Madison — City of Four Lakes, Our History and Our Home
Submitted by: Susan Hamblin, Instructional Resource Teacher, Social Studies

The MMSD Social Studies content focus for Grade 3 is Madison and Communities Around the World. While there is a wealth of material written about Madison for adults, there is nothing available written for third grade students. The Aristos grant provided funding for the creation of a booklet on the history of Madison written for elementary students called Madison — City of Four Lakes, Our History and Our Home. (Click here for the Table of Contents )

A core of third grade teachers (Virginia Hanson, Cathryn Hatle, Kathy Huncosky, Lara Nelson, Heidi Nielsen, Tammy Roper, Sandy Rueckert, Nancy Tollefson, Elizabeth VanderWoude, and Holly Wollman, along with local historian, Ann Waidelich and Beth Lemke from the State Historical Museum, and Susan Hamblin, Social Studies Resource Teacher) worked over the summer to meet the need. They examined what it takes to write a book, did the research and then wrote, edited and identified primary documents to be included in this age-appropriate book. All of this work is now in the hands of a graphic artist, Cory Weidenfeller. Cory is bringing to life the written word (click here to see the first chapter! ) to spark the conversation about Madison. It is so exciting to see an idea come to life.

To complement the booklet, the teachers designed a lesson plan to accompany each chapter along with background information, field trip suggestions, literature and primary sources to use in the classroom. The teachers guide will be accessible on the web providing for revisions, updates and additional information to be posted annually.

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Foundation Grant supports Glendale's CSD Model based on Collaboration, Shared Ownership and Coaching
Submitted by Maria Dyslin, Instructional Resource Teacher, Glendale ES

What do you get when you combine generous community members, a desire to improve education AND innovative thinking? The Glendale CSD Model based on Collaboration, Shared Ownership and Coaching.

In an effort to increase their effectiveness at addressing the district's framework of Relationships, Engagement and Learning, Glendale has launched a progressive model of service delivery where three full time teachers work in collaboration to meet all the needs of the learners on their rosters. Gone are the days of teachers working in isolation.

After a year under their belt, Glendale applied and received grant money to further define and implement collaboration at their school. The Foundation for Madison Public Schools granted Glendale $10,000 to support professional development for the CSC Model.

Grant money created the opportunity for a Summer Math Bash. Instructional teams came together for staff development on the district's new math block model in August to hit the ground running once school started.

Also, being supported through grant money is embedded coaching for teams. Literacy, math and ESL coaches work with teams in the classroom and during pull-out professional development sessions to implement new learning and best practice in instruction. How wonderful that our district is providing opportunity for innovation!