This document discusses vertical teams and their purpose. It defines a vertical team as teachers from different grade levels who work together to develop a continuum of knowledge and skills from one grade to the next. This leads to better understanding of what is taught each year and helps reduce repetition. The goals of vertical teams are to increase achievement for all students, foster communication between grades, encourage innovation, and apply data-driven instructional practices. The agenda covers identifying topics for the next semester, discussing cross-curricular projects, and including elements to help future grades as well as reviewing AP sample questions.

1. PCSD Vertical Team
Planning
December 10, 2013

2. 
Through communication and
cooperation, vertical teams design
curricular change and create support
structures necessary to make high
achievement by all students a reality
What is a vertical team?

3. 
In vertical teams, teachers from different grade levels
work together to develop a continuum of knowledge
and skills that build from one grade level to the next.

Team communication leads to a greater
understanding of what is taught each year, which
helps teachers organize strategies, plan introduction
of concepts, and reduce repetition of content. As a
result, student achievement and success is enhanced.
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The K-12 vertical alignment of the sequential
development of the needed knowledge, skills,
principles and concepts ONLY occurs within a model
of faculty communication.
Purpose of a Vertical Team

4. 
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Increase achievement for all students to close the
achievement gap
To bring about coordination and communication
between grade levels
To foster greater inclusion
To introduce skills, concepts, and assessment methods to
prepare students for success in advanced
coursework
To encourage innovation
Map Standards
Align curriculum
Apply data driven decision making to instructional
practice
Identify and share appropriate resources
Support Teacher Implementation
Disseminate Important Information to all teachers in
the district
Goals of a Vertical Team

5. YOU MATTER
 3 rules to spark learning
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YOU MATTER

6. 
Thinking in Terms of Next Year
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Laying the Foundation for a Continuum of
Knowledge and Skills
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AP Sample Questions
Agenda

7. 
Identify unit topics for the 2nd semester in your
grade level

Meet with 2 other content area teachers to
discuss cross-curricular projects/ideas (*one of
these needs to be in your same grade level)

What elements can be included in the final units
for the 2nd semester that would be helpful in the
future?
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Access the Google Doc Here
Thinking in Terms of Next Year

8. 
View core knowledge and skills to be
developed as a result of student
participation in secondary courses. View
core knowledge and skills and identify
related skills and standards at your grade
level. Complete individually and discuss
with your group of like content area
teachers.
Laying the Foundation for a
Continuum of Knowledge and
Skills

9. 
Let’s take a look at some sample AP Test
Questions

Identify the major skills required to answer the
questions
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Identify any related standard at you grade level
related to these skills
View AP Sample Questions