Weekly Teacher Download for the week of Sept. 26, 2016

ALL TEACHERS

• Teach students the same coding language used by Apple programmers: Many students are already familiar with iPhones and iPads, so why not teach them how they work? Swift Playgrounds is a free app for iPads which helps teach students coding basics and computational thinking by allowing them to solve puzzles using Swift, the programming language used by Apple. No coding knowledge is needed. Download the app through the App Store or visit http://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds/ for more information. If you have any further questions, contact Jawad Tahiri at jtahiri@houstonisd.org.
• Deadline approaching for compliance training: Friday, Sept. 30 is the deadline to complete four compliance courses on blood-borne pathogens, child abuse prevention, food allergies, and suicide prevention. All courses are taken though OneSource, and employees should be pre-registered for these mandatory online training courses. Click here to learn more and contact information if you have additional questions.
• Need funds? Work with the Grants Department to find money for your classroom: As HISD grapples with a budget shortfall created by Texas’ public school finance system, campuses and teachers can work with the Grants Department to find additional sources of money to help support all phases of education. The Grants Department is available to help you navigate district policies and procedures surrounding the application and application of grant money. If you have questions about specific grants or the application process, call the Grants Department at 713-556-6785.
• Free program helps with online reminders: Ever had a lesson that went better than expected or one that missed the mark all together? Wish you could turn those mental notes on what worked or didn’t into a reminder for later down the road? Advanced Academics has a solution for you. The free online program www.futureme.org is a simple way to compose an email yourself that will be sent a month or more later. It’s an easy way set reminders for yourself to complete a to-do list or jog your memory to make a lesson more effective. For additional information, contact Kristen Chen at kchen1@houstonisd.org.

BSC SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

• Register for behavioral management system training: Review 360 is a behavior management system for teachers in behavior support classes which allows educators to track students’ progress, using data to enhance communication, and develop a positive classroom and school climate. Other features Review 360 offers include strategies to help improves problem behaviors and tracking IEP progress. To learn more, register for Review 360 training in OneSource using course number 15200. Training dates are currently scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3 and Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Southfield Office. For more information, contact Joan Anderson at jander13@houstonisd.org.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

• Mock election opportunity for elementary students:  As the presidential election draws near, HISD teachers have a wonderful opportunity to teach students about the election process though a free mock election. Use the following link to register your classes: http://everykidlearns.org/vote/. Online voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 1. If you have any additional questions please contact Monique Johnson at  mjohns64@houstonisd.org.
• Upcoming training sessions for bilingual, ESL teachers: Want to take a deeper dive into sheltered instruction, writing strategies for ELL students, or using real-time data to help shape your instruction? Check out the Multilingual Department’s series of trainings for elementary teachers to help grow your understanding of how you can maximize your effectiveness in the classroom with bilingual and ESL students. Click here for a list of courses and upcoming training dates, as well as instructions on how to register for the sessions using OneSource. Contact Lee Glaesemann at lglaesem@houstonisd.org for more information.
• Upcoming Elementary Writer’s Workshop Training:  The Elementary Curriculum and Development Literacy team delivers training to teachers from across the district in support of implementation of Writer’s Workshop. The training, currently hosted at Mading Elementary, provides participants with in-depth study of the structure of the workshop, the use of literature in the workshop, and focused genre writing. This training, differentiated for teachers of kindergarten through second grade and grades 3 thru 5, repeats in October. Teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to attend. Attendees also leave the second day of training with a collection of texts which support Writer’s Workshop. These children’s books provide teachers with quality texts which demonstrate the craft of writing for students.  To register in One Source, please use the following course numbers. Note: participants need to register for and attend both sessions to receive the collection of texts. Grades K-2: Tuesday, Oct. 4 (OneSource course number 18040) and Tuesday, Oct. 18 (OneSource course number 18059). Grades 3-5: Thurday, Oct. 6 (OneSource course number 18047) and Thursday Oct. 20 (OneSource course number 18051).

SECONDARY TEACHERS

• Learn about district initiatives, best practices for incorporating wellness on your campus: It’s no secret than physical education programs directly benefits students. While combating obesity, physical activity has shown it can help reduce the risk of diabetes, ease sleep disorders, promote cardiovascular health and muscle/bone development. All middle and high school health & physical education department chairs are highly encouraged to attend a meeting from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at Pin Oak Middle School and discover new and innovative ways you can get your students moving to help support learning. Bring a laptop, and register for the course through OneSource using course number 29016. Contact Felicia Ceasar-White at fceaserw@houstonisd.org for additional information.
• Literacy in the Middle trainings now available online: As the district expanded their literacy efforts to middle school, comprehensive trainings were offered throughout the summer to help support this important work. Now, those trainings are offered through OneSource for those who missed the summer sessions or are new to the district. For additional information, contact Mechiel Rozas at mrozas@houstonisd.org.

READ OF THE WEEK

• Project-based learning is here to stay. Let’s make sure it’s high-quality

TEACHER DEAL OF THE WEEK

• West Elm: Teachers receive 15% off purchases