Meeting+27+-+Nov+'14

** Wednesday, November 19, 2014 (8:30am – 9:30am) ** ** H103 – BioHazard Meeting Room **
 * Science Department Meeting **


 * 1) Looking Ahead – Important Dates to Note
 * 2) Thanksgiving – Thur, Nov 27
 * 3) BioHaz Collaboration Morning (Eddie Hosts) – Wed, Dec 3
 * 4) NSTA Long Beach – Thur-Sat, Dec 4-6
 * 5) Happy Birthday Gina – Sat, Dec 6
 * 6) Happy Birthday Craig – Sun, Dec 7
 * 7) Open House Preparation Meeting (Eddie Hosts) – Thur, Dec 11 - open house prep meeting, 7:30am prep, textbooks and materials, flyer and new schedule - last minute changes, etc. If you want a new role, let Robb know - if want to do presentations let Robb know.
 * 8) Open House (Mandatory Event) – Sun, Dec 14
 * 9) Senior Finals (90-minute finals/periods) – Tue-Fri, Dec 16-19
 * 10) Merry Christmas – Dec 20-Jan 5
 * 11) Happy Birthday Eddie – Sun, Jan 4

>>
 * 1) NSTA Long Beach
 * 2) December 4 – 6, 2014 (Registration is Open) - register if you have not, absence request forms to Rick
 * 3) Reminder to Request Professional Development Days (Forms to Rick)
 * 4) Plan for a Department Lunch on Friday in Long Beach (1:00pmish) - plan midday on Friday for lunch and possible other times - Mike & Craig are presenting. CSTA hosts a night at the aquarium - Thurs night $10 for CSTA members, dinner, networking event.

i. All students will take Phy-9 ii. Phy-9 is Mathematically Appropriate iii. Working Closely with Math to Ensure Horizontal Alignment (Algebra) iv. “Physics for All” - algebra based physics - academically rigorous
 * 1) Open House
 * 2) Preparation Meeting on Thur, Dec 11 (7:30am in BioHaz) - meeting to discuss roles, talk to Robb if you would like different assignments.
 * 3) Changes, Additions or Omissions
 * 4) Xavier (Paul), Exploratorium (Fawzia) & Presentations (Robb)
 * 5) Common Speaking Points Regarding the New Schedule - has not been guidance as to what we should say as a faculty - for science dept, refer to following speaking points:

v. 100 Minute Block allows for More In-Depth Discovery Opportunities vi. Classes Meet Twice a Week (Canvas becomes Ultra-Important) - homework questions, in the block period, double up homework, etc. common response to these questions - time consumption for homework. Physics 9 - would not change a lot, homework is staggered a couple nights - right now as it is they have homework about every other night - just have two days to do it. Heath - selling point in terms of time management - exposure to manage schedule and time. If it becomes a larger assignment on one night, it is their choice, manage schedule and time. Robb - how to put the new schedule in words - just talk about science - freshman through juniors will be block. Senior courses are up in the air - electives are going to be 50 minute periods. Exploratorium - help Fawzia with clean up and break down. Students help a lot with Exploratorium - AP students - can help with chemistry and physics demos.

vii. Schedule is a Great Step Forward for Loyola (Big Smile!) // viii. //// What other questions should we be prepared to answer? //

Good meeting with Math dept. - Craig as spoken with meth dept. members, keep science in their mind as they are developing curriculum. Do we have another joint meeting? Is it helpful? Freshman and sophomore level it would be helpful. Physics and Algebra I meet etc. Do we need to take this further? Mike visited Roger class, some organic conversations. Galen has visited Gerry's classroom - pouring through Physics 9. Most critical level is freshman level - maybe just physics 1 and hybrid folks - or co summer sabbaticals. Physics subgroup meeting with hybrid teachers. Has it been determined who is teaching hybrid math? Gerry - got laundry list of topics and typical textbook contents. Math meeting every period 4. At lunch or whenever if see sophomore level math teachers - talk with them. i. observe the final 20-30 minutes of a class period ii. ask 2-3 students how the lesson began (get feedback regarding engagement and interest in the topic) iii. focus on reflection iv. meet with the observed teacher immediately following the lesson v. use the science department observation protocol form New model - will be using the same overall form from last year. Going to come in for the last half hour - going to talk to students about the first half of class - engagement and how were you hooked in the lesson and engagement. What worked, what didn't, etc. Focus on reflection - want to see thoughts at the end to bring it together - give last 5-10 minutes for reflection. Different reflection strategies. After the lesson - have conference with Robb - right after the period, meet for 10 minutes to discuss. Lessons will piggyback onto prep period, break or after school. Over December and January. Focus on reflection piece. 4. Exercise: “chunking” block periods using time manipulatives
 * 1) Math/Science Alignment
 * 2) Progress Reports?
 * 3) How should we move forward? When?
 * 1) Formal Observations (new model)
 * 2) Robb will….
 * 1) Strategies for Teaching in a Block Period
 * 2) Student reflections on learning in a block environment
 * 3) Importance of creating multiple “starts & stops” throughout a block period
 * 4) Brian storm strategies already used to transitions (ideation)

Talked to Frank about PD - we have teachers who have taught in a block before. Frank does not feel that formal PD is not necessary. Robb - worried about it huge change, have not taught in a block. Some thinks are quite eye popping - handout...went over the good and bad of block. Strategize about how to give exams. Kids want a routine and work in the classroom - work to do to make the block work. Up to us to find professional development. Time manipulatives - quick exercise - Peter Pappas - willing to fly down from Oregon to do a workshop if we want to go that direction. Important to chunk your time - multiple starts and stops - students remember what you do first the most. We need multiple starts and stops in a block period.