Summer's Over- Professional Development Day

Teachers and administrators throughout the district convened today for the start of the 2009-2010 academic school year. Kindergarten teachers participated in a day long "Tools of the Mind" workshop in Brandt School while a majority of district teachers and administrators met at Hoboken High School for an extended introduction to the new curriculum and curricula resources. 

Members of the Curriculum Committee led small groups based on either grade level (for elementary schools) or content domain/discipline subject area (high school) for the entire morning. Groups met to discuss technical aspects of using the Curriculum CD, reviewed the curriculum mapping for their individual grade levels, discussed lesson plans and unit planners, and planned out initial lessons for the school year (full agenda below). 

The morning concluded around 11:35 AM where teachers left for lunch and then reconvened in each of their respective schools for principal led and planned afternoon activities.

Opening Day Agenda

9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks/Overview

9:15 Break to Individual Meeting Rooms

9:15-10:30 Individual Group

Map Overview: Look at the curriculum map and discuss what the map

represents/time frames/topics on the map (as an attempt to keep grade

levels/content material consistent among teachers and schools)/

importance of pacing/flexibility with testing schedules

UBD/Unit Planner Overview: Look at the sample provided and discuss

each section. Discuss MYP role of planner and the Areas of Interaction as

part of the unit.

Sample Planners: Distribute and discuss existing units in content areas.

Assessments: Distribute and discuss district assessments as well as

teacher assessments in the classroom.

FAQ: Have colleagues complete frequently asked question form and

collect. If time allows discuss. If time does not allow save discussion until

the next session.

10:30—10:45 Break

10:45 — 11:15 Resume Group Meeting

Practical Use: Discuss FAQ if necessary. Have colleagues begin planning

their first couple days of school. How will they take the existing

curriculum/planners and make them their own?

11:15-11:30 Full group reconvenes to share questions or comments to be addressed at

future professional development.

Picture: Teacher working on curriculum implementation- August 31, 2009