D E C E M B E R
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Winter Wishes Department of Curriculum and Instruction
A special message from our new Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Mida Milligan Greetings GISD teachers and staff! I am excited to have been named as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the district. We are doing amazing things with teaching and learning for both students and staff in our district. Our department will continue to build upon what is currently in place as we add relevant, engaging and focused instructional units into our online curriculum and into the learning resources we offer for all of our students. The curriculum is the cornerstone of our district’s instructional focus and its beliefs about what students need to know and be able to do to succeed in college and careers. Our department is dedicated to providing outstanding teaching and learning opportunities, and we understand that teamwork is a crucial ingredient in ensuring that our students receive the highest quality learning experiences, while addressing their individual needs. As such, we want your feedback and input as we work toward developing a complete curriculum. Our doors are open to you; please let us know what we can do to provide assistance as we move forward with achieving district goals. Please continue to provide your feedback by clicking on the following link: GISD Curriculum Feedback
Get the Math – “When will I ever use this information?” Algebra in the real world! http://www.thirteen.org/get-the-math/
Google Lit Trips – Explore the journeys of famous literary characters… Kindergarten – 12th Grade http://www.googlelittrips.com/GoogleLit/Home.html
#MysterySkype – Ask questions to figure out the location of the classroom. geography, history, languages, mathematics, science – Now that’s engaging! https://education.skype.com/mysteryskype
Introducing Angie Cheatham Technology Training Coordinator "Emerging technologie, social networking, and productivity tools…oh my! I am so excited to lead the charge for educational technology in our district. Let’s take our professionals and students to the next level through technology training in GISD.”
PreK-2nd Grade Teachers Dorsey Elementary Plan Your Day
Getting There
All teachers must register for sessions by December 15. Click here to register or visit http://bit.ly/Jan5GISDPreK-2 Schedule yourself a lunch break at either 11:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. Need Help? Scan Here for a Click Sheet
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There is no attendee parking at Dorsey so you must ride the shuttle. Please carpool to the shuttle site. Location: Home Depot 2201 Lakeview Pkwy Rowlett, TX 75088
Schedule: Morning Pick Up Between: 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. Afternoon Return: 3:30 p.m.
Bookmark the site on the home screen of your iPad for easy access to your schedule, resources, & conference announcements all through this icon
What's For Lunch?
Check your schedule closely to ensure that you registered for only one session during each slot. Bring your fully charged iPad Your lunch or money for lunch @ the food trucks
Today is All About You...Customize Your Day! Customize your profile with a bio and photo through the conference website to connect with other teachers across the district & grow your professional learning network!
Questions? Contact Melissa Hill (mahill@garlandisd.net)
Have a request for our Soundtrack for Learning? What music inspires you to learn? Submit your work appropriate song request here! bit.ly/DYOLMusicRequest #GISDlearning
3rd-5th Grade Teachers Couch Elementary Plan Your Day
Getting There
All teachers must register for sessions by December 15. Click here to register or visit http://bit.ly/Jan5GISDPD3-5 Schedule yourself a lunch break at either 11:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. Need Help? Scan Here for a Click Sheet
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There is no attendee parking at Couch so you must ride the shuttle. Please carpool to the shuttle site. Location: Student Parking Lot Lakeview Centennial H.S. 3505 Hayman Dr. Garland, TX 75043 Schedule: Morning Pick Up Between: 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. Afternoon Return: 3:30 p.m.
Bookmark the site on the home screen of your iPad for easy access to your schedule, resources, & conference announcements all through this icon
What's For Lunch?
Check your schedule closely to ensure that you registered for only one session during each slot. Bring your fully charged iPad Your lunch or money for lunch @ the food trucks
Today is All About You...Customize Your Day! Customize your profile with a bio and photo through the conference website to connect with other teachers across the district & grow your professional learning network!
Questions? Contact Melissa Hill (mahill@garlandisd.net)
Have a request for our Soundtrack for Learning? What music inspires you to learn? Click here to submit your work appropriate song request or visit: bit.ly/DYOLMusicRequest #GISDlearning
Garland ISD
SPELLING BEE Friday, January 16, 2015 The bee will begin precisely at:
9:00 a.m.
*Contestants should plan to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow time to check in and get settled.
Curtis Culwell Center Ballroom 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. Garland, TX 74040
Adult family members of contestants are encouraged to attend to support the spellers.
Susan Crummel inspires reading and writing in Garland! Thank you Teena Garvin!
Have you read Mindset by Carol Dweck? How do you teach and foster growth mindsets? Click to find out more from User Generated Education
Discovery Education Math Academy Digital Math Instruction! January 29, 2015
GISD hosting metroplex attendees
40 seats reserved for GISD teachers and instructional leaders
Please share your STEAM challenge pictures, videos, questions, comments, etc‌
#gisdSTEAM
"Wishing you good tidings and plenty of time to share your favorite books."
The PK-1 Summer Reading Committee
TEKS – Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills 5th Grade Math STAAR Assessment date has changed to Monday, April 20th. Since the test is three weeks later, the scope and sequence is going to change. Look on the online curriculum in the Information and Resource Folder for the updated document. I hope that everyone will continue to search for professional development to help them develop a deeper understanding of the new math TEKS.
~Traci Vickery
I wish to congratulate the Top 10 classes for the Garland Sumdog competition in late October. 1st place: 2nd place: 3rd place: 4th place: 5th place: 6th place: 7th place: 8th place: 9th place: 10th place:
Garcia’s 4th grade class from Classical Center at Vial Bryant’s 4th grade class from Watson Technology Center Mars, Watson Technology Center Spurlock’s 1st grade class from Classical Center at Vial Sims’ 1st grade class from Classical Center at Vial Sires’ 4th grade class from Watson Technology Center 1st period at Lyles Middle School Balderson’s 5th grade class at Park Crest Elementary Wade’s 1st grade class at Abbett Elementary Byers’ 3rd grade class at Lister Elementary
Continue to use model drawing with your students, and post their work in the hallway for everyone to see! ~Traci 2
2015
Spring/Winter Institute 2/7/15 8 am-4:30 pm
2014
TNT
Group A
Beginning teachers who attended the Summer Institute Session Topics include: "Motivating & Encouraging Learners" "Let's Get Techie" "All about RtI" "Irresistible Learning" PDAS & CWT 101 "In the Zone" "Parent Communication" "Workplace Balance & Wellness" "Guidance & Counseling Essentials"
Click here to Register
Group B
Beginning Teachers who are attending the institute for the first time Session Topics Include: "Classroom Management" "Data Literacy & Navigation" "Foundation of ELLs "Beginning Teacher Survival Tips" "Gifted and Talented Learners" "Special Education Essentials" "Parent Communication" "Workplace Balance & Wellness" "Guidance & Counseling Essentials"
Click here to register
February 7th
Saturday Questions/Concerns
Registration-8:00- 8:20 Mini Assembly-8:20-8:25 Break-out Sessions- 8:30-11:45 Lunch- 11:45-1:15 Break-out Sessions- 1:15-2:00 Panel Discussion - 3:45-4:30
Kishawna Wiggins- kpwiggin@garlandisd.net or Dianne Shaw- dmshaw@garlandisd.net
In case you have students that like to share every “little� detail with you, this little poster can help you begin the conversation about tattling.
Fall TNT Area PLCs were a success! We only have two left, we will meet in February & April. Check the schedule for specific area dates & times.
Carra King Director of Intervention 972-487-3267
Lea Ann Schkade Intervention Coordinator 972-487-3259
Christie Creel
HELPFUL HINTS FOR
SMALL GROUP
Secondary Intervention Trainer 972-487-3093
4-6 students per group
Group students by like skill deficiencies Take students from the concrete of the skill to the abstract of the TEKS
Laurie Toben Elementary Intervention Trainer 972-487-3992
Use data to drive instruction Utilize the computer lab to pull small groups @gisd_iteam
Motivate students Try a “SMELLIE”
Megan Frankenberg Elementary Intervention Trainer 972-487-3191
SMALL GROUP Intervention videos
AKA flavored chapstick rubbed on top of a student’s hand
http://home/pages/RTISSTSupportDoc
similar to a stamp. Brought to you by the Couch iTeam
Located on the GISD Intranet
Youth Summit 2014
TNT
On October 20, 2014, over 450 GISD high school ELLsattended the 5th Annual ELL Youth Summit at the GISD Curtis Culwell Center. Students build language capacity utilizing Search Institute’s 40 Assets as the foundation for the year-long ELL student leadership program. Students apply their English language skills integrated with their passions and talents. This program has built confidence in their language and academic performance. Watch the student-created video of the Youth Summit here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCv7iJVe8I Santa came early this year for the ESL/LPAC and BCHP-V teachers. They received the ELPS training by Tonie Garza with El Saber. ELPS standards and language objectives were highlighted during the training, and teachers now have the tools in hand to effectively and efficiently work with their students.
Holiday Wishes from the LOTE Department May your holidays be filled with happiness and joy. May you return with a refreshed mind and renewed energy. We are a group made up of French, German, Latin, Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language teachers so it is only fitting to wish you all a Happy New Year in this way: Bonne Année! Frohes neues jahr! Felix si annus novus! İFeliz año nuevo! 新年快
GISD CyberPatriot Wish CyberPatriot, a National Youth Cyber Education Program consists of three programs: the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, AFA CyberCamps and the Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative. In an effort to inspire high school students towards careers in cybersecurity or other STEM disciplines, the CyberPatriot program was established by the Air Force Association (AFA). Rowlett HS students are actively engaged in the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. They have three teams competing for the top placement within the state and region. The top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Washington, DC for the National Finals Competition where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money. We wish Rowlett HS teams all the best and encourage other schools to participate in this amazing event next year. The CyberPatriot competitions puts teams of high school and middle school students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. In the rounds of competition, teams are given a set of virtual images that represent operating systems and are tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the images and hardening the system while maintaining critical services in a sixhour period. It is important to mention that CyberPatriot is currently developing an activity for elementary school students. The program should be ready for deployment by the end of this year and its goal is to:
• Engage students in learning about careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines. • Help students understand the importance of cybersecurity • Introduce students to cybersecurity principles • Equip students to better protect themselves on the Internet
To learn more about CyberPatriot program visit http://www.uscyberpatriot.org 2
Do you Kurzweil? Guess what the district has purchased to help students with reading, writing, study skills, and test taking skills? That’s right! It’s Kurzweil 3000, and it is available to every student and every teacher in GISD! The program can be accessed from the desktop, the website, or from the iPad app. The following videos show all of the amazing ways this program can help your students whether in the classroom, at home, or on the go. Take a look at how it works 1. From the desktop computer http://bit.ly/Kurzweil3000
2. From the website (www.fireflybykurzweil.com), which allows accessibility from anywhere there is Wi-Fi http://bit.ly/KurzweilFirefly 3. From an iPad using the free Firefly app http://bit.ly/fireflyAPP To learn more, contact the GISD Technology Help Desk Building Wings – A book written by someone who learns differently than others. This is a true story about the frustration the author experienced in school and what he did to become successful. It’s particularly relevant for students struggling in school as it describes how to overcome daily learning challenges and obstacles. Read it FREE online at: http://donjohnston.com/buildingwings/#.VJJTfcYom0s
GARLAND ISD WILL HOST A REGION 10 G/T 30-HOUR INSTITUTE DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER. SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAYS:
Ø All sessions will be held at the Shugart Professional Development Center from 8:30 AM3:30 PM. Ø Interested participants must register at http://events.ednet10.net/fe2production.nsf. Ø There are multiple training locations listed on the Region 10 website. GISD teachers that choose to attend the sessions at the PDC must select that particular training location with the corresponding training dates. Ø Additional sessions will be offered during the summer, and online modules are tentatively scheduled to open in January.
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Below is the link for students to register for the NMSI AP Science Student Study Session on January 31st. https://nmsi-studentstudysession-garland-tx-sci1.eventbrite.com
Enter the password: SSS2014
What’s in your learning plan? Please see the following information regarding upcoming Region 10 professional learning opportunities and STAAR Resources. Links for accessing registration and information are provided in the chart below:
TexQuest Database Training: Join this training to explore the TexQuest databases and discover resources to use in your classrooms.
Region 10 Online Learning Catalog for Professionals and Paraprofessionals
Region 10 STAAR Resources
Elementary Teachers
Secondary Teachers
January 15, 2015 January 15, 2015 9:00a.m -12:00 p.m. 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. bit.ly/TexQuestElementary bit.ly/TexQuestSecondary
http://olc.region10.org/catalog/
http://olc.region10.org/catalog/Resources/STAAR
@gisdlearning #gisdlearning
Please Post
It’s All About Engagement! Coming Soon…
Kagan Structures for Cooperative Learning & Active Engagement Days 1 & 2 $AY &EBRUARY s $AY &EBRUARY Garland, TX For K–12 Educators
Workshop Highlights Pump up the fun, friendships, and liking for learning and each other with Classbuilding and Teambuilding
Location
Experience why group work simply doesn’t work for everyone, and why Kagan Structures do
Naaman Forest High School 4843 Naaman Forest Blvd Garland, TX 75040
Save valuable time and energy with easy-to-use structures that make lesson planning a snap Keep students on task and effectively manage disruptions with engaging structures Master the different types of pairs and teams, how to form them, and when to use them Provide students the will to work together and the skills to do so successfully Take away hot management tips that will make managing your cooperative class a snap Fully understand and implement basic principles that spell success for your students
Special Discount Package
Available only to participants. (Limit one per participant No substitutions.). Your materials package includes: 1) Multiple Intelligences: Structures and Activities book 2) Lesson Wrap-Up Learning Cube Combo 3) Numbered Heads Together Software Regular Price $82. Your Price $66. Save $16! Code: CACL2
Teachers Rave! “Cooperative Learning training by Kagan has changed the engagement in my going on!” —Dianne Miller, Principal “Loved everything that was presented. Clearly explained the difference between group work and cooperative learning. Showed research to validate all strategies. Can’t wait to implement!” —Alana Simmons, 7th Grade Civics Teacher
WS #19313 & #19006
Wishing everyone
Warm Winter Wishes! See you
January 5, 2015!