Elementary Science
November/December Newsletter
In This Issue:
- Celebrations - Schoolyard Forests in Northside, Leon Valley's NEW Outdoor Classroom!
- Curriculum Corner - Learning Targets, Practices/Process Standards, & Teacher Clarifications
- Resource Reminders - Don't forget to use these resources this month!
- Must-Hear Messages - Important department updates
- Science Spotlight - Check out the exciting science happening in Northside!
- Up and Coming - Important events & PD opportunities
- NISD Elementary Science Site - Everything elementary science in one place!
Celebrations
Schoolyard Forests in Northside
In October, the first two schoolyard forests were started at both Esparza and Mead. The Elementary Environmental Education program has joined with the Bexar Branches Alliance to establish schoolyard forests through the C.A.N.O.P.Y Project (Cultivating And Nurturing Our Planet’s Youth). 4th and 5th grade students planted 58 trees at Esparza and 98 trees at Mead.
A special thank you to the following people:
- Isaac Esquivel, for leading the charge on this project
- Northside's wonderful Maintenance Department for all of their support
- The Grants Department for helping secure the necessary funds
- HEB for donating the trees for Mead through their Trees for Texans program
- San Antonio Parks and Recreation for donating the trees for Esparza
- Texas Conservation Corps for leading student groups in the tree-planting process
Without them, none of this incredible work would have been possible.
Leon Valley's Outdoor Classroom
Congratulations, Leon Valley and Jenna Hudon, for winning an Outdoor Classroom from Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds! This is an amazing space where your students and teachers are going to love to learn!
The Bienenstock OutClass Giveaway contest is running right now.
Click HERE to enter your campus for a chance to win an outdoor classroom.
Curriculum Corner
This section highlights important features of the new Science and Social Studies curriculum. This year, grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th are utilizing the new curriculum, but it will be rolled out to all grade levels over the next two years. Although, this information may not be applicable to all grade levels this year, the information presented in this section will allow you to anticipate the format and components of the upcoming Science and Social Studies curriculum.
Learning Targets and Science Practices/Social Studies Process Standards
This section of the curriculum provides statements that describe what students should learn and how they should learn it.
The learning targets state exactly what students will learn and/or do. These statements provide clarification of the TEKS by providing specific examples and/or including definitions.
In 2nd and 4th grades, the learning targets are paired with Science practices and/or Social Studies process standards. These standards describe how students should interact with the content.
Teacher Clarifications
The Teacher Clarifications section of the curriculum is organized by learning targets. This section includes key information students should learn. Key words or phrases from the TEKS and/or learning targets are bolded with the supporting information bulleted below or formatted in a table.
This section includes :
- prior knowledge
- integration explanations
- definitions of key vocabulary
- pictures and links for key resources
- ideas or suggestions for investigations
- student misconceptions
Resource Reminder
Kinder ~ Me in My School
In the Me in My Home unit, students will be exploring magnets and their interactions between various materials. This is the perfect opportunity to have students be hands-on with this investigation. Pull out those magnets of all shapes and round up materials of all kinds!
1st Grade ~ Family Fun & The Science of Recreation and Jobs, Technology, & Energy
Through November and December you’ll be covering two units, Family Fun & The Science of Recreation, as well as Jobs, Technology & Energy. Check out STEMscopes for some interesting engage activities, including turning your students into superheroes, a kid sized Venn Diagram, and a balancing act!
2nd Grade ~ Environments & Interactions Around the World and Forces of Nature
In November and December, you will wrap up Environments & Interactions Around the World and begin the unit, Forces of Nature. EduSmart's Instructional Modules are great resources to use in the "Explain" portion of the 5E Framework.
3rd Grade ~ Business Matters
Students will explore the many physical properties of matter in the unit Business Matters. This is a great time to use the digital Science Cut-Ups: Solids, Liquids & Gases, which gives students the opportunity to explore these states of matter through the use of Venn Diagrams.
4th ~ The Attraction to Texas
The beginning of the unit, The Attraction to Texas, is filled with hands-on opportunities for your students to explore properties of matter. Don’t be afraid to get in the science lab, or bring the science lab to you. Pull out magnets, density cubes, pan balances, thermometers and more!
5th ~ Earth Science
The Earth Science reporting category continues to be an area in need of improvement for our district. It is important that students make and observe models that represent the processes we can't observe in real life. STEMscopes has a great investigation that explores the formation of fossil fuels.
Modeling the Formation of Fossil Fuels
Laying the Foundation
Heat and Pressure
5th ~ STAAR Prep
The 2023 Science STAAR Released Questions are now available on CMS in the CO Shared Item bank. Use this click sheet to find these items.
Must Hear Messages
Volunteer Opportunities
We have three enrichment program events that mean the world to many of our students, but we need your help to make them happen.
See our Volunteer Flyer for more information.
Schoolnet (CMS) Assessments
If you are not familiar with how to use Schoolnet (CMS) for your unit assessments, this VIDEO walks you through how to access testing information, what it looks like for teachers and students to access the test, monitoring the test using the proctor dashboard, and how to support students with online testing.
Science Spotlight
Take a look the wonderful science that is happening in Northside classrooms!
We want to highlight you! Tag us @NISDElemScience #TeamSciSS
Franklin
4th Grade STEM Challenge - design a shelter that can withstand wind and rain
Tomlinson
5th graders exploring sound energy!
Murnin
1st graders going outside to observe interdependence.
Enrichment Programs
Check out the transformative learning that is happening through our Enrichment Programs!
Enrichment programs include Project ACORN, Environmental Education, Robotics, Solar Cars, Flight Club, Cardboard Arcade, STEM Team, and Young Astronauts.
Steubing Robotics Team
McDermott Environmental Ed Experience
Franklin's Project ACORN Club
Up and Coming
Enrichment Programs
Begins September 11th ~ STARS Asynchronous Training
November 8th ~ Project ACORN: Native Plants & Their Pollinators at Timberwilde from 4:15-5:15
- Course 61600, Section: 133325
November 11th ~ A Deep Dive into iNaturalist at Cibolo Nature Center from 8:30-12:00
- Course 61600, Section 133689
November 15th ~ Solar Cars Kickoff Meeting for Coaches (virtual) from 4:30-5:30
- Course 61600, Section: 133324
December 2nd ~ Build a Solar Car Workshop at NAC from 8:00-1:00
- Course 61600, Section: 134015
December 14th ~ Story of Stinson Middle School Garden at Stinson MS from 4:15-5:15
- Course 61600, Section: 134665
For detailed, updated information, please check the Enrichment Programs page on the Science Site.
Planetarium Trainings
Don't forget to sign up and attend the planetarium training session at the beginning of the month you have the planetarium reserved for your campus. See your campus science facilitator if you have any questions.
NISD Elementary Science Site
Your One-Stop-Shop for Science Information
This Elementary Science Site is filled with information and resources to support teachers in Science instruction and enrichment programs.
The Elementary Science Team
Science Instructional Support Teacher Northside ISD Curriculum & Instruction