Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Newsletter N ewswo r t hy, u p comin g even ts & professi onal l earni ng
February 2016 PE/HEALTH
SCIENCE MATHEMATICS TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
ENGLISH & SPANISH
SOCIAL STUDIES
LANGUAGE ARTS
LIBRARY LANGUAGES OTHER
THAN ENGLISH
ASSESSMENT
Information
Garland Independent School District DATE:
February 26, 2016
TO:
All Staff
FROM:
Bob Morrison, Superintendent
RE: GISD Ready _______________________________________________________________________ What will technology look like in 10 years? What new careers will be available in 20? GISD must prepare students today for the world of tomorrow. Colleges and employers want innovative, creative thinkers who can solve problems and apply their knowledge to new challenges. This requires instruction that allows students to actively participate, collaborate with one another and make real-world connections to content. That is the focus of the new GISD Ready initiative. It encompasses work being done across the district to make Strategic Plan goals a reality at our campuses and in our classrooms. Action Steps in Goal Three are being addressed through our curriculum rewrite and adoption of digital resources. GISD Ready also addresses Goal Two, Specific Result Three with the upcoming 1:1 launch at secondary schools. This fall, every high schooler will receive a personal iPad. Middle schools will then distribute devices in 2017-18. Professional development and support for teachers is a key component of GISD Ready and our 1:1 implementation plan. Campus staff received iPads two years ago to allow adequate time for training and practice. Additional training will continue throughout this transformation of teaching and learning. By working together, we can meet the needs of 21st-century students, preparing them for whatever their future holds. Information meetings for high school principals and staff will be held this spring. Parent meetings will also be scheduled before devices roll out. To learn more, please visit the GISD Ready 1:1 web page, read the FAQs and submit your own questions. You can also read the feature story in our spring ConnectEd newsletter sent to district homes this month. I believe this is an exciting time in GISD as we continue to equip students for success in college and careers. Stay tuned for additional updates and help us spread the word about GISD Ready.
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WAIP 2-26-16
School today. Success tomorrow. What we know: XX Students use technology every day, mostly for non-educational purposes XX Admission to college and finding employment continue to increase in competitiveness XX Teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration are essential in the workforce XX Demonstration of mastery outside of education usually involves digital tools XX Retention of knowledge is easier when connections can be made to the content XX Students may not realize the impact of their online behaviors
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What we’re committing to do: XX Personalize instruction to each student’s unique needs, abilities and interests XX Show students how to use technology to enhance education XX Create real-world connections to curriculum XX Equip all secondary students with a personal iPad XX Emphasize the importance of digital citizenship XX Prepare students with skills needed to succeed in college and careers
WAIP 2-26-16
2nd
annual
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2016 CURTIS CULWELL CENTER
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! STEAMly Cup points will be awarded to the area with the most volunteers! (If you do not belong to an area, choose the area you want to represent)
Register to be a STEAMPosium Volunteer http://goo.gl/forms/E7MSfyNKuY
Sign up today to participate in a day of creativity and innovation! Please register to volunteer by March 1, 2016
#gisdSTEAM
Click to Register!
Elementary Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/ElementaryEngineeringChallenge MS Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/MiddleEngineeringChallenge HS Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/HighEngineeringChallenge
Maker Creator Elementary Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/ElementaryMakerCreator Maker Creator MS Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/MiddleMakerCreator Maker Creator HS Challenge Registration Form
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http://bit.ly/HighMakerCreator
T-Shirt Contest Registration Form (Please send actual shirt to Tina Garrett box 109 by Friday, March 25, 2016) http://bit.ly/STEAMShirt Teachers can also access all entry links in Schoolnet by clicking on STEAM 2015-2016 under “Teacher Resources�. All entries are due by February 15, 2016. As you plan to attend the second annual STEMposium, please consider volunteering! We need your help - http://bit.ly/STEAMposiumVolunteer
Second Annual STEAMposium April 16, 2016 Curtis Culwell Center Schedule of Events Coming Soon!
Which
appear words on
Click the links to access word frequency analysis files for all STAAR and EOC exams from 2013-2015. These include all text, including directions, passages, and graphic organizers. It does not include text that is part of an image, such as a map or cartoon. The program removes all capitalization and punctuation. • Elementary STAAR Word Frequency Analysis • Middle STAAR Word Frequency Analysis
• 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Word Frequency, Word Forms Grouped
• High School EOC Word Frequency Analysis
The primary use of this tool is awareness about the assessments and to inform instruction. For words with lower frequency, students will need to use context clues. However, the term “colonial” and associated terms have appeared 46 times in 3 years on the 8th Grade SS test. With such a high frequency, it is worth our time to ensure students know the meaning and have seen some of the various forms of the word prior to testing.
Colonists
(11 times in 3 years)
Colonial (10 times in 3 years)
Colony Colonies (6 times in 3 years)
(15 times in 3 years)
Colonization (3 times in 3 years)
Colonize (1 time in 3 years)
Who: 8th and High School US History Teachers Where: PDC B07A&B When: MS on 3/23, HS on 3/24 - 8:30-4 Subs Provided. Use Sub Code 24.
Revving Review
for STAAR Success Join S3 Strategies and the GISD Social Studies team for a day of data-driven, classroom-ready strategies and materials to prepare students for the 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR and High School US History EOC. Special attention will be paid to meeting the needs struggling students, ELLs, and Special Education students. The 8th Grade Session will build on strategies presented at training last year. The session is suitable for either new or returning 8th grade teachers. Click: 8th Grade Registration Click: 11th Grade Registration Questions? Contact Amy Mount, Social Studies Coordinator almount@garlandisd.net / 972-487-3142
ABYDOS ROUNDTABLES ADD TO YOUR STRATEGY TOOLBOX WITH READING AND WRITING STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE STUDENT PERFORMANCE TWO DATES TO CHOOSE FROM: MARCH 1ST APRIL 13TH 4:15-5:30 TECHNOLOGY BLDG. TRANSPORTATION ROOM REGISTER IN SCHED
Register in sched: https://goo.gl/aMuB87
Where do we get
GREAT IDEAS? Is it better to
" think outside the box " ? W hat i
s
STEM?
W hat does
Click to play
STEM look like in my class?
SPECIAL EDUCATION
@gisd4ells
February 9, 2016
February Focus
Department of English Language Learners
TELPAS WRITING RATER TRAINING
February 25, 2016
John Seidlitz ELL Leadership keynote speakers Hanna Abuhay and Daniel Vielman captured the hearts of over 300 Texas educators. What’s Working for ELLs in Texas: Success Stories from the Field was held at the Norris Conference Center in Houston, TX on January 13, 2016. Seidlitz personally extended the guest speaker invitation to both students, who happily accepted and delivered heartfelt stories of their personal struggles with transitioning to the American school system. Both Abuhay and Vielman credit the ELL Leadership class and teacher Margaret Rutaquio as the catalyst for their success.
Stra-tiques Training Sessions
Register on Sched for both trainings!
O’Banion class wins AVID Excel Photo Contest What are your walls teaching AVID Excel students? Victoria Buloran’s AVID Excel class took home the top honor in the category of Academic Word Lists. Interacting with an Academic Language Word Wall is one strategy teachers can use to foster purposeful conversations in the classroom. Buloran’s AVID Excel class uses Academic Language Scripts on a consistent basis, bringing their word wall to life and making it more than just a beautiful display of art. Congratulations O’Banion’s AVID Excel class!
1
2016
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
The PAEMST program recognizes teachers for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. Awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and 4 U.S. jurisdictions. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
Math and Science Teachers Kindergarten - 6th Grade
$10,000 award
To nominate an outstanding teacher or access the application, visit https://www.paemst.org
Teachers may be nominated for the award or may sign up to apply themselves. Principals, teachers, parents, or other members of the general public are encouraged to nominate outstanding teachers. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: Teach mathematics or science at kindergarten - grade 6 in a public (including charter) or private school; Teach in one of the 50 states or the 4 U.S. jurisdictions; Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies and teach at least 50 percent of the time; Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2014-2015 academic school year; Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and Has not received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.
1 May
Applications due
Green Revolution Educator’s Boot Camp An Environmental Project-Based Exploration | June 13—16
This Boot Camp experience will provide participants with the opportunity to: • Work with BRIT researchers and staff to gain a greater understanding of biological systems and how they are affected by ever changing conditions.
Join us to strengthen your environmental awareness while flexing your PBL muscle. Gain a greater understanding of natural systems and the human connections associated with them by considering all aspects of sustainability (environmental, economic and social). Date: June 13—16, 2016 Time: 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Cost: $250 per person OR $200 per person for teams of three or more
• Connect with local partners that focus on critical environmental issues.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, resources AND 28 CPE credits plus 6 updated G/T hours
• Scaffold E- STEM lessons to promote PBL with rigor, innovation and curiosity. Get a sneak peak of the newly designed Green Revolution curriculum.
Please contact Tracy Friday at tfriday@brit.org for more information.
• Explore real-world applications while connecting learners with their community in order to create future leaders.
a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
Discovery Education
Plus All K-12 teachers have access! g n i m a S tr e
Need help with your login? Contact the GISD helpdesk HelpDesk@garlandisd.net or 972-494-8566
http://garlandisd.discoveryeducation.com/
What's avaliable? K-12 Science (Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Earth & Space) Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
Use district credentials
Social Studies: 6th grade World Cultures 9th grade Word Geography US History to 1877 World Geography US since 1877
Want to learn more?
Click for Flipped Learning
Tina Garrett STEM Coordinator
Training Videos
Spotligh
t o n S tr
Kevin Massey Secondary Math Coordinator
a te g ie s
Amy Mount Social Studies Coordinator Mary Shelton Secondary ELAR Coordinator
Board Builder
Literacy Strategies
Aibeth Laugisch BE/ESL Coordinator Myra Crump Intermediate ELAR Coordinator Traci Vickery Elementary Math Coordinator
ELL Strategies
Kelley Steinley Primary ELA Coordinator
D is c o very a t io n c u d E Summer Learning Opportunities Middle and High School Teachers
Techbook Teacher Leader Cohort July 19, 20, & 21 Must attend all three days Click subject to register in Sched
One day offerings for any K-12 teacher
Getting Started with Techbook July 26
Math Science Social Studies
Math Science Social Studies Stations-based with Techbook July 27
Maximizing Student Engagement July 28
Math Science Social Studies
Math Science Social Studies
K-12 Streaming Plus
What's ? e l b a i l a v a
Use district
K-12 Science (Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Earth & Space) Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry Social Studies: 6th grade World Cultures 9th grade Word Geography US History to 1877 World Geography US since 1877
Ready for HS 1:1 GISD is in the process of fulfilling Goal 2, Specific Result 3 from the Strategic Plan by providing iPads to all high school students in the fall of the 2016 school year.
Click to access the Strategic Plan Teachers have had devices and training for the past 2 years in anticipation of this important initiative to transform teaching and learning. Planning is underway to provide information, additional training, staff, student and parent meetings and more to ensure that we are 1:1 ready. Staff and community are invited to access the GISD Ready 1:1 webpage to learn more and to submit their questions
Click to access the GISD 1:1 webpage
SAT School Day March 2, 2016 CollegeBoard teamed up with Khan Academy to offer FREE individualized study materials for the SAT and PSAT!
GISD Pays for the SAT for All Juniors GISD is paying for all junior students to take the SAT on March 2nd at all seven high schools. Allowing students to take the SAT during the school day at their own campus breaks down barriers and provides a comfortable and familiar testing environment.
SAT Test Taking Strategies: • • • •
• •
Answer all questions – there are no penalties for wrong answers Monitor your time – typically there is only about one minute per question Be prepared to answer math questions with and without a calculator Find the evidence to support the BEST answeryou may have more than one answer that can be correct, so you should choose the BEST answer Skim the passages then read the questions Determine what the question is asking – the SAT tends to have extra information in the questions, so deconstruct the question and highlight/circle the essential information
Administering the SAT on a school day encourages more students to take the test and increases access to college. It also sends a powerful message of a state’s or district’s commitment to prepare all students for the next step after high school” – Rick Nolly