Weekly Teacher Download for the week of Nov. 14, 2016

 

ALL TEACHERS

• There’s still time to take the #Bebras challenge! The Bebras Computing Challenge is a fun, interactive, 45-minute contest that introduces students to computational thinking to get them excited about computing and improve their problem-solving skills. The challenge, which is open to fifth- through 12th-grade students worldwide, runs through Nov. 23, 2016. In 2015, HISD was the largest participant nationwide, with more than 7,000 students taking part in the challenge last November. The district encourages you to that trend this year and lead the nation in participation this year! Challenge yourself, a colleague, or another school by sharing out on Twitter using #Bebras. Click here for more information and how to participate.
• Use Google to learn about teaching world languages: The next Tech Tools for LOTE training will feature Instructional Coaches Allison Bequette and Evelyn Oros from the Instructional Technology department leading training on Google apps for teaching world languages. Participants will learn about the use of certain applications that can be used to augment instruction. Register in OneSourceMe using Course Number 187001. The training is 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Sharpstown International School library.
• Online webcast provides inspiring story, practical ideas: Register for Education on Air: It Takes a Teacher, a free online conference Dec. 2-3, 2016, where teachers can share with and learn from other educators around the globe. Scheduled to speak are Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the U.S., and Jahana Hayes, a recent national Teacher of the Year winner from Connecticut, who will speak about how she keeps her students engaged. Attendees also will get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity in the classroom. Regardless of the age of the students you teach, you’ll hear practical tips from other educators that you can apply right away. Register for the online conference by clicking here.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

• myON Digital Book Platform trainings: myON Reader is a kindergarten through eighth-grade literacy program that includes a broad selection of digital books that incorporate multimedia features to get students engaged in reading. It also includes reporting and assessment features so that teachers can keep track of student reading habits and performance over time. Using information about students’ interests and reading skills, the program recommends books for students to read on a computer or iPad. The Elementary Literacy Department will offer a variety of myON trainings during November and December. Trainings to be offered are: Introduction to myON, Literacy Tools and More in myON, and Creating and Assigning Projects in myON (these sessions are grade specific). Register to attend trainings via OneSource. Click here for a training schedule.
• Early-dismissal professional development covers variety of math topics: During early dismissal on Wednesday, the Elementary Curriculum Department will offer its Math Early Dismissal Curriculum Preview professional development sessions. Elementary math teachers in grades K-5 from across the district are encouraged to attend and engage in collaborative work with content experts and colleagues. These sessions provide teachers with an opportunity to dive into the elementary math curriculum and plan for upcoming instructional delivery. Teachers will have an opportunity to build their content knowledge on upcoming standards, plan and practice how to address student misconceptions, and apply instructional strategies. Please register for your grade-level session on OneSource using Course Numbers K&1-66002, G2-226002; G3-66006; G4-66010; G5-225001.

SECONDARY TEACHERS

• Learn about your AP students, earn extra money: The Advanced Academics Department encourages all Advanced Placement teachers to apply as College Board AP Readers. College Board provides onsite AP Readers with an honorarium of $1,639 as well as travel expenses to respective subject-area readings. Because AP Readers score the free-response sections of AP exams, they gain valuable insight into how they can better prepare students for AP success. At the onsite AP Readings, teachers have opportunities to engage with AP Development Committee members and other professionals in their teaching fields. Online scoring opportunities are also available. For additional information about becoming an AP Reader, click here. College Board generally seeks professionals with three years of teaching experience in a particular AP subject. However, College Board will sometimes waive this requirement for newer AP courses as well as courses that have a high demand for readers. Given this, all AP teachers are encouraged to apply, regardless of experience.
• Early dismissal training covers all the bases: The Office of Secondary Curriculum and Development is excited to offer rich and rigorous professional development sessions perfect for the identified data and classroom needs. Topics range from “Examining Expository & Persuasive Writing,” “Powering Up Geometry,” “Academic Discourse Using Interactive Word Walls,” and “Read Aloud Think Alouds in Social Studies.” The early-dismissal training sessions will be offered for middle and high school teachers at Sam Houston High School, 9400 Irvington. Additionally, sessions for middle school teachers will also be offered at Ortiz Middle School located at 6767 Telephone Road. Sessions begin at 2 p.m. at both locations. Search OneSourceMe for course and registration information.

BILINGUAL/ESL TEACHERS

• Love blogs? Check out Multilingual’s and contribute to it: Do you want to know how being bilingual rewires your brain? Need quick tips for getting all your students engaged in learning? What about reviewing how to make connections with ELLs as readers? Find these articles, tips, games and even contests on HISD’s Multilingual Department’s blog. Register to stay informed about Bilingual/ESL education, Dual Language acquisition, Newcomer, Refugee and Migrant program topics. You can also use the blog as your own platform! Share your experience, ideas, or articles. Submit your topics to multilingual@houstonisd.org.
• Join us at the final fall semester Bilingual Education Workshop: The Nov. 16 session of the Bilingual Education Workshops is structured for small groups of teachers to learn, collaborate, share, and implement the best instructional practices for bilingual classrooms. The session is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Ryan Professional Development Center (4001 Hardy St., 77009). Participants may register at the training, in room PL-6.

READ OF THE WEEK

• Strategies to help students ‘go deep’ when reading digitally

TEACHER DEAL OF THE WEEK

• Container Store: Special discounts throughout the year when you join the Organized Teacher program