the day before. Activities that are related and sequential Structure/sequence of Unit
3- Thematic across content Thematic activities for each content area (Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies) Activities do NOT have to be progressive Related in “theme” but not necessarily in skills Activity for each content area: Math, language arts, social studies, science, health, art, music, PE Structure/sequence of Unit
4- Theme to learn technology Theme is the source to focus all activities when learning new technology Works well in a middle school, when the focus is actually focusing on productivity skills such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, research skills, presentation program Technology skills build sequentially Structure/sequence of Unit
5- Semester Unit Semester unit with weekly lessons Integrate functional skills in order to build for a high school setting Focus on life, vocational, and community skills such as money management, getting a job, health care, shopping Structure/sequence of Unit
6- Activities related to reading Activities to accompany reading text Resource teachers with not enough time to integrate units with daily reading instruction Focus instructional time on remediation Use technology to relate stories in reading text to “big ideas” in science or social studies. Structure/sequence of Unit
7- Focus on Basic Skills Units on specific skills or group of standards –Math problem solving –Reading comprehension Structure/sequence of Unit
Incorporating Technology and all our staff: Word processing for content and skill Web activities for information and HOTS Graphics and text for desktop publishing Spreadsheets to contrast and compare Software for enhancing concepts Multimedia for presentation or concepts SPED for adaptations/accommodations
Software, Web and Lessons Incorporating technology-based activities Locating and selecting software Creating web-based learning
Putting it all together Use your lesson plan outlines, rubric & make the lesson student centered 88% of the time – teachers are talking. STUDENT LED!!!
continued Write up an annotated list of lessons and use of technology. Be creative on use of space and formatting. Don’t wait until the last minute to put it all together
Our Semester Theme…
Culminating project… Continuous Positive Attitudes Parents consistently informed Parents & Student Involvement Walking & Talking museum