Focus Group Notes for 10-18-04

Attendees: Cathy Moretto, Marsha Silva, Pam Armstrong, Danell Hepworth, Jack Hepworth, Seija Anderson.

*Please check the Vendor links that have been checked and updated information has been submitted to see if the updates have been made to the Vendor Page. And please check your assigned links if you have not already done so.

*Comments were solicited on the ELA and Math grids as submitted by the ELA and Math groups from last months all ES meeting. Our suggestions for math are as follows:

Saxon math (To catch them up to grade level)- Double up on lessons, do odd or even questions if they seem to be "getting it" do practice only, simply move up to next book.
For placement or pre-testing try- Glencoe placement or pre-tests, Saxon placement testing.
Suggestions for curriculum- Regular to more advanced students: McDougal Little, Pathway, Key Curriculum Press, Glencoe. Basic math courses: AGS, Globe Fearon, Key Curriculum (Keys to∑).
Seija Anderson has a lead on a person that provides on-line tutoring via email. She will be emailing me the name.
Math Activity suggestions:
*K-3- Hands on Math, Edusoft Benchmark tests, music and rhythms, Montesorri, science and math.
*4-6- Hands on Math, Edusoft Benchmark tests, music and rhythms, sewing, woodwork, cooking (recipes and fractions), shopping (comparison shopping), science and math.

Our suggestions for English are as follows:

Music and text- the poetry aspect of music
Shurley English
Master Prose and Contemporary Classics for grades 5-11
Accelerated Reader
Book Adventure
100 Greatest Books- Auditory Books on Tape
Steck-Vaughn Classics- Condensed books for lower functioning readers
Saddleback Classics- Condensed books for lower functioning readers
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Reading program

Our suggestions for writing:

Write Guide- K-12
Zaner Bloser