State of the Museum Magnet

Part I of 3

We are well on our way into the school year.  Conferences have been held, which were earlier this school year, and three Grade levels have completed their first exhibits; Grades 1, 4 and 5. before you know it, Winter will spreads her wings and give us all a taste of what Minnesota is known for; SNOW!!!

This school year, the State of Museum (SOM) report will be published in three times.  Families should expect SOM reports in November, February, and May.  Each issue will have a different focus and acquaint the reader to what is taking place here at school.  This report will focus on STEM, and the DRA 2 Reading.

STEM

Science Technology Engineering and Math, also known as STEM is branded in many ways around our school.  The hallways reference STEM exhibits; our school website has STEM plastered on the front page, and STEM staff meetings are taking place monthly. 

Museum Magnet School has been incorporating the STEM model since the schools inception. Our use of the museum process engages our students in a process of exploring and experimenting at least twice each year.  Every student incorporates each of the STEM concepts during the creation of their two annual exhibits. In addition to integrating the STEM concepts into our curriculum, our students take STEM one step further during the exhibit process.  They use art and engineering concepts to create an object or model that will demonstrate their knowledge.  Then, they are challenged with the task of presenting their information formally in front of their peers, parents, and teachers.  This helps to teach valuable presentation and social skills that many elementary students never get enough chance to practice. Additionally, it helps to ensure that the students have a firm grasp of the content matter that they have been studying.

There is evidence of STEM in our current practices and we are aggressively seeking avenues to intensify these practices and tap into more STEM opportunities.  The Museum staff is currently working with SPPS District staff to identify potential partners; identify additional funding sources, and exploring curriculum that will make the E (engineering) in STEM more transparent in our student work. In addition our 6^th grade students have a stronger emphasis in Science this school year, and students will have the opportunity to go deeper into Science topics. 

Our long term plans are to have units of study in engineering at every grade level; offer Science as a prep class to all students; instruct using SMART boards in all homeroom classes; offer Algebra to intermediate students, and establish ourselves as the Premier STEM school in the state of Minnesota. 

This is the second school year that we are using the Developmental Reading Assessment Series II.  Each homeroom teacher has completed a reading assessment on your child.  The assessment not only identifies the reading level of your student but also identifies specific areas in reading that your student is progressing in.  Your student should be able to tell what their independent reading level is, which informs of the books that they can read with no support with 95% accuracy, and what their instructional reading level is, which informs of the books that students can read with 90% accuracy given adult support.

More specific areas the DRA 2 assessment identifies are:

1) Reading engagement

Ø      Students selecting the right books for themselves

Ø      Students learning strategies to build their reading stamina

Ø      Students learning how to monitor their own reading

2) Reading fluency

Ø      Students adding expression to their reading

Ø      Students reading out loud with others

Ø      Students self correcting as they read

3) Reading comprehension. 

Ø      Students use questioning and predicting to figure out what the story is about prior to reading

Ø      Students summarize what they have read

Ø      Students go back to the story to identify evidence to support their thinking

As you talk with your child, ask them about their reading level and the books that they are reading. 

We are looking to have a dynamic school year and with the support of every parent/guardian, this will happen. Our success with your student has to involve you!!!