Weekly Teacher Download for November 8, 2021

ALL TEACHERS

District hiring student tutors

In response to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19, HISD is partnering with iEducate to hire up to 500 College Readiness mentors as in-person tutors. HISD students and alumni ages 15 through college are invited to apply for this opportunity, which pays $12 per hour. The purpose of the program is to address gaps in learning widened by the pandemic at 50+ elementary schools in need, all while helping students in the field of education gain valuable hands-on teaching experience. Shifts are available during the school day, after school, and on Saturdays. The priority application deadline is Nov. 19. Students may apply online at http://Apply.iEducateUSA.org. For more information, see this flyer.

Social and Emotional Learning

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many of us have spent an unprecedented amount of time indoors and may have experienced a more sedentary lifestyle, which has had an impact on our health, wellbeing, and mood. Practicing yoga helps to improve health, reconnect with your body, relieve aches and pains, and build a stronger mind-body connection. Yoga also aids in practicing mindfulness by providing a space where we can be still and process what is happening in our lives. For more information on the benefits of a yoga practice, please read this article from Harvard Medical School.

Please join this event to celebrate 40 years of Cowan Vision. It is free for all K-12 teachers and administrators. There is an option to attend online. It has been posted and advertised to our learning platforms. Go to www.macmillaninstitute.org to register. The MacMillan Institute, with its curriculum in the humanities and its teachers’ commitment, has created classroom environments where learning was integrated, internal, and shared communally. See this flyer for more information.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

Early Childhood

Progress Monitoring Tool OnTrack Nov. 9 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.: PreK teachers, early childhood special education teachers, and teacher assistants are invited to learn how to use the PK Progress Monitoring Tool on OnTrack. They will also learn the importance of monitoring the students’ progress and how to retrieve reports by class and by student. Register for OneSource Course #1456169.

“Teaching Vocabulary & Sight Words with Word Walls” on Nov. 11 has been cancelled.

PreK Backpacks: Student backpacks from Lakeshore Learning and Literacy Kits for Pre-K classrooms from School Specialty have been purchased with ESSER funds. The backpacks for 3- and 4-year-old students enrolled in HISD support instruction at home and reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. The kits help support small group and workstations instruction. Campuses will receive 22 backpacks for each Pre-K classroom (Pre-K, ECSE/PALS, Pre-K & K split) Nov. 9-19. If extra backpacks are needed for a classroom with over 22 students, extra backpacks from the ECSE/PALS classroom should be used. Contact Richard Gomez at Rgomez@lakeshorelearning.com with questions.

Literacy Kits: Campuses will receive Literacy Kits Dec. 7-17 for distribution to Pre-K teachers (Pre-K, ECSE/PALS, Pre-K & K split). These materials will be referenced in the Early Childhood Guided Reading training sessions throughout the school year. They will be helpful in classrooms during workstations by providing each scholar with their own set of handheld instructional items as an added safety measure. Click here to see the list of materials inside the literacy kits. Contact Ana Valladares at Ana.Valladares@schoolspecialty.com for questions.

Elementary Math Sessions

Share your experiences via twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.

Campus Administrator Collaborative Nov. 9 and Nov. 11: Participants will create and foster relationships with district administrators that support mathematics. Explore researched-based ideas and strategies that assist with coaching and developing all math teachers. Collaborate with district math administrators on best practices that support and develop strong instructional mathematical thinking.  Register for One Source #1443815.

Math Lead Teacher Collaborative Nov. 9 and Nov. 11: Participants will serve as liaisons between the curriculum math department and campus. Math lead teachers are tasked to enhance the school’s instructional math leadership team. Participants will engage in activities aligned to district curriculum, assessment, and resources throughout the school year. This course is designed to support the appointed elementary math lead teachers; however, all math teachers are welcome to attend. Register for One Source #1443822.

Math New Teacher Cohort (K-G5) Nov. 15: Participants will meet, collaborate, and grow in a professional learning community that supports growth and development relating to classroom management and organization, mathematics best practices, and content strategies. Participants will engage in activities designed to provide ongoing, engaging, and reflective learning to help build capacity of brand-new math teachers (1st – 3rd year). Register for One Source #1458065.

Elementary Science Sessions
On Nov. 11 virtual science professional learning sessions will be offered synchronously (facilitator-led) from 3:30–5:00 p.m. See this flyer for more information. Share your experiences via twitter and tag @HISD_ElemSci.

K-5 Supporting Academic Language in Science on Nov. 11: Learn and practice strategies to support students with using science academic language when speaking and writing. Register for OneSource #1456093.

K-2 Mitigating Conceptual Gaps via the Mini-Lesson (Rewind) on Nov. 11: Participants will review upcoming Rewind mini-lessons, approaches to facilitate within the instructional block, and resources to utilize these mini-lessons to help mitigate learning loss. Register for OneSource #1456098.

3-5 Mitigating Conceptual Gaps via the Mini-Lesson (Rewind) on Nov. 11: Review upcoming Rewindmini-lessons, approaches to facilitate within the instructional block, and resources to utilize these mini-lessons to help mitigate learning loss. Register for OneSource #1456099.

Backwards Planning Using the DLA Blueprint (G5) on Nov. 18: Participants will use the District-Level Assessment blueprint for G5 science to plan lesson considerations, including do-nows and exit tickets. Register for OneSource #1456097.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, November 2021, Volume II. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins.

Spotlight on CTE: To bring awareness to the district’s CTE programs of study and post-graduation opportunities, campus personnel are invited to showcase campus events, student work, and more. Please submit using the CTE Spotlight Form. You may enter:

• Photos
• Videos
• Event flyers
• Business partnerships
• Campus initiatives
• Professional learning
• Best practices and more!

Submissions will be highlighted on the Career Readiness website and social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube). Contact your campus’s designated senior CTE program specialist with any questions.