2013-2014 Goals

It is important to set goals.  Goals help us focus, keep on track over a long period of time and allow for continuous improvement.  

We often set personal goals for ourselves at the beginning of the new year.  As teachers, we ask our students to set goals for the new school year.  What do they already do well that they want to continue to do well? And what areas can they grow in?  

Well, Schoolwide Enrichment Model is no exception to goal setting.  Every year, we look at our accomplishments from the previous year and ask what are we doing well and where can we grow.  Below our the 2013-2014 SEM Goals.  I look forward to working with our staff, students and families to make these goals happen.  This is what set LME apart...

We will continue to grow in the following areas already in action at LME:

Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS): Mrs. Levitan will continue to teach the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) lessons in grades 1st, 2nd grade and 3rd grade. Ms. Ferriola will teach the PETS lessons to our kindergarten students. The lessons teach students about the different types of thinking (convergent, divergent, visual and evaluative) that people use to solve problems.

LEGO Educational Kits: Students will continue to have an opportunity during the school day to learn with the LEGO Educational Kits.

Independent Investigative Method (IIM): The Independent Investigative Method (IIM) of research will continue in all grade levels K-5. We will continue to focus on increasing the level of questioning in the students’ research questions by focusing on Bloom’s Taxonomy and Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity Model. We will increase the quality of authentic products made by the students to show what they have learned throughout their research.

Total Talent Portfolio (TTP): We will continue and improve on building and utilizing each child's Total Talent Portfolio (TTP). Our goal is to communicate contents with parents and students during conferences and throughout the year.

Enrichment Clusters: In grades K-5, students will continue to participate in Enrichment Clusters for 6-8 weeks. We offer a wide variety of topics based on student’s interests. We work towards more student driven clusters guaranteeing that each enrichment cluster round is different, since the students participating are different. Furthermore, we will work on developing more student driven authentic products and services by focusing on what would the enrichment cluster look like in the “real world”.

Enrichment Cluster Tours: Enrichment Cluster Tours are for parents and interested community members. These tours allow our parents and guests to witness enrichment clusters in action.

Parent and/or Community Experts: We utilize parent and/or community experts to assist with enrichment, enrichment clusters and/or Enrichment slots (E-slots) taking place in the classroom.

Communication: We communicate with parents and community through the LME website, E-news, SEM blog, emails and Parent University classes.

Collaboration and Resource: Mrs. Levitan collaborates with teachers in a variety of areas, such as IIM, service learning, enrichment clusters, enrichment slot activities, Philanthropy Mentoring Program, differentiation, PETS lessons and more. This helps LME to reach all of our diverse learners.

New goals for this school year: 

Differentiation in the Classroom: This past August, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Marcia Gentry and one of her doctoral students, C. Matthew Fugate, to Laurel Mountain to deliver a full day of professional development to the staff. Dr. Gentry is the director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute and Professor of Educational Studies at Purdue University. Her research has focused on the use of cluster grouping and differentiation; student perceptions of school; and on non-traditional services and underserved populations. She developed and studied the Total School Cluster Grouping Model and is engaged in continued research on its effects concerning student achievement and identification and on teacher practices. The goal this year is to use what we learned from Dr. Gentry to help teachers facilitate differentiation within the classroom. This is another example of what sets LME apart, since we are working towards meeting the diverse needs of our students. 

New Enrichment Team (E-Team): In the past, the enrichment team has included our Enrichment Coordinator, a representative from each grade level, special education, TAG and specials. We have decided to try something new. This year, the new E-Team will be comprised of our support staff, including our TAG teachers, interventionists, counselor, librarian, IT specialist, principal, assistant principal and enrichment coordinator. The purpose of this team is to provide resources and support to classroom teachers to help facilitate differentiation for all students in the classroom. Members of this team will work one-on-one with students who need extra support and guidance in the classroom.

New format for Enrichment Cluster Showcases: In the past, the showcases for the enrichment clusters have been a “walk, look and see” format. This year, the students will be the docents for the displays from their enrichment clusters. They will be able to share “live” what they accomplished and learned during their enrichment cluster. This will provide a more authentic experience for the parents and guests. But most importantly, it will provide an authentic experience for the students.