Committee Name:  Writing

Purpose: 

1.        Plan ways to improve writing instruction, especially at the 4^th grade level;

2.        Explore more efficient ways of completing and scoring writing portfolios;

3.        Integrate open-response and on-demand questions into the curriculum.

Date of Meeting:  January 4, 2005

Starting Time:  2:30 PM

Ending Time:  3:15 PM

Submitted by:  Lynda Davis

Members Present:  Lynda Davis, DeAnna Johnson, Mary Jane Kinman, Julie Pearman, Dana Rose, Marilyn Melton, Andrea Guise, and Brenda Jenkins (parent rep)

Agenda:

 1.   Draft of Purpose/Guidelines for Writing Committee

                  2.  Review of 4^th Grade Writing Standards

                  3.  Writing Portfolio Development

Discussion on each item: 

1.        Draft of Purpose/Guidelines for Writing Committee

Members gave input on purposes of committee.  Reference was made to Curriculum Map and Writing Standards.

2.        Review of 4^th Grade Writing Standards

Teachers checked to ensure that all standards are being covered in our classrooms.

3.        Writing Portfolio Development

Teachers shared current genres being taught, revised, etc. in classrooms.

Action taken on each item:

1.        Rough draft was written, to be revised and typed before Staff Meeting on Jan. 11, 2005.

2.        Confirmation that all standards in writing will be covered before the completion of the school year. 

3.        Collaboration will continue on a regular basis, particularly during 4^th Grade Level Meetings on Day 4 of each week.