Science Newsletter
November 6, 2020
TEACHER VETTING FOR 8TH GRADE CBA #2 & BIOLOGY SEMESTER EXAM
Beginning Monday, November 9th, teachers will have the opportunity to vet the Curriculum-Based Assessment (CBA) #2 for 8th grade and the Fall Semester Exam for Biology and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. The window to vet the assessments will open on Monday, November 9 and close end of day, Friday, November 13.
Teachers will have the option to vet the assessments in the following two ways (the protocol is the same either option):
Option 1: Synchronous Zoom Meeting, Nov 9, 4:15 to 5:15
Option 2: Asynchronous Google Classroom Assignment to complete the CBA Vetting Protocol by Nov 13, 2020 at your own pace
Regardless of the option chosen, teachers who are interested in vetting the assessments for either 8th Grade or Biology, need to fill out the “Secondary Assessment Review Form” by 4:45 pm on Friday, November 6 in order to receive access to the assessment material. Once participates have completed the form, further information will be emailed directly to them.
PD IN YOUR PJS, SATURDAY NOV 14
Participants will dive into the Gizmos STEM Cases offered by Explore Learning. In STEM Cases, students are put into the role of STEM professionals tasked with solving real-world problems. Via interactive case studies, students form and test ideas to find solutions - just like real scientists.
9:00 - 10:00, 10:00 - 11:00
Introduction to Gizmos for MS & Academies
In this session, middle school teachers (6th - 8th) and academy teachers (3rd - 8th) will be introduced to Gizmos, interactive science simulations, to support laboratory investigations in an virtual learning environment.
9:00 - 10:30, 10:30 - 12:00
TESTING WINDOW OPENS MONDAY FOR 5TH GRADE CBA
The testing window to take the Grade 5 CBA will open next week on Monday, November 9 and will close Thursday, November 12. All campuses must give the test during this window and any printed answer documents should be scanned by November 16.
NSTA SAFETY BLOG
GIZMOS NOW AVAILABLE FOR MIDDLE AND ACADEMIES
All middle school and academy teachers are requested to attend one training webinar over the next two weeks to be introduced to the platform, how to utilize Gizmos, and how to initiate student access. The Gizmos Training Flyer is now available that shows the trainings options over the next two weeks. Please register in Performance Matters prior to the trainings, as we are maxing out each session at 50 participants.
Prior to the training, teachers are asked to watch the “Pre-Gizmos” video and then create their accounts using their campus unique registration URL found in an email sent to department chairs and academic coordinating teachers earlier this week.
Please note that all academies will also receive access to Gizmos for Grades 3rd – 5th, so elementary teachers for those campuses should register for their accounts and attend a training as well.
See the video below for an introduction to Gizmos!
LAST WEEK TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ON NEW HS TEKS
At the September 2020 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization proposed new Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the following high school science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), and Physics. The proposal recommends an implementation date of the 2023–2024 school year. The SBOE is scheduled to consider the proposed new TEKS for second reading and final adoption at its November 2020 meeting.
The official public comment period for the proposed new TEKS for high school science is now open. To view the proposed revisions and submit public comments, visit
Public Comment Period: October 9, 2020–November 13, 2020
When submitting a comment, please be sure to include the course name(s), the number of the knowledge and skill statement, and the letter of the student expectation, if applicable (for example, Chemistry, 13.C).
You are encouraged to submit public comments as early in the comment period as possible. Public comments will be shared with SBOE members and their content advisors each week. Specific, actionable feedback submitted early in the 30-day timeframe provides SBOE members with more information and time to consider comments.
FREE COLLEGE BOARD VIRTUAL SESSIONS
College Board is offering AP & SAT Suite of Assessments virtual sessions through Region 10 Advanced Academics that are open to all Texas educators at no cost.
Click here for the flyer for the Lunch & Learn sessions.
20-21 AP Resources for Teachers
11:30 - 12:30 on November 12
SAT Suite: Using Scores & Reports to Inform Instruction, Counsel Students, & Monitor Growth
11:30 - 12:30 on December 1
11:30 - 12:30 on December 8
SAT Suite: Understanding Key Content Features & Content Alignment
11:30 - 12:30 on December 3
11:30 - 12:30 on December 10
TEACHING COVID TO STUDENTS - FREE WEBINARS
Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt is offering complimentary webinars presenting by HMH science author, Michael DiSpezio, the chosen speaker on COVID-19 for NSTA.
What do students really know about COVID-19, and what should they know? How can the understanding of science help keep students, families, and teachers safe? Find out in these engaging and informative sessions in which Michael will address the teaching of COVID-19 in today's classroom.
- Ready-to-go STEM activities appropriate for each grade band will be shared
- Learn about the latest in vaccine and therapy development
- Writing connections will also be addressed...Science and Writing: Better Together
Register for the session(s) that work best for you!
Teaching COVID-19 to Grades 3-5 Students
Tuesday, November 10th
4:00-5:00pm Central: CLICK HERE to register
5:30-6:30pm Central: CLICK HERE to register
Teaching COVID-19 to High School Students
Thursday, November 12th
4:00-5:00pm Central: CLICK HERE to register
5:30-6:30pm Central: CLICK HERE to register
Teaching COVID-19 to Middle School Students
Tuesday, November 17th
4:00-5:00pm Central: CLICK HERE to register
5:30-6:30pm Central: CLICK HERE to registerBIOLOGY DECEMBER EOC COUNTDOWN NOW AVAILABLE
STEMSCOPES PRODUCT UPDATES
In addition to updating their resources to be more adaptable to virtual learning, STEMscopes has released two documents to support hybrid instruction using those resources:
TEA COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS
Applications Now Available for:
Science TEKS Review Committee
Instructional Materials Reviews
STAAR and/or STAAR Spanish
UT AUSTIN'S FABFEMS FRIDAYS
UT Austin’s Women in Engineering Program FabFems Fridays
UT Austin’s Women in Engineering Program (UTWEP) is hosting 4 “FabFems Fridays” this fall from 12 – 12:45 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join in! Info and registration links below. NOTE: the target audience is high school students considering engineering as a major and current engineering students. All FabFems Fridays will be recorded and posted in our Career Chats playlist on YouTube.
Friday, November 6 - FabFems Friday: Celebrating Engineers in Law
Register: https://utexas.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5-wfOt5sTcaoFoSf1tgDdQ
Join UTWEP for a panel discussion with Cockrell School alums and engineers with law career paths and experiences. Hear their educational and career stories, successes and struggles. Get inspired! And get your questions answered.
Friday, November 13 - FabFems Friday: Celebrating UT Austin Women in STEM Student Organizations
Join UTWEP for a panel discussion with student leaders from the Women in STEM Leadership Collaborative (student organizations and programs from across UT Austin that serve and support STEM students who identify as women). Hear their educational and career stories, successes and struggles. Get inspired! And get your questions answered.
Register: https://utexas.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0udOqhrTsiH9YhzqAKfWjdTeL73wBgtGaf
DEPARTMENT CHAIR MEETINGS
November 10, January 12, February 9, March 23
Middle School (4:45 - 6:00)
December 1, January 26, February 23, March 30
Academic Coordinating Teachers ACTs (4:00 - 5:30)
February 11
Angela Paskell, Director of Science
Email: apaskell1@saisd.net
Website: www.saisd.net/science
Location: 406 Barrera Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-554-2525
Twitter: @SAISD_Science