AD Connect
12-3-17
The Importance of Reteach
Schoolnet Scanning
Critical Reminders:
*Teachers should turn in the Scantron forms for each exam as soon as the exam is completed and not wait until the end of the day or the end of the week.
*All scores should be uploaded by December 15.
*All campuses will need to slug new Scantron forms for the spring semester’s assessments.
Videos
PS: I am making one of my own...starring some of you over the next week or so :)
Fire Alarm Protocol
The following are highlights of Section 401 of the IFC governing General Notification and Response requirements for unplanned fire or fire alarm activation. Please ensure that these requirements are followed at your campus.
401.3 Emergency Responder Notification:
The fire department shall be notified upon the discovery of an unplanned fire or fire alarm activation. Delayed notification of a fire to the fire department by verbal or written directive is strictly prohibited. (Any delay of notification is considered a violation of the fire code and punishment could include a fine by the Fire Marshal’s Office.)
401.4 Required Plan Implementation:
Upon discovery of an unplanned fire or any fire alarm activation the occupants of any building shall implement the emergency plan for evacuation that has been put in place. (Each campus is to have an emergency response plan in the case of a fire or fire alarm activation. In the case of any fire alarm ---with the exception of during a lockdown---evacuation is required.)
401.8 Interference with Fire Department Operations:
It shall be unlawful to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, conspire to interfere with, obstruct or restrict in any way a fire department emergency vehicle or/and fire department operation.
(This paragraph applies to turning the fire department away at the door or impeding an investigation of any suspected arson or other fire investigation.)Instructional engagement activity of the week
Quick Draw
This activity is great, especially for visual learners or students that aren’t quite writing yet. After learning a new concept or topic, have your students draw a picture about what they’ve just learned. For example, after reading part of the story: Jack and the Bean Stalk, have your students draw what has happened in the story up to that point. Then a student may draw a picture of a boy planting seeds with a bean stalk growing in the background.
Mock STAAR Administration
When we return from winter break, campuses will begin administering the district-coordinated mock STAAR assessments. Below are details to assist you in preparing:
Campus testing coordinators will receive communication about test delivery procedures soon.
Campus testing coordinators will handle all test materials with the same security procedures used during the official STAAR. No staff member should have access to the tests prior to the day of administration.
Test administration should be monitored with the same procedures used during the official STAAR.
Campus testing coordinators should ensure student tests are collected immediately upon completion and that Scantron forms are immediately processed the day of the test.
Testing dates will take place on specified dates determined by the district. Dates will be communicated to campuses next week.
No exceptions to the testing dates will be permitted without area director approval. Exceptions will only be granted for emergencies or previously arranged conflicts that cannot be changed.
The mock STAAR window coincides with the MAP MOY test. Be sure to schedule grades 3-5 for MAP testing at the beginning of the window and then test grades K-2 during the mock STAAR administration.
The Coaching Data Connection
ALFTA
It's All About the Kids
Lesson Plan Feedback
RAAD Support
*Re: concerns with writing, friendly reminder that 4th & 7th district writing samples are available for 2017, 2016, 2015, etc. in faculty share drive!!
*Lead4ward support provided on RAAD's intranet page: http://home.garlandisd.net/lead4ward
Includes: 6 years STAAR-tested TEKS and "Data to Action" templates (working on updating templates to include "summary" percentages, too). "Data to Action" reports have been completed for the "updated" templates for the last three years of STAAR and shared with Curriculum & Org Learning.
Balanced Lit update
See the memo from this week’s WAIP about Balanced Literacy training scheduled for teachers and administrators next week. Training for teams 1-3 begins on Tuesday, so secure subs as soon as possible if you have not done so already.
A Few Good Men...I mean Articles
Marcia Tate : 20 Brain Based Practices
Brainstorming and Discussion: We remember what we talk about with others.
Drawing and Artwork: Drawing helps students encode new content for later recall.
Field Trips: We remember where we go in the real world.
Games: When playing a game, the stress level goes down and the retention rate goes up.
Graphic Organizers, Semantic Maps, and Word Webs: Having students design a mind map addresses both hemispheres of the brain.
Humor: He who laughs most, learns best. – John Cleese
Manipulatives, Experiments, Labs, and Models: There is a strong correlation between what our hands hold and what our minds comprehend.
Metaphors, Analogies, and Similes: Take what is unfamiliar to students and connect it to what is familiar and they will get it.
Mnemonic Devices: Acronyms and acrostics enable students to memorize lists of items.
Movement: Anything the brain learns while the body is in motion is long remembered.
Music, Rhythm, Rhyme, and Rap: Nursery rhymes and song lyrics learned while we are children are easily remembered as adults.
Project-Based and Problem-Based learning: When students are completing real-world projects or solving real-world problems, comprehension is facilitated.
Reciprocal Teaching and Cooperative Learning: We remember 90% of what we teach to someone else.
Roleplay: Involve me, I understand. Chinese Proverb
Storytelling: The brain remembers stories because they are connected together with a beginning, middle, and end.
Technology: Technology is a workplace competency which enables students to be college – or career – ready.
Visualization and Guided Imagery: Everything happens twice: once in the mind and once in reality. – Stephen Covey
Visuals: Show me, I remember. – Chinese Proverb
Work-Study and Apprenticeships: On the job training helps the content make sense.
Writing and Journals: The brain remembers what we write in long hand better than what we type on a computer.
Upcoming Events
December 1-Logramos assessment window opens
December 5: Spelling bee lists due
December 6: Council PTA, Balanced Literacy training for principals
December 7: Team GISD - Bring your GRS Giving Place Donations
December 11-APMP meeting
December 15: Third grading period ends, no formal T-TESS observations
December 16-January 1: Winter break
January 2: Staff development
January 3: 4th grading period begins, GISD Imagine Your Future Contest kickoffYou guys give up, or are you thirsty for more?
Tuesday: Liberty Grove AM: PM Focus Campus Principal Meeting; Keeley
Wednesday: AM CIA; PM AD meeting
Thursday: Team GISD
Friday: AM Beaver; PM Bradfield