Congratulations to our September WOW Award winners who were recognized today.
TPS - Heather Haley
TES - Veronica Wilkerson
TMS - Kallie Boxell
THS - Annie Thompson
Food Service - Pam Vandre
Maintenance and Transportation - Billy Coleman
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Week 2.1
Google Me This -
Check out the NEW TISD Staff Calendar
CLICK the tab above this post next to HOME that says TISD Staff Calendar. It is a Google Calendar that you can view here and also on your Google Calendar at calendar.google.com.
To add the TISD Staff Calendar to your calendar:
Here are the steps to see all of your calendears on your Google Calendar (see right)
If you are using Google Classroom, Connecting Google Calendar and your Google Classroom is a neat article that show even more tricks including sharing your classroom calendar with your parents.
Growing Excellence (+10 for ALL)
Note-taking Promotes Higher Levels of Learning
We only retain at most 10% of what we hear. So if kids have nothing to do while they are listening to your instruction, what will they retain? Chances are that they will retain nothing. Note-taking is a high yield strategy (SEE HERE for the RESEARCH), but note-taking is often thought of as a skill not very condusive to kids that doodle and draw. Well, there are many benefits to note-taking and all of them help all kids learn more information in your classroom. See "The Biggest Benefits to Note-taking, and the video below to help your doodlers and drawers use art to take good notes in a manner that works best for them.
College AND Career
PSAT is a practice SAT test that students in grades 9-11 can take to see what they have learned in high school, but more importantly what they need to succeed in college. To learn more about PSAT, CLICK HERE. At the end of October, we have about 60 underclassmen taking this test. If you would like to learn more about the test, click the links below to see what each test looks like.
Upcoming Dates
What I'm Learning
STAAR Testing Time Limits
House Bill 743 requires that STAAR assessments be designed so that 85% of students can complete the grades 3–5 assessments in two hours and 85% of students can complete the grades 6–8 assessments in three hours. During the 2015–2016 school year, TEA will redesign the STAAR grades 4 and 7 writing tests so they will be completed in one four-hour administration. These redesigned writing assessments will be administered beginning in spring 2016. In addition, TEA will gather data during the spring 2016 administrations to determine how to adjust the remaining grades 3–8 assessments to meet the testing time requirements of HB 743. The remaining redesigned grades 3-8 assessments will be administered beginning in spring 2017.
Using @Remind to Share Nonfiction with Students by Bill Ferriter
Region 7 Digital Leadership Smore - by Andy Adams
Survey Reveal's Students Mobile Device Preferences
Check out the NEW TISD Staff Calendar
CLICK the tab above this post next to HOME that says TISD Staff Calendar. It is a Google Calendar that you can view here and also on your Google Calendar at calendar.google.com. To add the TISD Staff Calendar to your calendar:
- Go to the TISD Staff Calendar link above.
- At the bottom right, corner of the calendar, click the +Google Calendar button. (see right)
- Say "Yes, add this calendar" when prompted.
Here are the steps to see all of your calendears on your Google Calendar (see right)- Click the left down arrow by "My Calendars" on the left side of the screen.
- Click the box to the left of TISD Staff Training Calendar and make sure a color shows.
- Do the same for any other calendar that you need or want to view.
- To change the color of a calendar, click on the calendar and then click the down arrow to the right side of the title. Then change the color.
If you are using Google Classroom, Connecting Google Calendar and your Google Classroom is a neat article that show even more tricks including sharing your classroom calendar with your parents.
Growing Excellence (+10 for ALL)
Note-taking Promotes Higher Levels of Learning
We only retain at most 10% of what we hear. So if kids have nothing to do while they are listening to your instruction, what will they retain? Chances are that they will retain nothing. Note-taking is a high yield strategy (SEE HERE for the RESEARCH), but note-taking is often thought of as a skill not very condusive to kids that doodle and draw. Well, there are many benefits to note-taking and all of them help all kids learn more information in your classroom. See "The Biggest Benefits to Note-taking, and the video below to help your doodlers and drawers use art to take good notes in a manner that works best for them.
 |
| Source: Pinterest |
College AND Career
PSAT is a practice SAT test that students in grades 9-11 can take to see what they have learned in high school, but more importantly what they need to succeed in college. To learn more about PSAT, CLICK HERE. At the end of October, we have about 60 underclassmen taking this test. If you would like to learn more about the test, click the links below to see what each test looks like.
| Coding in Mrs. Brown's Chemistry Class Academic, College & Career Preparation |
Just a reminder all of these dates are on the TISD Staff Calendar (above).
- Friday, Oct 2 - End of the 1st 6 Weeks
- Monday, Oct 5 - Begin 1st Week of 2nd 6 Weeks (Week 2.1)
- Mon, 10/5 - Begin Response to Assessment Data (CLICK HERE FOR PROCESS)
- Wed, 10/7 - Early Release Day: Mandatory 504 Training for all staff at THS Auditorium
- Fri, 10/23 - End of 3 Wks (2nd 6 Wk Formative Assessment Due)
What I'm Learning
STAAR Testing Time Limits
| Coding and collaborative learning in action Mrs. Brown's Chemistry Class |
Using @Remind to Share Nonfiction with Students by Bill Ferriter
Region 7 Digital Leadership Smore - by Andy Adams
Survey Reveal's Students Mobile Device Preferences
Friday, September 25, 2015
Vocaroo your Kids into Self-Directed Learning
Kids miss instructional time each time they have to leave the classroom to take an oral administration of a test or each time they have to wait for the teacher to answer questions. Vocaroo (CLICK HERE) is a cool tool that will keep kids in class so they can take their test with a tablet and earbuds, but the powerful potential in Vocaroo is that it doesn't have to be a tool just for oral administrations. Below are 5 ways that you can use Vocaroo to enhance your instruction and strengthen student engagement at the same time.
Listen to my vocaroos below and click the record and upload voice button if you want to experiment with vocaroo and make one of your very own.
THE BEST PART about Vocaroo is that it is EASY to USE. Honestly, I make each 45 second Vocaroo in about 2 minutes from start to finish which also includes embedding it into this post. I hope you will check it out.
Oral Administration of Tests
Record and upload voice >>
Bell Ringers & Exit Tickets
Audio recording >>
Collaborative Learning Groups
Voice Recorder >>
QR Codes for Independent Tasks
Voice Recorder >>
Science Fairs
Online recording software >>
Vocaroo
Drop a comment or an idea of how we can use Vocaroo to meet the needs of kids while simultaneously creating an environment that challenges kids to take charge and be self-directed in their learning.
Listen to my vocaroos below and click the record and upload voice button if you want to experiment with vocaroo and make one of your very own.
THE BEST PART about Vocaroo is that it is EASY to USE. Honestly, I make each 45 second Vocaroo in about 2 minutes from start to finish which also includes embedding it into this post. I hope you will check it out.
Oral Administration of Tests
Record and upload voice >>
Bell Ringers & Exit Tickets
Audio recording >>
Collaborative Learning Groups
Voice Recorder >>
QR Codes for Independent Tasks
Voice Recorder >>
 |
| Vocaroo QR Code Try it out! |
Science Fairs
Online recording software >>
Vocaroo
Drop a comment or an idea of how we can use Vocaroo to meet the needs of kids while simultaneously creating an environment that challenges kids to take charge and be self-directed in their learning.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Week 1.6
As we prepare to give students their 1st formative assessments for the year next week, ask yourself these questions:
- what is your plan to use the data to drive your instruction?
- What is your plan to get the students to analyze their data to identify their strengths (GLOWS) and make a plans to address areas in need of improvement (GROWS).
Be sure to look at the DMAC Response to Assessment link above to help you pull the 6 reports you need to drive the right response to their performance through your future instruction and personalized intervention.
Formative Assessment Should Ask Students and Teachers #atplc pic.twitter.com/JW2v5A98RI
— Steven Weber (@curriculumblog) September 11, 2015
College AND Career - Graduation Coaches
 |
| Above are the dates of the ACT test. Please share this information with a junior or senior or a parent of one. |
Additionally, the SAT and ACT tests are available for juniors and seniors to take right now. To the left are the posters at THS to sign up. For registration information, go to the following links:
- For SAT, go to sat.org/register
- For ACT, go to actstudent.org
The most important test that kids will take in their education is one of these 2 tests. Let's make it a priority to encourage them to take this test. If you don't teach juniors and seniors, your kids should hear about the importance of these tests now so that they know there is a bigger test after STAAR that is even more important and more necessary than STAAR.
Google Me This - Collaborative Learning
If you are not following Alice Keeler, you should be. She has tons of information (CLICK HERE) that will help you learn even more about GAFE (Google Apps for Education). This week I want to encourage you to explore how Google Slides can help your kids collaborate. For example each class can be assigned 1 Google slideshow, but every student will be responsible for creating their own slide to demonstrate their learning. In collaborative groups, kids can be given a common task or problem to work on, but each student is responsible for creating his own slide to demonstrate his learning for the teacher and the class. The beauty of collaboration through Google Slides is that kids can embed photos, YouTube videos and hyperlinks to show what they know, and they do that by learning with and from their peers. Check out the graphic and link below from Alice to get even more ideas on how to use Google to accelerate learning.
Student Guide to Using Collaborative Google Slides
http://t.co/GHyeDh70Pu pic.twitter.com/2iKWGSoSaO
— Alice Keeler (@alicekeeler) September 17, 2015
Give Oral Administrations in the Room with Vocaroo
Kids miss instructional time each time they have to leave the classroom to take an oral administration of a test. Vocaroo (CLICK HERE) is a cool tool to keep kids in the class so they can take their test with a tablet and earbuds. Listen to my vocaroo below and click the record and upload voice button to make one of your own.
Record and upload voice >>
Upcoming Dates
- Fri, 9/25 - Email migration to Google (CLICK HERE for more INFO)
- Mon, 9/28 - Begin formative assessments (CLICK HERE for INSTRUCTIONS & INFO)
- Fri, 10/2 - Deadline to enter FAs in DMAC
- Fri, 10/2 - End of 1st 6 weeks
- Mon, 10/5 - Begin Response to Assessment Data (CLICK HERE FOR PROCESS)
- Wed, 10/7 - Early Release Day: Mandatory 504 Training for all staff at THS Auditorium
- Fri, 10/23 - End of 3 Wks (2nd 6 Wk Formative Assessment Due)
What I'm Learning
The 8 Minutes that Matter Most via +Edutopia
We Find What We Look For In Our Students – So What Do We See? via +Chris Wejr
One Size Does Not Fit All via +Ben Gilpin
Big week, guys: Rare 'Supermoon' Total Lunar Eclipse Coming Sunday: http://t.co/ErPnsoyTFc #scichat
— Bill Ferriter (@plugusin) September 21, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
Email Migration to Google
Since we are going Google with our digital workflow, we are finally ready to move to our email, contacts and calendars to Google as well. On Friday, September 25th
at 5:00 p.m., Wes will be moving our email to Google. Upon completion of
this process, all of your email, contacts and calendar information will be
moved to the corresponding Google app (mail/contacts/calendar).
Here are some tips to prepare you for this change.
- Email will be unavailable beginning on Friday, September 25 at 5:00 p.m. until Monday, September 28th at 6:00 a.m.
- On Monday, you can begin to access your email by going to mail.google.com. You will log-in with your tatumisd username (full email address) and password.
- To access your Gmail on your phone, use the instructions below to use the Gmail app for the following device:
- Your email address will stay the same (lastname first initial @tatumisd.org)
- Student email accounts will be created and will still be set to internal access only.
- Email Migration FAQ
If you have ANY questions or concerns about this integration of email into the other Google products, please do not hesitate to contact your MITS.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Twitter, 24/7 PD in the Palm of your Hands
I have had some conversations with teachers and administrators this fall about Twitter. The question coming up is how Twitter is such a popular site for teachers, and they want to know what people get out of it. All I can say is that if you are interested in learning what others outside of Tatum, Region 7, and even Texas, then you need to check out Twitter.
3 Links to Learn more about Twitter
Check out #TchElite Chat Next Tuesday
You're invited to a new Twitter chat hosted by Aaron Pena, principal at Woodway Elementary in Midway ISD in Waco, TX. The chat is on the #TchElite hashtag, and it'll be all about teaching effectiveness and getting better at the art and science of teaching. Set your alarm for Tuesday, September 22 at 3:45 p.m. to start the chat. If you show up late due to duty or a phone call, don't worry. Jump in and participate, or just follow along and learn from educators not only in Waco but all across the world who will be there.Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Week 1.5
Growing Excellence (+10 for ALL)
What's the point of DOK?
Depth of Knowlege (DOK) was developed by Norman Webb to help educators define the skill to be mastered at the right level of thinking, and within the context or parameters that are necessary to demonstrate mastery.
What's the point of DOK?
 |
| Mr. Daniels' IPC class starting the Bell Ringer immediately after the bell rings. |
For planning purposes in the IU template, your daily DOK question should be written in such a way that students should be able to answer that question as a result of your daily instruction. In other words it should drive the other components of your lesson for that day, and the components of your lesson plan should lead all students to be able to successfully answer your DOK question by the end of class.
Need a link to DOK question stems?
Take this link and hyperlink it to your Master IU template in the cell called DOK 3 Questions and always have a shortcut in your IU template to help you write your DOK 2 and 3 questions.
College AND Career
Greg Morris, our new Ag teacher has come in and picked up right where we left off last year in Ag Mechanics and in our FFA program. He is teaching our first ever dual credit course from Kilgore College in Welding, and he challenging our students to put their passion to work through projects. Below is a tractor project in his class right now. It is a 1927 McKormick Deering tractor, and it is being restored by several students who are being led by THS students, Jackson Howard and Cort Morris. The students are hoping to take the tractor to competition at the Houston and San Antonio Livestock shows next semester.
Google Me This - Revision History
Lost something? Go to revision history
If you ever wondered where something went or if someone messes up a file, don't sweat it. Just go to the revision history and find the last time it was correct.
Step 1 - Click File (left)
Step 2 - Click See Revision History (left)
Step 3 - Look at the Revision History (bottom) and click each edit that has been made to your document and restore the file to the last place it was correct.
Side Note - The file will not save changes made after the date of the revision that you restore.
Upcoming Dates
What I'm Learning
@edutopia: Research-backed methods that have 7x the effect on student engagement: http://t.co/uveHHI2kAJ. #stuvoice http://t.co/whXIsGD4d9
Matt Wachel and Steven Weber on the key to student engagement.
Need a link to DOK question stems?
Take this link and hyperlink it to your Master IU template in the cell called DOK 3 Questions and always have a shortcut in your IU template to help you write your DOK 2 and 3 questions.
College AND Career
Greg Morris, our new Ag teacher has come in and picked up right where we left off last year in Ag Mechanics and in our FFA program. He is teaching our first ever dual credit course from Kilgore College in Welding, and he challenging our students to put their passion to work through projects. Below is a tractor project in his class right now. It is a 1927 McKormick Deering tractor, and it is being restored by several students who are being led by THS students, Jackson Howard and Cort Morris. The students are hoping to take the tractor to competition at the Houston and San Antonio Livestock shows next semester.
Google Me This - Revision History
If you ever wondered where something went or if someone messes up a file, don't sweat it. Just go to the revision history and find the last time it was correct.
Step 1 - Click File (left)
Step 2 - Click See Revision History (left)
Step 3 - Look at the Revision History (bottom) and click each edit that has been made to your document and restore the file to the last place it was correct.
Side Note - The file will not save changes made after the date of the revision that you restore.
Upcoming Dates
- Mon, 9/28 - Begin formative assessments
- Fri, 10/2 - Deadline to enter FAs in DMAC
- Fri, 10/2 - End of 1st 6 weeks
- Wed, 10/7 - Early Release Day: Mandatory 504 Training for all staff at THS Auditorium
What I'm Learning
@edutopia: Research-backed methods that have 7x the effect on student engagement: http://t.co/uveHHI2kAJ. #stuvoice http://t.co/whXIsGD4d9
Matt Wachel and Steven Weber on the key to student engagement.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Week 1.4
Growing Excellence (+10 for ALL)
As we begin week 1.4, there are some awesome examples of learning taking place all over the district. I see lots of examples of students working hard and being actively engaged. Remember that we learn more by doing, and when kids are doing more each day, they are learning more each day.
Scott Eppler (right) has integrated technology into his Collaborative Learning activities. In his world geography class his students follow along in his focus lesson on the E-R-A activity to prepare them for the 1st 6 weeks formative assessment. As they are following along, they are collaborating in groups of 3 as they work together to complete their personal copy of the E-R-A on Chromebooks.
The keys to collaborative learning are clear expectations for behavior and successfully completing the task. Collaboration accelerates learning when students are required to create their own products to demonstrate mastery, and when they are challenged to learn from their peers to complete the task. Collaborative learning also gives the teacher opportunities to gather informal data on individual students and the class as a whole.
Looking for a good DOK Question?
CLICK HERE
College AND Career
Students in grades 5-9 can earn a scholarship right now. Go to http://matchthepromise.org/, and learn all about it. Parents can start saving for their child’s college, and if awarded, the scholarship will contribute matching funds to the student's account. To qualify, the family income must be below $100,000. Another prerequisite to the scholarship is that the parent must enroll in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
Google Me This
Sharing Google Docs can be tricky. Once you click the share button, here are some reminders on what sharing documents actually entails. If you need help with this, ask Google (help button), ask your peers, ask your MITS or ask me.
Upcoming Dates
What I'm Learning
Scott Eppler (right) has integrated technology into his Collaborative Learning activities. In his world geography class his students follow along in his focus lesson on the E-R-A activity to prepare them for the 1st 6 weeks formative assessment. As they are following along, they are collaborating in groups of 3 as they work together to complete their personal copy of the E-R-A on Chromebooks.
The keys to collaborative learning are clear expectations for behavior and successfully completing the task. Collaboration accelerates learning when students are required to create their own products to demonstrate mastery, and when they are challenged to learn from their peers to complete the task. Collaborative learning also gives the teacher opportunities to gather informal data on individual students and the class as a whole.
Looking for a good DOK Question?
CLICK HERE
College AND Career
Students in grades 5-9 can earn a scholarship right now. Go to http://matchthepromise.org/, and learn all about it. Parents can start saving for their child’s college, and if awarded, the scholarship will contribute matching funds to the student's account. To qualify, the family income must be below $100,000. Another prerequisite to the scholarship is that the parent must enroll in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund.
Google Me This
Sharing Google Docs can be tricky. Once you click the share button, here are some reminders on what sharing documents actually entails. If you need help with this, ask Google (help button), ask your peers, ask your MITS or ask me.
Upcoming Dates
- Fri., 9/11 - End of 3 Weeks Grading Period
- Week of 9/14 - Communicate to parents if students are failing at 3 weeks.
- Fri., 9/11 - Formative Assessment Answer Keys emailed to Principal
- Mon, 9/28 - Begin formative assessments
- Fri, 10/2 - Deadline to enter FAs in DMAC
- Fri, 10/2 - End of 1st 6 weeks
- Wed, 10/7 - Early Release Day: Mandatory 504 Training for all staff at THS Auditorium
What I'm Learning
- Homework Battles - When Parent Help Negatively affect Student via +MindShift
- Interesting Graphic on Assessment for Learning
- The Surprising Science of Praise
Here is a great graphic by @SylviaDuckworth that illustrates how far we can go with technology.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Week 1.3
Growing Excellence (+10 for ALL)
What happens when the bell rings to start your class? The bell ringer sets the tone not only for learning but also for your expectations for working and learning. What is working for you in your bell ringer activities? Leave a comment below.
Socrative is a great tech tool to use for bell ringers, exit tickets, independent learning and collaborative learning. Students can respond with true/false, multiple choice, likert scales and open ended responses. It also gathers the student data for you to drive interventions and extensions. Check out this 2 minute video to learn more about this helpful instructional tool.
If you would like to try it out as a student, take this quiz.
College AND Career - Formative Assessment
Part of getting kids prepared for college and career is making sure they pass their standardized tests. Our first formative assessment is coming up during week 1.6 (Week of September 28), and the deadline to have FA's completed and entered into DMAC is Friday, September 11. Below are links to help you create tests that are aligned to the rigor of the STAAR test.
PK-16 plans are in, and I hope that you will take time to take pictures of your college and career activities and send them to your principal or post them on Twitter.
Google Me This
Sign Up for TISD Staff Classroom.
Mr. Fite and I will be using this tool for ongoing professional development. Your principals will email you the instructions to sign up for the class.
What happens when the bell rings to start your class? The bell ringer sets the tone not only for learning but also for your expectations for working and learning. What is working for you in your bell ringer activities? Leave a comment below.
Socrative is a great tech tool to use for bell ringers, exit tickets, independent learning and collaborative learning. Students can respond with true/false, multiple choice, likert scales and open ended responses. It also gathers the student data for you to drive interventions and extensions. Check out this 2 minute video to learn more about this helpful instructional tool.
If you would like to try it out as a student, take this quiz.
- Go to Socrative.com
- Enter my class code, CGGM99K6
- Enter your name.
- Take the test.
College AND Career - Formative Assessment
Part of getting kids prepared for college and career is making sure they pass their standardized tests. Our first formative assessment is coming up during week 1.6 (Week of September 28), and the deadline to have FA's completed and entered into DMAC is Friday, September 11. Below are links to help you create tests that are aligned to the rigor of the STAAR test.
- Instructions for Formative Assessment Checklist - Look at Week 3 tasks
- CLICK HERE for Instructions on Creating a Test in TAG (DMAC)
PK-16 plans are in, and I hope that you will take time to take pictures of your college and career activities and send them to your principal or post them on Twitter.
 |
| Mrs. Mock's Third Grade Class is taking a weekly science safety quiz created in Google Forms. |
Sign Up for TISD Staff Classroom.
Mr. Fite and I will be using this tool for ongoing professional development. Your principals will email you the instructions to sign up for the class.
Google Comments
In Google, comments can come straight to your email if your notifications are set to receive an email each time a comment is left on your IU template. If you haven't set up your notifications in your IU template to receive emails when you receive a comment, please CLICK THIS LINK
Direct Message in a Google Comment
If you want a comment to go directly a specific person, type + and then the Tatumisd email address that you want it to get to. For example, you can comment directly to me by typing "+winkj@tatumisd.org" in your comment. I will be notified that you have communicated to me and I'll be able to respond to your comment.
Upcoming Dates
What I'm Learning
In Google, comments can come straight to your email if your notifications are set to receive an email each time a comment is left on your IU template. If you haven't set up your notifications in your IU template to receive emails when you receive a comment, please CLICK THIS LINK
Direct Message in a Google Comment
If you want a comment to go directly a specific person, type + and then the Tatumisd email address that you want it to get to. For example, you can comment directly to me by typing "+winkj@tatumisd.org" in your comment. I will be notified that you have communicated to me and I'll be able to respond to your comment.
Upcoming Dates
- Mon., 9/7 - Labor Day Holiday
- Fri., 9/11 - End of 3 Weeks Grading Period
- Fri., 9/11 - Formative Assessment Answer Keys emailed to Principal
What I'm Learning
- How Creating Writing Boosts Students Academically via +Edutopia
- 20 Things to Do instead of Homework (Primary & Elementary students)
- This video below is a great reminder of the ultimate lesson all kids must learn.
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