Curriculum Connections
 ESC Region 12 General Education Department, 
January/February 2018

The latest news in curriculum, instruction and assessment
In This Issue
Feb. Upcoming Sessions: Click to Register
Jan. 26 DIG IN Monthly Meeting
Jan. 29

Jan. 29
Content Area Writing: Every Student - Every Classroom - Grades 6-12

Jan. 30
Engaging Learners: Supporting Conditions for Active Learning (ALISEN)

Jan. 30 
Jan. 31
K-3 Spring Webinar Series


Jan. 31
Grades 4-7 Spring Webinar Series
Feb. 1
G/T Basic II: Assessing Student Needs for Identification

Feb.1
Math Models, Manipulatives, and Make & Takes K-2; Algebraic Reasoning - Blended Learning

Feb. 1
Designing Meaningful Learning Experiences

Feb. 5
Critical Thinking Strategies for Secondary Social Studies

Feb. 5
AM
Istation: Rule the Galaxy with the Right Stuff - 3-5 Reading

Feb. 5
PM
Istation: Rule the Galaxy with the Right Stuff - 3-5 Reading

Feb. 6
Feb. 6
Master Schedule Building
Feb. 7
Feb. 7
Feb. 7
Feb. 7 Literacy Stations in Action Grades 3-8
Feb. 8 K-3 Spring Webinar Series
Feb. 8 Grades 4-7 Spring Webinar Series
Feb. 8
Feb. 12 Math Models, Manipulatives, and Make & Takes 3-5; Measurement

Feb. 12 TEKS Resource System 101: Foundation Training for Teachers

Feb. 13
Engaging Learners: Stimulated Recall: Using Video Analysis for Instruction (ALISEN)

Feb. 13
Early Childhood Webinar Series: Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in the Pre-K Classroom

Feb. 13
Math Webinar: Grade 3 Demystifying Area and Perimeter

Feb. 14
AM
Curriculum Council
Feb. 14
PM
TEKS Resource System
Feb. 14 K-3 Spring Webinar Series
Feb. 14
Grades 4-7 Spring Webinar Series
Feb. 15
G/T Online Basic III: Curriculum & Instruction for G/T Students - Differentiating the Instruction

Feb. 15
Global Learning Experiences
Feb. 19
Feb. 20
Teacher Leader Academy
Feb. 19
Librarian PLC
Feb. 20
Data Representation and Statistics for Grades 6-8

Feb. 20
Math Models, Manipulatives and Make & Takes K-2; Measurement, Blended Learning

Feb. 20
Meaningful Makerspaces
Feb. 21
Final Shot to the Science STAAR
Feb. 21
AM
Prekindergarten Guidelines - Physical Development

Feb. 21
PM
Prekindergarten Guidelines - Technology
Feb.21
Exploring the SAT from an English Perspective

Feb. 21
Getting Started with Google Apps

Feb. 22
G/T Basic III: Curriculum and Instruction for G/T Students - Differentiating the Curriculum

Feb. 22
Student Choice and Voice
Feb. 23
March 23
The Touchpoint Approach

Feb. 23
High-Quality PreK: The Components and Self-Assessment Tool

Feb. 23
Starting the Path to Proficiency: Integrating the NEW TEKS in LOTE Classrooms

Feb. 26
Literacy Conference
Feb. 26
Teaching Elementary Social Studies through Interdisciplinary Connections

Feb. 27
Engaging Learners: The Role of Literacy in Successful Student Centered Learning (ALISEN)

Feb. 27
Developing Positive Student Relationships
Feb. 27
A look at SAT from a Math Perspective
Feb. 27
Early Childhood Webinar Series: Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in the Prekindergarten Classroom

Feb. 27
Increasing Motivation Using Badges
Feb. 28
Planful, Purposeful, and Playful Phonological Awareness Webinar: Part II

Feb. 28
Blended Learning
March 1
K-3 Spring Webinar Series

March 1 
Grades 4-7 Spring Webinar Series
March 2
4Cs + 1R - Collaboration, Communication, Creativity Critical Thinking, and Reflection

March 6
Grade 8 Social Studies STAAR Review
March 7
US History STAAR EOC Review Strategies

March 8
ESC Region 12 Science Webinar Series
March 13
On the Hunt for Pokemon: Understanding Biological Concepts using Pokemon Go

March 15
March 19
G/T Online Basic IV: Curriculum & Instruction for G/T Students - Designing Curriculum

March 20
Engaging Learners: Effective Academic Discourse (ALISEN)

March 20
Math Webinar: Grades 6 & 7 Developing Deeper Understanding through Math Conversations

March 20
Early Childhood Webinar Series: Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in the PreK Classroom

March 21 AM
Curriculum Council
March 21 PM
TEKS Leadership Network Meeting
March 21
Engaging and Empowering Generation Z
March 23
Unit Design for Language Proficiency in the LOTE Classroom

March 26
Maximizing Ownership and Achievement with Digital Portfolios

March 27
G/T Advisory Group
March 27
Webinar: Grades K-2 Number Sense
March 27
Student Learning Objectives: Student Growth Measure for T-TESS

March 27
Making Media Meaningful
March 28
Genius Hour 101 Grades K-12
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
for February and March 2018.
SCHOLAR Resource!
Check out the Secondary Counselor Handbook of Online Listing and Resources for CCRS Information, Graduation Plan Information and MORE!  Visit our website!
HB5 Information
Visit our Website!
Social Media Links!
MATH

ELA/R
Facebook: ESC Region 12 ELAR
Twitter: @Region12ELAR

Social Studies
News & Updates
Next Curriculum Council Meeting is on February 14, 2018

Our next Curriculum Council Meeting is Valentine's Day. Don't miss the latest news and information from the TEA and from across our ESC Region 12 departments. Deb Sauberer, Director of Assessment at the Texas Education Agency will join us to discuss current initiatives in her department at the agency including Interim Assessments and the Writing Pilot Project. Also included will be updates from the different departments and content areas of Region 12. Don't miss out on the updates and collaborative learning. We hope to see you Wednesday, February 14!

Curriculum Council Dates and Session Numbers:
TEKS Resource System Dates and Session Numbers:
Who's Who and What's New in the Region 12 GenEd Department


Shown above are the members of our ESC Region 12 Science Team. Team members from top to bottom are as follows: Judy York, Jeanine Wolf and Lisa Cisneros. We are so excited about the wealth of knowledge they bring to our department. They have created some great learning opportunities that we encourage you to attend!

In Case You Missed It: TEA Updates 

The following are links to correspondence from TEA regarding or impacting curriculum, 
instruction and assessment.
___________________________________
Start Smart Texas
Check out Start Smart Texas, a parent-focused initiative designed to work with families, community leaders and schools to promote the role of parents in making any time a learning time.  LINK
___________________________________
Recently Updated/Published Documents
___________________________________
ELAR/SLAR

  • K-8 ELA/R SLAR TEKS are scheduled for implementation in 2019-2020.
  • High School ELA/R SLAR TEKS are scheduled for implementation in 2020-2021
___________________________________
Science
  • Effective Date for streamlined Science TEKS: August 27, 2018
  • Implementation Date: 2018-2019 school year
  • The language of the streamlined Science TEKS should be available at the link provided. 
    • Look for Text of Adopted New 19 TAC Chapter 112, Subchapters A, B, and C
___________________________________
Social Studies

The streamlining process is beginning for Social Studies. To learn more, follow the links below:
___________________________________
Stay in the know with TEA email updates

To sign up for TEA updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please visit this  SITE  and enter your contact information. About 60 different topic-specific subscriptions are available.
T-TESS Did you know?
Did you know that some form of the word "GOAL" shows up 35 times in the T-TESS rubrics? Districts and campuses set goals, and teachers set goals as part of the T-TESS process. Teachers set goals for their own professional learning and goals for student growth. 
What about students? Are students setting goals on your campuses and in your classrooms? This video shows how simple goal setting can be, even with our youngest learners. This video shows a teacher working with students to set writing goals as part of students' practice to become better writers. The teacher also demonstrates great support for the Growth Mindset. Click the image below to view this powerful video.


Campus and District Support Sessions
Come Hear from TEA about High-Quality PreK Components and Tools
On February 23 the Texas Education Agency will visit Education Service Center Region 12 to present an informative workshop covering:
  • High-Quality Prekindergarten Components     (10:15 am 12:00 pm)
  • Evaluating your Prekindergarten Program using the High-Quality Prekindergarten Self-Assessment tool (1:30 pm - 3:30 pm)
You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear directly from the Texas Education Agency about the high-quality efforts occurring in Texas. Please email Rachel Page rpage@esc12.net or Teresa Chavez tchavez@esc12.net if you have questions. Register for both parts of the meeting using the button below:

 
Distinguished Speaker, Steve Barkley, at ESC Region 12  
RESCHEDULED for April 23
For the past 35 years, Steve has served as an educational consultant to school districts, teacher organizations, state departments of education, and colleges and universities nationally and internationally, facilitating the changes necessary for them to reach students and successfully prepare them for the 21st century. A prolific published author, his weekly blog, Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud, has evolved into a go-to resource for teachers and administrators all over the world.

Steve Barkley will share about building and supporting growth and learning through PLCs across your district. Don't miss this great opportunity, close to home, at ESC Region 12.

April 23 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #124630


Full implementation of Student Growth is required in 2018-2019. 
Are you R eady?
Every teacher being appraised under T-TESS must show evidence of student growth in 2018-2019.  Student growth measures how much a student progresses academically during his or her time with a particular teacher. Many districts are piloting student growth this year, but it is a required component of T-TESS beginning next year. 

The Texas Education Agency has developed a training for Student Learning Objectives, one way to measure student growth. Student Learning Objectives can also be a precursor to portfolios and district pre- and post-tests by helping teachers narrow their focus on the skills to target and monitor for student growth.

Teachers will then set growth targets, and monitor students' progress throughout the course to ensure that the instructional plans for students are effectively moving them toward their targeted skill level, making adjustments to pedagogy when necessary.

The Student Learning Objectives training has all the forms, tools, training resources, and rubrics that you will need to get started on your campuses. Plan now to train your principals, administrators, and teachers this spring and/or summer.
Administrator and Teacher Leader Training Sessions:

Spring Sessions:
March 27 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Session #145153
April 23 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Session #145154
May 29 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |Session #145155

Summer Sessions:
June 22 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Session #144949
July 27 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | Session #144950


Currently sessions cost $100, but we anticipate grant funds and will waive the fee once funding is accrued.
Literacy Conference: Inspiring Students to Dream, Draft, and Deliver,
RESCHEDULED for February 26
The Region 12 Literacy Conference will offer educators an opportunity to explore the complex pieces of the literacy puzzle. Join us for the dynamic keynote presentation which will provide the corner pieces for ensuring student success in the classroom and beyond. Engaging breakout sessions will include technology integration, literacy across the content areas, strategies for differentiation, and media literacy.
KEYNOTE: Katherine Bomer, author of Hidden Gems and Starting with What Students Do Best, is one of the field's most gifted writers as well as one of its most gifted 
teachers of writing. In more than two decades of teaching and consulting, she has used her writers' eye to focus on how craft isn't just an instructional goal but an instructional tool that allows writers to grow well beyond the range of most publicly available assessments. An internationally known consultant and frequent keynote speaker, Katherine began her consulting career with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. In additio n to Writing a Life, she is the coauthor of the Heinemann title For a Better World (with Randy Bomer) and delivers on-site PD through Heinemann Professional Development Services.

Learn more about the breakout sessions by clicking the link below.


February 26, 2018 | 8:30 am - 4 pm | Session #124593
  • Cost: $125 which includes lunch
  • Enhanced Curriculum Co-op attends for the reduced charge of $60. 
  • Reading Academy Teachers attend for FREE. Email Larissa Mezynski, lmezynski@esc12.net, and she will provide a registration code once she confirms eligibility.
End-Of-Course Substitute Assessments
Please see the legislation text and chart that show the substitute assessments that can be used in place of STAAR EOC assessments if students meet the requirements set forth in the attached legislation.

Texas OnCourse
Texas OnCourse, a Tri-Agency initiative, has launched new resources for counselors and advisers. The Texas OnCourse Academy, is a learning platform for college and career advising. Over 2500 educators from across the state contributed to the development of the TXOC Academy, in order to better prepare educators to advise any student for any post-secondary opportunity. 


Come and Go Instructional Materials Preview by Appointment

TEA recently released a letter titled,  . The 2018-2109 instructional materials allotment (IMA) allocations for each district and open-enrollment charter school are now available at 
this link.
 

ESC Region 12 provides immediate access to publisher materials through our Instructional Materials Preview portal Materials are also available to be previewed in person at the Region 12 Service Center, 2101 W Loop 340, Waco, TX.

For special appointments, contact Andi McNair:
Phone: 254-297-1291
email: amcnair@esc12.net
Proclamation 2019
Proclamation 2019 was issued in April 2017. This proclamation serves as notice to both publishers and the public that the State Board of Education (SBOE) is inviting bids to furnish instructional materials for the following grade levels and courses:
  • English Language Arts and Reading, kindergarten-grade 8
  • Spelling, grades 1-6 (English)
  • Spelling, grades 1-6 (Spanish)
  • Handwriting, grades K-5 (English)
  • Handwriting, grades K-5 (Spanish)
  • Spanish Language Arts and Reading, kindergarten-grade 6
  • English Learners Language Arts, grades 7-8
  • Personal Financial Literacy
The materials are scheduled to be reviewed during the summer of 2018, adopted by the SBOE in November 2018, and available for use beginning in the 2019-20 school year. Nomination forms for those interested in serving on the state review panels for Proclamation 2019 are available on the Proclamation 2019 webpage.  Please submit nomination forms to TEA by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Friday, February 23, 2018. 

 
Love for Literacy Libraries
It is our goal at ESC Region 12 to help create passionate readers and writers in your classroom! We are proud to offer you the opportunity to rent, free of charge, chapter books (sets of 20) and mentor texts (sets of 10) to use in your classrooms. Conduct a book club at lunch, or host literature circles with your students today! Mentor texts are a great way to engage students and teach the writing standards.

Please contact Lindsay Barker at lbarker@esc12.net 24 hours prior to picking up the materials.

Check out our available titles!
Librarian PLC
Get connected with other librarians across Region 12 by joining our Library PLC. Joining a professional learning community is an opportunity to foster collaboration, inquiry, and action research that is results-driven, and therefore has the potential to directly impact your library's ongoing practices and students. This PLC will meet virtually once a month, and will focus on collaboration, addressing inquiries and research, and adapting practices and goals based on the results and discoveries within the compiled data of the PLC. Participants will receive one hour of credit for each PLC, as well as two application hours each month, for a total of 18 credit hours for the year. 
  • January - Creating 21st Century Creators
  • February - 21st Century Literacy
  • March - Advocating for the 21st Century Library
Online Location | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Cost: $300
Visit our website to learn more! www.esc12.net/libplc


A Look at SAT from a Math and/or English Perspective
world_grad_cap.jpg
With the redesigned SAT, what are the implications for your classroom and your school? How are we preparing our students to be successful on this test and beyond? In these sessions we will discuss the changes, share strategies, and experience a sample of lessons.

A look at SAT from a Math Perspective
February 27 | 9am - 4pm | Session #126532

A look at SAT from a English Perspective (blended) 
Session #141526
February 21 | 1 pm - 4 pm | ESC Region 12
March 28 | 4 pm - 5 pm | Webinar

Contacts:
Andi Parr for Math | aparr@esc12.net 
Larissa Mezynski for English | lmezynski@esc12.net
Innovative Teaching Academy
The Innovative Teaching Academy (ITA) is a year-long professional development experience that will encourage innovation in the classroom as educators explore how to design meaningful learning experiences for today's students.  Educators will choose their own learning paths based on what they need/want for their students. Participants do not need to be members of the ITA Academy to attend the sessions below.

For more information visit www.esc12.net/ITA

2018 Spring Session - Click the session number to learn more or to register.

Designing Meaningful Learning Experiences
February 1 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145145

Global Learning Experiences
February 15 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145147

Meaningful Makerspaces
February 20 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145295

Getting Started with Google Apps
February 21 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145184

Student Choice and Voice
February 22 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145150

Increasing Motivation Using Badges - Online
February 27 | 7 PM - 9 PM | Session #145186

Blended Learning, Blended
February 28 | 9 AM - 2:30 PM | Session #145149

4C's+1R - Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Reflection
March 2 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145148

Engaging and Empowering Gen Z, Online
March 21 | 7 PM - 9 PM | Session #145331

Maximizing Learning and Achievement with Digital Portfolios - Online
March 26 | 7 PM - 9 PM | Session #145151

Making Media Meaningful
March 27 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145187

Genius Hour 101
March 28 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Session #145334
Active Learning Institute Student Engagement Network (Alisen)
Active Learning Institute Student Engagement Network  (ALISEN) provides professional development to support  successful instruction in active learning environments. 
All ALISEN sessions 
will be held at our Learning Experience Laboratories (LEx Lab) location at the BRIC.
Sessions:

Engaging Learners: Supporting Conditions for Active Learning (3 Hour)
January 30 | 9 am - 12 pm | Session # 125154

Engaging Learners: Stimulated Recall-Using Video Analysis for Instruction (3 Hour)
February 13 | 9 am - 12 pm | Session # 126332

Engaging Learners: The Role of Literacy in Student Centered Learning (3 Hour)
February 27 | 9 am - 12 pm | Session # 125160

Engaging Learners: Affective Academic Discourse (3 Hour)
March 20 | 9 am - 12 pm | Session # 125163

Engaging Learners: Lets Talk Data- Where Are You on the Active learning Spectrum (3 Hour)
April 11 | 9 am - 12 pm | Session # 126334

Engaging Learners: Balanced Assessment and Backwards Design Part 1 (6 hour)
April 25| 9 am - 4 pm | Session # 126328

Engaging Learners: Balanced Assessment and Backwards Design Part 2 (6 Hour)
May 16 | 9 am - 4 pm | Session # 126330

Profiling Engaged Learning - Using Data for Changing Instruction and Achievement (7 hour)
May 22 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | Session # 125188

Does your district have a guaranteed and viable curriculum?
Robert Marzano ranks a guaranteed and viable curriculum as the first school-level factor having the most impact on student achievement. Have you provided a guaranteed and viable curriculum for your campuses, teachers and students?
To learn more, watch a video by clicking the image below or attend an administrator awareness session for more information.



TEKS Resource System Overview/Reboot for Administrators and Teacher Leaders:
This session will provide an overview of the TEKS Resource System. Discussions will include a brief glimpse into the TEKS Resource System's design process, a preview of the system's curriculum and assessment components, and an explanation of the interconnections between these components.
February 8 | 9:00 - 11:30 | Session #145169
 

TEKS Resource System 101 for Teachers
February 12 | 9:00 - 4:00 | Sessions #145161

General Education Session Spotlights
Making Sense of Science Instruction: Systems and Waves, Grades 5-12
sunrise_over_ocean.jpg
Systems and Waves
Guest Scientist: Dr. Jeff Back

Day 1: Systems Thinking
What is a system? What is a system model? Why do they matter? Which system do we interact with every day? Join the session and gain deeper understanding of system thinking. This event will be broken into two-days with separate topics
April 13 | 9 am - 4 pm | Session #143407 | Cost: $90


Day 2: Application: Waves
What is a wave? What is a wave scientifically? Is there a difference? Forging a more in-depth connection to systems, this session focuses on properties of water, earth's water, interactions involving water in both earth science and chemistry, and how the particle nature of water is modeled.
April 14 | 9 am - 4 pm | Session #143410 | Cost: $90
 

Spring 2018 Flier Systems and Waves for Sessions above

Summer 2018 Flier Repeat of Systems and Waves
June 18-19

Summer 2018 Flier Systems and Geological Phenomena
August 9-10
LOTE Sessions in partnership with Texas Foreign Language Association 
Presenter Information: Nella Spurlin earned a BA in German at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and an MA in Political Science from Baylor.  She taught at Lockhart and Temple High Schools.  She has been a frequent presenter at TFLA and SWCOLT conferences, and has served on the Boards of TFLA and AATG. 

_______________________________________
Starting the Path to Proficiency
Integrating the New TEKS in LOTE Classrooms

This workshop will help participants...
  • examine the new TEKS for LOTE and consider their impact on teaching
  • identify the three modes of communication
  • compare and contrast traditional and communicative classrooms
  • learn how backward design, authentic texts, and can-do statements can revitalize instruction
  • create activities that implement the three modes and engage students in meaningful communication for 90% of classroom time. 
February 23, 2018 | 9 am - 4 pm | Session #146150
Cost:  $50 (Participants must be TFLA members; see www.tfla.info for membership information.)

 
_______________________________________
Unit Design for Language Proficiency 
in the LOTE Classroom

This workshop will help participants...
  • choose unit themes
  • write an essential question 
  • use backward design
  • identify learning targets
  • use the new ACTFL can-do statements
  • use proficiency methodology to plan a unit
  • build activities for the three communication modes into a unit
Participants will also have time to work in groups and develop their own units.

March 23, 2018 | 9 am - 4 pm | Session #146151
Cost:  $50 (Participants must be TFLA members; see www.tfla.info for membership information.)


ELA/R Spring Webinars
The spring webinar focus will be Strategies for Connecting Reading and Writing. ELA/R specialists will be offering 6 webinars (1 Reading and 1 Writing each month for each grade-band).

Don't miss this virtual opportunity! Click the session numbers below to see dates, the monthly focus topic, and registration for the Spring Webinar Series.


K-3 Series | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm on multiple dates | Earn up to 18 CPEs | Session #137432

4-7 Series | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm on multiple dates | Earn up to 18 CPEs | Session #137438

Cost: $150 for all webinars
Enhanced Curriculum Co-op attends for no additional charge.
__________________________________________

PreK-K Webinars on Planful, Purposeful and Playful Phonological Awareness Webinar

February 28 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Session #137314 | 1 CPE | Cost: $55
2017-2018 Social Studies Sessions
globe.jpg

Don't miss the new social studies sessions offered for 2017-2018. Click the "Learn More" button below to access the flier with sessions titles, dates and prices. All sessions are free to Enhanced Curriculum Co-op Members.
 
Gifted and Talented Services
 
Click the link below to find out about online and face-to-face professional development opportunities related to our G/T support services for the spring.