Alice ISD
ISC GAZETTE SEPTEMBER 2015
Alice ISD ISC 2015-2016 Gazette!
The Alice ISD Instructional Support Center Gazette is a newsletter written by district administrators that includes articles with information of upcoming events, recognitions of faculty and staff, updates on staff development or training sessions and much more! It is published on the last day of every month or the last Friday of the month - except December. We hope that you will find this newsletter to be informative and helpful!
If you are new to Alice ISD, we welcome you!
The first six weeks ends Friday, October 2! Fall is upon us and we have 58 days left in the first semester!
Have a great year Coyotes!
Texas Association of School Administrators Announce 2016 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year
~Velma Soliz-Garcia
TASA announced the 2016 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year and our very own Barbara Garcia, Culinary Arts Instructor was named the Region 2 Secondary Teacher of the Year!
Mrs. Garcia has taught several students the past 15 years while teaching at Alice High School. Many of her students have won several awards and recognitions through those 15 years and several have gone on to pursue a career in the field of culinary. Barbara and her students have a passion for their love of culinary! They love working in their state-of-the-art kitchen and serving visitors of Café 400!
Barbara Garcia, along with other regional representatives will be recognized at an awards ceremony October 16 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. The Texas Teacher of the Year program has recognized teachers since 1969.
Congratulations Mrs. Barbara Garcia! We are so proud of you! Thank you for all that you do for our students on a daily basis!
Dr. Alex Gonzalez & Barbara Garcia
Dr. Everett & Barbara Garcia
Barbara Garcia & Serena Solano at 2015 Nationals
Teaching...Let's Own It
One of the keynote speakers I heard at a conference this summer was Alex Kajitani, a California state teacher of the year. Kajitani is also known as "The Rappin' Mathematician." His recent book, "Owning It" gives strategies for teachers in schools today.
He has this to say about teaching in today's society:
"Each year, the group of students that enters our classrooms is vastly different from the group a year before. They are deeply influenced by the latest technology, the year's hit television (or Internet) show, and new ways of thinking and operating in society.
And yet, as teachers, it is still our responsibility to work with one another to help these kids learn––which means we have to master grown-up communication and collaboration skills.
And, as teachers, it's our responsibility to represent our profession––and our schools and districts, and even our nation's educational system––to the wider community, the 'public,' via all of the ever-changing modes of communication.
Being a teacher today is a multi-skill, multi-faceted, multi-purpose role––a role that doesn't end when the bell rings, rather one we embody in our classrooms, in our schools and throughout our communities.
Thus the great, challenging, overwhelming, enlightening and rewarding responsibility it is: to be a teacher today.
Let's own this great challenge, and great responsibility––and great opportunity to make a difference ––that is being a modern-day teacher."
Reprinted with permission from Alex Kajitani
Texas State Initiative Grant Updates
Several Professional Development opportunities were available to Alice ISD staff this month.
To begin with, PK teachers received Read Aloud Routine to help build vocabulary and comprehension skills in PK students. The routine is used daily in the classroom anywhere from 5-15 minutes. The flexibility of the framework allows teachers to use it during their reading times or condense it, as needed. If you'd like more information about the routine, please visit a PK classroom in your school. This opportunity will help us reach sustainability in the SBI (Standards Based Instruction)# 2-4 action step in the TSLP (Texas State Literacy Plan)
Also being offered to teachers in K-12 grade is the Six-Syllable types training. The session was initially seen by the CBLT members that attended the TLI conference in the summer. Becki Krynak, State Literacy Liaison, has presented the training to teachers in grades K-8. This session will provide teachers information about the six syllable types as they relate to the TEKS. Students will gain the knowledge of letter-sound relationships to decode regular words in text that can be applied in other content areas. This training will also help us reach sustainability in the SBI #3 action step of the TSLP.
Classroom Management Tips
The Power of Keeping Your Cool
Positive, Not Punitive Classroom-Management Tips
Dos and Don'ts of Classroom Management
Next Meeting for "Teach Like a Champion" Book Study
Thursday, Oct 29, 2015, 04:15 PM
2 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, United States
The Curriculum Project with John Samara
Remember that all teachers have access to the "video academy" which discusses these techniques. Also be aware that several teachers went through this project last year and can share information and techniques with those new to the process.
Resources
Field Guides and FIGS can be found by clicking "District Resources" under the District Resource Tab.
Accessing TEKS Resource System Files
Other Resources in Teksresourcesystem.net
You can find HiYield Strategies, Field Guides, and Focused Instructional Guides for various Student Expectations.
4th Annual Parental Involvement Conference - October 17th
Oh, Parents! The Places They'll Go!
The Alice Independent School District will be hosting the 4th Annual Parental Involvement Conference on Saturday October 17th from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Alice High School campus.
Parents will be able to participate in a variety of presentations throughout the day. Free child-care for children 4 to 10 years old will be provided as well as free breakfast and lunch.
Merchant booths will be selling unique items and we will have plenty of organizations offering useful and valuable information on programs and services in our area.
The students, staff and administration at Alice Independent School District look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 17th for our parent involvement conference.Parent Conference T-Shirts On Sale Now!
Shirt sizes XXL - XXXL are an additonal $2 and $3 more.
*Please request your order forms from your campus office or check with your campus liaison for more information.
Excitement Delivered to Hillcrest Elementary!
3P Learning sent Mathletics representatives to Hillcrest Elementary on September 24, 2015 to deliver some excitement.
Last spring, Hillcrest entered a Mathletics Competition of over 500 eligible US schools planning to use Mathletics this school year. Three schools across the nation were awarded and we are proud to share that Hillcrest was the only TX school to win! Mathletics delivered five iPads to the school, a school banner, and a trophy that Mrs. Morales will award to the Mathlete of the Week!
Congratulations Hillcrest!
Progress Precedes Performance
Progress precedes performance. Of course we want students to reach their goal, but we all need to realize that even though they may not hit the goal, they should always be making progress toward that goal.
Consider having some way to track progress. Below you see a couple of examples of student tracking. After assessments students should ask themselves, "Am I getting stronger? Am I making progress?"
Carol Dweck wrote a great book called "Mindset". In this book she talks about the study that showed if you can change a student's mindset (how they perceive their abilities), you can change their performance. This all relates to the idea of progress and performance. Here is a link to an excellent article about just that.
Progress Graph
Progress
This same kind of tracking works for ALL subjects and ALL grades. Everyone needs to show progress, not just those taking state assessments!
Progress Tracking
Troubleshooting..."Who You Gonna Call?" (Not Ghostbusters!)
For support with Gradebook and Google contact Ric Gonzalez (ric.gonzalez@aliceisd.net)
image from Wikipedia
Model Classroom Project - John Samara
The Samara training and materials support K12 educators in developing strong classroom skills through effective implementation of specific strategies and techniques.
The focus after the first session is greeting students to build relationships, creating interactive lesson openings with the Three Part Objective, and planning reflections to close each lesson.
Each campus has several teachers who have attended last year and can help with questions about proper implementation. ALL teachers in the district have access to the Model Classroom Project (MCP) video library.
Science Planning Dates
October 6th- Biology @ Alice High School
October 8th- 5th Grade @ Dubose Intermediate
October 13th- 7th & 8th @ William Adams Middle School
K-5 & 6-EOC Science Teachers attend Lead4Ward Workshop - A Focus on the Process Standards
In the workshop, teachers learned how to utilize depth of knowledge in measuring mastery of standards that will prepare students for higher levels of achievement on STAAR. Teachers engaged in planning and instructional activities that will ensure high quality learning experiences for their students. Teachers also learned about inquiry-based instruction, dual coded data cross-strand instruction, focus standards and reviewed STAAR updates and how to utilize scaffolded TEKS.
Noonan Elementary & Dubose Intermediate Science Teachers
Schallert Elementary & Memorial Intermediate Science Teachers
Saenz Elementary Science Teachers
Campus Science Fairs and District Science Fair
The District Science Fair will be held on December 2nd & 3rd of 2015.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A SCIENCE FAIR (sciencefair.tamucc.edu)
TEACHER'S ROLE
The teacher is the key individual in a science fair. Every teacher involved in a science fair should assume the following responsibilities:
- Serve as an advisor to the students
- Recognize the importance of active student involvement
- Be available when needed
- Respect the student's ideas and intelligence
- Encourage students to follow up on their ideas
- Be generous with praise and enthusiasm
- Contact interested scientists or professionals for special equipment or resources as
- needed
- See that the exhibits arrive on time and that all exhibits are removed from the display area at the designated time following the Science Fair
- But most importantly, teachers must understand that this type of activity gives the students a tremendous educational experience and may help them start thinking about future careers in STEM.
PARENT'S ROLE
Parents are often willing to help in the following ways:
- Resource Person ‐ May provide expertise on the topic
- Supplies ‐ May furnish or locate needed equipment
- Transportation ‐ May take students to library, to meet with resource people, or to gather supplies
- Place ‐ May provide a garage, nursery, or laboratory
STUDENT'S ROLE
- While teachers will be available to advise students, the initiative and responsibility belongs to the student.
Questions?
Contact:
Erika Vasquez @ erika.vasquez@aliceisd.net or
Cindy Sandoval @ cindy.sandoval@aliceisd.net
Gretchen Bernabei Writing Workshop
Gretchen's Tips for Developing Writers:
- Start writing from Day 1.
- Get kids used to timed writing.
- Build their stamina by increasing the amount of time they write.
- Give them credit for effort, participation, and engagement.
- Journals are a place for daily writing and a place for student's to save writing tools (favorite kernals, writing icons, lists etc.)
Kernel structures
Favorite Place Kernel Structure for Expository Writing
Dealing with the Short Answers on EOC
Stick a Pitchfork in Your Writing for Elaboration
AAAWWWUBIS to help start those pitchforks!!!
Math Struggles
An article found in greatschools.org discussed a study by Richard Rusczyk at Princeton.
Rusczyk noticed a pattern in his classmates. He found that students who had been exposed to traditional math curriculum (as opposed to difficult problem solving) gave up to easily when they didn't receive top scores. These students had been taught math as a set of facts, not a process.
Article: (Does Our Approach to Teaching Math Fail Even the Smartest Kids? by Carol Lloyd)
Contrary to the way many of us learned, math today is not about following a set of rules. There is much to be gained in fun mental struggle.
Often that struggle is not just on the part of our students; parents and teachers are learning new ways to do math. I urge you to keep an open mind when dealing with these new processes. I think you may have a few "lightbulb moments" of your own.
The district is working hard to communicate those changes in mathematics instruction. Were you aware that AISD has a Facebook page for math? AISD Math is a great source for information about the new ways that mathematics is being taught. There is also a Making Sense of Math newsletter for parents that is published every six weeks and posted on school and district websites. This newsletter explains what is being covered during the six weeks and gives important vocabulary and sometimes even videos to explain. If you would like the newsletter emailed directly to you contact Anna Holmgreen (anna.holmgreen@aliceisd.net)
Image source: http://stuffforparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mathfrustrated.jpg
Balanced Literacy Training: Writer's Workshop
The following is a recap of the two days of "Writer's Workshop" training teachers attended during the month of September. Revisit these notes to help you as you implement or work to improve your writer's workshop.
Developmental stages of writing:
1. Experimenting - scribbles, random letters, shapes, copied print
2. Emerging - recognizable text, semi-phonetic, environmental words are correct
3. Developing - attempts story, good beginning, spelling phonetically
4. Capable - tells a story, makes a point
5. Experienced - easy to follow, understands topic well, basic punctuation
Remember the stages of the writing process are not meant to be experienced in a linear fashion but rather in a recursive and reflective method. At any given time you may have students at different stages of the writing process. Remember it's all about the process - kids may move from one stage to another depending on their current needs.
- Exploring - generating ideas, brainstorming, making quick lists, using a graphic organizer, drawing pictures and labeling
- Drafting - writing
- Revising - improving the writing so that it sounds better [combining ideas and reducing repetition]
- Editing - improving the writing so that it looks better [spelling, capitalization, punctuation]
- Publishing - student has a finished product without any teacher corrections that is ready to be shared and displayed
*Remember not every writer needs to use a graphic organizer every time, BUT they need to know how to use one.
*Revising is basically the craft while editing is mostly mechanics.
*Editing matters when you go from private to public writing. Don't let the editing weigh down the writer.
Environment: writer's workshop should be very peaceful, tranquil, calming, and comfortable. The classroom environment should be print rich with anchor charts and word walls. They should have enough room for their materials. They should have their folders, paper, pencils or pens with them at all times. There should be a variety of paper available to students. Paper choice in writer's workshop is just as important as book choice is in reading.
IMPORTANT RULES OF A WRITER'S WORKSHOP
1. NO ERASING
2. DATE EVERYTHING
3. DON’T WRITE ON THE BACK
4. DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY – might want to add to it later
5. DO NOT SPELL WORDS FOR THEM – IT’S GOT TO BE OKAY TO LET IT GO
How much time do we spend on writing?
· Everyday
· At least an hour [if schedule allows]
· The mini lesson has to be short if you have less than an hour;
· We are more concerned about the amount of days in a row that we write consistently rather than how much time we are writing
Support – Students need their teacher to be available and they need to be able to feel comfortable with their peers. Need guided instruction. Be very explicit about what we want them to do. Keep it simple..focus on one thing. When you teach, remember kids have to know why they are learning and how to do it.
Conference guidelines:
· Create a relaxed environment
· Prevent interruption
· Make eye contact
· Be positive - find something to praise the child on
· Listen carefully
· Don’t talk too much
· Ask helpful questions
· Take notes – need to know what kids are doing so that you can follow up on this later [very important]
Visit the Busy Teacher Website for awesome ways to get students excited about writing!!
Links to Useful Information on Busy Teacher's Cafe
Upcoming Balanced Literacy Trainings and Events
- October 22, 2015 - Instructional Support Building (9:00 - 4:00)
- November 18, 2015 - Instructional Support Building (8:00 - 3:30)
- January 7, 2016 - Instructional Support Building (8:00 - 3:30)
- February 3, 2016 - Instructional Support Building (8:00 - 3:30)
3rd & 4th Grade
- October 22, 2015 - AHS Activity Center (9:00 - 4:00)
- TBA
On-Site Support Days
- October 14, 2015
- October 15, 2015
- November 2, 2015
- November 4, 2015
- December 1, 2015
- December 2, 2015
- December 9, 2015
Federal and Special Programs
Bilingual Elementaries: A New Reform for Bilingual Education
Students meet Filomen Vela
Visit at the Statue of Liberty
Alice ISD Group Ready to Learn
AHS Students Visit Washington DC and New York
This summer ten Alice High School students took a trip to Washington DC and New York. The students, part of Alice ISD's migrant and ESL programs, partnered with a nation-wide program that helps students to learn more about the history and government of the United States. Students interacted with other students from all over the country. Each student was assigned to a group and the groups were kept busy by visiting the Capitol, the Senate, the House and even some embassies. Students had a face to face session with our area's representative, Filemon Vela. Mr. Vela was very accommodating and answered some really great questions regarding the terrorists threats facing our country and the issues of immigration.
In New York, students visited the 9-11 Memorial as well as the Statue of Liberty. They were able to walk the Brooklyn bridge and took part in a history walk in Central Park. All students had a wonderful experience and returned with a sense of pride in our country. They made many friends from other states and developed some lasting bonds with their instructors. This is the second year that Alice ISD has been involved with this program.
Instructional Technology
We also have two new Technology Specialist, Luis Tavarez and Jeremiah Garcia. Luis comes to us from the Best Buy - Geek Squad as an Operations Agent and Jeremiah comes to us a a self-employed computer specialist. They both started on September 21st and are ready to learn and are ready for new challenges.
The Instructional Technology Department which includes Technology Specialist Amelia Salinas is looking forward to working with the Alice ISD community.
Fall Benchmarks in October
Alice Independent School District
Email: velma.solizgarcia@aliceisd.net
Website: www.aliceisd.net
Location: 2 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, United States
Phone: 361-664-0981