Weekly Teacher Download for the week of Oct. 24, 2016

ALL TEACHERS

• Speed dating with instructional technology: Join other HISD instructors for a fun and interactive professional development opportunity as you go on three “speed dates” with specific instructional technology tools. During each speed date, teachers will participate in a quick demo and trial of the new tool. Teachers will then choose one instructional tool for their “master date.” During the master date, teachers can experiment with the resource and plan a lesson. The training session will show teachers how to successfully integrate new technology that aligns with I-1 and I-2, so they can broaden their EdTech toolbox, as well as expose teachers to the “eTool Harmony” model that they can replicate on their campus. The speed dating session is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Westside High School. Contact Ansley Merriweather (amerriwe@houstonisd.org) or TJ Hoffman (thoffman@houstonisd.org) for more information.
• Sign up now for STEM Engineering Design Challenges: Engaging students in engineering design challenges provides opportunities for critical thinking and problem-solving in a PBL format. The Advanced Academics Department’s STEM Teacher Development Team will present the HISD Cycle 2 Engineering Design Challenges for all elementary teachers and Cycle 3 Engineering Design Challenges for middle school teachers. K–5 grade-level sessions are 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, or Tuesday, Nov. 8; 6-8 grade levels are set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, or Thursday, Nov. 9. Each challenge is aligned to grade-level TEKS, and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the challenge and plan for implementation. All sessions will be held in the Ryan Professional Development Center Auditorium, 4001 Hardy Street. Register in OneSource, Course Number 80001 for elementary teachers and Course Number 80008 for middle-school teachers.
• Take instruction to new heights with drone programming curriculum: “An Introduction to Drone Programming,” a new HISD-created curriculum targeting elementary and middle school students, is now available. This supplemental curriculum composed of 20 exploration tasks integrates drone use with computer coding and standards-based content topics. These self-paced tasks are intended for students working alone or in small groups. Since schools need to acquire their own drones to use in conjunction with the curriculum, additional information on approved HISD vendors selling drones is available. Contact Sabrina Provencher at sprovenc@houstonisd.org in Advanced Academics for more information.

NEW TEACHERS

• New Teacher Saturdays: These training sessions provide a variety of engaging, relevant, research-based instructional strategies that will enhance your teaching skills. And did we mention there will be door prizes? Topics and labs include – but are not limited to – innovative classroom-management techniques, using data to improve instruction, effective ways to communicate with parents, a TADS Talk for new and experienced teachers, and creating a climate of success for all. These optional trainings provide networking and resource opportunities to enhance every level of teaching professionals in HISD. Please note that these training sessions are optional for teachers but are an excellent opportunity to develop skills, techniques, and strategies in a small environment. Registration is available in OneSource using Course Number 63012. New Teacher Saturday is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Austin High School. A New Teacher Focus Group will follow from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please bring your laptop and power cord. If you have questions, email newteachersupport@houstonisd.org.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

• Thursday Think Tank: Do you need assistance or support in providing special-education services? Come to the Special Education Department’s Thursday Think Tank on Thursday, Nov. 3. This is an opportunity to problem-solve, share effective instructional and behavior strategies, and connect with colleagues who are seeking support and who can also provide support. The Thursday Think Tank training will be at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Register in OneSource, Course Number 170003. Contact Joan Anderson at jander13@houstonisd.org for more information.

BILINGUAL/DUAL LANGUAGE/ELL TEACHERS

• Learn about upcoming professional development opportunities: Would you like build your classroom skills and learn more about writing strategies for English Language Learners, essential components of dual-language education, or cross-linguistic connections and “preview-view-review” techniques? Check out the Multilingual Department’s upcoming training sessions. “Student Writing Strategies” scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, is OneSource Course Number 68003. “Dual Language Essentials” for PK-5 teachers and administrators is set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, and is OneSource Course Number 28014. And “Language Transfer” for PK-2 dual language and administrators is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and is Course Number 84001. Locations vary by course, so check locations and course descriptions in OneSource. All courses also include future training dates as well.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

• Register for the STEM Maker Challenge: Calling all middle-school teachers! Register for the STEM Maker Challenge, and your students’ work could be end up as an exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Houston. The partnership with Chevron and the Houston Texans will showcase interesting in-class projects and lesson plans that enhance learning and engagement in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Outstanding projects will be awarded prizes including gift cards for school supplies and a chance to be featured in a Children’s Museum of Houston exhibition! Register your class before Oct. 31 and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a pair of tickets to a Houston Texans game on Nov. 27 (parking included) or a Chevron gas card. Click here for more information.
• Intervention strategies for struggling middle–school readers: The ELA and literacy teams are offering training for middle-school ELA teachers focused on strategies to address students reading on grade levels K-2 as identified through iStation and historical/anecdotal data. There will be three sessions on Thursday, Oct. 27: 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m., and 4-6 p.m. Please register on OneSource using Course Number 173002. If you have additional questions, email nthomas3@houstonisd.org.
• Master Course Open Labs: Using an open-lab structure, this session explores ways teachers can modify the ELA Master Courses to meet the varying needs of students. Teachers receive hands-on experience revising content blocks, changing videos, and modifying content. All participants need a laptop to participate. The next training opportunity is 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Register in OneSource using Course Number 198003. If you have additional questions, email mhartlin@houstonisd.org.

READ OF THE WEEK

• How to supercharge five traditional teaching strategies with UDL 

TEACHER DEAL OF THE WEEK

• Madewell: Take 15% off in-store purchases.