The “TOWER” Activity

OBJECTIVE (Part 1) As a result of this section, Participants will… Identify the significance of the 4 parts of the TEKS and their interconnectedness. Explore the format of the TEKS (introduction, strand, KS, SE, and numbering).

TEKS: Foundation Areas English Language Arts & Reading Spanish Language Arts & ESL Mathematics Science Social Studies English Language Proficiency Standards

TEKS Format: The Four Parts Introduction/Basic Understandings Provides key contextual information and a brief overview of the essential knowledge and skills for a grade or course. Strands Organizers for the Knowledge and Skills statements. Knowledge and Skills Statements Concepts and skills to be learned Student Expectations Demonstration of the concepts and skills learned.

Understanding the TEKS Format [Bracket] the Introduction/Basic Understandings Box the Strands Underline the Knowledge and Skills Statements Circle the Student Expectations

3) Step-By-Step Instructions Introduction — Bracket the Introduction Use paragraph 1 of the Introductory Paragraphs to discuss the “primary focal points.” These are unique to the mathematics TEKS. The focal points are ideas that should be integrated across strands, are developed more deeply, and are more visible throughout the content. Primary focal points exist only in the K-8 TEKS. Explain paragraph 2 as a descriptive overview of the concepts and skills that students are expected to learn and master over time spanning the specified grade levels. Use paragraph 3 to illustrate evidence of the revision process… Paragraph 4 describes the underlying processes and tools that students need to engage in order to develop the proper depth, complexity, and rigor. Strand 4.1 Box strand 4.1 Reiterate that the strand is the organizer for the content to follow. Knowledge & Skills and Student Expectations 4.1 Underline the K&S statements & Circle the Student Expectations for 4.1. Stress that the K&S and SE’s are “married.” A combination where neither one can be looked at in isolation from the other. Strand 4.2 Box strand 4.2 Knowledge & Skills and Student Expectations 4.2 Underline the K&S statements & Circle the Student Expectations for 4.2. 4) Instructional Approach Presentation 5) Critical Points Make sure this info is clear Primary focal points are unique to the mathematics TEKS 6) Words of Wisdom You’re just practicing the process of finding the elements of the TEKS. It’s understanding the format, not understanding the content. 7) Time 2-4 min. 8) Participant Handbook format packet box/underline/circle/bracket instruction page Paragraph 2 is a descriptive overview of the concepts and skills that students are expected to learn and master over time spanning the specified grade levels. Paragraph 3 Illustrates evidence of the revision process. Paragraph 4 describes the underlying processes and tools that students need to engage in order to develop the proper depth, complexity, and rigor.

TEKS Format: Reflection What? What did you learn as a result of this format activity? So What? What is important about what you learned? Now What? What actions will you take as a result of your learning?

BREAK TIME!!!

Objectives (Part 2) As a result of this section, Participants will… Develop a common understanding of alignment as process not a product. Understand that alignment requires responsibility and ownership. Gain a sense of urgency around alignment. Learn a structured process to study the content and processes of the TEKS. Determine implications for the district, campus, grade/course, and classroom.

Collects, organizes, displays and interprets data Use tables of related pairs to make line graphs Describe characteristics of data in tables and graphs including mean, median, mode and range. Graph data using picture or line graph Collects, organizes, displays and interprets data with bar graphs Collects, organizes, displays and interprets data from pictographs and bar graphs Organizes data Contructs and draws conclusions about picture and bar-type graphs Collect, sort, display and use data to construct real-object graphs, picture graphs and bar-type graphs Construct graphs with real objects or pictures to answer questions

TEKS VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ACTIVITY As partners build a vertical alignment tower for your assigned topic. Decide how to organize the content Pull the ideas from the TEKS Record the ideas, one grade per strip Post your strips Read, discuss, and reach a consensus, this is not a “divide” and “conquer” activity.

TOPICS OF STUDY: Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division Fractions Compare and Ordering Place Value Patterns Area

Programmatic Nature of the TEKS How will learning from this research affect the classroom teacher? How will learning from this research affect the conversations at the grade level? How will the learning from this research affect the conversations at the school and district level? How will the learning from this research guide our work toward a guaranteed and viable curriculum?

If you only taught… What is eligible for testing What was on the released tests What is necessary to earn a passing score Test Tricks

LUNCH TIME!!!