Leaders Leading Learners
Curriculum & Instruction Newsletter December 5, 2014
Ambassadors
Action Items
Core Content Area News
ALL PRINCIPALS:
Instructional Coach PLC: December 5 Agenda
Lesson Plan Review Timeline: Since ICs will be meeting the week of December 15 for curriculum revision writing, the C&I department has adjusted the lesson plan review schedule. Instead of reviewing 2 weeks worth of lesson plans on 12/12, ICs will only review lesson plans for the week of 1/5 - 1/9 and then on 12/18 they will review lesson plans for the week of 1/12 - 1/6. Please see the link below for the adjusted lesson plan review schedule and share the changes with your teachers.
Reminders/Revisions
Elementary Recommended Minutes of Instruction
Instructional Coach Responsibilities: As a reminder ICs should be focused on coaching teachers, not tutoring students. As we get closer to STAAR testing time, ICs still should not be working with students, they need to be focused on working with teachers.
ABYDOS STAAR Writing Training: To help support writing instruction, C&I is providing the ABYDOS STAAR writing trainings for all teachers and Instructional Coaches that would like to attend.
Narrative: Dec. 6, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm with an hour lunch break. Located at BHS 1204
Expository: Jan. 24, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm with an hour lunch break. Located at BHS 1204
Persuasive: Feb. 7, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm with an hour lunch break. Located at BHS 1204
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS:
Spelling Bee Information: *Campus Spelling Bees: Report Your School Champion to the Scripp's spelling bee no later thanJanuary 16, 2015
*Zone 9 Regional Spelling Bee
(Brazos, Washington, Grimes, Leon, Madison and Robertson counties)
- When: Saturday, February 7, 2015
- Where: College Station High School Auditorium
- Arrival time for spellers: 8:45 a.m.
- Start time for bee: 9:00 a.m.
Big Buzz Theory: Math/Science Instructional Coaches will be signing your campus up for a spring semester date for your 5th graders to see the Big Buzz Theory presentation. Fifth grade students will have the unique experience of observing a live beehive. They will also examine these amazing animals using a Discovery Scope as the bee-keeper demonstrates the life cycle of the honey bee. This event is offered in support of our animal adaptations unit. No action is required on your part at this time.
Summer STEM CAMP: Our district will host a summer STEM day camp called Camp Invention on June 15-18, 2014. Students will explore science, technology and their own innate creativity, inventiveness and entrepreneurial spirit. More information will be coming your way following the Christmas break.
SECONDARY PRINCIPALS
Edgenuity: If your teachers need training on using Edgenuity for blended learning and/or as a resource for learning content, please contact one of the C&I content coordinators to set up a training.
Professional Development
A&M Basketball Game: The C&I team wants to thank everyone for giving their time to ensure that our fourth and fifth grade students had a memorable experience at the A&M basketball game. Our students were excited, well behaved and appreciative. Thank you for your meticulous planning and for being positive role models in our students lives. You make a difference!
December 9 - Principal PLC, 8:30-11:30 am, TESC Boardroom. Bring your Leadership Blueprint traction plan and profile. If you do not have one, Debbie Emery will have your profile.
December 16 - Administrators' Meeting, Bryan High School, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm.
January 5 - Workday for Instructional Staff which means no staff development should be scheduled.
Bilingual/ESL News
Elementary Principals
Principals: The week of December 8 is an "A" week.
Special Education News
STAAR-Accommodated: Dala Henry is providing support to help our teachers prepare their students for the STAAR-Accommodated Assessment. During the December PLC meetings, the teachers will review the practice questions on the TEA website and then create individual plans to prepare the students for the assessment.
We are requiring the teachers to work through the activities with each student at least twice. Teachers will also receive information about how to the students can record their preferences for the settings so they can quickly handle the technology and begin the assessment.
The PLC meetings are as follows:
Elementary 12/9 at 3:30 pm
Secondary 12/11 at 4:00 pm
Both sessions are at Rudder High School. Please remind your teachers to attend this meeting. You will receive a copy of the plans your teachers create so that you can monitor the completion of the student activities.
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Email: kammi.green@bryanisd.org
Website: www.bryanisd.org
Phone: 979-209-1049