C&I March Newsletter

M A R C H

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Spring Fever

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~Hal Borland Spring is the season of new growth, and the signs of change will soon be upon us.

Flowers will start to appear in parks and lawns, the days get longer, and our spirits are lifted by the extra light and warmer temperatures.

The symbolism of spring is one most people can appreciate. In all cultural traditions, the world over, it is a time of re-birth and new beginnings. Spring is a great time to envision endless possibilities and to use our creativity and collective efforts to reach new levels of achievement and success for our students and our district.

In the C&I department, the seeds of our new curriculum are being planted and developed using proven models to meet the needs of all our learners and fulfill the goals of our district strategic plan. We have teams of talented and dedicated coordinators, CSTs, ISTs and classroom teachers who are writing this new curriculum. They are working extra hours and Saturdays to learn, collaborate, create, and cultivate this important foundation for growth in both teaching and learning.

On behalf of our department, we’d like to thank those who are helping us “spring forward” by recognizing them below.

Enjoy this edition of the C&I newsletter, and have a restful and safe spring break!

Sincerely, Mida Milligan, Ed.D.

GISD Curriculum Writers Jennipher Eisenstein Kathleen Taylor Melanie Gilson Julie Boudreaux Ashlie Wreyford Guadalupe Rivera Teresa Fontenette Gary Friedman Richard Steinberg Sean Oshman Jawan Wiltz Anne Kamper Cassandra Chapa Lavina (Nicole) Minor Alison Darnell Patty Rymer Jennifer Jones Danyelle Cole Emily Gathman Stacey Thomas Teresa Walker Stacey Barron Andrea Daniels Kathryn Catalano Beverly Mahoney Jaime Way Statia Paschal Tamecia Drain Najeda McNeal Sarah Westerman Derrick Wesley

Ben Doolan Jared Monroe Beverly Combs Sharron Bland Christine Brewer Kara Burns Derek Clark Elizabeth Coffey Jennifer Dimsdle Amanda Douglas Ginna Dowell Kai Epps Megan Froehlich Mary George Tracey Haggard Miranda Henslee Kristie Howard Elizabeth Johnson Gregory Lewis Tommy Lopez Jordan Marlar Mario Martinez Tracy Merriman Jason Mood Sharona Morton Christina Morgan Kathy Rohmer Heather Mars Delaney Dowell Tricia Waits Lori Smith

Jason Odom Christina Poe Anne Rojas Kristina Schkade Ashlee Treadway James Vance Laura Vandenburg Emily Vermeulen Nikisha Handy Tiffany Staats Jennifer Hood Nancy Warren Raquel Alvarez Dian Tardif Erin Anderson Kristina Weeks Ingrid Fleury Guzman Katelyn Turner Deanna Donaho Jillian Duguid Lisa Sinkule Megan DeWitt Sue Moisan Carolina Dennis Melanie Love Stefanie Hoover Barbara Murray Godina Shatila Erik Goen Emiline Alovera

Kim Clayton Sheryl Price Lisa Cummings Brittany Brown Mylinda Wilcut Stacie Wilson Janet Dale Cari Bergstrom Jose Diaz Beth Barnard Alejandra Roman Farias Angie Mitchell Carolyn Lee Lydia Valenzuela Becky Orsini Jeannine Mulkey Mason LaTaisha Stinnette Tammy McDonald Zurie Tafciu Stephanie Abts Christy Wilson Leta Vaughan Nicole Flores Teresa De Guzman Sherry Jones Debra Nix Patricia Hickey Sherri LaBarbera Monica Pinkston Shelly Bloomer Kyle Kimrey

Jennifer Spence Joanne Thom-Joefield Julie Jolley Katelyn Turner Kelly Dietz Lisa Clark Lynda Eastman Melissa Hayes Mitzi Howard Alexes Terry April Aston April Rosier Brandyn Dowers Brenda Villarreal Gonzalez Courtney Hawkins David Serene Jacka Brandler Jared Sibley Jennifer Fishpaw ulia Macauley Julia Scott Leslie Lees Lonnie Griggs Lynsi Arango Desiree Cantrell Sharonda Brown Ashley Long Carrie McCullough-Fisher Lacy Harris Kati Shantz Natasha Shaw Tucker Douglas

Laura Alexander Celenne Hernandez Alicia Marshall Rachel Littrell Veruschka Vasquez Lori Evans Francheryl Harris Jeanette Glaze Lauren Ammons Sara Salas Millie Glenn Deborah Haley Kimberley Nixon Margelis Lopez Judy Alderete Arelis Otero Bonnie Martinez Christina Ethridge Courtney Henson Daisy Cifuentes Daniel Hulshult Imelda G Pacheco Irene Quiros Jennifer Hensley Wendy Bailey Jane Homolka Heather Ray Saima Latif Laketa Graham Bunnie Light Hayden McKinney

Mindy Ayers Patricia Osterberger Somodevilla Rhonda Lewis Robert Hughett Shannon Wade Terry Reddy Patrick (Sean) Hughes John Fletcher Brian CdeBaca Trina Cunningham Jessica Garcia Karen Stair Robert Hensley Tyra Clayton Karen Nethaway Cheryl Taylor Karen Nethaway Cheryl Taylor Adriana Torres Elizabeth Ramos Rebecca Embler Rachael Clark Vanessa Morgan Rhonda Parker Stephanie Kelly Denise Campbell Stephanie Green Erika Webster Roslyn Brown Kelly Turner

Who! .

Dr. Mida Milligan

Myra Crump

Director of C&I

Intermediate ELAR Coordinator

MMMillig@garlandisd.net

mecrump@garlandisd.net

Traci Vickery Elementary Math Coordinator tlvicker@garlandisd.net

Doris Montayne

Tina Garrett

Kevin Massey

Primary ELAR Coordinator

Science Coordinator Prek-12

Secondary Math Coordinator

dmontayn@garlandisd.net

kpgarret@garlandisd.net

kmassey@garlandisd.net

Caleb Tolleson

Lori Elliott

Standra Johnson

Secondary ELAR Coordinator

World Languages Coordinator

Social Studies Coordinator PreK-12

snjohnso@garlandisd.net

cftolles@garlandisd.net

laelliot@garlandisd.net

Teena Garvin

Louise Gartrell

Linrary/Media Services Coordinator

Health/PE Coordinator Prek-12

Tlgarvin@garlandisd.net

lagartre@garlandisd.net

Dr. Jasna Aliefendic Technology Integration Coordinator Prek-12 jaliefen@garlandisd.net

Introducing Kevin Massey Secondary Math Coordinator “I am excited about the endeavor ahead for secondary mathematics in GISD. I am passionate about supporting teachers and students with a guaranteed and viable curriculum. We have much to do…the great news is we have amazing students, teachers, administrators, and instructional support personnel as we tackle the work together!”

Coding at Kimberlin!

Bonnie Martinez of Kimberlin Academy has started her students on the path to coding! They are using Code.org’s curriculum to learn the basics of coding and create their own programs. Bonnie described her students’ experiences: "The kids loved it! I heard comments like: 'This is hard!

Why isn't he moving right? How do you know how many spaces to move?' Coding definitely had them thinking! Students were all super excited and didn't want to leave the computer lab! I had one student literally at the edge of his seat the whole time! Loved it!"

The IBM Master the Mainframe contest is an exciting opportunity for students to gain real-world experience using enterprise-computing skills. Hosted at high schools, colleges and universities all over the world, this unique mainframe-computing contest is designed to equip students with mainframe knowledge, and challenge their skills in a hands-on coding experience.

To compete in the Master the Mainframe contest, no experience with mainframes is necessary. In fact, the contest is designed for students with little or no mainframe experience, increasing with difficulty as the contest progresses. Students just need to bring drive and competitive spirit, and they will be ready to compete. With a growing demand for a new generation of enterprise computing professionals, participation in Master the Mainframe contests could give students the career edge they need.

To learn more about IBM Master the Mainframe visit http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/education/academic/masterthemainframe/

From the Desk of Courtney Clearfield Subject: News from the Texas Assessment Conference

TEA presented an update on English assessments. They have changed the 4th grade Writing STAAR A (online assessment) to allow 4th graders to be able to handwrite their compositions, and the teacher will transcribe them into the online system (including all errors made by the student).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact RAAD.

“In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move”. ~Henry Rollins FYI… Early childhood teachers, would you like to access free webinars? If so: • Sign up at www.edweb.net • Join by giving your contact information • Join the “Early Childhood Learning Solutions” community • Free membership for life!

Reminders • All observations should be complete and shared with me via Google docs

by March 6th • February PLCs are underway, and the next round will be in April • Remember you can always refer to the TNT page on the Intranet for all forms and calendars: http://home/pages/tnt • The GISD web page now has a short URL for TNT, please visit; more updates are coming soon: www.garlandisd.net/tnt

“With the coming of spring, I am calm again�. ~ Gustav Mahler Create & Share Flipped Videos www.edpuzzle.com is a tool that allows you to add voice and text questions to educational videos.

Search hundreds of videos, or make your own!

Discovery Education Streaming (formerly known as United Streaming) is available for all elementary and secondary staff by using the GISD network username and password.

The link to Discovery Education can be found on the Start menu under GISD Online Applications. Clicking on the link will display a Discovery Education login page with Garland Independent School District at the top (see above). All previous GISD accounts for Discovery Education (or United Streaming) have been converted so that they now use GISD login credentials. Students alson have accounts, and should use their GISD login credentials.

To access the site from a non-GISD computer, it is important to use the following URL: http://garlandisd.discoveryeducation.com. It is important to use this site for the GISD login credentials to work correctly.

GISD Celebrates

NEA’s Read Across America – March 2 NEA’s Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2 – Dr. Suess’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participated by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you did, too!

Reading aloud to children of all ages yields many benefits. It develops oral language skills, is a catalyst for positive relationships with books, builds memory and motivation to read, and increases vocabulary. In fact, children's books contain more rare and unusual words than most newspapers, movies, and TV programs and more rare and unusual words than the conversations of college students! Children's books also present complex grammatical structures. Hearing and discussing them builds the background knowledge necessary for understanding complex syntax when children are able to read the words. Most of all, reading aloud is entertaining.

It's an inexpensive, fun activity that brings families together any time of the year.

Read a book Create a trailer

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The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has transformed its current professional development offerings for educators through the launch of the new Kosmos Energy STEM Teacher Institute. Previously Leaders In Science, the Kosmos Energy STEM Teacher Institute will expand our current teacher professional development opportunities to span grades K-12.

The Kosmos Energy STEM Teacher Institute will empower teachers to help change students’ perceptions of STEM subjects and their importance to their future education and career choices. Through the Institute, selected teachers will receive: High quality, engaging and fun hands-on training all based on best practices in providing both deep content knowledge and inquiry based pedagogical skills Targeted professional development opportunities designed to increase confidence, competence, consistency and creativity in the science classroom The opportunity to become part of an elite network of STEM education professionals Access to resources at the Museum such as educator loan kits and special events and programs Mentorship opportunities

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU: Enrollment in the Institute requires a commitment by teachers to attend one weeklong (four day) summer Academy as well as at least five additional weekend workshops throughout the school year. Workshops will either be Museum based or will be offered in partnership with one of our many informal education partners.

Summer academies begin in July 2015 and weekend workshops begin in September 2015.

Selected teachers will be placed into four Academies:

Pre-Service (in partnership with UNT-D) Novice

Advanced

Mentor Through the Institute, teachers will advance through the Academies and receive CPE credit and certificates for each year of completion. Upon graduation from the Institute, teachers will be able to stay engaged through the Mentor Academy.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT

perotmuseum.org/STEMTeacherInstitute PLEASE CONTACT LIS@PEROTMUSEUM.ORG WITH QUESTIONS. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Community Impact, Fund of the Dallas Foundation and Alliance Data.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is an AAM accredited institution, supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Satellite image of globe used within the Perot Museum logo provided courtesy of NASA.

Focus students on the core concept!

Comparing Classroom and STAAR A Accommodations  Classroom Accommodation: The teacher isolates specific information to focus the student on the core concept being taught.

The teacher directs the student (e.g., highlight, bold, point to, flag the information) to the specific part(s) of the selection, diagram, map, figure that is being discussed.

Highlight Key Concepts

Embedded STAAR A Accommodation: Pop-Ups: Direct student attention to specific information (e.g., parts of the selection, parts of a graphic, parts of an answer choice)

Flag Important Information Use Bold Print

Cornell Notes:

Youth and Government Mock Legislature Competition Youth & Government offers students a unique opportunity to engage in the practice of democracy by participating in mock government at the local, district, and state levels. Garland ISD students, from most of the high schools, participated in the annual Garland ISD Mock Legislative session in the fall at Naaman Forest High School in preparation for district and state conferences. At the district and state levels, Garland ISD students participated in many sections including legislative, judicial, media, and Model U.N. The Dallas district conference was held at Sachse High School in December, and the state conference was held in Austin from January 29-February 1. The Garland delegation to the State Conference was one of the largest delegations in the state.

The following sponsors and students were awarded at the state competition. Congratulations on all of your hard work and representing the district in a positive way.

Garland High School – Yvette Richardson, Sponsor Youth & Government Club Nominated as Premier Delegation: Bethany Bass, Hannah Wiener, Michelle Robert, Caleb Shi, Andrew Doan, Hridita Hossain, Lydia Thenayan, Jennifer Umanzor, Desiree Lopez, Kristine Ubina, Elizabeth Pancotti, and KellyMullins Rowlett High School – Jacka Brandler & John Hatch, Sponsors Chase Johnson – Outstanding Delegate Sachse High School – David Serene & Terry Reddy, Sponsors Adam Compton – Outstanding Delegate in Legislative House Christine Gian – Outstanding Delegate in Model United Nations Nolan Cooper – Had bill on “Death by Firing Squad Instead of Lethal Injection" pass in committee and in joint session Social Studies Department Receives Grant he Garland ISD Social Studies Department was recently awarded a $15,000 grant to continue to support the Mock Legislature work that occurs at our district. These funds also help students and sponsors attend the state competition. It helps ensure that the district competition continues to operate at such a high level. The purpose of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, as stated in its governing documents, is to encourage the study, teaching and research into the science and art of self-government, to the end that the American People may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and be guided thereby in shaping governmental policies.

Thank you Hatton Sumners for your continued support!

Social Studies Free Resources Teachers be sure you are utilizing the following free resources. These resources will help you facilitate the learning of important vocabulary content and also help students to become better at document-type analysis.

Lead4ward Academic Vocabulary “Content Builder for the PLC” http://lead4ward.com/resources/ Library Of Congress Document Anaylsis http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/guides.html

Magna Carta Lakeview Centennial High School Magna Carta Video Competition Students

Seated left to right: Michael Barnett (12th Grade), Kyle Clements (10th Grade), Cindy Sanchez (12th Grade), and Faisal Barakat (12th Grade), not pictured, Francisco J. Tristan, Sponsor.

The fundamental concepts of liberty that had their beginnings in Magna Carta were transplanted to the American colonies where they were accepted, refined, and embedded in the instruments of government as well as the thinking of the American people. The Magna Carta provided the basis for the idea of a higher law, one that could not be altered either by executive mandate or legislative acts.

The American Bar Association in partnership with the Center for Teaching the Rule of Law and the National Center for State Courts conducted a video competition for high school students. Students were invited to create a video of not more than 15 minutes celebrating the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta in June of 1215. Participants were asked to create a video to answer the title question: “Magna Carta: What’s So Great about the ‘Great Charter’?” Garland ISD students from Lakeview Centennial created a video and submitted their proposal to the competition. Congratulations on representing the school district in this competition.

Videos for the Teacher Making Punctuation Engaging: http://fw.to/yXRMKQR Collaborating to Revise and Edit: http://fw.to/mrKdvVf

Secondary ELAR Videos for the Student http: ed.ted.com lessons making sense of spelling gina cooke //

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http: ed.ted.com lessons comma story terisa folaron //

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Tech knowledge

Sessions

Microsoft Office 4:30-6:30 Feb. 19 - Word & Excel Mar. 3 - PowerPoint & Publisher Apr. 9 Word & Excel Advanced May 7 - PowerPoint & Publisher Advanced

Outlook 4:30-6:30 Feb. 26 Mar. 23 Apr. 16 May 14

Google Genius for Teachers

8:00-4:00 *substitutes provided by campus*

Google Docs

Mar. 18

4:30-6:30

Apr. 8

Mar. 19

May 7

Apr. 23 May 21

Click Here to Register for a Session

Questions?

Email Angie Cheatham aocheath@garlandisd.net

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

MARCH 2015

How will you recharge?

“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere”. ~ Sheryl Crow