TAYLOR I.S.D.
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Newsletter
March 2013
Register for 2013 Summer Professional Development
We are happy to announce this year's summer professional learning opportunities. You may login to Eduphoria Workshop and select 2013 Summer Staff Development and browse for a workshop. Simply select the workshop and then click the Register button. Register Today! (How to Register Video)
*Note* All Region 13 workshops require that you have campus administrator approval and register in their system at https://ecampus.esc13.net/login.html We will post announcements about further Staff Development information on this site for future reference. http://sd.taylorisd.schoolfusion.us
Testing Season Arrives!
Well, it's that time of year again...testing season! As we get into this crazy time of year, I just wanted to first give kudos for all the great things I've seen as I've done learning walks on several campuses. At TOC, I have witnessed some great positive, respectful relationships with students as you all have worked through new instructional routines. At THS, I observed several awesome expository writing lessons to prep for EOCs in the 9th and 10th grade classes. At LECHS, I saw outstanding instructional routines involving upper-level questioning and scaffolding to more advanced student responses. And at TH Johnson, I saw some amazing small group lessons, and lots of instructional scaffolding through the "I do, we do, you do" model.
Secondly, I wanted to remind everyone that I am here for you. If you need a model lesson that involves vocabulary, instructional routines, or helping your students prep for STAAR and EOC, shoot me an email. If you need someone to bounce ideas off of, be a sounding board for a new idea you want to try out, or to hunt down resources for you, never hesitate to call me. I will continue to be out on campuses to observe all the cool things going on in your classes, so even if you want to catch me in the hallway, I always have a minute to chat. - Johna Underwood
Free App of the Week- Penultimate
Duck Data-Dashboards...
A special SHOUT OUT to Danny Ward, Roy Longcrier, Kimberly Holmes, Clarence Wooldridge, Lauren Minzenmayer, Jennifer Thomas & Jude Martin for being Student GPS dashboard POWER USERS. Rock On!!
Give me a call or shoot me an e-mail to watch your class so that you can meet with a Student GPS Dashboard 'Power User'. Find out why and how these educators are using the dashboard data to help drive their instruction.
Happy Navigating!
Nicole Purser
Put a PIN in it!
I'm sure most of you have heard about the social media website Pinterest. Some use it for finding new recipes, or wardrobe style ideas, or even funny pictures of animals doing kooky things. But I'm here to advertise the website's use for helping us all become better, more organized and effective teachers.
Some think Pinterest will become addicting, and for some that might become the case. I know I am, but I think in a good way. We are all so busy and often do not have the time to "share" the teacher-y ideas we discover on the web, or for that matter, to remember where we found the idea again when we need it. Plus, Pinterest can connect us to a plethora of really great teaching ideas, strategies, center activities, STAAR tips, management tools, and even FREE stuff!
It's easy to join and free. You just need an email address.
https://pinterest.com/join/signup/
If you want a quick tutorial on how to join or how to navigate the Pinterest website on your computer, iPad, or smart phone be sure to email me at lboyer@taylorisd.org and I'll be glad to drop by during your planning time or after school and get you started.
Be sure to follow me, too! (*If you search my name and then click "Pinners" you will see my picture.) Happy Pinning!~ Lucie Boyer
TELPAS Season is Here!
Taking the Time to Reflect
Need a Starbucks?
A- Augmentation
M- Modification
R- Redefinition
Learn more about the technology integration model called SAMR by clicking this link. SAMR Model & Starbucks
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Email: kkolinek@taylorisd.org
Website: http://cia.taylorisd.schoolfusion.us/
Location: 3101 N. Main Street, Bldg D, Taylor, TX
Phone: 512-352-6361
Twitter: @taylorisdnews