social studies Archives - The Torchbearer

Learning / Learning Progressions / R & D Posted on: January 26, 2016January 26, 2016

Learning Progressions

Learning Progressions Today, the Social Studies research and design team met after school. After a 10 minute introduction and demo slam (check out Google Earth for geography, history, current events exploration), we split up into our respective divisions and choose our own adventures. The middle school team collaborated on writing a learning progression for 5th Graders using primary sources. It was a fun activity for me. I felt stretched, creative, frustrated, and accomplished at different points throughout the process. My colleagues felt the same, but we all stuck with it and the result is a very solid, first attempt at […]

Learning Outcomes / Philosophy of / R & D Posted on: November 10, 2015November 10, 2015

Measuring R & D Priorities

Measuring R & D Priorities This afternoon, the Social Studies R & D team convened for its 3rd meeting of the year. Our agenda was as follows: 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Gallery walk: Small groups of 3-4 rotate among 4 posters. Each poster contains 1 of the 4 priority goals that every R & D team has been charged with accomplishing. On post it notes, team members write what each one means a) in his/her own classroom and b) for our R & D team at large. The purpose was to a) expose and remind team members to these […]

Learning Outcomes / Professional Learning / Professional Learning Communities / R & D Posted on: September 8, 2015October 24, 2015

A Brief History of Social Science R & D

A Brief History of Social Science R & D at MVPS For five years, I have had the privilege of co-chairing the Social Science Research & Design Team at Mount Vernon with Head of Lower School Shelley Clifford. We have worked alongside the incredible teachers from Preschool through Upper School to create, iterate, and reimagine learning outcomes, as well as innovative instructional and assessment strategies. Here is a succinct outline of the highlights of our team’s efforts… 2011-2012 – Audit of current learning outcome practices – Compare/contrast MVPS learning outcomes to Georgia Performance Standards – Compare/contrast MVPS learning outcomes to […]