mms orientation pp 2016 17
TRANSCRIPT
Home of the Explorers
Scofield Magnet Middle School
Scott Clayton – Principal
Donna Gardner – Assistant Principal
James Forde – Administrative Intern
Betsy Benenson – Guidance Counselor
Je-Nean Fox – Guidance Counselor
Our Mission Statement…
Scofield Magnet Middle School respects the unique
characteristics and individuality of emerging adolescents.
Our staff, in partnership with parents and students, strives to
develop independent and responsible learners in both
heterogeneous and homogeneous groupings. Through our
unique school culture, we address the physical, social, and
emotional needs that further intellectual development.
While using an interdisciplinary approach to learning,
special emphasis is placed on math, science, and technology.
The school is strongly committed to implementing the
principles of the Carnegie Foundation Report and the
Coalition of Essential Schools.
“Diversity in the classroom is just as
important to society as learning about
computers. It is vital that students
understand how both technology and
cultural diversity contribute to
society as a whole.”
Dr. Karley Meltzer, 1994
Scofield Information…
Lottery – Student acceptance is based on an economically
advantaged and disadvantaged selection.
Curriculum – Scofield teaches the honors curriculum. We
do not track or level students.
Groupings – Students are group heterogeneously for every
class except eighth grade math and Spanish. In these classes,
students are homogeneously grouped based on district
criteria.
Special Education – Scofield’s special education teachers
practice the push-in/full inclusion model. Resource time may
be offered to special education students during Exploratory
time if deemed necessary.
Grade Level Teams…
Grades 6–8
• Each grade is divided into two teams of approximately
100 students.
• The teams are made up of five academic teachers which
include:
• Science
• Math
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Art/Technology (split 50/50 for the year)
• Scratch, Star Logo, Photoshop, Indesign, 3d
Printing
• Heterogeneous grouping/Flexible Scheduling
• Remain together for three years
Advisory…
• The academic, team teachers also serve as advisory
teachers. Students have advisory every morning for 30
minutes.
• The purpose of advisory is provide students an
opportunity to establish a healthy adult connection with
one particular teacher in a small group setting. The
advisory teacher is also the primary parent resource.
• Themes vary per grade level
Academic Schedules & Groupings…
• Block scheduling-We do not have any Bells!
• Academic class time and frequency is determined by
each team
• Times and frequency change throughout the year to
support Scofield’s interdisciplinary approach.
• Daily Common Planning time for all teachers
• Teams determine the makeup of the heterogeneous class
groups and throughout the year, rearrange those groups
so that they too, better support interdisciplinary learning.
Exploratories…
• Exploratories at Scofield follow a block schedule. Each
block of time is 45 minutes long. Every grade has two
different Exploratory classes a day. Exploratory classes
can be either year or semester long.
• Exploratories – Physical Education, Global Information
Systems (GIS), Study Island, Music, Chorus and Band.
• Classes are mixed across teams
Exploratories Continued…
• Spanish –
• Daily to about 60% of students.
• Three successful years, students eligible for Spanish
3 in 9th grade and AP Spanish in 10th .
• Academic Enrichment & Interventions
• offered in lieu of Spanish class
• Math and Reading support
• Need based on past and present individual,
academic student standings – what is best for the
student.
Tech Lab 1Global Information Systems
• GIS- Using daily current events heterogeneously grouped students are able to see the importance of geography to world concerns as well as develop relationships to their other subjects.
• Students use Google Earth Pro and ArcMap 10.2 to gather data from various sources and analyze the results using higher level critical thinking
Tech Lab 2Art Technology
• To create original design work and presentations
– Adobe Photoshop
– Illustrator and InDesign
– Google Slides
• Emphasis is on visual communication principles and visual presentation including:
– page layout, typography, color theory, navigation, image creation and editing.
• Students apply the Elements and Principles of Design, and complete written and verbal reflections of work.
Tech Lab 3Math Tech
• Various computer programs general graphic design with: – Adobe Photoshop
– Adobe Illustrator and
– Adobe InDesign to create.
• Microsoft Word for information collecting and
• Microsoft Publisher to create digital citizenship posters. All students use
• Google – Docs
– Slides
– Photos
Tech Lab 4 Academic Tech
• Support, enrich and remediate math skills necessary for success in core math classes through the use of Khan Academy.
• Support, enrich and remediate math skills to create a solid background for future success in math through the use of Khan Academy.
• Become familiar solving math problems in a Smarter Balanced Assessment style environment to improve performance on
standardized tests.
6th Grade
Advisory 8:00-8:30
Team Class 8:30-11:00
Lunch (W/G) 11:00-11:25
Team Class 11:25-1:00
Lunch (T)
Exploratory
11:30-11:55
1:00-2:30
Advisory 2:30-2:40
7th Grade
Advisory 8:00-8:30
Exploratory 8:30-10:00
Team Class 10:00-12:45
Lunch 12:45-1:10
Team Class 1:10-2:30
Advisory 2:30-2:40
8th Grade
Advisory 8:00-8:30
Team Class 8:30-10:45
Exploratory 10:45-12:15
Lunch 12:15-12:40
Team Class 12:40-2:30
Advisory 2:30-2:40
Extracurricular Activities…
• Intramural Sports - Meet after school and include a
variety of activities for all students.
• Scofield Sports Teams - Basketball, Softball, Baseball
and Cross & Country.
• Stamford Youth Sports - Wrestling and Football.
• Jazz Band
• Musicals/Concerts
• Academic Clubs - Math Team, Lego Robotics, Inventors
Club, STEAM Club, Technology Club, Yearbook, Student
Government, CPEP and Homework Club.
School Instructional FocusAuthentic Student Engagement-what does it look like?
– Using content language
– Higher order questions
– Peers helping peers
– Laughter
– Students staying after class
– Low disciplinary #’s
– Interdisciplinary connections
– Students debating
– “Cold Calls”
2015 Science CMT’s
Grade 8 2015 Science CMT’s
State: 61.1% goal 76.7% proficient
Stamford: 49.2 69.6
Scofield: 64.2 86.3
Grade 5 2015 Science CMT’s
State: 55.5 79.2
Stamford: 49 73.5
Scofield: 76.3 95
2016 Midterms
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
SMMSELA
DistELA
SMMSMath
DistMath
SMMSSci
Dist Sci SMMSSS
Dist SS SMMSAlg
DistAlg
8th Grade Capstone
Exhibition –
• Is a mandatory graduation requirement for all Scofield
students.
• The project focuses on Technology.
• There are four components:
• Project Process
• Written Research Paper
• Oral Presentation
• Creative and Visual Components
• Annual Potluck Supper – An informational meeting for
parents with a thorough breakdown of the entire project.
• Presentations are typically at the end of May, early June.
• Counts for 20% of Fourth Quarter Grade
Accolades…
New England League of Middle Schools
Spotlight School for Effective Middle Level Practices
CT Association of Schools
Exemplary Teaming Practices
Chinese Sister School
Shandong University
Hosted 3 visits of 15-20 teachers/students
Sent 2 teachers in 2011 and 3 teachers in 2012
CT State Dept. of Education
“High-Needs” students out perform state averages.
Hewlett Packard Innovations in Education Grant
$265,000 awarded to Scofield
Thank You and Please visit us at…
http://www.magnetmiddle.org/
@ScofieldMagnet