Science Newsletter
02/07/2020
ARE YOU READY FOR EOC/STAAR?
All teachers that attend the PLN will be provided with class sets of their countdown manipulatives, ready-made games for reviewing reporting categories, strategies to support ELs, and much more!
5th Grade STAAR PLN = February 18, 8:00 - 4:00, CAST Med High School (Backside)
8th Grade STAAR PLN = February 25, 8:00 - 4:00, Burnet Cafeteria
Click on the sessions above to register in Performance Matters to reserve your seat now!
TEXAS GATEWAY - TEMPORARILY CLOSING
The Gateway site will be temporarily closed for maintenance at midnight on February 17th, 2020 and is expected to reopen by early March 2020. TEA apologizes for the inconvenience during the transition process, and will actively provide updates through their Digital Learning mailing list as new information is available. To sign up for updates, please subscribe to the Digital Learning mailing list (here). Additional information related to Gateway supports is provided below.
Gateway Courses Transition
The Texas Gateway Courses professional development platform will transition to a new learning management system. As a result, the following Gateway courses will be temporarily closed (link to impacted course list). TEA will release additional information in the coming weeks to provide directions for how educators can access courses in a new environment. This transition should not impact summer professional development schedules given the highest volume of participants complete courses at that time. If you are not currently enrolled in a course, you will not be able to enroll or access course material until the transition process is complete. Participants currently enrolled in courses on the Gateway must complete the following activities to obtain credit prior to midnight on February 17th:
- Complete all lessons and tests
- Download, save, and/or bookmark any helpful documents and resources
- Generate and save a course completion certificate
- Note: Participants who do not complete courses by February 17, 2020 may have to start a course over in the new course system
Gateway Suite of Applications and Resources
- The following Gateway applications and resources accessible through the Texas Gateway sign-on (www.texasgateway.org) will be shut down temporarily during the transition process. The site is expected to be available by early March. The suite of applications and resources include the following:
- Texas Gateway Resources, including OpenStax and Study Edge OER
- Lesson Study lessons
- CTE Resource Center
- TEKS Guide
SEASIDE CHATS 2020: ROVing THE GULF
Seaside Chats are informal presentations about ocean topics associated with Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBMS) and the Gulf of Mexico.
This year, Seaside Chats will be focused on exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Topics will range from the tools that are used to the discoveries that are made to the reasons why the places visited are important. Educators can participate in person or via webinar. One hour of continuing education credit for each program is provided.
The Seaside Chats take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m.(CT) at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) offices at 4700 Avenue U, Building 216, Galveston, TX 77551. The presentations are archived and available on the Flower Garden Banks website at the end of this listing.
February 12 - Mysteries of Black Corals Find out what has been learned about black corals in the Gulf of Mexico through DNA, structure, and age studies. Hear about some of the work accomplished through the live telepresence trip last August.
February 19 - R/V MANTA Learn how this multi-faceted research vessel has made a difference in ocean exploration and research in the Gulf of Mexico.
February 26 - What's New in the Blue? See what FGBNMS staff and associates have been doing in the Gulf of Mexico this past year in terms of research, monitoring, and expansion efforts.
For more information please visit:
Flower Garden BanksWATT-WATCHERS OF TEXAS
Watt Watchers of Texas is a state-sponsored STEM program to help boost energy and resource literacy for K-12 students and help schools save money by saving energy. Through the program, students, teachers, and families will have access to energy saving tips, activities, and TEKS-aligned lessons. KLRN will host a FREE 2-hour evening workshop for teachers on Thursday, February 20th from 5:30-7:30 PM to recruit program ambassadors who will support Watt Watchers of Texas at their campus. Participating educators will receive two hours of Continuing Professional Education Credits! Registration is available through this link or you may contact Rachel Salinas from KLRN.
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*
7th Grade PLN: February 19
8th Grade PLN: February 25
Chemistry PLN: February 11
Physics PLN: March 24
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
February 10, March 2, March 30, and April 13
**Credit will now be given to all those individuals who watch our Virtual PDs (live or afterwards) by completing the reflection survey. Credit will then be issued through Performance Matters within 48 hours.
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
February 25, March 17, April 28
Middle School (4:45 to 6:00)
March 3
Academic Coordinating Teachers (4:00 - 5:30)
February 18
EPIC SATURDAYS
February 29 @ Highlands 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
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