Launch the school year with confidence by learning how to effectively internalize science slide decks and unpack the TEKS to plan meaningful, standards-aligned instruction. Participants will explore strategies for identifying key concepts, scientific practices, and success criteria within upcoming units while preparing engaging back-to-school laboratory experiences that establish classroom routines and expectations for scientific inquiry. Teachers will leave with a process for lesson internalization, TEKS unpacking tools, and ready-to-use ideas for implementing high-quality science labs from the first weeks of school.
Empower students to think and write like scientists by integrating Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) practices into daily science instruction. In this session, participants will explore how to leverage Writable's digital writing tools alongside interactive whiteboard strategies to develop students' scientific reasoning, academic discourse, and evidence-based writing skills. Teachers will leave with practical CER templates, formative assessment strategies, and ready-to-use activities that support student success in both science inquiry and scientific communication.
As Spring ISD launches high school curriculum slide decks, this session supports teachers in using them effectively while maintaining strong instructional delivery. Participants will learn how to use deck icons, teacher notes, embedded supports, and instructional guidelines to implement the slide decks with purpose.
Discover how purposeful science questioning and formative assessment practices can accelerate student learning and improve STAAR performance. Participants will explore strategies for crafting high-quality questions, checking for understanding in real time, and using student responses to inform instruction. Through practical examples and classroom-ready techniques, teachers will learn how to promote scientific thinking, uncover misconceptions, and strengthen student mastery of TEKS-aligned content. Teachers will leave with a toolkit of questioning strategies and formative assessment practices designed to increase student engagement and achievement.
Strong instruction begins with a deep understanding of the standards. In this session, participants will unpack the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to identify the intended rigor, cognitive demand, and student expectations. Educators will learn how to align learning targets, instructional tasks, assessments, and approved instructional materials to ensure every lesson remains standards-driven and focused on student success. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Deconstruct TEKS to identify the intended rigor, concepts, and student expectations.
Align learning objectives, instruction, and assessments to the standards.
Leverage approved instructional resources to deliver standards-aligned, high-quality instruction.
Tania Smith is a Science Curriculum Specialist for Spring ISD. She serves this role after 20+ years of education. She has an innate love and ability to learn, use and share skills of digital learning and instructional technology with the education community.
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm CDT Dekaney HS22362 Imperial Valley Dr. Houston, TX 77073
Strong instruction begins with a deep understanding of the standards. In this session, participants will unpack the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to identify the intended rigor, cognitive demand, and student expectations. Educators will learn how to align learning targets, instructional tasks, assessments, and approved instructional materials to ensure every lesson remains standards-driven and focused on student success. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Deconstruct TEKS to identify the intended rigor, concepts, and student expectations.
Align learning objectives, instruction, and assessments to the standards.
Leverage approved instructional resources to deliver standards-aligned, high-quality instruction.
Tania Smith is a Science Curriculum Specialist for Spring ISD. She serves this role after 20+ years of education. She has an innate love and ability to learn, use and share skills of digital learning and instructional technology with the education community.
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT Dekaney HS22362 Imperial Valley Dr. Houston, TX 77073
Launch the school year with confidence by learning how to effectively internalize science slide decks and unpack the TEKS to plan meaningful, standards-aligned instruction. Participants will explore strategies for identifying key concepts, scientific practices, and success criteria within upcoming units while preparing engaging back-to-school laboratory experiences that establish classroom routines and expectations for scientific inquiry. Teachers will leave with a process for lesson internalization, TEKS unpacking tools, and ready-to-use ideas for implementing high-quality science labs from the first weeks of school.
Empower students to think and write like scientists by integrating Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) practices into daily science instruction. In this session, participants will explore how to leverage Writable's digital writing tools alongside interactive whiteboard strategies to develop students' scientific reasoning, academic discourse, and evidence-based writing skills. Teachers will leave with practical CER templates, formative assessment strategies, and ready-to-use activities that support student success in both science inquiry and scientific communication.
Discover how purposeful science questioning and formative assessment practices can accelerate student learning and improve STAAR performance. Participants will explore strategies for crafting high-quality questions, checking for understanding in real time, and using student responses to inform instruction. Through practical examples and classroom-ready techniques, teachers will learn how to promote scientific thinking, uncover misconceptions, and strengthen student mastery of TEKS-aligned content. Teachers will leave with a toolkit of questioning strategies and formative assessment practices designed to increase student engagement and achievement.
