Community of Practice Sessions (COPS) provide an opportunity for practitioners to learn from each other’s current work. Topics for these sessions are developed as a result of the sessions planned in the fall. This year, in addition to following up on the work at each session on what we each are doing to respond to the Common Core, we have identified several other topics that are described below.

Common Core Discussion of Implementation

And…

Topic #1: What IS local curriculum in the age of the Common Core?

Sharing of how we are each approaching curriculum in this new era.

• What curriculum structures/vehicles will be most useful and effective?  For what purposes?
• How will we address the literacy and math GEs that are not in the Common Core and we still think are valuable?
• What about the areas that neither the CC nor the GEs address? (Vital Results? Habits of Mind?)

Topic #2:  Mentoring new curriculum leaders

• What are the key components of a curriculum leader position that we can support and mentor (aka-what is our job and how can we help other move into trying to do it?)
• What is needed in terms of supporting folks moving into curriculum leadership roles?
• What could mentoring of new curriculum leaders through VTCLA look like?

Click Here to register for this session.

Location: Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT
Time/Date: 9:00AM – 3:00PM on Feb 3, 2012

Transitioning from VT’s GEs to the Common Core: Benefits/Opportunities? Challenges?

The focus for this day will be on the Reading and Writing Common Core Standards with special attention given to the significant changes in thinking about text complexity, close reading, balance of informational text vs literary text, and genres in writing.  We will also look closely at the Smarter Balanced Content Specifications, and consider how they, along with the Common Core Standards, might inform work on supervisory union wide curriculum, as well as instruction.   We’ll try out some approaches  for working collaboratively with teachers to “dig in” to the Common Core and SBAC content specifications.  Sue will also involve participants in a review of the Vermont Reads’ ALOFT (A Literacy Overarching Framework for Teaching) for grades K, 1-3, and 3-6.  There will be time for small group work, particularly in the afternoon.

Booking for this Session Has Been Closed – 12/16/2011 Check back. In case we can find a larger venue, we’ll put notice here.

CAPITAL PLAZA, MONTPELIER, 8:30-3:00

Julie Conrad – Implications of the Common Core math standards for 7-12 math curriculum and instruction, with a particular focus on mathematical practices, especially modeling (examples and curriculum and instruction resources) and suggested processes for engaging 7-12 math teachers in understanding and beginning to take steps toward alignment with the CC. The session will be interactive allowing for questions, and planning for district level work.

* Registration for this Session is Closed *

Capital Plaza 8:30-3:00