10-11+Social+Science+Report


 * __ Single Plan for Student Achievement Planning Report for 2010-11 __**

Department, Team or Program: __Social Science__

Name of person submitting the report: __Bruce Seaman__


 * 1. What were your successes in meeting your team goals and supporting the Site Goals?**

All department members were provided with a copy of //Word Wise and Content Rich-Five Essential Steps to Teaching Academic Vocabulary// (Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey), which served as a basis for department-wide collaboration around best practices in regards to vocabulary instruction. The result of these discussions has resulted in a change in how vocabulary is taught (e.g. use of graphical representations, Vocabulary Word Map) in the department. Each grade level is currently developing an Essential Content Vocabulary list. Collaborative discussions have also focused on the creation and implementation of a vertically articulated expository writing program and a reading comprehension matrix (based upon AP prep strategies). Additionally, the department is currently using a set of common graphical organizers.

We currently are trying to reduce the department’s “D” and “F” rates as per the school’s site goal. “D” and “F” Rate Notices are sent to each department member so that each Social Science teacher can better monitor their assigned grades.


 * 2. What were your challenges in meeting team your goals and supporting the Site Goals?**

The primary challenge has been the limited amount of time afforded through the current collaboration schedule. Overall, department members have shown sincere enthusiasm for increasing the literacy skills of their students, and the subsequent content knowledge enhancement these skills will bring.

Some department members still have high “D” and “F” rates. We are talking about them in general department meetings.


 * 3. What are your department/team/program needs for supporting student learning for next year in these areas?**

Professional Development: Two pull-out days for the entire department for the development of the reading and writing program (see above).

Each member has been personally notified of their assigned grades.


 * Interventions**


 * __Supplemental__** Materials and Supplies to assist students who need additional support to learn (please do not list basic classroom supplies).

We are developing, as a department, strategies to reduce the number of “D” and “F” grades.