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Curriculum, Instruction &Assessment Newsletter

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6Newswor thy, upcoming events & profess ional learning

Garland Independent School District

DATE: February 26, 2016

TO: All Staff

FROM: Bob Morrison, Superintendent

RE: GISD Ready _______________________________________________________________________ What will technology look like in 10 years? What new careers will be available in 20? GISD must prepare students today for the world of tomorrow. Colleges and employers want innovative, creative thinkers who can solve problems and apply their knowledge to new challenges. This requires instruction that allows students to actively participate, collaborate with one another and make real-world connections to content. That is the focus of the new GISD Ready initiative. It encompasses work being done across the district to make Strategic Plan goals a reality at our campuses and in our classrooms.

Action Steps in Goal Three are being addressed through our curriculum rewrite and adoption of digital resources. GISD Ready also addresses Goal Two, Specific Result Three with the upcoming 1:1 launch at secondary schools. This fall, every high schooler will receive a personal iPad. Middle schools will then distribute devices in 2017-18.

Professional development and support for teachers is a key component of GISD Ready and our 1:1 implementation plan. Campus staff received iPads two years ago to allow adequate time for training and practice. Additional training will continue throughout this transformation of teaching and learning. By working together, we can meet the needs of 21st-century students, preparing them for whatever their future holds.

Information meetings for high school principals and staff will be held this spring. Parent meetings will also be scheduled before devices roll out. To learn more, please visit the GISD Ready 1:1 web page, read the FAQs and submit your own questions. You can also read the feature story in our spring ConnectEd newsletter sent to district homes this month.

I believe this is an exciting time in GISD as we continue to equip students for success in college and careers. Stay tuned for additional updates and help us spread the word about GISD Ready.

Information

4 WAIP 2-26-16

What we know:

XX Students use technology every day, mostly for non-educational purposes

XX Admission to college and finding employment continue to increase in competitiveness

XX Teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration are essential in the workforce

XX Demonstration of mastery outside of education usually involves digital tools

XX Retention of knowledge is easier when connections can be made to the content

XX Students may not realize the impact of their online behaviors

What we’re committing

to do:XX Personalize instruction to each student’s unique needs, abilities and interests

XX Show students how to use technology to enhance education

XX Create real-world connections to curriculum

XX Equip all secondary students with a personal iPad

XX Emphasize the importance of digital citizenship

XX Prepare students with skills needed to succeed in college and careers

School today. Success tomorrow.

5 WAIP 2-26-16

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2016CURTIS CULWELL CENTER

2nd annual

Sign up today to participate in aday of creativity and innovation!Please register to volunteer by March 1, 2016

VOLUNTEERSNEEDED!

VOLUNTEERSNEEDED!

Register to be a STEAMPosium Volunteerhttp://goo.gl/forms/E7MSfyNKuY

#gisdSTEAM

STEAMly Cup points will beawarded to the area with themost volunteers!

(If you do not belong to an area, choosethe area you want to represent)

Teachers can also access all entry links in Schoolnet by clicking on STEAM 2015-2016 under “Teacher Resources”. All entries are due by February 15, 2016.

As you plan to attend the second annual STEMposium, please consider volunteering!We need your help - http://bit.ly/STEAMposiumVolunteer

Second Annual STEAMposium April 16, 2016Curtis Culwell Center

Schedule of Events Coming Soon!

Elementary Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/ElementaryEngineeringChallenge

MS Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/MiddleEngineeringChallenge

HS Engineering Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/HighEngineeringChallenge

Maker Creator Elementary Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/ElementaryMakerCreator

Maker Creator MS Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/MiddleMakerCreator

Maker Creator HS Challenge Registration Form - http://bit.ly/HighMakerCreator

T-Shirt Contest Registration Form (Please send actual shirt to Tina Garrett box 109 by Friday, March 25, 2016) http://bit.ly/STEAMShirt

Click to Register!

words appearonWhich

Click the links to access word frequency analysis files forall STAAR and EOC exams from 2013-2015. These include  alltext, including directions, passages, and graphic organizers. Itdoes not include text that is part of an image, such as a mapor cartoon. The program removes all capitalization andpunctuation.

• Elementary STAAR Word Frequency Analysis

• Middle STAAR Word Frequency Analysis• 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR WordFrequency, Word Forms Grouped

• High School EOC Word Frequency Analysis

ColonyColonial Colonies

Colonists Colonization

Colonize(6 times in 3 years)

(10 times in 3 years)(15 times in 3 years)

(11 times in 3 years) (3 times in 3 years)

(1 time in 3 years)

The primary use of this tool is awareness about the assessmentsand to inform instruction. For words with lower frequency,students will need to use context clues. However, the term “colonial”and associated terms have appeared 46 times in 3 years on the8th Grade SS test.  With such a high frequency, it is worth ourtime to ensure students know the meaning and have seen some ofthe various forms of the word prior to testing. 

Revving Review

Who: 8th and High School US History TeachersWhere: PDC B07A&BWhen: MS on 3/23, HS on 3/24 - 8:30-4Subs Provided. Use Sub Code 24.  

Revving Reviewfor STAAR Successfor STAAR Success

Join S3 Strategies and the GISD Social Studiesteam for a day of data-driven, classroom-readystrategies and materials to prepare students forthe 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR and High

School US History EOC. 

Special attention will be paid to meeting the needs strugglingstudents, ELLs, and Special Education students.

The 8th Grade Session will build on strategies presented attraining last year. The session is suitable for either new orreturning 8th grade teachers. 

Click: 8th Grade Registration

Questions? Contact Amy Mount, Social Studies Coordinatoralmount@garlandisd.net / 972-487-3142

Click: 11th Grade Registration

ABYDOSROUNDTABLES

A D D T O Y O U RS T R A T E G Y T O O L B O X

W I T HR E A D I N G A N D W R I T I N G

S T R A T E G I E S T OE N H A N C E S T U D E N T

P E R F O R M A N C E

T W O D A T E S T O C H O O S E F R O M :M A R C H 1 S TA P R I L 1 3 T H

4 : 1 5 - 5 : 3 0T E C H N O L O G Y B L D G .

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N R O O MR E G I S T E R I N S C H E D

Register in sched: https://goo.gl/aMuB87

GREATIDEAS?

Where do we get

Is it better to" think outside the box " ?

Click to playWhat isSTEM?

What does STEM look like in my class?

John Seidlitz ELL Leadership keynote speakers Hanna Abuhay and Daniel Vielman captured the hearts of over 300 Texas educators.

What’s Working for ELLs in Texas: Success Stories from the Field was held at the Norris Conference Center in Houston, TX on January 13, 2016. Seidlitz personally extended the guest speaker invitation to both students, who happily accepted and delivered heartfelt stories of their personal struggles with transitioning to the American school system. Both Abuhay and Vielman credit the ELL Leadership class and teacher Margaret Rutaquio as the catalyst for their success.

1

TELPAS WRITING RATER TRAINING February 25, 2016

Stra-tiques Training Sessions Register on Sched for both trainings!

@gisd4ells February 9, 2016

February Focus Department of English Language Learners

O’Banion class wins AVID Excel Photo Contest

What are your walls teaching AVID Excel students?

Victoria Buloran’s AVID Excel class took home the top honor in the category of Academic Word Lists. Interacting with an Academic Language Word Wall is one strategy teachers can use to foster purposeful conversations in the classroom. Buloran’s AVID Excel class uses Academic Language Scripts on a consistent basis, bringing their word wall to life and making it more than just a beautiful display of art. Congratulations O’Banion’s AVID Excel class!

2016Presidential Awards

for Excellence inMathematics andScience Teaching

(PAEMST)

1Applications due

May

Math and Science TeachersKindergarten - 6th Grade

$10,000 award

The PAEMST program recognizes teachers for their contributionsto teaching and learning and their ability to help students make

progress in mathematics and science. Awards are given tomathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and 4U.S. jurisdictions. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues,

inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvementof mathematics and science education.

To nominate an outstandingteacher or access the application,

visit https://www.paemst.org

Teach mathematics or science at kindergarten - grade 6 in a public(including charter) or private school;

Teach in one of the 50 states or the 4 U.S. jurisdictions;

Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;

Be a full-time employee of the school or school district asdetermined by state and district policies and teach at least 50percent of the time;

Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or scienceteaching experience prior to the 2014-2015 academic school year;

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and

Has not received the PAEMST award at the national level in anyprior competition or category.

Teachers may be nominated for the award or may sign up to applythemselves. Principals, teachers, parents, or other members of the general

public are encouraged to nominate outstanding teachers. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

a 501(c)(3) charitable organization

This Boot Camp experience will provide participants with the opportunity to:

• Work with BRIT researchers and staffto gain a greater understanding of biological systems and how they are affected by ever changing conditions.

• Connect with local partners that focus on critical environmental issues.

• Scaffold E- STEM lessons to promote PBL with rigor, innovation and curiosity. Get a sneak peak of the newly designed Green Revolution curriculum.

• Explore real-world applications whileconnecting learners with their community in order to create future leaders.

Join us to strengthen your environmental awareness while flexing your PBL muscle. Gain a greater understanding of natural

systems and the human connections associated with them by considering all aspects of sustainability (environmental,

economic and social).

Date: June 13—16, 2016Time: 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.Cost: $250 per person

OR$200 per person for teams of three or more

Includes: Breakfast, lunch, resourcesAND

28 CPE credits plus 6 updated G/T hours

Please contact Tracy Friday at tfriday@brit.org for more information.

Green Revolution Educator’s Boot CampAn Environmental Project-Based Exploration | June 13—16

Discovery EducationAll K-12 teachers have access!Streaming Plus

Need help with your login? Contact the GISD helpdeskHelpDesk@garlandisd.net or 972-494-8566

http://garlandisd.discoveryeducation.com/

Use district credentials

What's avaliable?K-12 Science

(Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Earth & Space)

Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry

Social Studies:6th grade World Cultures9th grade Word Geography

US History to 1877World Geography US since 1877

Want to learn more?Click for Flipped LearningTina Garrett

STEM Coordinator

Kevin Massey Secondary Math Coordinator

Amy MountSocial Studies Coordinator

Mary SheltonSecondary ELAR Coordinator

Aibeth LaugischBE/ESL Coordinator

Myra CrumpIntermediate ELAR Coordinator

Traci VickeryElementary Math Coordinator

Kelley SteinleyPrimary ELA Coordinator

Board Builder

ELL Strategies

Literacy Strategies

Training VideosSpotlight on Strategies

DiscoveryEducation

Summer Learning Opportunities

Techbook Teacher Leader CohortJuly 19, 20, & 21

Click subject to register in SchedMath

ScienceSocial Studies

Getting Started with TechbookJuly 26

Stations-based with TechbookJuly 27

Maximizing Student EngagementJuly 28

MathScience

Math MathScience Science

Social Studies Social Studies

Must attend all three days

Middle and High School Teachers

One day offerings for any K-12 teacher

Social Studies

Use district

K-12 Streaming Plus

K-12 Science (Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Earth & Space)

Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry

Social Studies:6th grade World Cultures9th grade Word Geography

US History to 1877World Geography US since 1877

What'savaliable?

Ready for HS 1:1GISD is in the process of fulfilling Goal 2, Specific Result 3

from the Strategic Plan by providing iPads to all high school students in thefall of the 2016 school year.

Staff and community are invited to access the GISD Ready 1:1 webpage to learn more and to submit their questions

Teachers have had devices and training forthe past 2 years in anticipation of this

important initiative to transform teaching and learning.

Planning is underway to provide information,additional training, staff, student and parent

meetings and more to ensure that we are 1:1 ready.

Click to access the Strategic Plan

Click to access the GISD 1:1 webpage

SAT School Day March 2, 2016

SAT Test Taking Strategies: • Answer all questions – there are no penalties for

wrong answers • Monitor your time – typically there is only

about one minute per question • Be prepared to answer math questions with and

without a calculator • Find the evidence to support the BEST answer-

you may have more than one answer that can be correct, so you should choose the BEST answer

• Skim the passages then read the questions • Determine what the question is asking – the

SAT tends to have extra information in the questions, so deconstruct the question and highlight/circle the essential information

CollegeBoard teamed up with Khan Academy to offer FREE individualized study materials for the SAT and PSAT!

GISD Pays for the SAT for All Juniors GISD is paying for all junior students to take the SAT on March 2nd at all seven high schools. Allowing students to take the SAT during the school day at their own campus breaks down barriers and provides a comfortable and familiar testing environment.

Administering the SAT on a school day encourages more students to

take the test and increases access to college. It also sends a powerful message of a state’s or district’s

commitment to prepare all students for the next step after high school”

– Rick Nolly