Cutting Edge Content
Cutting Edge Content
Religion
English
Mathematics
Science
Social
Sciences
Foreign
Language
Physical
Education
Fine
Arts
Computer
Science
Resources
An
effective educational experience must include content at the cutting edge of change in order to help students keep pace with
current modes of thought. Such an
education prepares students to be continual learners who can adapt to their
changing environment. Chaminade's
commitment to keeping abreast of the most current trends is very much in keeping
with the mission to form "capable people to be outstanding contributors to
the future."
Faculty
will address current trends and methodologies as they prepare specific
department curriculum. With a
curricular focus on cutting edge content, students will learn to navigate change
in the areas of technology, communications, and resource management. The inclusion of these cutting edge strategies and
experiences into the curriculum will provide students with the active learning
skills needed in the future.
Religion - Cutting Edge Content
To
periodically evaluate and, if necessary, change the courses being offered in the
Religion Department to ensure that they cover the essentials of Catholic
Christian faith as directed by the teaching authority of the Church, and meet
the changing needs of our students in the world today.
This will be accomplished by:
· Maintaining faculty certification to teach religion from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles;
· Participating in professional education opportunities; and,
· Working with the department chair and other teachers of the same course to assess the effectiveness of content, textbooks, and learning strategies for their students.
· The Religion Department will evaluate each course yearly for its effectiveness in meeting both the directives of the Church and the needs of our youth.
· Catholic reference books and periodicals.
· Faculty attendance at Religious Education Congress and other in-services.
· Access to religious web sites and technology software.
· Field trips.
· Ongoing.
English - Cutting Edge Content
To
create media literacy units that expose students to classic as well as
contemporary themes.
This
will be accomplished by:
·
Developing one media unit in each grade level per year;
·
Creating a list of films that reflect grade and theme appropriateness;·
Examining the effects television and print advertising have on
contemporary ideology and culture;
·
Using film as a supplementary tool for teaching literature;
·
Assigning projects that incorporate the various media;
·
Requiring students to develop their own media projects that reflect
personal creativity; and,
·
Developing grade level competency in media appreciation and literacy.
·
One media unit per year, per grade, will incorporate formal testing on
unit content.
·
One student-created media project per year, per grade, will be evaluated
through teacher-generated rubrics.
·
Students will be assessed on an assignment that includes comparisons of a
literary work to a film, television show, or other media example that is a
representation of that work or one that incorporates similar themes.
·
The journalism teacher will gauge student competency in utilizing media
for final newspaper products.
·
A film library will be developed to support course media literacy
projects.
·
Professional growth opportunities will be required for teachers to learn
media techniques and teaching strategies.
·
Video cameras for in-class film projects need to be purchased.
·
Media literacy curriculum units will be purchased.
·
The unit could be developed next year for inclusion in the curriculum in
2001, contingent upon the availability of resources and faculty training.
Mathematics - Cutting Edge Content
To
enable students to learn how to read and solve problems that require analysis
from data tables and graphs, and to respond with clarity in writing or informal
argument to the problem.
Strategies/Planning
& Instructional Considerations
This will be accomplished by:
· Choosing textbooks that contain problems that require analysis of data tables and graphs; and,
· Acquiring an Algebra II text that complies with the goal.
Assessment
· Students' ability to interpret and analyze graphs and data tables will be measured through quizzes and tests.
Resources
Needed/Financial Impact
· Sample copies of available Algebra II texts distributed to department members.
· Algebra II texts will be acquired for the 2000-2001 school year.
Science - Cutting Edge Content
To
provide students with access to advanced laboratory experiences.
This will be accomplished by:
· Developing relationships with local universities and industries to take advantage of their resources;
· Modifying facilities to support advanced student laboratory activities.
· Facilitating physics students' involvement in the conduction of experiments using the plasma device at UCLA;
· Conducting at least one biology experiment provided by the AMGEN pharmaceutical company;
· Contacting at least one chemical company or university chemistry department to plan future participation;
· Increasing the number of advanced laboratory dissections; and,
· Providing access for all middle school students to necessary computers and equipment for participation in cutting edge laboratory experiences.
· Students will be assessed based on their submission of lab reports and commentaries.
· A separate storage facility for storage of chemicals and dissection specimens.
· Additional financial resources will be needed for student transportation.
·
Formal implementation will begin spring 2000 and continue over a
five-year plan.
Social Studies - Cutting Edge Content
To
have students in all grades become active learners through their participation
in outcome-based assignments, which seek to accommodate various student
modalities.
This will be accomplished by:
· Attending workshops/seminars on the development of outcome-based instruction;
· Designing outcome based assignments by all department members at all grade levels;
· Guiding students in the formation and presentation of their outcome-based projects;
· Developing rubrics that meet objectives and measure the level of student competency; and,
· Exchanging strategies to facilitate outcome-based instruction.
· Student work will be assessed using course specific rubrics for content.
· Student work will be assessed using specially developed rubrics to measure level of content competency.
· Faculty in-services that support teaching techniques that are necessary for outcome-based education.
· Resource books and professional journals should be made available to teachers.
· Continuing evaluation of curriculum with regard to flexibility in order to meet the needs of the cutting edge goals. Joint planning time needs to be made available for inter-department consultation.
· The department is currently working toward this goal.
· Full implementation is expected by September 2000 and an annual reevaluation thereafter.
Foreign Language - Cutting Edge Content
To
prepare appropriate listening comprehension and oral activities that will
improve verbal and communication skills and enable students to compete and
cooperate in local, state, national, and international arenas.
This will be accomplished by:
· Researching the use of exchanges with foreign correspondents (i.e. pen pals, key pals) for target language development in real world situations;
· Building an information bank of foreign language resources (i.e. web sites, foreign language TV programs, etc.);
· Formulating department guidelines for level appropriate assessment and developing a rubric for oral presentations that are level specific;
· Increasing the use of available media tools (i.e. radio, television, Internet) for listening exercises and basis for discussion on current events; and,
· Bringing in guest speakers (in the target language) once a year.
· The department will assess the progress of research in the use of foreign language correspondents and building of an information bank at the end of the semester and prepare for implementation and use in the next school year.
· Students will be assessed in accordance with the developed grade specific rubric for oral presentations.
· The department will meet to assess the use of available media tools and obtain feedback from students.
· Appropriate technology and support materials will be purchased to implement strategies.
· Department in-service on assessment of oral interviews.
· Formal implementation will take place by June 2000.
Physical Education - Cutting Edge Content
To
motivate our students toward lifelong fitness and health by using the most
up-to-date training and fitness techniques.
This will be accomplished by:
· Utilizing a variety of techniques to present information in a way that keeps the activities interesting and enjoyable for all levels of students;
· Attending conferences and training seminars, subscribing to journals and periodicals to stay up to date with the latest information/technology;
· Making practical application for all activities, and incorporating life skills into the curriculum;
· Introducing and teaching the Ropes Course at the Middle School; and,
· Visiting other programs at both the high school and college level.
· Instructors will continually test the students and maintain a log of their results throughout their years at Chaminade so that students can see their continuous improvement as they strive to reach their personal goals for lifelong fitness.
· Funds for conferences/seminars.
· Use of computer lab.
· Update physical education facilities and add equipment for a variety of fitness and team sport activities.
· Strategies are ongoing.
· Ropes Course will be in place by 2002.
Fine Arts - Cutting Edge Content
To
implement programs and activities that provide a foundation of marketable skills
in technique and technology.
This will be accomplished by:
· Using technology that is the current industry standard, whenever possible;
· Teaching and modeling collaborative social and work skills;
· Providing students an environment for creative thinking and revision;
· Fostering self-motivation and educational exploration;
· Increasing student awareness of current technological changes through the use of the Internet, technical guides, and community activities; and,
· Encouraging students to experience the works of professional artists.
· Student work will be assessed as to their knowledge and use of technology.
· Feedback from students as to the impact of courses taught will be sought before reviewing curriculum.
· Increased classroom computers and Internet access in the fine arts classrooms.
· Increased department member attendance at conferences and in-services.
·
Strategies will be developed during 1999 – 2000 school year and
implemented beginning Fall 2000.
Computer Science - Cutting Edge Content
To challenge students to achieve technology industry standards and professional certifications that Chaminade can offer as an Authorized Academic Training Partner (AATP).
This will be
accomplished by:
·
Determining which course offerings are appropriate for Chaminade students
such as the Microsoft Certified Engineer (MCSE) or Microsoft Office User
Specialist (MOUS);
·
Determining an appropriate sequence of coursework that takes scheduling
constraints into consideration on both campuses;
·
Developing a training plan for appropriate teachers to ensure faculty is
certified in the subjects taught;
·
Updating department handbooks, after approval, of the new course
objectives, scopes, and sequences;
·
Investigating the possibility of setting up a certification testing site
at Chaminade;
·
Investigating the possibility of college credit for successful completion
of certification level coursework; and,
·
Publicizing approved course offerings to all Chaminade stakeholders.
·
Conduct an annual review of the program to see if there is a steady
increase in the number of courses offered (within scheduling and college
preparation constraints) and an increase in student enrollment.
·
After the initial year, student attempts at certification and actual
certification will be tracked to monitor the program’s success.
·
Conduct annual reviews to ensure that faculty who teach certification
courses are fully trained and updated in courses they teach.
·
Appropriate faculty need to be trained.
·
Space and resources need to be allocated for a test center for onsite
testing.
·
Software needs to be purchased and hardware updated to accommodate it.
·
One course on each campus will be implemented during the 1999-2000 year.
·
Additional implementation will take place as time and money permits.
Resource - Cutting Edge Content
To
provide the most up-to-date, approved resources available within each
disciplinary area. To encourage
students to be lifelong learners, mastering traditional informational formats as
well as emerging ones.
This will be accomplished by:
· Researching professional journals, online sources, and consulting with teaching staff;
· Attending professional conferences and workshops; and,
· Providing a wide range of resources and formats, and instructing patrons in appropriate and efficient retrieval techniques.
· Librarians will consult with departments at the end of each year to get input on requested innovative resource materials in each curricular discipline.
· Librarians will review resources available at similar private schools through contact with Independent School Library Exchange members.
· Librarians and staff will observe and evaluate the progress of patrons’ success in relevant information retrieval.
Resources Needed/Financial Impact
· Additional staffing will increase the extent to which the department can meet these goals.
· Expanded Resource Department budget to accommodate rising costs of purchasing developing technologies, as well as continuing subscription fees and site licenses, which increase annually.
· Ongoing.
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