Instructional Continuity Resources, Tools to Support an Effective At-Home Learning Experience

Providing Ongoing Support for At-Home Learning

Our goal is to provide educators, students and their families the resources and support needed for success. This site contains instructional tools for teachers, practical suggestions for parents, and professional development opportunities to support effective at-home learning. We know that in this unprecedented time in education, there will be questions. We encourage you to reach out using the ‘Connect Me to Help’ button. This button will ask you to complete a brief form which will then allow us to determine which specialist(s) could best meet your needs. 

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This electronic playbook is designed to provide you with initial considerations and tools to prepare for a sustainable re-entry while maintaining health and safety considerations during the pandemic. For each topic below is outlined, we’ve outlined Considerations, Resources, Templates, and Contact Information for additional support.

 

Additionally, we are providing free summer webinars addressing the topics outlined in the Playbook.

 

Click on your desired content area below to register or find more information.

  • Digital Equity

    Research shows that One-to-One laptop initiatives boost student scores, but to be truly successful students need access to the Internet both at home & at school.  Schools should know which students have access to the Internet at home & which ones do not. That data will be essential to develop plans to meet the needs of those without home Internet. View the complete Playbook for more information and resources.

     

    Webinar: 

    Watch Now

     

    Contact: 

    Keith Macik
    digitalequity@esc12.net

     
     
  • Addressing & Closing Learning Gaps

    Unforeseen circumstances forced schools to teach curriculum without traditional face-to-face structures to ensure mastery.  Moving forward, how do we support students/teachers in curriculum & make up gaps using pre-assessments to build effective re-teach plans? View the complete Playbook for more information and resources.

     

    Webinar: 

    Watch Now!

     

    Contact: 

     
     
     
  • Blended Learning

    There were no best practices in place for remote learning during a global pandemic. However, this experience will forever change our students’ perspective of learning. They have been given the opportunity to experience what it looks like & feels like to drive their own learning & make connections beyond the school environment.  View the complete Playbook for more information and resources.

     

    Webinar: 

    Watch Now!

     

    Contact: 

    Andi McNair
    (254) 297-1291
    amcnair@esc12.net

     
     
     
  • Exceptional Students

    As we begin to consider what learning will look like as a result of the remote learning experience, it’s important to acknowledge that our learners will need different levels of support from educators as they return. While many have struggled & fallen behind as they’ve learned from home, there were also many that were able to thrive & continue to move forward as they made connections & learned independently.  It will be important to consider how EVERY learner’s needs will be met, regardless of their progress during the remote learning experience. View the complete Playbook for more information and resources.

     

    Webinar: 

    Watch Now!

     

    Contacts: 

    G/T:
    Kari Espin
    kespin@esc12.net
    SPED:
    Chris Griffin
    cgriffin@esc12.net
    Bilingual & ESL Education
    Amberly Walker
    awalker@esc12.net
  • Teacher Evaluations

    Teacher evaluations are essential to grow & empower teachers, especially in this time of teacher shortage & remote instruction. The appraisal process shall guarantee a diagnostic & prescriptive conference between the teacher & the appraiser to support teacher growth. View the complete Playbook for more information and resources.

     

    Webinar: 

    Watch Now

     

    Contact: 

    Russ Meggs
    rmeggs@esc12.net
    (254) 297-1108

     
     
Curriculum
  • The RLA TEKS emphasizes “the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking.” The following menu provides sample tasks and digital resources that allow students to engage with the essential routines of the RLA TEKS.  This resource was adapted from an original document created by Education Service Center Region 10.


  • Science Choice Boards

    Our Science Content Specialists, Lisa Cisneros and Judy York, developed grade-specific science choice boards for use.

     


     

    StudyJams Interactive Math and Science Activities
    This easy-to-use teaching tool will help you introduce and reinforce more than 200 important topics in math and science through fun interactive activities.

    Visit StudyJams.com >

     


     

    StemScopes Activity Pack
    Share this activity pack and readers set with your school community's parents and spark that science learning!

    What's included?
    • Parent and child hands-on activities for elementary school science topics on magnets, sound, and waves
    • Readers that dive deeper on each topic
    • Gorgeous science photos
    • You can get the activity pack and readers by submitting the form here. You will receive an email following registration.

     


     

    Amoebas Sister Videos
    The Amoebas Sisters Videos are:

    • FREE videos hosted on the Amoeba Sisters YouTube Channel.
    • Less than 10 minutes and provide a foundation and give more time for the important things: class discussion, exploration, hands-on labs, and student creation!
    • Organized by chapter in the learning playlist
    • Videos have subtitles [click the CC button at bottom right of any of our videos in YouTube], to help make them more accessible.
    • There are many translated subtitles! There are over 22 languages represented in translated subtitles (thanks to our awesome community)! 
    • Use the handouts and Un-lectured series to help students make connections to the content
    • Focus on the Texas science TEKS (although it's likely that you will see a lot of overlap with your area's standards if not from Texas).

     


     

    Mystery Science
    All of the lessons are expertly designed to engage students, achieve learning outcomes, and be easy for teachers to use. Mystery Science has short mini-lessons that are completely digital and full lessons that include an activity. All of the activities are designed to use simple supplies a parent will likely already have at home.

    Visit Mystery Science >

     
  • History At-Home Extensions

    Our Region 12 Social Studies Ed. Specialist Jessica Torres has compiled a number of assignments and extensions designed to use at home. Find the whole collection here >

     


     

    Podcasts Specific to History

    We've curated a list of excellent, history-centric podcasts to listen to with your students.

    Check them all out here >

     

     


     

    KidCitizen

    In KidCitizen’s interactive episodes, children explore civics and government concepts by investigating primary source photographs from the Library of Congress.  They also connect what they find with their daily lives.

  • A Message from ESC Region 12 Early Childhood Team

    In an effort to provide you with resources to plan forward for implementing instruction and family support at home, our team has curated various resources for you to use as an information and planning tool. The inclusion of these resources is not an endorsement of the resource. Users should be cognizant of usage rights before reproduction. View Full Message & Resources >


     

    Circle Family Activity Collection

    The CIRCLE Family Activity Collection translated child development research into practice by providing a variety of hands-on activities that families can do at home.  This is organized by the Prekindergarten Guidelines domain areas and provides videos of many of the activities.


     

    Scholastic Learn at Home (PreK-K)

    Scholastic Magazine has provided a day-by-day breakdown of lessons for your students!

     


     

     

  • Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
    Mo Willems invites YOU into his studio every day for his LUNCH DOODLE. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1:00 p.m. ET and then remain online to be streamed afterwards.  Check back each weekday for new LUNCH DOODLES!

     

    Visit Lunch Doodles >


     

    Local Art Teacher Online Lessons

    Check out the YouTube channel of Waco ISD Art Teacher Nicky Stokes. She provides lessons that can be done from home when following along with her videos.

    Visit Mrs. Stokes YouTube Channel >

     

    Midway ISD Teacher Paige Partlow is also providing online instruction via her YouTube channel. 

    Visit Ms. Partlow's Youtube Channel >

  • GoNoodle
    GoNoodle® engages 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Available for free at school, home, and everywhere kids are! 

     

    Visit GoNoodle.com >


     

    Cosmic Kids Yoga
    More than a million kids do yoga, mindfulness and relaxation with Jaime on the Cosmic Kids YouTube Channel.
    Parents and teachers report significant improvements in self-regulation, focus and empathy.

    Visit CosmicKids.com >

     
Special Populations
Instructional Technology
  • Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Remote Learning Tools

    Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) compiled tools for remote teaching and learning in one place. Check out the daily short-form video mini-sessions for bite-sized professional development, tips, and tricks for teaching online. 

  • Zoom


    ZOOM is giving K-12 Schools their videoconferencing tools for free. Zoom allows people to easily connect via video and audio. There are many features included such as screen sharing, annotations, chat, and recording. All features will now be opened for schools and time restrictions have been eliminated.  Interested parties need to verify through this site in order to gain access.

     
Contact us!

Governance:

Charlene Simpson

csimpson@esc12.net

254-297-1106



Grading/Graduation Requirements:

Karen Mayton

kmayton@esc12.net

254-297-1227



Appraisal Waiver:

Russ Meggs

rmeggs@esc12.net

254-297-1108

Instructional Continuity Planning:

Tammy Becker

tbecker@esc12.net

254-297-1240



Finance:

Glenn Pittman

gpittman@esc12.net

254-297-1204

 


ESSA Waiver and Instructional
Continuity Grant:

Carie Downes

cdownes@esc12.net

254-297-1252


TEA Instructional Continuity & Assessment Materials Printing


We are pleased to offer printing and shipping at state rates for your custom or TEA Instructional Continuity & Assessment Materials from TEA.

 

Pricing is based off of the TX Home Learning Print & Shipping Pricing listed under Printing & Shipping Services. Full pricing information and an estimate calculator can be found here.

Weekly Sustainability Playbook Webinars

 

The Sustainability Playbook is designed to provide you with initial considerations and tools to prepare for a sustainable re-entry while maintaining health and safety considerations during the pandemic. We are providing free summer webinars to accompany the Playbook and address individual topics.

 

The complete webinar schedule and registration links are below.

Flexible & Innovative Schedules Thursday, June 25 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Digital Equity Thursday, July 2 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Professional Learning Thursday, July 16 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Addressing & Closing the Learning Gaps Thursday, July 23 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Blended Learning Thursday, July 30 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Exceptional Students Thursday, August 6 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Social & Emotional Learning Thursday, August 13 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Teacher Evaluations Thursday, August 20 - 12 p.m. Watch Now
Community Engagement Thursday, August 27 - 12 p.m. Watch Now

Our Sustainability Playbook is designed to help you create a safe& sustainable plan for re-entry

Remote Learning Webinar Series from Our Team! 

 

ESC Region 12 wants to provide you with the necessary supports and skills to meet student learning needs now and in the future. These remote learning webinars are free and open to anyone, including parents and the community!

 

View the entire Remote Learning webinar playlist here!


 


Previous Webinars

 

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Digital Innovation
Team Contacts
General Education
Contacts

Andi McNair
amcnair@esc12.net

(254) 297-1291

 

Joshua Essary

jessary@esc12.net

(254) 297-1250

           

Twitter@R12DigIn

  

 facebook logo  Digital Innovation

Kari Espin

kespin@esc12.net

(254) 297-1123

 

Jessica Torres
jtorres@esc12.net

(254) 297-1118

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