INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools
Educating our students to reach their full potential
Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Council (CIAC) Minutes
November 17, 2014
Members Present: Margie Broman, Jonathan Buckley, Neil Buesing, Mary Ann Choy, Jen Engel,
Renee Ervasti, Lori Hertzberg, Sophia Lai, Corrie Lapinsky, Holly Lofgren, Jackie Magnuson, Mike
Otto, Isabella Pixler, Ryan Proehler, Sydney Quinlan, T. J. Reinartz, Carla Sinz, Madison Sogge,
Steve Troen, Kristin Wanken
Welcome, Introductions, Review of the Agenda:
Jen Engel, CIAC chair welcomed council members and thanked them for their willingness to
participate on the CIAC. Members were asked to introduce themselves.
Preview of Facilities and Equipment Task Force:
Julie Olson, Director of Elementary Education and Task Force Co-chair, presented an overview that
included related history, a rationale for the task force, the three major areas of focus (Space for
Learning, Safety and Security, Learning and Technology), and a general timeline for the task force’s
work.
Literacy Collaborative and Units of Study:
Beth Swenson and Jen McCarty, Teaching and Learning Coordinators, presented information on the
Literacy Collaborative and the units of study process.
In an effort to improve the reading and thinking skills of our students, District 196 has partnered with
Lesley University in Boston to implement the Literacy Collaborative. All teachers, pre-K through
sixth grade, will receive extensive on-the-job coaching and training for the next few years.
At the elementary level, students enjoy a 2.5 hour literacy block where integrated inquiry units of
study enable students to learn deeply Science, Social Studies, Health, and Language Arts. For
example, in first grade, students take on the role of entomologist to study insects. In fifth grade,
students take on the role of historian to study United States history from several perspectives
including Native American, colonial, patriots, and others.
The learning outcomes of the Literacy Collaborative require students to analyze and critique the craft
of multiple authors, illustrators and researchers over the course of the year. As students write within
each genre of study (fiction, poetry and informational text), they make decisions as writers and are
expected to share their learning daily with their classroom community. Sharing comes in many
forms including: sharing their research/discoveries, reading a piece of writing, reader’s theater,
reading a passage/book to the class, teaching a concept to the class that was learned during guided
practice – individually or as a small group, etc.
The Literacy Collaborative model provides individualized instruction based on data the teacher
gathers from each student. The focus is building on what the child knows and extending to what the
child needs. It’s an exciting opportunity for students and teachers to go deeper with their learning
while sharing their thinking with their classroom community.
Curriculum Public Hearing:
Renee Ervasti, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, noted that as curriculum areas move through the
curriculum cycle, one of the components is a public hearing. A public hearing is an opportunity for
the community to share input with the district curriculum committee on beliefs about high academic
standards and what students need to know and be able to do in curriculum areas that are moving into
the Program Design phase of the curriculum. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January
20, 2015 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Content areas which will be addressed are Business, Career
Development, Family and Consumer Science, Technology Education, Visual Art, and Work
Experience. The public is also able to provide electronic feedback. Any CIAC members who are
interested in assisting with the public hearing should contact Renee Ervasti at
renee.ervasti@district196.org
Topics of Next Meeting: The next meeting will include an update and discussion on the
Technology Vision and a discussion of the Units of Study presentation from the November CIAC
meeting.
Future meetings:
February 2, 2015
April 20, 2015