What’s In It For Me? The Inside Scoop at Framingham High School
22
What’s In It For Me? The Inside Scoop at Framingham High School
description
What’s In It For Me? The Inside Scoop at Framingham High School. Goals of the program. Familiarize students with FHS Improve MCAS skills and strategies in Math and English Language Arts Encourage students to recognize that college is a possible option. Program Specs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of What’s In It For Me? The Inside Scoop at Framingham High School
What’s In It For Me? The Inside Scoop at
Framingham High School
Goals of the program
1. Familiarize students with FHS2. Improve MCAS skills and
strategies in Math and English Language Arts
3. Encourage students to recognize that college is a possible option.
Program Specs
Who: Rising 9th grade studentsWhat: 20-day program When: June 30 – July 25th
9:45 am -1:30 pmWhere: Air-conditioned classrooms
with computers availableHow: Students were bused
Program Components
Student directed project Summer reading MCAS ELA strategies MCAS math strategies Problem solving College exploration
Schedule
9:45-11:15 FHS & College Project (w/ Circle/Snack
Break)
11:15-12:00 Math 12:00-12:30 Lunch 12:45-1:30 English (15 minute bubble for lunch clean up, walking,
bathroom break, etc.)
Students Served 50 students
Average daily attendance 41
Four middle schools 55% free/reduced lunch 44 with NI or W on Math MCAS 18 with NI or W on ELA MCAS Several LEP/FLEP students Several students on IEPs
Recruitment
21st Century staff did recruitment in middle schools
McKinney-Vento coordinator identified students
Teachers also recruited studentsTarget group was identified from
MCAS scores
Getting to Know Framingham HS“The Idiot’s Guide to FHS”
Building discovery / navigation Field research through maps, scavenger
hunts, interviews Small group/team time Student driven design:
- student writing,- photographs,- autobiographies,- maps,- interviews,- drawings
College Project College vocabulary activities College Passport
- High school requirements- Research local colleges- Brain storm “dream schools”- Begin thinking about considerations
such as location, size, extra curricular activities, funding, majors available
Field trips
College Field Trips
Spent each Friday at a college Tour, info session, brown-bag lunch
- UMass BostonLarge, public, urban, commuter
- Mount IdaSmall, private, suburban campus
- Framingham StateLocal, mid-size, “in backyard”
ELA Time Prepared students for academic rigor in
high school Students explored, read, discussed &
analyzed a book from summer reading list - The program provided books and audiotapes- Prepared a graphic organizer which helped them
with the Summer Reading Assessment- The English class also focused discussion on
applicable strands for MCAS
Math Time Strengthened their problem-solving and
reasoning skills with specific focus on MCAS strategies
Mini-lessons in:• basic algebra• ratios and proportions• linear equations• statistics• data display• number sense• spatial reasoning including perimeter, area,
and volume.
Staff for program One program coordinator (HS English) One HS English teacher One HS Math teacher Two MS Math teachers (one with Sped
Certification) Two MS English teachers (one with ELL
Certification)
Training day before start of program: curriculum design, project based learning and cultural competency awareness.
Recruitment and Logistics Three mailings were used:
1. Recruitment letter (with translations)
2. Confirmation letter / medical forms, media release3. Busing Information (transportation logistics)
Parental Communication: calls, emails (Utilized trilingual staff)
Buildings and Grounds; Transportation Attendance & Student scheduling conflicts Lunch (free lunch)
“Plus Factors” Second year Enrollment up 1/3 : change in tone of initial
letter, reputation, and tied into the 21st Century Program) Space: computer space, air conditioning, and full
access to building Timing of day Experienced Staff; Support from Admin.
(logistically, student needs, transportation) Excellent Organization (task list, supply list,
curriculum plans, college field trip plans, enrollment information, coordinate transportation)
Student Feedback in September
“I got to review my math, which helped a lot.”
“I got a book to read.”“I’m more familiar with the
school.”“Helped my reading skills.”“I feel like I learned the same
things but it was fun.”
Staff Anecdotes
“Co-teaching was extremely valuable. One teacher was able to deliver a lesson while the other was able to keep students on track and provide extra attention.”
“I think the thing that surprised me the most was the excitement that the students felt about the program.”
…continued “One student told his Mom that the book
was cool and that he wanted to read another like it.”
“[A couple of students] were reluctant to even think about college because of the financial impediment and other personal reasons. After we visited colleges and talked so much about it, they both started to consider college as a much more real future for themselves.”
Benefits and Successes Increased familiarity and comfort with FHS
building, people, systems and resources Students began academic year with new
relationships (teachers and peers) Students refreshed strategies and skills
needed for MCAS; read summer reading book and prepared for essay
Gained college awareness and exposure through brainstorming, project work, and field trips.
Challenges and Suggestions
Attendance Transportation (cover 25 sq miles)
Incentives Future MCAS (science, history) Social/emotional issues (use of
administrative staff at FHS or add a social worker to the program?)
Questions and Feedback
Materials: Completed Student Binder Idiot’s Guide to FHS College Passport College Vocabulary FHS Project Rubric, Model & “P.O.A”
