Learning2learn
Writer – Teacher – Coach
www.writerteachercoach.weebly.com
Jonni Hovan
FOCUS LEARNING PROGRAM
Socrates Academy Eighth Grade 2016
Step 1 Crunching Data
Where is the data? Create your own data sheets each time you cover a goal, give an online assessment that provides number data for goals covered, create assessments that
are goal drive by rewriting the CCS into a question, obtain state data from the previous
year and highlight scores to create target lists.
How do we include parents and others in the effort? Personal conference contact,
follow up phone call, frequent e-mails, web postings to help them find guidance.
Where do we find the time to get all this done? Create quality meeting time by having
an agenda in advance, consult staff in a leadership capacity who have done a re-looping
or re-teaching.
How do we know we are doing the right thing? Have a “laser like focus on the goal” and
make sure your goal is attainable by discussing at length what your students can
reasonably accomplish.
Step 2 Identify Student Needs
Highlight low scores, look at growth from year to year,
identify sudden drops in benchmarks, make the tough decision of
which student is at risk/ needs help, create a focus group of students
who need to be monitored and motivated, look at other risk factors
as household and hormonal issues become factors.
Focus Learning Program Socrates 8 2015 Student Task Sheet.pdf
Step 3 Use the Time and Talent Available
Working Morning
Students: Organization, motivation and home support needs. At
two weeks into the quarter and at mid-term, students who have
fallen below an 80% average. NJHS members with ISP hours will
assist.
Goals: Scholars will be able to gradually take personal
accountability for supply pouch, agenda, notebook, backpack, time
management and locker use for maximum success at school and in
high school.
Location: Room 223/224 7:45 am Tuesday: Organization,
Wednesday: Homework and Projects, Thursday: Technology
Purpose: Scholars will improve their ability to take responsibility
for their assignments, organize their supplies and notebooks as
well as learn to manage time usefully.
Working Lunch
Students: Any scholar scoring below and 80% on any assessment.
Goals: Scholars will further prepare for the assessment with
review and study, then take a re-test on the objective/goal. The
test will be a different form (this is not just re-guessing) and
parents will be notified via e-mail.
Location: Tuesday room 226, Thursday room 223, Friday room 226
Purpose: Quiet, focused time to assess. Opportunity to improve
scores and prove learning.
Focus Mentor
Students: Students who have not met CCS goals for the previous
quarter as identified on informal and formal assessments. Students
who show a lack of ability to engage in learning due to distractions
or lack of home support.
Goals: Improve ability in basic math and reading skills by spending
one-on-one tutorial time with a staff mentor.
Location: Middle School Library during 6th or 7th period elective
classes (pull out) twice weekly.
Purpose: Provide extended learning and re-teaching where
individuals have fallen short of their measurable objectives. A staff
member from outside the eighth grade team will offer assistance,
“fresh” eyes and alternative methods to assist the scholars to
success. Assignments and a tracking sheet are kept in a binder at
the front desk.
Close Reading Enrichment
Students: All students scoring under 70% on benchmark assessments.
Goals: Basic close reading and vocabulary skills practice to improve to gradelevel ability.
Location: Room 223 at 7:30 am on Thursdays.
Purpose: Extra reading practice and pronunciation of academic vocabulary.
Math Enrichment (Katerina I need you to fill in the blanks for me: I will type.)
Students: All students scoring under 70% on benchmark assessments.
Goals: Basic close reading and vocabulary skills practice to improve to gradelevel ability
Location: Room 223 at 7:30 am on Thursdays
Purpose: Extra reading practice and pronunciation of academic vocabulary
Homeroom Re-looping
Students: All students who have consistently attended working lunch
for re-assessment, students who have missed or misplaced
assignments, students who show a need for extra instructional time
and assistance in any area, students who show marked signs of stress/
distress completing assignments.
Goals: Increase functionality of student resources and technology
according to targeted needs.
Location: Rooms 223 and 226
Purpose: Provide quiet focused time for student effort as needed in
math, languages, ELA and Greek math.
Team Meetings
TEACHERS: all core and Greek teachers ABOUT Students
Goals: Use anecdotal and data based feedback to design team-wide
interventions above, use discussion to support each other in areas
of need with communication or experience
Location: Room 223 every Tuesday at the start of 7th period
Purpose: Identify areas where scores and conduct show the need
for further attention for specific students. Utilize team talent to
target student needs to provide all of the above service.