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VERMONT MIDDLE GRADES TASK FORCE
GOALS WITH EXAMPLES
June 30, 2010
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
1. All middle level learners participate in challenging, integrated, real world,
standards based curriculum that promotes conceptual understanding, 21stcentury skill development, and knowledge acquisition.
Area studies
Technology integration
Cross-disciplinary and standards based
Theme based units
Water Cycle Rap
Geology Rap
Online communities
Sustainability unit with LA SS and Science teacher collaboration
Persuasive Radio and TV commercials
VT Yankee and genetics debates (persuasive unit in LA)
Place based education
Understanding by Design
One to one laptops
Project based learning
Word Generation
Advanced classes
CuRrent Events
Partnerships within the Community: CVPS, GE, Elderly…
Student Developed Curriculum
Service learning/community projects
Assessments by creating videos/websites etc,
Swiftville (at Williston Central)
Using phones/iPhones
Recognizing multiple intelligences
Web tools- prezi, glog, photostory, wikis
Mentoring
Internships
Restorative Justice
Unified Arts/Exploratories
School garden
Constructivist approach
Inquiry Learning
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2. Instruction is engaging, personalized, and differentiated to meet individual
student learning needs.
Student self reflection
Choice in math homework (level 1,2,3)
8th grade challenge- personal project
Technology
Co-teaching
Different levels of reading materials
Literature circle choice/variety
Allowing movement in classroom
Move out of classroom
Choice in project
Differentiated assignments and testing
Student choice for assignments
Using Bloom’s taxonomy
Hands on activities- building maps out of clay
Vietnam War recreation with water balloons
Learning shapes through moving
More student voice in planning
Inquiry based units
Student developed units
Writers’ workshop
Stations
Collaboratively developed rubrics
KWL
Multiage classrooms
Cooking as learning
Outdoor education /experiential education
Portfolios
Technology integration
Flexibility
Design procedures to answer own scientific questions
PIL
Regularly/frequently update materials and resources
Hands-on projects
Free appropriate public education
IEPs/Section 504s
Incorporating personal stories into instruction
Internships
Shadowing
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3. Student learning is measured by appropriate assessments, resulting in
continual learning and high achievement.
Rubrics
Sound sampling
Project-based assessments
Learning conferences
Portfolios
Pre and post assessment to show progress
Student designed assessment including frequent informal assessments
Standards based report cards
Student led conference and portfolios
Provide self assessment/reflection opportunities
(Trans)formative/summative assessment
Exit cards
Long term projects
Authentic assessments
Conversation journals
Variety of assessments and student choice
Holistic rubrics
Understanding by Design Performance Tasks
Learner Celebrations
Personal value of assessment
KWL
Differentiated instruction
Peer assessment
Progress monitoring
3,2,1
Thumbs up, thumbs down
Using assessment data to drive instruction (PLC, RTI, EST, Team meetings, vertical
teams, grade level teams)
Assessment FOR learning
School Organization and Community
4. Organizational structures and a school culture of high expectations enable
all middle level students and educators to succeed.
Individual student meetings/goal setting
Recognition of achievement, leadership positions and responsibility, honors badges
(in NZ)
Portfolio based assessment
Self assessment
Student investment in achievement
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Community meeting/assemblies
Effort/achievement rubric
Pull-out reading and math labs
Homework club
Afterschool programs
Structured study halls
Instructional leaders
Using models for high quality work and clear articulation of learning expectations
Heterogeneous grouping
Positive presuppositions
Learning center
Shared vales, practices, and goals
Content coaching
Teaming structure
Common planning time
Policy and follow up accountability
Administration
Mentoring (adult and student)
Advocacy
TAs/ Advisory
Student support time
Enrichment
Looping
Multiage
Professional development
Peer teacher support
Student led conferences
Cooperative learning
Celebrate risk taking for positive change
5. Relationships for learning create a climate of intellectual development and
a caring community that includes having an adult advocate for each student.
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
Year-long interdisciplinary Units
Service Learning Projects
VSAC
Positive phone calls (5+/1-)
Advisory group and/or one on one
Multi age
Morning meetings every day
Guests, guidance
Sharing news, special events
Weekly town meetings
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Team building activities and trips
School based counselors
Guidance counselors
Small AIP (academic intervention program) in a therapeutic setting
EST meetings weekly
Learning conference between teacher and student (one on one)
Mentoring programs (adult to student, student to student)
Small guidance groups
Big brother/ Big sister programs
DREAM programs
Middlebury College sister to sister
Responsive classroom
Book share with student and teacher
Leadership council for faculty
Staff breakfast on Fridays
Celebrate success and achievement
Laugh together
Community based service groups
Academic electives
Coaching
Community service learning
Homework club
Weekly reviews
Town meetings
Professional development/ training for teachers on how to fully accommodate
students with special needs
Just being there- recess, lunch, sports games, etc.
Expressing hobbies, personal interests, to create student to teacher relationships
6. Ongoing family and community partnerships provide a supportive and
enriched learning environment for each middle level student.
University/school partnerships
Job shadowing
Forster grandparents
Alumnae
Parent menu letter (here’s how you can help)
HW webpage
Online portfolios
Peer led programs
Student led team meeting
Community connections
Outing clubs
Local heroes panel
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Talent show
Community events
Student led conferences
Guest speakers
Academic fair
Big brother/ Big sister
Service Learning Projects
Yearbook
Transition programs
Newsletter to home
Place based learning
Blogs
Parent/guest speakers come into class to share experiences
Parent input on projects
Parents sign off on topics, drafts, etc
Online grade books and parent portals, e.g. snapgrades
Potluck
Multi-cultural dinners
Open house
Parent chaperones on trips
Intergenerational reading club or book group
Parent involvement in school activities e.g. drama programs, bake sales
Community experts and parent experts helping design unit/project
Tea for Somali mothers
Emails to parents
Reading challenges
Local historical society involved with school
Involve business community (e.g. PAML’s Maple Leaf)
Weekly service trips
Fundraisers
Middle school challenge with advisors from community
Community council with representatives from town, staff, students, faculty
Cultural fair
Literacy night
Evening of the arts
Bistro
Talent show
Middle school play
Calendar of events
Blog
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7. A supportive, safe, and healthy learning environment advances learning and
promotes overall student and educator well being.
Guidance counselor talks to classes about social skills
Local police (or Tech Ed or IT person) talk to students about safe internet practices
Education Support Teams (EST)
Positive Behavior Program (PBIs)
Advisory Programs
Spend time building relationships/relational trust
Law/Policy in regards to bullying
Pride Program- rewards for attaining self-designed goals
School wide rules, both academic and social
GLBTQ clubs
Student led/facilitated discussions
Wellness programs for faculty (PATH)
Free and Reduced lunch programs
Free snack and breakfast
Health/wellness education programs
school garden
SAP
21st century after school program
School counselor
Student-led creation of expectations
Multi-age classes
Mentorship programs
Heterogeneous grouping
Providing safe and positive risk taking (talent shows, spirit week, tug-of-war, relay
races)
Lions’ Quest
Student Resource Officer
Full time RN
Healthy school menu, lunches, snacks
Promoting exercise opportunities during school
Community support
Building upkeep
Environmentally friendly lights
Gardens
Crisis Committee/Plan
Student Clubs
Teacher reflection time
Teacher Retreat time
Bully workshop
Student council
Big/little buddies
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8. A democratic system of continual collaboration by all stakeholders allows
for authentic student voice and a shared vision to guide decisions.
Schoolwide/community action plans
Student government
Student peer leadership
PTA/PTO/Parent Groups
Students as teachers’ consultants
Monthly meetings to discuss issues
Surveys about lunch program presented to school board
Suggestion boxes
Interviewing involves students, parents, staff
Town meetings
Team wiki
Team meetings
Mentoring
What do students think is student voice?
Google docs- spread sheets, documents, surveys, organizational tool
Inquiry based learning
Student Voice
Visionary Leaders/Administration
Teacher Education and Development
9. The recruitment, hiring, and preparation of teachers and administrators is
based on knowledge of the developmental characteristics of young
adolescents, strong content knowledge, and the ability to use research based
instructional strategies and assessment practices appropriate for middle level
students.
Praxis
Professional development as a teacher (for old timers too!)
Specific preparation of teachrs
More knowledge about middle level certification
Principals grounded in and devoted to middle level philosophy, student centered
and best practices
Dual licensure
Summer institute
Inservice
Professional development focused on research based strategies
Outside resources
Common assessments
Curriculum development
Hiring committees based on middle level best practices (educators, parents, board
students)
MAT program
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Middle level educators seminars
Teachers’ learning groups
Background checks
ROPA
education benefit
District support
Mentor programs
Field based education programs
Experience in classroom DAY 1 for pre-service teachers
Taking a class with Penny
Data team
Familiarizing selves with many schools’ culture/practices
Summative and formative assessment
Updated knowledge of development and psychology
Variety/choice of teacher inservice
10. Research is generated, disseminated, and applied to identify and
implement practices leading to continual student learning and high academic
achievement at the middle level.
Brain based unit and lesson designs (primary recency)
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
Reteaching Loops
Data collection and analysis
District focused professional developent
Learning goals for kids
Strong middle level administration
Listserve in regards to application of middle level research throughout Vermont
Response to Intervention
GEAR UP
Publications
Professional development
NECAP vs NAEP
Action research by teachers and/or students
Student surveys/feedback (pre and post unit)
Literacy leaders
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Curriculum Coordinators
Use brain research to plan and improve student learning
Experimentation on own classes/follow-up (personally responsible)
Share ideas within team