Building thinking classrooms is an educational approach that creates space for students to think independently and collectively while they engage in problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. In this session, participants will focus on the types of tasks used in a BTC classroom, where students work, how to mobilize knowledge, and how to consolidate a lesson. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to implement a BTC task in the classroom focusing on content in an upcoming unit of study. POG: Engaged Collaborator
Join us for this immersive, hands-on learning experience where you'll learn how to spark inspiration and save time with Canva's Magic Write as your own AI powered teaching assistant. We'll explore how to personalize learning, improve feedback, create lesson plans and generate teaching idea.
Want to increase the engagement in your class by allowing students to interact with various visual representations, illustrations of the world, and with their classmates? Then join our Desmos Lesson for Beginners session to learn how students can represent their developing ideas using sketches, text and numerical responses, card sorts, multiple choice and much more. All while their progress is tracked live for viewing and for providing feedback in real time. POG: Innovator Thinker
Guess who’s back, back again? Kami’s back, tell a friend! 🎉
Join us for the new and improved Kami, now with AI! Learn how to seamlessly integrate Kami with Canvas to create interactive assignments, provide real-time feedback, and boost student engagement. Plus, discover how Kami can automatically generate AI-powered questions from any uploaded document and even grade them for you! This session covers everything from setup and assignment creation to effective feedback strategies, empowering educators to leverage these tools for better teaching and learning outcomes. POG: Innovative Thinker
How do I get my students to talk? In this session, we will learn how to engage students by asking authentic questions to invite opinions and use active learning strategies to maintain interest throughout lessons. We will practice strategies that will encourage student interaction, and build rapport by recognizing their achievements and interests. POG: Effective Communicator
Problem-based learning is a student-centered approach to learning by working in groups to solve open-ended problems. Effective teachers engage students in problem-based learning to promote reasoning and problem solving. In this session, teachers will use the PISD problem-solving model as a tool to approach and structure thinking while solving open-ended problems and to provide an entrance into rich tasks for ALL students. POG: Innovative Thinker, Engaged Collaborator
It is vital for students to know how to ask questions to reach academic success and the ability to ask a proper question will be a lifelong skill. Discover how to develop students’ ability to ask open-ended questions and help students move beyond the basic content while promoting an inquiry-based classroom. POG: Effective Communicator. POG: Effective Communicator, Innovative Thinker
Mathematics is inherently cumulative, with each new concept building on previously learned material. By explicitly linking new content to students' prior knowledge, educators help students recognize the relevance and application of their learning. This approach not only creates a cohesive learning experience but also enhances student success as they progress from elementary through high school mathematics. By valuing what students already know, educators significantly improve student ability to grasp more complex ideas. POG: Engaged Collaborator
Join us for an engaging professional development session focused on enhancing your Biology STAAR review process using the latest Lead4Ward strategies. This session will equip educators with innovative techniques to effectively prepare students for the Biology STAAR assessment. Participants will explore data-driven instructional practices, collaborative learning strategies, and hands-on activities designed to deepen student understanding and retention of key concepts. By integrating Lead4Ward’s resources, educators will leave with practical tools and strategies to elevate their teaching and boost student performance in Biology.
Monday February 17, 2025 8:45am - 9:50am CST
DHS Media Room
The Desmos graphing calculator can be used to help visualize mathematical and scientific relationships. The calculator is allowed on math STAAR, SAT, ACT, and AP math and science exams (except AP Statistics). In this session, we will explore various features of the graphing calculator and practice using it to complete released AP questions. Participants will learn how to model scientific data, analyze trends, and visualize complex functions, making it an essential resource for teaching topics in science such as physics, chemistry, and Biology. POG: Innovative Thinker
[Science Only] Alchemy is the practice of transforming base materials into valuable substances. Rigor Alchemy is the process of transforming standard lessons or teaching methods into rigorous, challenging, and enriching educational experiences that promote critical thinking and deeper understanding among students. Bringing your own laptop is highly recommended.
This session will focus on leveraging Mastery Connect to create effective assessments and analyze data for standards-based grading. This session will provide educators with hands-on experience in designing assessments aligned with standards and utilizing data insights to drive instructional decisions. Enhance your assessment strategies and ensure student success through targeted feedback and data-driven practices. POG: Innovative Thinker
In this session, participants will explore released STAAR items and instructional implications to help build review plans that laser-focus students on what they need for Algebra 1 STAAR success. With creative strategies to sharpen transfer, writing, vocabulary, visuals, thinking, and comprehension, participants will leave ready to tackle all STAAR item types with confidence! Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers, sharing best practices and innovative approaches to STAAR preparation. This collaborative learning environment will enhance the overall experience and provide diverse perspectives on effective teaching strategies. This is a double-blocked session. POG: Engaged Collaborator
Building thinking classrooms is an educational approach that creates space for students to think independently and collectively while they engage in problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. In this session, participants will focus on the types of tasks used in a BTC classroom, where students work, how to mobilize knowledge, and how to consolidate a lesson. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to implement a BTC task in the classroom focusing on content in an upcoming unit of study. POG: Engaged Collaborator
Join our workshop to master Canva in your classroom. Discover how to create, manage, and set up your classroom for success. Learn about templates, tips, and tricks to enhance your teaching, and save time.
Want to increase the engagement in your class by allowing students to interact with various visual representations, illustrations of the world, and with their classmates? Then join our Desmos Lesson for Beginners session to learn how students can represent their developing ideas using sketches, text and numerical responses, card sorts, multiple choice and much more. All while their progress is tracked live for viewing and for providing feedback in real time. POG: Innovator Thinker
In this interactive professional development session, we will explore the vital dynamics of the Teacher/Facilitator relationship and how it influences student learning in a two-teacher classroom. Participants will discuss various teaching styles and effective strategies for planning and collaboration, even when time is limited. Join us as we share innovative ideas and practical solutions for fostering a supportive and productive partnership that enhances instructional effectiveness and student engagement. Bring your thoughts and experiences to enrich our collaborative dialogue!
The session will dive into the MagicSchool AI platform, which is designed to support educators in various aspects of their work, including lesson planning, assessment creation, and resource generation. We will cover topics such as the purpose and functionality of MagicSchool, best practices for using AI in education, instructions for getting started with the platform, and an overview of the different tools available for teachers. We will also take a brief look at the importance of prompting and customizing the AI-generated outputs to meet specific needs. POG: Innovative Thinker
Problem-based learning is a student-centered approach to learning by working in groups to solve open-ended problems. Effective teachers engage students in problem-based learning to promote reasoning and problem solving. In this session, teachers will use the PISD problem-solving model as a tool to approach and structure thinking while solving open-ended problems and to provide an entrance into rich tasks for ALL students. POG: Innovative Thinker, Engaged Collaborator
It is vital for students to know how to ask questions to reach academic success and the ability to ask a proper question will be a lifelong skill. Discover how to develop students’ ability to ask open-ended questions and help students move beyond the basic content while promoting an inquiry-based classroom. POG: Effective Communicator. POG: Effective Communicator, Innovative Thinker
In this engaging and interactive professional learning session, educators will dive deep into the crucial "Study" phase of the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical strategies for effectively analyzing and interpreting data to inform their instructional decisions and improve student outcomes. POG Self-Directed Learner
[Math Only] Alchemy is the practice of transforming base materials into valuable substances. Rigor Alchemy is the process of transforming standard lessons or teaching methods into rigorous, challenging, and enriching educational experiences that promote critical thinking and deeper understanding among students. Bringing your own laptop is highly recommended. (Session 2)
Are you looking for a way to spice up your lessons without breaking the bank? Are you looking for activities to kick off a unit that don't take hours to plan and can be done in just a few minutes at the beginning of class? If your answer is yes to either of these questions, then this session is for you! Browse through the comprehensive books, each packed with 180 easy-to-implement demonstrations, and discover how these quick, accessible activities can transform your science classroom. (We will be showcasing demonstrations for Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.) POG: Innovative Thinker
The Desmos graphing calculator can be used to help visualize mathematical and scientific relationships. The calculator is allowed on math STAAR, SAT, ACT, and AP math and science exams (except AP Statistics). In this session, we will explore various features of the graphing calculator and practice using it to complete released AP questions. Participants will learn how to model scientific data, analyze trends, and visualize complex functions, making it an essential resource for teaching topics in science such as physics, chemistry, and Biology. POG: Innovative Thinker
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
Monday February 17, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
DHS Media Room
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
Monday February 17, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
DHS Media Room
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
"Caffeinate" - Get a boost of energy after lunch with some coffee or tea. "Ruminate" - Reflect deeply on the previous sessions and ideas. "Collaborate" Work together with their team to plan next steps.
UWorld’s AP Prep have upped their game! Come learn about all the new resources that are available: study guides, PowerPoints, guided notes, teaching videos, and a data reporting tool. This is an exclusive pilot for AP math teachers available for this semester only!
Join us for an insightful presentation on harnessing the power of Canvas outcomes to break down standards and enhance student success! We will explore how Canvas outcomes can simplify complex standards into clear, manageable objectives that cater to diverse learning needs. This session will provide practical strategies for differentiating instruction, engaging students, and effectively measuring progress. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to integrate outcomes into their teaching practices, fostering a more inclusive and successful learning environment. Let’s unlock the potential of our students together!
Set sail on an educational journey to discover powerful strategies for creating checks for understanding using Canvas tools. Learn to craft a variety of assessment questions types and chart your course through the differences between Canvas Quizzes and MasteryConnect, optimizing your assessment approach for a rewarding adventure in teaching. POG: Innovative Thinker
Struggling to get your students to demonstrate their learning at a level higher than simple response? In this session we will work on simple and easy ways to elevate the questions we already use in class to elicit extended responses from students, fostering deeper understanding and engagement. Participants will use Bloom's Taxonomy and other frameworks to understand how to design questions that challenge students to analyze, evaluate, and create, rather than merely recall information. POG: Innovative Thinker
Participants will learn an essential framework for leading with a performance-enhancing mindset that will help teachers, students and anyone to improve a skill or overcome a particular challenge in order to succeed. In addition, teachers will walk away with strategies to help motivate learners.
The session will dive into the MagicSchool AI platform, which is designed to support educators in various aspects of their work, including lesson planning, assessment creation, and resource generation. We will cover topics such as the purpose and functionality of MagicSchool, best practices for using AI in education, instructions for getting started with the platform, and an overview of the different tools available for teachers. We will also take a brief look at the importance of prompting and customizing the AI-generated outputs to meet specific needs. POG: Innovative Thinker
Mathematics is inherently cumulative, with each new concept building on previously learned material. By explicitly linking new content to students' prior knowledge, educators help students recognize the relevance and application of their learning. This approach not only creates a cohesive learning experience but also enhances student success as they progress from elementary through high school mathematics. By valuing what students already know, educators significantly improve student ability to grasp more complex ideas. POG: Engaged Collaborator
In this session we will learn how to navigate the NWEA (MAP) website enchance teacher’s ability to access and utlize student data. Participants will learn how to log in to the platform, understand the layout, and efficiently locate key resources. The session will cover step-by-step instructions on pulling student data, including growth reports, achievement levels, and actionable insights that can inform instructional practices. By the end of the session, educators will feel confident in their ability to leverage the NWEA website to support their teaching and improve student outcomes. POG: Engaged Collaborator
This hands-on workshop will focus on electrical circuits. Participants will engage in interactive demonstrations and lab activities that can be directly applied in the classroom to enhance student understanding and engagement. POG: Innovative Thinker
Join us for a productive collaboration session designed specifically for Pre-AP math teachers. In this session, we'll dive into learning checkpoint data, discuss innovative teaching strategies, share best practices, and develop new approaches to engage our students in higher-level mathematical thinking. Bring your expertise, curiosity, and collaborative spirit! POG: Innovative Thinker
During this session, AP Biology teachers review mock exam protocol, engage in a data talk for semester exam, and review best practices for upcoming units.
During this session, AP Chemistry teachers will build upcoming common assessment, engage in data discussion for semester exam, and review mock exam protocol.
During this session, AP Physics teachers will build upcoming common assessment, engage in data discussion for semester exam, and review mock exam protocol.
Join us for an insightful presentation on harnessing the power of Canvas outcomes to break down standards and enhance student success! We will explore how Canvas outcomes can simplify complex standards into clear, manageable objectives that cater to diverse learning needs. This session will provide practical strategies for differentiating instruction, engaging students, and effectively measuring progress. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to integrate outcomes into their teaching practices, fostering a more inclusive and successful learning environment. Let’s unlock the potential of our students together!
Set sail on an educational journey to discover powerful strategies for creating checks for understanding using Canvas tools. Learn to craft a variety of assessment questions types and chart your course through the differences between Canvas Quizzes and MasteryConnect, optimizing your assessment approach for a rewarding adventure in teaching. POG: Innovative Thinker
Participants will learn an essential framework for leading with a performance-enhancing mindset that will help teachers, students and anyone to improve a skill or overcome a particular challenge in order to succeed. In addition, teachers will walk away with strategies to help motivate learners.
How do I get my students to talk? In this session, we will learn how to engage students by asking authentic questions to invite opinions and use active learning strategies to maintain interest throughout lessons. We will practice strategies that will encourage student interaction, and build rapport by recognizing their achievements and interests. POG: Effective Communicator
Are your students tired of endless multiple-choice tests? Are you ready to try a different way of assessing your students and give students the opportunity to think critically? In this interactive session, we'll dive into the power of performance tasks to measure student learning in authentic, engaging ways. First, we'll explore the key features of high-quality performance tasks, including: Open-ended, real-world prompts that require critical thinking Opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills Rubrics that provide clear expectations and meaningful feedback Then, we'll explore our district performance tasks resources for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. We'll discuss strategies for aligning tasks to standards, differentiating for diverse learners, and streamlining the grading process. By the end of this session, you'll walk away with a toolbox of ideas and resources to transform how you assess and give your students a chance to shine. POG: Innovative Thinker
Join us for an engaging and hands-on professional learing session focused on conducting heart and shark dissections in your science classroom. This workshop is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead these fascinating dissections, enhancing students' understanding of the cardiovascular system in Anatomy and Physiology and Elasmobrachs in Aquatic Science. POG: Engaged Collaborator
Are you looking for a way to spice up your lessons without breaking the bank? Are you looking for activities to kick off a unit that don't take hours to plan and can be done in just a few minutes at the beginning of class? If your answer is yes to either of these questions, then this session is for you! Browse through the comprehensive books, each packed with 180 easy-to-implement demonstrations, and discover how these quick, accessible activities can transform your science classroom. (We will be showcasing demonstrations for Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.) POG: Innovative Thinker
Sign up for an engaging session where we will conduct inquiry experiments focused on gas laws. Participants will explore various properties and behaviors of gases while learning effective strategies to direct lab activities that foster student inquiry and engagement. Through hands-on experiments, teachers will gain confidence in facilitating inquiry-based learning and managing lab activities to ensure safety and meaningful experiences for students. This session aims to empower educators with new strategies to inspire curiosity and enhance learning in their classrooms.
Brave educators, prepare to embark on an epic journey through the realms of science writing! In this expedition, we'll uncover two powerful strategies to help your students conquer the challenges of communicating in STEM fields. POG: Effective Communicator
