3rd Week of September

DOK 

Depth of Knowledge is going great throughout our district.  As we end the 1st 6 weeks, we want to focus on taking DOK and make sure it does 2 things:

1. Help keep our focus on our TEKS.
2. Drive our daily instruction to a deeper level of knowledge as well.

Here are some things to consider when planning for instruction.

1. How will my introduction challenge kids to think at DOK 2 or 3?
2. What instructional strategies and activities will scaffold student thinking to reach DOK 2 or 3?
3. What interventions will kids need when they struggle to think at a deeper level?
4. When kids master DOK 2 or 3 questions, how can we stretch them to apply their knowledge through project based tasks at DOK Level 3 or 4?

Collaboration 

The definition of collaboration has lots of meaning and lots of interpretations based on who you ask. The ultimate form of collaboration would be definition number 2 (see picture to the right), a product resulting from working and learning together. As we come together to collaborate, we should remind ourselves that collaboration requires each one of us to do 2 things:

• Share our ideas with our peers
• Learn new ideas from our peers 

By doing these 2 things, we can create a better product, which would include stronger and more focused instruction, powerful assessments and targeted interventions.

Drop a comment below and share with everyone how your team's collaboration is strengthening your personal effectiveness in the classroom. 

TIP (Technology Integration Pic) of the Week

Brad Moughon, THS Algebra Teacher

Coach Brad Moughon is integrating a program called Accelerated Math into his instruction that allows him to target the specific learning needs of all of his Algebra I students.  As students master learning objectives, the program will provide them with  new learning goals, so they are not held up by the rest of the class.  This allows Coach Moughon to target specific students or learning objectives that are causing issues and reteach those deficit objectives.  

What makes this an event bigger deal is that Brad not only took care of his class but helped his colleagues in the math department by setting them up with the program and taking time to teach them how to use this program.  Great job, Brad!

App of the Week worth Checking Out  

exitticket.org/ (CLICK HERE)

THS Print Shop is College & Career Readiness

Senior Graphic Design (Print Shop) student Tyler Leslie putting the finishing touches (grommets) on a breakaway banner the JV cheerleaders ordered for the Freshmen to use on Thursday nights.

In Melody Ojeda's class, students are not only supporting their school, they are learning that running a print shop is preparation for the real world.  The kids are designing cool things that promote "Eagle Excellence".  ContactMelody for more info on her program.