Weekly Teacher Download for January 15
ALL TEACHERS
Classroom Management Training: The Department of Social and Emotional Learning will host classroom management trainings for teachers. Pre-k through -eighth-grade teachers should attend the CHAMPS training, and ninth- through 12th-grade teachers should attend the Discipline in Secondary Classrooms (DSC) training. Participants will gain an understanding of the Safe and Civil Schools’ framework for proactive and positive classroom and behavior management, as well as explore comprehensive and practical strategies to improve their current classroom management plan. Click here for dates and OneSource course numbers.
Attendance Tip of the Week: Attendance should be closely monitored and articulated to parents and guardians throughout the year, especially after breaks in the school schedule. To help monitor and track attendance with parents, the national nonprofit Attendance Works is providing a Student Attendance Success Plan that helps parents meet with teachers to set applicable goals that help boost student attendance, as well as the My Family’s Help Bank, which helps families create strategies and back-up plans for challenges that may threaten timely attendance. To view the templates, click here.
WeTeach CS Training: Are you interested in teaching computer science? The Advanced Academics department encourages you attend Computer Science Teaching at Rice (CSTaR) this spring and summer. CSTaR is a program for teachers of all grade levels to learn coding and programming basics and how to teach it as a class. No background in computer science is necessary. You can even earn a $1,000 stipend. For more information on the program, click here.
History Day: Registration for HISD’s History Day is now open. As a reminder, the competition will take place on March 24, and judges are still needed. Essays, websites, and documentaries will need to be submitted by March 9 here. Exhibits and performances will be judged the day of the event on March 24 at Hattie Mae White. If you need a History Day tutorial, visit nearpod.com and use code GATUJ.
ELEMENTARY
2018 Math & Science Summit: It’s not too late! Register for the 2018 Math & Science Summit on Jan. 20 in OneSource, course #835001. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, expand their learning, and deepen their understanding of effective instruction. Learn more about the event here.
Win a Trip to UT-Austin: In partnership with Counseling & Student Support, HISD’s Office of College & Career Readiness will host the district’s first annual Elementary College Week Jan. 29-Feb. 2. To celebrate, during each day of Elementary College Week, pre-K through fifth-grade teachers are encouraged to showcase students’ college knowledge to compete for the chance to win a trip to UT-Austin. Please note that your elementary campus must opt in for the Destination: College! contest. Click here to view all activities, unit plans, contest details, and guidelines.
Young Historian Challenge: Bring history alive with your students through HISD’s Young Historian Challenge. The Young Historian Challenge gives students the opportunity to develop and hone the skills of a historian through the creation of a micro research project. Students will bring history alive as they analyze primary sources to interpret a historical event. Topics may focus on leaders and events from history, ELA, poetry, STEM, art, LOTE, and any other classes or units you teach. Directions for teachers and students can be found here.
SECONDARY
AP Teacher Training: The Advanced Academics Department invites Advanced Placement educators and their Pre-AP colleagues to AP: The Countdown on Feb. 10 at Carnegie Vanguard High School. The theme “90 Days Out” will guide teacher-led sessions and collaborative roundtables as HISD educators prepare for AP examinations in May. The department will be providing a light breakfast to all participants, as well as a $50 stipend for full-event attendance. Teachers can register for the mini-conference using OneSource course #927001 and have the opportunity to present. If interested, submit a proposal here by Friday, Jan. 19.
Teachers by Teachers Social Studies Conference: Join the Secondary Social Studies Curriculum and Development Department for the Teachers by Teachers Social Studies Conference on Jan. 20 at the Ryan Professional Development Center. The department will be providing breakfast and lunch for all who attend and encourages teachers to share the event with their peers. To help plan accordingly, please register in OneSource course #837001. Non-HISD participants can register here. If you’d like to review the schedule at a glance, click here. You can also view the flier for more information.
WeTeach Workshop at U of H: Are you an eighth-grade through 12th-grade teacher interested in becoming certified in computer science? If so, the Advanced Academics department is encouraging you to attend the WeTeach Certification Prep Workshop Jan. 22-23 at the University of Houston. You’ll learn everything you need to know to pass the TExES 241 CS 8-12 certification exam. The department will be covering registration fees for HISD teachers. Contact James Wigfall at james.wigfall@houstonisd.org for event and payment information.
