Major School-wide Initiatives Leading towards Improved Student Learning

2012/2013

 

The "Looking for Learning" Initiative (one-page view) (watch video)

• Continuation of the "Looking for Learning" practice for teachers and leaders
• All classrooms are open for "Looking for Learning" visits
• Training for new teachers
• Feedback conversations after classroom visits

 

ASD is a "Learning Focused-School" (see one-page overview)

• Each class will display the Enduring Understandings/Essential Questions for each unit
• All student work displays are "learning focused" displays, identifying the targeted learning
• Continue to focus on learning through the embedded use of Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe) (see one page overview UbD)
• Elementary School Subject Coordinators will do subject specific “learning visits”

 

Curriculum Mapping (see one-page overview)

• Continue refining unit maps on Atlas Rubicon (mapping software) (see unit mapping guidelines)
  
• Focus on the quality of Enduring Understandings / Big Ideas and Essential Questions and assessments for each unit of study (Understanding by Design, Wiggins and McTighe)

Curriculum

• Technology and Informational Literacy Integration Curriculum is being introduced to faculty
• All subject specific mission statements and essential agreements are aligned to the new ASD Mission
• Ongoing Curriculum Alignment Process is focused on unit refinement on Atlas to ensure assessment alignment to standards

 

Assessment (see one page overview essential agreements, assessment practices, NWEA MAP)

• Continuation of NWEA Measures of Academic Progress testing in grades 3 - 9
• Continue to mine the MAP data and set improvement goals
• Continue to develop common/cornerstone assessments
• Continue to gather anchor papers for each assessment
• Data Analysis (Annual Report)

 

Instructional Strategies

• Continue to follow best practice for instructional strategies in each discipline
• Continue to focus on differentiating instruction when needed

 

Technology

• Extension of the Laptop One-to-One (HS PL on 1:1)
• Ipod Cart
• Ipads as a tool

 

Dispositions and Trans-disciplinary Skills

• Reporting of behavioral "dispositions" separately from "academic learning"

 

Standards-based Reporting

• Standards-based report card in ES
• MS and HS grading by standard in PowerSchool

 

Collaboration (see PACT Guidelines)

• Continued use of Norms of Collaboration (Garmston and Wellman)
• PACT (Professional and Collaboration Time)

Strategic Planning

• Implementaiton of action plans for the four stratagies

Professional Learning Opportunities for 2012/2013

• The Fieldworks Group - Looking for Learning MS/HS
• Emily Deliddo - writing
• NESA Conferences and Institutes
• Mini NESA with Qatar Academy
• IB Workshops
• The Arabian Reading Association
• Qatar Reads
• Maggie Moon ES
• Matt Glover ES
• Carl Anderson ES
• Connie White - Technology HS
• Elizabeth Helfant - Technology HS
• Venier
• Chris Mikles - MS Math
• Frances Gipson - Leadership
• Kathy Saich - World Languages
• Wafa Hassan - World Languages

 

Planning for the Future (see Yearly Focus Chart)

• Mapping of all ASD initiatives

ASD's Teacher Profile (see profile document)

 

ASD's Initiative Overview (see Framework for Planning)

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