Science Newsletter
11/11/19
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
CBA #2 Teacher Vetting Opportunity (5th, 8th, and Bio):
December 2, 4:30 - 6:00 in the Burnet Cafeteria
We are still looking for Curriculum Writers for Grades: Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Click here to apply
DOSEUM EDUCATOR COHORT - APPLICATIONS DUE BY JANUARY 7
The DoSeum is opening the application for its fifth annual DoSeum Educator Cohort class. The DoSeum Educator Cohort is a year-long professional development opportunity for educators like no other in San Antonio. Cohort members receive 100+ CPE hours, research-based curriculum resources from leading institutions, and new methods for teaching STEM, the arts, and literacy in each educator’s unique setting.
The highly acclaimed Engineering is Elementary® curriculum—developed by the Boston Museum of Science—serves as the framework for the program, with a strong emphasis on arts and literacy embedded throughout. The cohort learns through: a series of on-site workshops at The DoSeum; a hands-on, two-week practicum at The DoSeum; during the summer; and by ongoing engagement with the museum’s education staff and a cohort of peers from across the San Antonio area. By the end of the experience, these select teachers are able to apply the new curriculum and pedagogy to students in their local learning environments.
Applications are due by January 7, 2020.
DOSEUM SCIENCE FAIR - APRIL 18TH
The DoSeum invites you to share your curiosity and research during our 2nd Annual City-Wide Science Fair, April 18, 2020. Have you discovered which clear liquid has more or less viscosity than other liquids, what surface is better for a toy car to travel across, or the ideal growing conditions for plants? We are looking for San Antonio’s best scientists from grades K – 6 who want to share their research with the city!
Enter a project individually or with a group of three or less of your fellow junior scientists. All types of groups are welcome to participate—families, classmates, friends! Science is a community, not a competition—let’s see what you have asked, observed, and discovered!
SAVE THE DATE - FEBRUARY 1
It is with great joy that we announce the inaugural Alamo STEM Ecosystem Professional Development Conference for San Antonio area teachers and pre-service teachers. San Antonio is a city rich in STEM-related organizations which provide resources for teachers. The conference goal is to provide access to and information about these valuable resources through a free, one-day conference specifically for teachers at all career stages. The host institution for the inaugural conference is the Teacher Enrichment Initiatives (TEI) at UT Health San Antonio. Please mark your calendars to attend on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Experience Polar Bears with Discovery Education - Virtual Field Trip
Wednesday, Nov 13, 12:00 pm CT or Thursday, Nov 14, 11:30 am CT
All ages | Live broadcast
Come experience the tundra and polar bears with Polar Bears International and Discovery Education! We are just outside of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, in the heart of polar bear action and ready to answer all your questions, big and small.
We’ll learn about the Arctic ecosystem, adaptations, sea ice habitat, climate change, and more as we scaffold concepts and Q&A with increasing complexity, so there’s something for everyone. Remember, keep your eyes peeled for polar bears roaming just outside our window!
Time: Approximately 30 minute event
Topics: habitats, ecosystems, adaptations, arctic animals, polar bears, climate, climate change, geography
Click here for more information or to register for the event
Polar Bear Live Chat Q&A with Discovery Education - Virtual Field Trip
Wednesday, Nov 13, 1:30 pm CT or Thursday, Nov 14, 1:00 pm CT
All ages | Live Q&A
Using the accompanying video content and lesson resources, create your on-demand viewing experience at the time that works best for you.
Then, join this informal hang-out where we’ll answer as many questions as possible and discuss these extraordinary animals and the tundra ecosystem.
Time: Approximately 30 minute event
Click here for more information or to register for the event
SHELTERED INSTRUCTION CORNER
Click here to access Language Objective Examples in each Content area
STAY INFORMED BY FOLLOWING US ON TWITTER
@SAISD_Science = Managed by Director, Angela Paskell
@SAISD_SciSpecialists = Managed by Instructional Specialists
Please follow us as we will use these accounts to share all of the great things that are happening with Science in SAISD. Feel free to tag us as well so we can recognize all the hard work in Science around SAISD.
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: January 6*, February 18, March 6*
6th Grade PLN: December 3, February 4
7th Grade PLN: November 13, 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.
December 16, February 10, April 13, May 4
November 18, December 16, February 20
December 16, 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
November 19, January 28, February 25, March 17, April 28
Middle School (4:45 to 6:00)
October 29, January 7, February 4, March 3
Academic Coordinating Teachers (4:00 - 5:30)
February 18
PD IN YOUR PJS
December 7
Increasing Student Literacy through Explicit Reading Strategies
In this session teachers will explore explicit reading strategies to increase science literacy in the science classroom. We will demonstrate best reading/writing strategies using STEMScopes, Avid, ESL, and C.L.I.components. Together we will discover how these strategies can be applied in various modalities such as test questions,c.e.r., short readings, and chapter textbooks providing you with a well equipped literacy toolbox.
Registration for 8:30 - 9:30 session
Registration for 9:45 to 10:45 session
May 16 - Sessions to be determined
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