Weekly Teacher Download for Nov. 29, 2021

ALL TEACHERS

Hour of Code and 12 Days of Code

Join Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 6-12) and the Hour of Code global movement by participating anytime during HISD’s 12 Days of Code event Dec. 1-16, 2021. To participate, go to www.HoustonISD.org/12DaysOfCode starting Dec. 1 and reference the interactive calendar of coding activities organized by grade level. The calendar features a new coding experience each day. Activities require no experience and can be run on computers, tablets, and smartphones. Some activities require no technology at all. Examples of coding activities include:

• Code dance sequences with Santa’s elves through Google CS activities
• Create Dance Party characters with music by Ariana Grande, Los del Rio, will.i.am, Katy Perry, and more
• Design a galaxy far, far away with your trusted friend BB-8 in Star Wars: Building a Galaxy with Code

For the first time, teachers and students who are highly engaged in coding activities during the 12 Days of Code will be entered to win prizes. Please check the website for more information.

Hour of Code and 12 Days of Code FAQs

Why participate in the 12 Days of Code?

Computer Science can inspire students to discover new ways of thinking and expressing themselves through technology. It builds problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity. Coding contributes to a foundation for success in many 21st-century careers.

Where can I find additional resources?

Downloadable Hour of Code videos, posters, and additional resources are at: https://hourofcode.com/us/promote/resources

Who do I contact with questions?

Rene Flores, Curriculum Manager STEM – Academic Instructional Technology, instech@houstonisd.org, 713-556-8282

AIT Tech Tuesdays: Calling all teachers across all content levels and grades! Join Academic Instructional Technology to learn digital tools to enhance classroom instruction, student engagement, and checks for understanding during Tech Tuesdays. Each session lasts 30-45 minutes and gets you started utilizing the featured tool. Gain new knowledge on the tech tool or ways to extend what you already know. We will give out swag in certain sessions to random lucky attendees. Check out our December offerings here and then search OneSource course #1461032. Once registered, you will be emailed a Teams link.

Determining TEKS Priority, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Nov. 30: Join this DDIS webinar and learn how to access and understand OnTrack reports/Lead4ward resources after DLA assessments to create an action plan to determine the high priority TEKS for re-teaching and interventions. Register for OneSource #1460098.

Social and Emotional Learning

Five-minute breaks: Educators are tasked with many responsibilities and the work often feels nonstop. Despite the workload, it is incredibly important to make time for ourselves. We spend all day responding to others, but we cannot keep this pace without adequate breaks. Even a five-minute break can make us aware of how we’re doing. Remember to “put on your own oxygen mask before placing it on others.” Pausing allows us to be aware of our needs and take care of ourselves.

Breathing techniques to relax:  Why are breathing techniques and strategies important? Breathing exercises can decrease stress, reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, help one remain calm, strengthen sustained attention, sharpen the ability to focus and learn, and help control emotions. Welcome back from break! Look for us here each week to help you with other mindful self-care tips.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

Early Childhood

Learning A-Z Resource Mapping Folders in Pre-K, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Nov. 30: PreK, early childhood, and special education teachers will learn how to navigate the resource mapping folders aligned to SAVVAS themes. Register for OneSource #1456168.                                              

Touring the Prekindergarten Guidelines, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Dec. 2: PreK, early childhood, and special education teachers will take a closer look at the PreK Guidelines, each domain, and skills to learn about instructional strategies aligned to the guidelines to support student success. This session is presented by Region 4. Register for OneSource #1464018

Houston Dynamo and Dash SSAH: Houston Dynamo FC Virtual Development Classes have

resumed, and the last session is Dec. 8 from 6:00-6:30 p.m. Sign up for the Zoom webinar here and see more information here.

PreK Backpacks: Student backpacks for Pre-K classrooms have been purchased with ESSER funds. These kits help support small group and workstation instruction.

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

See this flyer for 2021 November and December Math sessions. Share your experiences via Twitter and tag @HISD_ElemMath #MathMatters.

Guided Math: Student Conferences, Nov. 30: Gain resources, tools, and best practices for implementation of one-on-one student conferences focused on meeting students where they are and growing them through the Guided Math Framework. Register for OneSource #1460038.

Math Review and Preview Face-to-Face Sessions, 4:00-5:30 p.m.: Participants will engage in a high-impact learning experience to review district assessment low-performing standards to support data-driven instruction and reteaching best practices. Collaborate with district and grade-level colleagues to preview aligned and rigorous research-based strategies for upcoming units of instruction to increase student achievement in elementary mathematics. 

Grade 3, Nov. 30, OneSource 1464021 at Ross Elementary 

Grade 4, Dec. 1, OneSource 1464023 at Hattie Mae White

Grade 5, Dec. 2, OneSource 1464024 at Berry Elementary 

Virtual Math Power Hour, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Dec. 6: Participants will delve deeper into grade-level specific concepts by exploring strategies that build conceptual thinking and teaching of mathematics. Strengthen content knowledge and delivery by exploring TEKS-specific models for upcoming mathematics concepts. Gain resources and strategies that can be implemented in the classroom. Register in One Source for K-1: 1443826; for 2-3: 1443830; and for 4-5: 1443843.

Virtual Seminar on Supporting SPED Math Students, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 7: Participants will explore scaffolding strategies and best practices to answer the question, “How do we respond when our SPED students don’t learn math?” Gain explicit routines and tools to integrate in the core classroom, as well as strategies for small-group instruction. Register in One Source for #1448046.

Elementary Science Sessions

Elementary Science Lead Teacher Collaborative Session for lead teachers: On Nov. 30 or Dec. 1 from 3:30–5:30 p.m., lead teachers can learn trends outlined to district and state data, collaborate on best practices for increasing science outcomes, and plan for delivering learning to build campus capacity. Sessions will be styled within a ToT model to be brought back to campus PLC or other science planning opportunities. Register for OneSource #1458054.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Please view this week’s CTE bulletin, November 2021, Volume IV. Visit the HISD Career Readiness page here for all CTE bulletins. Explore the November 2021 CTE Professional Learning opportunities. There will be no Teacher Service Day during December. The next Teacher Service Day (no students) for CTE is Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

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.