Building Successful Students Using Lab
ClassesRobert A. Taft Middle School
Principal: Mr. Michael C. HazenCrown Point Community School Corporation
Crown Point, Indiana
Presenters:
Ashley Cotton – 8th grade Math Lab teacher
Sarah Smenyak – Guidance Counselor
Robert A. Taft Middle SchoolA “School to Watch”
Schools to Watch® is an initiative launched by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in 1999.
Recognizes schools nationally who meet the criteria of high performing middle grades school
They are academically excellent—these schools challenge all students to use their minds well.
They are developmentally responsive—these schools are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence.
They are socially equitable—these schools are democratic and fair, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and supports.
Schools are recognized annually at a ceremony in Washington DC and are given the opportunity to meet with their congressman on Capital Hill.
The Schools To Watch Process Application
School Wide Staff Perception Survey on STW criteria (academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, structures and organizational arrangements).
Narrative on the 5 criteria Documentation of AYP, achievement testing, demographics, discipline, programs and processes.
Site Visit STW finalists have a site visit w/ the STW leadership from Indiana.
Panels of teachers Students Parents Community leaders
Classroom observations Student work samples
Banner Presentation w/ Dr. Bennett in the Spring STW conference and Awards Dinner in Washing DC in June Presentation at State Middle Level Conference in the fall
Recipients of the “Schools to Watch” Award
Building Successful Students Using Lab Classes
This presentation focuses on how Robert A. Taft Middle School, recipient of the National Schools to Watch Award, devised and implemented new classes designed around core curriculum and project based learning to improve academic achievement. We will discuss how student learning is enriched and the importance of collaboration for successful implementation of lab classes.
Lab Classes at Taft Middle School Lab classes began during the 2008 – 2009
school year with Math Lab and English Lab classes in the 7th grade.
Lab classes expanded in the 2009 – 2010 school year with Math Lab and English Lab in the 8th grade, along with a Science Lab added to the 7th grade.
Math Lab and English Lab continue in both 7th and 8th grades, along with Science Lab in 7th grade, for the current 2010 – 2011 school year.
Purpose of Having Lab Classes Enhance core curriculum Integrate project based, hands-on learning Incorporate higher order thinking, problem
solving, communication, and collaboration Group students based on need and ability Allows for flexibility with projects and students’
understanding of key concepts Allows for additional standardized testing
remediation Integrating technology
What is needed for a successful lab classroom?
Flexible, out-of-the-box teachers and support staff Strong communication between teachers,
counselors, support staff, students, and parents Engaging lessons (not necessarily from a
textbook) Open-minded students and parents Support from administration to allow for
scheduling flexibility
Scheduling Logistics – Example 1 15 day rotation - students will complete
three 15 day rotations for two different subject areas. Unit 1 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B Unit 2 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B Unit 3 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B Unit 4 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B Unit 5 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B Unit 6 – 15 days group A, 15 days group B
Scheduling Logistics – Example 2 Marking period rotation – students will
rotate lab classes each marking period. Marking period 1 – Group A Marking period 2 – Group B Marking period 3 – Group A Marking period 4 – Group B
Sample Math Lab Curriculum for 8th grade
Web Quests Researching data,
statistics, and graphing Interdisciplinary units
(economics, history, art, writing)
Study skills and high school readiness skills
Standardized testing preparation
Sample “Beginning of the Year”parent letter for a Math Lab class
Hello to all my 8th grade math lab students and parents - Welcome back to school! My name is Mrs. Ashley Cotton and I am the 8th grade math lab teacher at Taft Middle School. This is my third year at Taft
Middle School, and my twelfth year teaching. I previously taught 5th grade in Beecher and Alsip, Illinois and taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in Matteson, Illinois. I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Governors State University in Elementary Education and Educational Administration and Supervision. I hold middle school endorsements in math, science, and language arts. I am very excited to teach the 8th grade math lab here at Taft and look forward to another exciting school year. Below is an explanation of what will be expected of your child throughout this year.
What Happens in Math Class Every Day? Math Lab is a supplemental math class that will enhance and reinforce concepts taught in the 8th grade core math classes. Most Math Lab work will
be independently completed. I will be working with students on both the Eagles team and Stars team on a rotating basis. The students will be in Math Lab for approximately 15 days and then will rotate to English Lab and then back to Math Lab. This rotation will continue throughout the school year and the students will be reminded where they should be.
The Rules That Must Be Followed... Respect must be shown at all times. Be on-time to class every day. No gum or candy in the classroom. One friendly warning will be given before a formal warning is issued. Further consequences are as follows – parent contact, lunch detention, and then
an after-school detention. Any student involved in a serious offense (defined in the student handbook), will be immediately removed from class. Math Lab Supplies must be brought to class everyday. The supplies needed are... Highlighters Composition notebook Folder One box of 12 colored pencils 2 boxes of 12 wood pencils Kleenex (only for 2nd period teacher) HOMEWORK – Homework will be assigned on occasion and should be written in the student’s agenda book. Students should show all their work for
all assignments in their composition notebook only. Composition notebooks will be collected and graded periodically. Late work is not accepted and any work/notes written in pen will be counted as only a partial grade. All work should be done in pencil. All classwork/homework will be recorded on the Homework Hotline…my extension is 642.
Parent Letter Cont’d GRADES – Grades will be given for random homework assignments, notebooks,
quizzes, and projects. Late work is not accepted and will receive a “zero”. To view your child’s math grade, go to www.cps.k12.in.us “Parent Access” and type in your code. Grades will be updated (at least) every Monday. The grading scale is as follows:
A (100 – 90) B (89 – 80) C (79 – 70) D (69 – 60) F (59 – 0) If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by phone
or email. My voice mail extension is 612 and my email address is [email protected].
Sincerely, Mrs. Ashley Cotton 8th grade math teacher Taft Middle School
Benefits of Lab Classes We have seen an increase in standardized
test scores. Students gain a deeper understanding of
technology and how it impacts their daily lives and future.
Students make more connections between classroom learning and its relevance to the real world.
Information Contacts:
Ashley Cotton: [email protected] Sarah Smenyak: [email protected]
Websites: Schools to Watch: http://www.schoolstowatch.org/ 8th Grade Math Lab:
http://www.cps.k12.in.us/16692010291144977/site/default.asp
More Math Websites Units completed in 8th grade Math Lab - Integers, Data Analysis, Percents/Decimals/Fractions, ISTEP Prep and Review, Geometry, and
Slope. ISTEP Online Practice http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm http://www.mystfx.ca/special/mathproblems/grade8.html http://www.mystfx.ca/special/mathproblems/grade6.html http://www.mystfx.ca/special/mathproblems/grade7.html Bingo Generator http://www.mathforyou.com/welcome/tutorials/games/for_learning/Bingo.htm Intereactive Lessons http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/msmath_1_na/get_chapter_group.htm?cin=4&rg=ani_math&at=animations&var=animations http://www.fi.uu.nl/wisweb/applets/mainframe_en.html Percents http://www.mathplayground.com/Matching_Fraction_Percent.html http://www.mathgoodies.com/LESSONS/vol4/challenge_vol4.html http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/percent/percent.html ~Personal Budget Webquest - http://www.sbzinak.com/webquest/ Famous Mathematicians Research Project http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wjhs/mediactr/mathpathfinder/fammath/index.html Currency Conversion Scavenger Hunt http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/gang1.htm
Math Websites – Cont. Integers Practice http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ArithmeticFour/?
version=1.6.0_07&browser=MSIE&vendor=Sun_Microsystems_Inc.&flash=10.0.12
~Integers Webquest - http://teacherweb.com/PA/HolyFamilyUniversity/TiffanysWebQuest/index.html Geometry Games/Resources http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/emints/haggard/geometry.html http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/shape.htm Graphing and Data Analysis http://www.mrnussbaum.com/coolgraphing.htm http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/ebook/workbooks/0-13-037878-X/0-13-122241-4/gpda_index.html Online Notes/Practice for Pre-Algebra and Algebra http://www.classzone.com/cz/find_state.htm www.phschool.com/math EXTRAS http://www.nwlincs.org/mtlincs/pilotproject/studyskills/studyskillsindex.htm http://fcit.usf.edu/math/lessons/lessons8.html http://www.salary-money.com/ www.espn.com
