TCSD Teaching and Learning News
News You Can Use
Welcome to the 1st edition of the TCSD Teaching and Learning Newsletter. The intent is to share resources, strategies, and ideas for your classroom. Also, pertinent information regarding Professional Learning and Curricular requirements is included. Please take a few minutes to view the newsletter. Also, I welcome guest articles to the newsletter. If you would like to share, please let me know. Our first Instructional focus will be Planning for Differentiation!
IM TC
Are you looking to reach Level 4 on the TAPS Rubric? IM TC is the perfect opportunity for you. Improving My Teaching Craft is a new professional learning community in which teachers can share best practices with colleagues. Our first session is December 2nd . If you have innovative assessment strategies and have mastered using assessment to plan instruction, please apply to present. If you are looking for ideas for assessment and its use, please attend. Applications to present and registration to attend should be completed by November 18th. Apply and register here: http://goo.gl/forms/RvRxLKD9y4
TCSD Social Studies Department attends GCSS Conference
On October 22-23, Secondary Social Studies Teachers attended the Georgia Council for Social Studies Annual Conference in Athens, Georgia. Teachers had the opportunity to attend best practice sessions delivered by Social Studies teachers from all over the state and learned more about resources available in the content area. A highlight of the conference was learning about The DBQ Project. Stay tuned for more information!
Our Smallest Treasures
Students in Mrs. Edie's room are eager to learn and love!
New Teacher Spotlight
Natalie Kincy teaches Basic Agricultural Science and Agricultural Mechanics at the High School. Natalie received a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Texas State and and Masters in Agriculture Leadership from the University of Georgia. In addition to teaching, Ms. Kincy is the sponsor for FFA. Everyone please welcome Ms. Kincy to the Taylor County family.
Professional Learning Updates
Upcoming
January 8th and 11th will consist of Professional Learning for all faculty and staff. Current plans are Vertical Alignment in each subject area and FIP (Formative Instructional Practices) for all core content teachers. Also, we will have Teacher's Choice. Have any topics you would like to see a PL session cover? Please send your suggestions to taylorcountyschooldistrict@gmail.com. Current ideas include: Formative Assessment, DOK, Literacy Strategies, and GOFAR. Personal leave will not be approved for Professional Learning Days.
Math
Middle School and High School Math teachers participated in Constructed Response PL in October and November. TCPS Math teachers have attended two CRMC sessions covering Number Sense.
English Language Arts
ELA teachers at TCUES have been involved in Writer's Workshop PL since September under the guidance of Tessa Garland, CF RESA Literacy Specialist and Donna Kirksey, TCUES Literacy Coach. Writer's Workshop is scheduled to begin at TCPS in the coming weeks which will include model classrooms! At TCMS, 7th grade teacher, Kristi Hartley, is attending an ELA PL Series with America's Choice extraordinaire Debbie Craven.
Science
Science teachers in grades 3-12 recently participated in Academic Vocabulary PL. Secondary science teachers also completed SmartBoard training along with Math colleagues. High School teachers just received a shipment of supplies. Be on the lookout for scientists in action!
Social Studies
In addition to attending the State Conference, Secondary Social Studies teachers attended Close Reading PL facilitated by Reading Specialist, Natalie Callier. Excellent resources were shared including Stanford's "Reading Like a Historian".
Curriculum Updates
Unit Plans
Unit Plans are due by November 20. Please email to taylorcountyschooldistrict@gmail.com and give a print copy to your Instructional Leader.