Weekly Teacher Download for the week of Sept. 5, 2016
2016 September 2
ALL TEACHERS
- Learn and lead at the HISD Edcamp Unconference: The Edcamp model is always designed with YOU in mind. There is no set agenda. The participants determine what they learn about, what they share, and how they do so. You will have a chance to show others what you are working on, share questions with them, hear and see what they are doing, and make lots of new friends with whom you can continue to grow. Start thinking about your questions and the ideas that you want to share! The next Edcamp is set for Oct. 8 at Heights High School. Visit houstonisd.org/edcamp to learn more and register.
- Want to improve your student-teacher relationship? It’s no secret that a strong student-teacher relationship is vital to academic success. Want to learn how to better connect with your students? Use the free web-based “Get to Know You” survey in your classroom, featuring questions on interests outside of school and learning styles. Students instantly see what they have in common with their teacher, and teachers can explore similarities with their students. Use your shared interests to start conversations and connect what you are studying in a way that will help your students learn. The survey, which was recently featured in EdWeek, is available here: https://backtoschool.panoramaed.com.
- Help your students with mathematical skills: Think Through Math (TTM) is an adaptive online learning program that deepens students’ understanding of critical mathematics concepts and problem-solving skills. The program is free this school year through funding from the Texas Success Initiative, and it is the recommended mathematics intervention resource for HISD students in grades 3-8 and Algebra I. A mathematics universal screener is now provided through the TTM platform for students in Grades 3-8 and Algebra I. The TTM beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year universal screener takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and provides quantile reports at the student level. Webinars and trainings have been scheduled to support teachers in analyzing and effectively utilizing their TTM universal screener reports. Access information about upcoming TTM trainings by clicking here.
NEW TEACHERS
- Working with your teacher mentor: As a first-year beginning teacher in HISD, you are assigned a campus-based mentor to help you transition into a full-time teaching role. By this point in the semester, your mentor should be working with you for at least 30 minutes each week. In addition to helping you with specific instructional needs, mentors should be reviewing the five foundational criteria in the TADS Instructional Practice Rubric (IPR): PL-2, PL-3, I-7, I-9, and I-10. They should also have reviewed applicable HISD portal tools for gathering student data and started facilitating the goal-setting conversation for your Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP). Your mentor is there to help you be successful. You should be comfortable reaching out and asking for help when you need it. If you have not been assigned a mentor, or are not satisfied with your mentor’s support, contact your Campus Induction Coordinator (CIC) or email mentors@houstonisd.org.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
- Sign up today for required GT teacher training: If you are teaching GT-identified students, register for an upcoming training to satisfy the 30-hour course-credit requirement. Topics will include Scholars and Knowledge Framework and the five GT core knowledge and competencies: Nature and Needs, Identification and Assessment, Social and Emotional Needs, Creativity, and Differentiation. Teachers will have 30 minutes for lunch each day.
[su_table]Course Time/Date Location G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 6 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 8 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27 Ryan Professional Building G/T 30 K-5 (30hrs) Course 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 29 Ryan Professional Building [/su_table]
- Engage students in engineering design challenges: Teachers in grades K-5 who want to learn more about creating exciting and engaging engineering design challenges can attend an upcoming training by the Advanced Academics team. The sessions will teach teachers how to craft lessons that promote critical thinking and problem-solving in a PBL format. Each challenge is aligned to grade-level TEKS, and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the challenge and plan for implementation. The training is open to any elementary teachers who want to incorporate STEM into their classrooms. Register via OneSource using course number 57002.
SECONDARY TEACHERS
- Engage students in engineering design challenges: Teachers in grades 6-8 who want to learn more about creating exciting and engaging engineering design challenges can attend an upcoming training by the Advanced Academics team. The sessions will teach teachers how to craft lessons that promote critical thinking and problem-solving in a PBL format. Each challenge is aligned to grade-level TEKS, and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the challenge and plan for implementation. The training is open to any elementary teachers who want to incorporate STEM into their classrooms. Register via OneSource using course number 57001.
- QTEL training is back for secondary ESL teachers: If you have newcomer students in your ESL class, please plan on attending the following QTEL training sessions: Sept. 7-9 (Days 1-3) at Sharpstown High School and Sept. 15-16 (Days 4-5) at Wisdom High School. Use OneSource to register for the two sessions; use course 69007 for days 1-3 and 73001 for days 4-5. You must attend both sessions to receive full credit. If you have questions, contact Virginia Elizondo at 713-556-6961.
- Learn how to maximize Literacy in the Middle in your classroom: Literacy in the Middle work is evident all over HISD middle-school campuses. ELA classrooms are setting routines for reading independently, small-group instruction, and writing. Teachers are modeling their thinking in read-alouds to support Cycle 1 standards. Mathematics teachers are supporting cooperative group behaviors for students using anchor charts to document and solidify learning, and preparing to complete the first writing task. Social studies teachers are launching dialectical journals in conjunction with classroom libraries, calling small groups to correct misconceptions and extend thinking. Science teachers are commencing interactive notebooks to write questions, seek answers, make connections, and develop and convey mental images. Online training modules for Literacy in the Middle will be available later this week for teachers who wish to learn more or for those who missed the summer training. Also, teachers are invited to join an early-release training opportunity at Burbank MS, Meyerland MS, Ortiz MS, or Pilgrim MS on Sept. 21. Contact Mechiel Rozas (mrozas@houstonisd.org) for more information.
READ OF THE WEEK
- #SchoolEveryDay: Debunking the myths about school attendance
TEACHER DEAL OF THE WEEK
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