Winter Wonderland in Region XI
On December 11th & 12th, students in Region XI had the opportunity to experience several holiday programs that centered around winter and holiday traditions. These programs were delivered free from the Connect2Texas providers. These exciting events included
- Winter Sky Watch
- Holiday Treats for Winter Wildlife
- Icy Science
- The Snow Show
- A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas
- Tis the Seasoning! The Facts and Fables of Favorite Holiday Seasonings
- Wintry Weather
Web site for more upcoming programs for students!**************************************************************
Texas Connects: Holiday Extravanganza - Friday, December 14 will provide students in grades K-6th the opportunity to watch FREE presentations from around the state. It is designed to give students an opportunity to explore the holiday traditions of other countries. Student presenters will conduct videoconference presentations and activities focused on a holiday tradition of a country other than the United States. Students will present information about the country, a holiday tradition, and any common elements with holidays in the U.S.
Presentations are scheduled throughout the day, and schools can come and go throughout the day, as time permits. There are a few RETN schools that will be presenting, including "Holiday Celebrations in Puerto Rico" by Prairie View Elementary in Northwest ISD, and "Christmas Around the World" by Mullendore Elementary in Birdville ISD. There will also be special guests from other countries including Mexico, Canada, and Norway! Visit the Texas Connects Web site to register and have your RETN Site Manager add your site to the receiving site list for your students to experience this exciting day.
Distance Learning is Alive at Binion
Birdville's Jack C. Binion Elementary is one of the most active RETN videoconferencing sites in Region XI. Previously, Watauga Elementary was among the leaders. What do these two sites have in common? How do they find a multitude of uses for the videoconferencing technology? Site Manager Judy Dallinger, Binion's new Library and Media Specialist and TCEA Librarian of the Year 2007, is the answer! Judy recently moved from Watauga Elementary, where she worked diligently to help teachers on her campus discover how the portable camera, projector, and codec could bridge the distance for their students. Now, teachers at Jack Binion Elementary are catching her excitement, and enjoying the fruits of her labors. Click here to find out more about how Judy Dallinger is finding opportunities for her new teachers.
ESC Region XI Holidays
December 19, 2007 - January 1, 2007
System Shutdown
Please make sure your system is shut down, and unplugged or protected with powersurge protection during the holiday break. This will help to protect it in case of storms while it is not in use.
Don't miss the next "In the News" scheduled for January 11, 2008. Topic to be announced at Connect2Texas!
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Upcoming Professional Development from Connect2Texas Providers
Art in the Curriculum
Amon Carter Museum has several opportunities for teachers to earn professional development credits while learning to incorporate fine arts into all areas of the curriculum.
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Professional Development--History of Photography - January 29, 2008
Learn about key American photographers and photographic processes and styles, as well as how photography from 1839 to the present day relates to American history. Connect photography's history to all levels of language arts, science, social studies, and visual art. -
Professional Development--Art Basics - February 25, 2008
What's the first step in using art as part of your curriculum? Understanding the art basics! As with other disciplines, visual art has its own unique vocabulary. Knowing this vocabulary helps demystify works of art and increases viewers' ability to analyze and interpret them. During this broadcast, learn to recognize the elements of art and principles of design in paintings, photographs, sculpture, and works on paper, and discover how artists use the fundamentals of art to create meaning. While designed for core content teachers, art educators may learn new methods for teaching these topics. -
Professional Development--Photography and Literacy - May 6, 2008
Build students' literacy skills through photography. Participants will discuss issues of identity pertaining to the photographs' subjects, the photographers, and the viewers and discover techniques for using the theme to strengthen students' language skills. Modifications for students at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels will be provided. This broadcast connects to all levels of language arts, social studies, and visual art and is appropriate for classroom teachers and ESL teachers and team leaders.
Register at www.Connect2Texas.net
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School Health Issues
Cook Children's Hospital is in the process of planning professional development opportunities for school nurses, teachers, coaches, and other school personnel. These programs are designed to aid in the understanding of frequent health issues that arise during a school day. Included in the training will be a focus on sports injuries and seizure first aid, and they will be offered at NO COST!
Keep checking the Web site for the schedule of these exciting programs for the spring semester (to be posted soon).
