Vertical Team Meeting Minutes- Wednesday

So, Wednesday we had our latest AP Vertical Team meeting. We were to have read the setting portion of the guidebook and prepared a chart to try to start integrating the SIFT method into our instruction.

We also spent time talking about overall difficulties we've been experiencing getting our students to...well...think independently. I've always had a hard time getting my students to write responses that aren't plot summary. Mia was saying that sometimes her students are nonplussed when asked to find an important quote and comment on it, a la the double entry journal. We talked about how it seems that students need their hands held when it comes to things when anything requires that they come up with an idea and run with it.

Problem is, these kids need to develop a certain self-directedness (is that a word) if they are to be successful in the long run and get a 21st job. I've been listening to some things and reading some things that deal with our changing economy (The World Is Flat, Rise of the Creative Class, certain podcasts, etc.) that explore the disappearing job sector and the emergence of new jobs. Most of the sources argue that we should be helping students develop their global awareness, social consciousness, self-direction, critical thinking

Anyway, I lost my train of diatribe. If we want to develop this AP program successfully, we're going to have to work together. We're going to have to discuss how to do that. I think that widespread implementation of common language, expectations, and skill sets will help us better prepare these students.

Homework: Decide on the types of writing pieces we'd like to see students do by grade level, so we can discuss how to vertically align AP, create portfolios, and other stuff. Come in with a list.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 28th