Focus Group 5/6 Specials

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Focus Group 5/6 Specials; Specials offered to Upper Elementaries
Tweet Topic Started: Mar 15 2006, 07:17 AM (3,021 Views)
Michelebel	Mar 15 2006, 02:49 PM Post #31
Principal Posts: 206 Group: Members Member #163 Joined: November 29, 2005	Well, of course we call them by their individual names. I don't ask my son, "how was your 'special' today". But when referring to these classes as a whole, they are referred to as "specials", so by calling them "specials" now, no one is trying to dress them up and call them something else. They are the same thing and are being called the same thing. Difference is they are being enhanced now for the 5th/6th graders, and they are offering additional ones.



Rose	Mar 15 2006, 02:52 PM Post #32
Principal Posts: 759 Group: Members Member #171 Joined: November 30, 2005	Michelebel Mar 15 2006, 02:49 PM Well, of course we call them by their individual names. I don't ask my son, "how was your 'special' today". But when referring to these classes as a whole, they are referred to as "specials", so by calling them "specials" now, no one is trying to dress them up and call them something else. They are the same thing and are being called the same thing. Difference is they are being enhanced now for the 5th/6th graders, and they are offering additional ones. Well, I was just referring to the lower el and what they are called at my school. I never heard the word "specials" until this was brought up with the LI.



Rose	Mar 15 2006, 02:57 PM Post #33
Principal Posts: 759 Group: Members Member #171 Joined: November 30, 2005	Rose Mar 15 2006, 12:10 PM jodygirlh Mar 15 2006, 12:06 PM Cindi, I have been told this several times by several different people, including staff. Teachers will be scheduled to go to library every 2-3 weeks! This is BAIT & SWITCH Take away recess, art, vocal music, library, IT as daily and weekly part of curriculum, then offer them back in along with a couple of others (foreign language, etc) and call it ENHANCED PROGRAMING! THIS IS BS! My child is in lower el and already had recess (twice a day) and weekly...art, vocal music, PE, computers (that's what they call it). Now are these going to be regarded as specials for the 5/6 group? Michelebel, this is my original post. I had never heard of these classes being referred to as "specials" in lower el and was trying to understand your posts. Why are you being so defensive?



Michelebel	Mar 15 2006, 03:08 PM Post #34
Principal Posts: 206 Group: Members Member #163 Joined: November 29, 2005	Sorry didn't mean to sound defensive. When you said you called these classes art, music and gym, it seemed like you were implying....duh, what else would they be called!! I think the schools/admin call them "specials" when lumping them all together. Our school's website lists them as specials........ sorry.........didn't mean to stress this point. But I was trying to point out that they are not trying to fool us by calling them specials now under the LI; they have always been called specials, at least in our school.



Rose	Mar 15 2006, 03:10 PM Post #35
Principal Posts: 759 Group: Members Member #171 Joined: November 30, 2005	Michelebel Mar 15 2006, 03:08 PM Sorry didn't mean to sound defensive. When you said you called these classes art, music and gym, it seemed like you were implying....duh, what else would they be called!! I think the schools/admin call them "specials" when lumping them all together. Our school's website lists them as specials........ sorry.........didn't mean to stress this point. But I was trying to point out that they are not trying to fool us by calling them specials now under the LI; they have always been called specials, at least in our school. That's OK. Thanks for clearing that up.



for our kids	Mar 15 2006, 03:14 PM Post #36
Principal Posts: 106 Group: Members Member #109 Joined: November 11, 2005	me3D Mar 15 2006, 02:25 PM I have 2 lower el students. And both of them say specials. Sorry I guess each school is different. Both my 1st, & 4th grader @ Roosevelt refer to any other instruction outside of their classroom as a "special", be it Gym, Art, or Music.



Deleted User	Mar 15 2006, 03:21 PM Post #37
Deleted User	http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/10/c020.html Many educators past and present have argued for large schools on grounds of curriculum quality. Following James Conant's original line of reasoning, they argue that larger schools can offer more numerous and more varied curricular offerings than small schools can. Therefore, goes the argument, operating small schools with more limited curricula is unfair to the students who attend them. While this has a certain common sense appeal, examination of the research reveals that there simply is no reliable relationship between school size and curriculum quality (Fowler and Walberg 1991; Gregory 1992; Howley 1994, 1996; McGuire 1989; Melnick, et al. 1986; Monk 1987, 1992; Monk and Haller 1993; Nachtigal 1992; Pittman and Haughwout 1987; Rogers 1987; Williams 1990). For one thing, researchers have found that "it takes a lot of bigness to add a little variety"�that is, "on the average a 100% increase in enrollment yields only a 17% increase in variety of offerings" (Pittman and Haughwout, 337). Moreover, "[t]he strength of the relationship between school size and curricular offerings diminishes as schools become larger. Increases in the size of very small schools are associated with greater curricular gains than increases in the size of larger schools" (Monk 1992). For another thing, researchers have found that the allegedly richer curriculum that larger schools are able to support tend to be made up, not of higher-level courses in, say, math or foreign languages, but rather of additional introductory courses in non-core areas. For still another, investigators have found that only five to twelve percent of the students in large schools avail themselves of the extra courses these schools typically offer (McGuire 1989; Monk 1992; Rogers 1987). Finally, Monk, in his 1987 study of the size-curriculum relationship, concludes that, "it is possible to offer at the 400 pupil level a curriculum that compares quite favorably in terms of breadth and depth with curriculums offered in much larger settings" (27). Beyond these findings, the development and use of distance learning and other technologies in isolated settings is increasing and can be expected to further ameliorate curriculum inequalities.
Deleted User


Administrator	Mar 15 2006, 08:27 PM Post #38
Administrator Posts: 3,069 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: October 5, 2005	Cindi Mar 15 2006, 07:17 AM Another interesting note: Anne Owens discussed the importance of Exploratory World Language (I guess she is the head of this dept or one of the heads)�she went on about "RESEARCH" She reads into RESEARCH! She talked about "Higher academic achievements and research showed that SAT increased in the area of language with each 1/2 yr of study the student had. She talked about the "process". Keep in mind��.some of these "specials" might end up as after school "clubs" too. Overall, the focus groups were interesting and informative. Meaning that it was good to hear parents thoughts and ideas. This is an avenue that should be explored more in LPS in the future. Parents like to be part of the decision process. Can we find out what her research was?



Cindi	Mar 15 2006, 08:41 PM Post #39
Principal Posts: 460 Group: Members Member #10 Joined: October 24, 2005	Jimid Mar 15 2006, 08:27 PM Cindi Mar 15 2006, 07:17 AM Another interesting note: Anne Owens discussed the importance of Exploratory World Language (I guess she is the head of this dept or one of the heads)�she went on about "RESEARCH" She reads into RESEARCH! She talked about "Higher academic achievements and research showed that SAT increased in the area of language with each 1/2 yr of study the student had. She talked about the "process". Keep in mind��.some of these "specials" might end up as after school "clubs" too. Overall, the focus groups were interesting and informative. Meaning that it was good to hear parents thoughts and ideas. This is an avenue that should be explored more in LPS in the future. Parents like to be part of the decision process. Can we find out what her research was? Unfortunatly that research was not provided in the hand out. I just took a few notes when she was speaking. She was one of the few who did not read from the hand out.



NFarquharson	Mar 15 2006, 10:30 PM Post #40
Principal Posts: 4,311 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: November 9, 2005	Back on track to the specials. I found this policy about phys ed and recess: STATE OF MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY ON QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION A child�s intellectual growth cannot take place without having met his or her basic physical needs. The curriculum for every child�s preschool through high school experience should include the opportunity to participate in quality physical education programs and other health-enhancing physical activity. I. The State Board of Education recommends that all public schools offer physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program. Quality physical education programs positively impact students� physical, social, and mental health. It is the unique role of quality physical education programs to provide opportunities for children to understand the importance of physical activity and to acquire skills to combat a sedentary lifestyle. A quality physical education program addresses three critical issues: curriculum, instruction and assessment, in conjunction with an opportunity to learn and should include the following: Curriculum: �� Has a curriculum aligned with the Michigan K-12 Physical Education Content Standards and Benchmarks. �� Equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong physical activity. �� Influences personal and social skill development. Instruction and Assessment: �� Is taught by a certified physical education teacher trained in best practice physical education methods. �� Aligns curriculum, instruction, and assessment. �� Engages students in curriculum choices that prepare them for a wide variety of lifetime activities. �� Keeps all students involved in purposeful activity for a majority of the class period. �� Builds students� confidence and competence in physical abilities. �� Includes students of all abilities. Opportunity to Learn: �� Offers instructional periods totaling 150 minutes per week (elementary) and 225 minutes per week (middle and high school). �� Has a teacher to student ratio consistent with those of other subject areas and/or classrooms. �� Provides facilities to implement the curriculum for the number of students served. �� Has enough functional equipment for each student to actively participate. �� Builds students� confidence and competence in physical abilities. �� Includes students of all abilities. 1 National Association for Sport & Physical Education. �What Constitutes a Quality Physical Education Program?� 2 Michigan�s Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum Project. (2001). EPEC Lessons � Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, User�s Manual and Teaching/Learning Progressions. II. The State Board of Education recommends that all public schools offer daily opportunities for unstructured physical activity, commonly referred to as recess, for all students pre-K through grade six. Recess should be in addition to physical education class time and not be a substitute for physical education. Each school shall provide proper equipment and a safe area designated for supervised recess in the elementary setting. School staff should not withhold participation in recess from students or cancel recess to make up for missed instructional time. Schools should provide opportunities for some type of physical activity for students in grades seven through twelve apart from physical education class and organized sports. Adopted September 25, 2003 I don't think we currently are meeting these guidelines, are we? I noticed the point about not withholding recess. This was used by one of my son's teachers in the past as a means of punishment. I wish I had known.



ktmom	Mar 15 2006, 10:33 PM Post #41
Principal Posts: 520 Group: Members Member #72 Joined: November 2, 2005	That is very interesting Nancy. It is being used currently by one of my sons teachers now.



angrymom	Mar 15 2006, 10:40 PM Post #42
Principal Posts: 53 Group: Members Member #129 Joined: November 15, 2005	NFarquharson Mar 15 2006, 10:30 PM Back on track to the specials. I found this policy about phys ed and recess: STATE OF MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY ON QUALITY PHYSICAL EDUCATION A child�s intellectual growth cannot take place without having met his or her basic physical needs. The curriculum for every child�s preschool through high school experience should include the opportunity to participate in quality physical education programs and other health-enhancing physical activity. I. The State Board of Education recommends that all public schools offer physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program. Quality physical education programs positively impact students� physical, social, and mental health. It is the unique role of quality physical education programs to provide opportunities for children to understand the importance of physical activity and to acquire skills to combat a sedentary lifestyle. A quality physical education program addresses three critical issues: curriculum, instruction and assessment, in conjunction with an opportunity to learn and should include the following: Curriculum: �� Has a curriculum aligned with the Michigan K-12 Physical Education Content Standards and Benchmarks. �� Equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong physical activity. �� Influences personal and social skill development. Instruction and Assessment: �� Is taught by a certified physical education teacher trained in best practice physical education methods. �� Aligns curriculum, instruction, and assessment. �� Engages students in curriculum choices that prepare them for a wide variety of lifetime activities. �� Keeps all students involved in purposeful activity for a majority of the class period. �� Builds students� confidence and competence in physical abilities. �� Includes students of all abilities. Opportunity to Learn: �� Offers instructional periods totaling 150 minutes per week (elementary) and 225 minutes per week (middle and high school). �� Has a teacher to student ratio consistent with those of other subject areas and/or classrooms. �� Provides facilities to implement the curriculum for the number of students served. �� Has enough functional equipment for each student to actively participate. �� Builds students� confidence and competence in physical abilities. �� Includes students of all abilities. 1 National Association for Sport & Physical Education. �What Constitutes a Quality Physical Education Program?� 2 Michigan�s Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum Project. (2001). EPEC Lessons � Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, User�s Manual and Teaching/Learning Progressions. II. The State Board of Education recommends that all public schools offer daily opportunities for unstructured physical activity, commonly referred to as recess, for all students pre-K through grade six. Recess should be in addition to physical education class time and not be a substitute for physical education. Each school shall provide proper equipment and a safe area designated for supervised recess in the elementary setting. School staff should not withhold participation in recess from students or cancel recess to make up for missed instructional time. Schools should provide opportunities for some type of physical activity for students in grades seven through twelve apart from physical education class and organized sports. Adopted September 25, 2003 I don't think we currently are meeting these guidelines, are we? I noticed the point about not withholding recess. This was used by one of my son's teachers in the past as a means of punishment. I wish I had known. I wish they would follow this at our school with the kindergardeners. They get no recess and no unstructered play time. It's all work,work,work



NFarquharson	Mar 15 2006, 10:48 PM Post #43
Principal Posts: 4,311 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: November 9, 2005	I completely agree with you on that. Young children ARE learning when they play. That free play time in so valuable! It's almost as though we (the entire society) feel the need to schedule everything for our children rather than letting them play, either together or alone, and use their imaginations.



insupport	Mar 15 2006, 11:19 PM Post #44
Principal Posts: 296 Group: Members Member #323 Joined: February 28, 2006	My daughter is in eighth grade and I know they did not have a library special in 5th and 6th grade. They did go to the library to check out books with the teachers but it wasn't a class per se. They also used it for research projects etc. This must be new in the last few years. My first grader does have computers but I believe it is the classroom teacher that takes them to this. If I remember correctly the instruments could be used for free in 5th grade and then you could rent or purchase them in 6th grade. I can't remember why or if I ever knew why.



insupport	Mar 15 2006, 11:43 PM Post #45
Principal Posts: 296 Group: Members Member #323 Joined: February 28, 2006	An interesting fact that I actually first heard about on the radio. The national PTA has revealed that a study was done regarding recess practice. I was surprised to find out that very few states have mandates for recess. Also 40% of schools have eliminated recess altogether or only have minimal time for recess. Some have recess but it is 30 minutes for lunch and recess. I had no idea about any of this. Anyway I couldn't find the exact research that was done but I googled pta/recess/research and found some very interesting articles about the research. It is unfortunate that we live in a society that continues to increase the learning bar so that kids are pushed and pushed more. I'm not saying that kids shouldn't learn in school but where is the time to learn through play. Teachers have commented to me that their curriculum is so full that they don't even get to do special projects for holidays etc. anymore. It seems like everyting else these days it's all about keeping up with society.


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