Science Newsletter
1/10/20
CURRICULUM UNITS OF STUDY NOW LIVE
In this Phase I of writing, we developed the following curriculum documents:
- Control Panels: Unit Overview, Big Ideas, Essential Questions, TEKS, Process Standards, ELPS, SEAD Competencies, Technology TEKS, Formative Assessment Playbook, Strategies for ELs
- Learning Targets & Success Criteria
- Unit Assessment Items
- Essential Vocabulary: English & Spanish Essential Vocabulary for Elementary, English & Cognates for Secondary, vocabulary instructional strategies
- Writing Extensions: One to two writing prompts per unit, sentence stems, rubrics/success criteria
- Instructional Resources: Adopted and Supplemental Resources
Any documents not hyperlinked on the Control Panel (digital dashboard) will be written during the Phase II Writing in the 2020 - 2021 school year.
TEA NEEDS YOUR INPUT! SCIENCE TEKS REVIEW SURVEY
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is scheduled to begin its process to review and revise the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in January 2020. As part of this process, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will convene a series of work groups to make recommendations to the SBOE for revising the science TEKS. TEA is surveying educators to help inform the recommendations of the science work groups. We encourage you to provide your feedback regarding the current science TEKS by completing the survey.
SCIENCE TEKS REVIEW WORK GROUP APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will soon begin the review and revision of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science. The SBOE’s TEKS review and revision process calls for multiple, separate work groups to make recommendations to the SBOE for revisions to the current standards. SBOE members nominate individuals, including educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers, to serve on TEKS review work groups.
The SBOE is now accepting applications for science TEKS review work groups. Applications received will be submitted to SBOE members for review throughout the process. Individuals selected will be asked to serve on one or more work groups. The TEKS review work groups will convene in Austin for a minimum of one face-to-face meeting. Additional meetings may be conducted via webinar.
To access the application and for more information regarding the science TEKS review, please visit the Science TEKS Review webpage at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks-texas-essential-knowledge-and-skills-teks-review/science-teks-review
EPA TREASURE HUNTS
Facilities Services is pleased to share resources with you that can help campuses find ways to save energy & water, while incorporating resource conservation into academic programs. The EPA Energy Efficiency Treasure Hunt and Water Efficiency Treasure Hunt checklists are fun ways to encourage students to find opportunities to eliminate waste in their schools. By following the checklists, students are given actionable items that can be reported to Facilities Services so these can be fixed and improve the efficiency of their campus. Simply follow the links to each of the EPA checklists and you can begin your treasure hunts!
Additionally, the State Energy Conservation Office has updated the Watt Watchers of Texas program to include more relevant content that uses a web-based platform. Watt Watchers includes a number of fun, TEKS-aligned activities and resources that are organized by content area and grade level so they are easy to build into classroom or extra-curricular activities. There is no cost to use any of these great resources and they will allow you to provide students and teachers with a way to help our environment! Please reach out to Aaron Stein, Director of Energy & Sustainability, for information on District resource conservation efforts or to learn how to track the energy usage at your campus!
APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE CAMP
Applications for the National Youth Science Camp (NSYC) are open. This all-expense paid camp for graduating seniors brings together talented students from all 50 states.
To be selected, a student must be a graduating high school senior. The NYSC will be held from June 22 to July 15, 2020. Students must be able to attend the entire program.
The deadline to submit applications is 5:00 PM on February 28, 2020.
TEXAS GIRLS IN STEM DAY
SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY SUMMER INTERNSHIP
The San Antonio River Authority has applied for a Summer 2020 American Fisheries Society Hutton Scholar. This is a paid ($4,000) summer intern program that will give a high school junior or senior (17+ years old at time of employment) the opportunity to work with River Authority Aquatic Biologists for eight weeks. The selected intern will spend time conducting fish, mussel, benthic macroinvertebrate and habitat assessments, collecting water quality data and assisting River Authority education staff with community outreach.
The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2020. For more information or questions, reach out to Chris Vaughn at cvaughn@sara-tx.org or the AFS Educational Program Coordinator, Mary Webb Banning at mbanning@fisheries.org.
SPRING CURRICULUM WRITERS WANTED
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORKS 2019 - 2020
The Science Department will pay for substitutes for the dates below. Teachers must have the permission of their principal to attend. Click on the title of the PLN to register in Performance Matters. *No Substitutes Needed
5th Grade PLN: February 18, March 6*
6th Grade PLN: February 4
7th Grade PLN: February 19
8th Grade PLN: February 25
Biology PLN: February 6
Chemistry PLN: February 11
Physics PLN: March 24
Environmental Systems PLN: January 28
VIRTUAL PDS FOR 5TH, 8TH, AND BIOLOGY
Virtual PDs will be provided for each unit a week or two weeks prior to start of each unit per the Pacing Calendar. All PD sessions will be recorded and available the following day on our Science Professional Learning Webpage in the "Training Materials" folders for the Virtual PDs. The Virtual PDs will include topics such as deconstructing the TEKS, recommended resources, suggested investigations, etc. Click on the title of the Virtual PD to register in Performance Matters where the information on how to access the PD session will be provided.
February 10, April 13, May 4
February 20
January 27, February 10, March 2, March 30, and April 13
HOW TO ACCESS THE VIRTUAL PDS LIVE
For 5th Grade Virtual PDs: https://zoom.us/j/5927784195
For 8th Grade Virtual PDs: https://zoom.us/j/2164483786
For Biology Virtual PDs: https://zoom.us/j/9718936014
All recorded Zoom Meetings can be found on our Science Professional Learning Calendar in the "Training Materials" folders
DEPARTMENT CHAIR MEETINGS
January 28, February 25, March 17, April 28
Middle School (4:45 to 6:00)
February 4, March 3
Academic Coordinating Teachers (4:00 - 5:30)
February 18
EPIC SATURDAYS
February 29 @ Burbank High School
Dear Diary - It's a Journal, not a Diary. Bringing Interactive Journals to life!
The demands for students and teachers are all together frustratingly challenging, especially when the task seems nearly impractical. Interactive Journals (or Notebooks) are supposed to be tools that strengthen student's learning of the subject and increase student participation. Interactive Journals don't have to be mundane, difficult, or stressful. Come learn how to make Interactive Journals manageable and effortless for your classroom.
Audience: All teachers
Session: 8:45 to 10:45
Angela Paskell, Director of Science
Email: apaskell1@saisd.net
Website: https://saisdofficeofacademics.weebly.com/science.html
Location: 406 Barrera Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-554-2525
Twitter: @SAISD_Science