small learning communities & trimester scheduling

SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES & TRIMESTER SCHEDULING

Larry TibbsBrennon Sapp

”The Vision” Video

Intro to Dixie

The Vision

Jim ClarkJennifer HenryTeresa Nicosia

Rachel McCormick

Agenda for TodayAgenda for TodayTrimester-Basics (10-15 minutes)

SOS Video (10-15 minutes)

Intro to SOS (60+ minutes)

SOS Details & What it means for You

Lunch (50-70 minutes)

SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)Average Presenter Presentation Time = 4.5 hrsAverage Salary of Presenters = $54,000Average Age of Presenters = 43Average Years of Experience = 16What is in this for me?

Agenda for Today

1. Trimester-Basics (14 minutes)

2. SOS Video (11 minutes 53 seconds)

3. Intro to SOS (63 minutes)

4. SOS Details & What it means for You5. Lunch (60 minutes)

6. SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)

– Math– Science– English– Social Studies

– Group I Electives– Group II Electives

We would also like to know why we are doing this, who has done it before, and how long we will be doing it?

Agenda for Today

Trimester-Basics (10-15 minutes)

SOS Video (11 minutes)

Intro to SOS (60+ minutes)

SOS Details & What it means Lunch (?)

SOS Lessons/Flavoring (15 + 90 minutes)

Math Science English Social Studies

Group I Electives Group II Electives

We will tell you about ourselves

Whole Group (we will try to be friendly)

Eat with who you like!

In small groups & collaborative

Yes, we would love to answer your emails

AgendaAgenda

Trimester-BasicsTrimester-Basics

SOS Video

Intr

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OS

Wha

t it m

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for Yo

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Lunch

SOS Lessons/Flavoring

• Three-12 week grading periods each year

• Each class is worth ½ credit– Traditional 1 credit classes are split into A/B– Most AP/Dual credit classes are A/B/C

• Five Classes each day• Each class will be 70 minutes long• Each 12 week term is a ½ credit• Students will take a total of fifteen-½

credit classes each school year

1st Period 7:50- 9:00 2nd Period 9:05-10:153rd Period (Lunch) 10:20-11:53  4th Period 11:58- 1:085th Period 1:13- 2:30  

Lunch #1 10:15-10:38 (23 minutes)Lunch #2 10:40-11:03 (23 minutes)Lunch #3 11:05-11:28 (23 minutes)Lunch #4 11:30-11:53 (23 minutes)

Graduation Requirements:English - 4 units: English I, II, III, & IV

Mathematics - 4 units: Must include Algebra I-A & I-B and Geometry *

Science - 3.5 units: CSI, Core Life, Physical & Earth/Space Science required, plus 1.5 credits other

Science credits.

Social Studies - 3 units: Intro. to Social Studies and World Civilization recommended,

U.S. History required Health -1/2 unitPhysical Education -1/2 unitArts & Humanities - 1 unitBusiness Principles - 1 unit (formerly Keyboarding)& Tech. ApplicationsElectives - 10.5 units _______________________________Total - 28 units

*Beginning with the class of 2007, prep algebra will be considered only as an elective

credit, not a math credit towards graduation.

(Beginning with Class of 2011)

Sophomore - 6 credits (including English I)

Junior - 13 credits (including English I, II)

Senior – 20.5 credits (including English I, II, III)

Shorter class periods than block More options for creativity in classes

◦A and B classes◦½ credit electives◦½ credit requirements

More “Fresh Starts” Students may retake “part” of a class

More chances for immediate remediation

More flexibility in student schedules More flexibility in graduation requirements

Room for study skills

A and B Course solve/cause problems◦A before B?◦Is part B necessary?◦Same teacher?

Number of Preps, it’s a problem◦Within the trimester◦Within the year

Pre-requisites everywhere. . . Or not?

Lunch Schedule--Early or Late? Singletons – Innovative electives create more singletons

Placement of special courses◦V-school◦Dual credit (colleges are on semesters)◦Remediation opportunities

SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

”The Vision” Video-Year 1 in Reflection

The Vision

Our Schools of Study

The School of

Visual/Performing Arts and Media (VPAM)

The School of

Visual/Performing Arts and Media (VPAM)

Jobs:– composer– musician– stage director– writer– interior decorator– actor/actress– event coordinator– reporter– artist– photographer– advertisement

executive

Jobs:– composer– musician– stage director– writer– interior decorator– actor/actress– event coordinator– reporter– artist– photographer– advertisement

executive

Characteristics:– complicated– emotional– expressive– idealistic– imaginative– impulsive– independent – introspective – intuitive – nonconforming

Abilities writingmusicalartistic

Science, Technology, Engineering

& Math (STEM) Characteristics:

– analytical– cautious– complex– critical– curious– Intellectual– introverted, – methodical– precise– rational

Jobs:– mechanic– aircraft controller– surveyor– farmer– electrician– biologist– chemist– physicist– anthropologist– geologist – med tech

Abilities mechanicalmathematic

scientific

The School of

Law, Education, Health & Human Law, Education, Health & Human Services Services (LEHH)(LEHH)

The School The School of of

Characteristics:Characteristics: cooperativecooperative generousgenerous helpfulhelpful idealisticidealistic patientpatient responsibleresponsible socialsocial sympatheticsympathetic understanding understanding warmwarm

AbilitiesAbilities socialsocialverbalverbal

emotionalemotional

Jobs:Jobs: teacherteacher religious workerreligious worker counselorcounselor psychologistpsychologist social workersocial worker speech therapistspeech therapist police officerpolice officer lawyerlawyer nursenurse nutritionistnutritionist physical therapistphysical therapist sociologistsociologist

(BIT) Business & Information Technology

The School of

Characteristics: acquisitive adventurous agreeable ambitious extroverted energetic attention-getting impulsive optimistic popular self-confident

Abilities leadershipspeakingclerical

Jobs: salesperson manager business executive television producer sports promoter buyer bookkeeper stenographer financial analyst banker cost estimator tax expert

Freshman Academy

• Team approach

• Most critical year

• Various support programs

• Used as a vehicle to introduce students to the Schools of Study (Decision point)

• Freshman Coordinator and a Freshman Administrator

• Pathways (Advisory)

Establish a Vision Team

• A group to trail blaze the path to the New Dixie Heights High School– Professional development– Time line/steps– Advocates for change

• Hand Picked Committee (12)– Teacher leaders– Representative group– Visionaries

• SOS Lead Teachers

Spreading the Word• “The Vision” – Promotional Video

• School of Study – Websites– Brochures– Videos– Parent Information Nights

• To Students– Surveys– Videos– Freshman Academy (lessons, advisory,

and posters)

• SOS Sample Videos

Curriculum Development

• Model Lessons

• Flavoring of Core Content Classes (Relevancy)

• Collaborative Lessons

• Business/Community Involvement

• Development of New Electives

Science Then• Three Required Classes

– Biology (1 credit-freshman)– Earth/Space Science (1 credit)– Integrated Science (1 credit)

• Electives– Chemistry (1 credit)– Anatomy & Physiology (1 credit)– Physics (1 credit)– Environmental Science (1 credit)– AP Chemistry (2 credits)– AP Biology (2 credits)

Science NowThree and a Half Required Classes• Scientific Investigations (1/2 credit-freshman)• Life Science (1/2 credit)• Earth/Space Science (1/2 credit)• Physical Science (1/2 credit)• 1½ credits to be spread out in electives

Electives (all ½ credit, save AP Classes)– Chemistry A & B– Anatomy A & B– Physics A & B– Environmental Science – Forensics– Zoology– Astronomy– Chemistry & Community– Oceanography/Marin Biology

– Medical Science– Radio Technology– Horticulture– Geology– Meteorology– Anatomy for Artist– AP Chemistry– AP Biology

Career Pathways

• SOS– Pathway

• Occupations– Recommended Courses

• LEHHS– Education/Psychology

• Counselor– Child Development– Psychology– . . . .

Establishing Business Partnership

• Business Partnership Receptions

• Business Partner Liaison

• Externships

• Business Panels

Entrepreneurship Project

• Research/Identify Business Site

• Formal Presentation

• Business Mentors

Building SOS Identity

• SOS/Student Data Bases

• Student Advisory Councils

• SOS Pathway Groups

• Career Mini-sessions

• SOS Team Meetings

• SOS Celebration

• SOS Course Selection Sheets

Questions?www.dixie.kenton.kyschools.us

www.bsapp.com/Schools_of_Study.htm

•South Grand Prairie (TX) sgphs.gpisd.org•Kennesaw Mountain (GA) www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~kennesawmountain

•Pulaski County (KY) www.pcva.us/schools/pchs/index.htm