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:

1. Go to the TISD Staff Calendar link above.
2. At the bottom right, corner of the calendar, click the +Google Calendar button. (see right)
3. 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.

• Reading Test
• Writing and Language Test
• Math Test

Coding in Mrs. Brown's Chemistry Class
Academic, College & Career Preparation

Upcoming Dates 

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

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