Building Successful Students Using Lab Classes

1
Building Successful Students Using Lab Classes

• Robert A. Taft Middle School
• Principal Mr. Michael C. Hazen
• Crown Point Community School Corporation
• Crown Point, Indiana

2
Presenters

• Ashley Cotton 8th grade Math Lab teacher
• Melanie McClure 6th grade teacher
• Michael Hazen - Principal

3
Robert A. Taft Middle SchoolA School to Watch

• Schools to Watch is an initiative launched by
  the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades
  Reform in  1999.
• Recognizes schools nationally who meet the
  criteria of high performing middle grades school
• They are academically excellentthese schools
  challenge all students to use their minds well.
• They are developmentally responsivethese schools
  are sensitive to the unique developmental
  challenges of early adolescence.
• They are socially equitablethese schools are
  democratic and fair, providing every student with
  high-quality teachers, resources, and supports.
• Schools are recognized annually at a ceremony in
  Washington DC and are given the opportunity to
  meet with their congressman on Capital Hill.

4
The Schools To Watch Process

• Application
• School Wide Staff Perception Survey on STW
  criteria (academic excellence, developmental
  responsiveness, social equity, structures and
  organizational arrangements).
• Narrative on the 5 criteria
• Documentation of AYP, achievement testing,
  demographics, discipline, programs and processes.
• Site Visit
• STW finalists have a site visit w/ the STW
  leadership from Indiana.
• Panels of teachers
• Students
• Parents
• Community leaders
• Classroom observations
• Student work samples
• Banner Presentation w/ Dr. Bennett in the Spring
• STW conference and Awards Dinner in Washing DC in
  June
• Presentation at State Middle Level Conference -
  fall of 2010 and summer of 2011

5
Recipients of the Schools to Watch Award
6
Building Successful Students Using Lab Classes

• This presentation focuses on how Robert A. Taft
  Middle School, recipient of the National Schools
  to Watch Award, devised and implemented new
  classes designed around core curriculum and
  project based learning to improve academic
  achievement.  We will discuss how student
  learning is enriched and the importance of
  collaboration for successful implementation of
  lab classes.

7
Lab Classes at Taft Middle School

• Lab classes began during the 2008 2009 school
  year with Math Lab and English Lab classes in the
  7th grade.
• Lab classes expanded in the 2009 2010 school
  year with Math Lab and English Lab in the 8th
  grade, along with a Science Lab added to the 7th
  grade.
• Math Lab and English Lab will continue in both
  7th and 8th grades, through the 2011 - 2012
  school year.

8
Purpose of Having Lab Classes

• Enhance core curriculum
• Integrate project based, hands-on learning
• Incorporate higher order thinking, problem
  solving, communication, and collaboration
• Group students based on need and ability
• Allows for flexibility with projects and
  students understanding of key concepts
• Allows for additional standardized testing
  remediation
• Integrating technology

9
What is needed for a successful lab classroom?

• Flexible, out-of-the-box teachers and support
  staff
• Strong communication between teachers,
  counselors, support staff, students, and parents
• Engaging lessons (not necessarily from a
  textbook)
• Open-minded students and parents
• Support from administration to allow for
  scheduling flexibility

10
Scheduling Logistics Example 1

• 15 day rotation - students will complete three 15
  day rotations for two different subject areas.
• Unit 1 15 days group A, 15 days group B
• Unit 2 15 days group A, 15 days group B
• Unit 3 15 days group A, 15 days group B
• Unit 4 15 days group A, 15 days group B
• Unit 5 15 days group A, 15 days group B
• Unit 6 15 days group A, 15 days group B

11
Scheduling Logistics Example 2

• Marking period rotation students will rotate
  lab classes each marking period.
• Marking period 1 Group A
• Marking period 2 Group B
• Marking period 3 Group A
• Marking period 4 Group B

12
Sample Lab Curriculum for 8th grade

• Math
• Web Quests
• Researching data, statistics, and graphing
• Interdisciplinary units (economics, history, art,
  writing)
• Study skills and high school readiness skills
• Standardized testing preparation

• English
• Novel studies
• Creative writing
• Essay writing
• Magazine article writing
• Oral presentations
• Study skills and high school readiness
  skills
• Standardized testing preparation

13
Sample Beginning of the Yearparent letter for
a Math and English Lab class
Included in packet
14
Benefits of Lab Classes

• We have seen an increase in standardized test
  scores.
• Students gain a deeper understanding of
  technology and how it impacts their daily lives
  and future.
• Students make more connections between classroom
  learning and its relevance to the real world.

15
Information

• Contacts
• Ashley Cotton acotton_at_cps.k12.in.us
• Melanie McClure mcclure_at_cps.k12.in.us
• Michael Hazen mchazen_at_cps.k12.in.us
• Websites
• Schools to Watch http//www.schoolstowatch.org/
• 8th Grade Math Lab http//www.cps.k12.in.us/16692
  010291144977/site/default.asp
• 8th Grade English Lab http//www.cps.k12.in.us/16
  69201612453857/site/default.asp