VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13
February 12, 2016
Curriculum Connection
Curriculum Development
Inside this issue:
Culturally Relevant
13
Pedagogy & Instruction (CRP)
English Language Arts K-12
Fine Arts/OMA
15-16
2-4
Mathematics
7-10
Multicultural
5-6
Science
Social Studies
11-12
14
Page 2
Fine Arts - OMA
Page 3
Fine Arts - OMA CONTINUED
Page 4
Fine Arts - OMA CONTINUED
Multicultural
Page 5
African-Americans: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Books that reveal the diversity within African-American culture
Major changes have occurred in African-American literature within the last 25 years. Before 1970, books of this
genre were few, and those that existed often perpetuated stereotypes. Since then, many outstanding AfricanAmerican authors and illustrators have given voice and vision to their experiences through biographies, historical
fiction, and contemporary fiction. Here are ten titles worth sharing with your students.
5 Books that are great for Black History Month!
Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans” (Balzer +
Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans” is an
extensive volume focusing on American history as it intertwines with the lives of African Americans. The story is
told from the viewpoint of an elderly woman who shares her life story while highlighting pivotal historical events
including abolition, the Great Migration, World War II, and the Civil Rights movement.
Shane W. Evans, illustrator of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom” (A Neal Porter Book, published by
Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership). Effective interplay of dark
and light—dark blues and greens that represent fear and oppression; bright golds that signal the joy of freedom—
characterizes this portrayal of a band of slaves’ nighttime escape. They run, rest, get help from others, and finally
celebrate their hard-won liberation.
Rita Williams-Garcia, author of One Crazy Summer (Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). Eleven-yearold Delphine and her two younger sisters travel to Oakland, Calif. in 1968 to face the emotional challenge of
reaching out to a distant mother and learn about a different side of the Civil Rights Movement. Themes of friendship, family and identity intertwine with broader social issues in this compelling historical novel.
Multicultural
Page 6
Bryan Collier, illustrator of Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, written by Laban Carrick Hill (Little,
Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.). Dave, a slave in 19th century South
Carolina, demonstrated extraordinary talent and skill to achieve creative success. At a time when it was
illegal for slaves to read and write, the eloquent poetry on Dave’s remarkable pots provided inspiration
and hope to those who had none.
Soonie's great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma
and pa, and with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She pieced together bright patches with
names like North Star and Crossroads, patches with secret meanings made into quilts called Show
Ways -- maps for slaves to follow to freedom.
Math
Page 7
Calling all teachers!!!!
Would you like to provide input and feedback into revising the
TUSD Scope and Sequence for K-12 Math and New Curriculum
Maps for Math during Spring Break?
Email Heidi Aranda Heidi.aranda@tusd1.org for more information
Page 8
Math
Mathematics Educator Appreciation
Day Conference (MEAD)
It was wonderful to see so many TUSD teachers in attendance AND presenting at the MEAD (Math Educators Appreciation Day) Conference on
January 23!
http://math.arizona.edu/~crr/Tworkshop.html
There are a number of exciting weekly activities at the U of A and the CRR has some upcoming
workshops. Illustrative Mathematics has a spring virtual lecture series (flyer attaches).
Math Circle (for middle and high school students)
Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 in ENR2 room S395.
Come share pizza while we solve interesting problems together and fostering a growth mindset!
For more information contact Megan McCormick at mmccormick@math.arizona.edu
Math Teacher's Circles
Middle grades math teachers circle: 2/8, 3/7, 4/11
High school math teachers circle: 2/22, 3/21, 4/25
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Come and get your math geek on while we problem solve and foster a growth mindset!
For more information contact Jason Aubrey at jaubrey@math.arizona.edu
Upcoming CRR Workshops (Free to all partners of the CRR)
Fostering Algebraic Thinking in Intermediate Grades
Target Area: Grades 3-5 Come and learn the connections between the five mathematical representations, the Arizona standards and algebraic thinking. Practice hands-on activities that will build
excitement and confidence connecting patterns and numbers to writing equations. Learn how to
use these activities to share your excitement and confidence with your students as you help build a
classroom of algebraic thinkers. All teachers will practice activities that will "fill in the gaps" of
some of their learners.
Presenter: Rick Ramsey and Christina Grossman, MAPPS
Dates:
Tuesdays- February 23, March 1 and 8, 2016
Time:
5:15- 7:15 PM
Location: Gould Simpson Building Room 849
Earn:
6 hours of professional development credit for re-certification.
Teachers in our partnership districts and schools (listed below) may attend at no cost. Others may
register for $90 for the 6 hour workshop. Payment is due at the beginning of the session. Checks
may be written to The University of Arizona. This is not considered a tax-deductible donation since
it is a payment for services rendered. To register for Fostering Algebraic Thinking in Intermediate
Grades go to http://crr.math.arizona.edu/FosteringAlgebraicThinkingIntermediate%20Grades.html
Conceptual Strategies for Multiplication and Division
Target Area: Grades 3-5
Students need to understand the meaning of multiplication and division beyond repeated addition
and repeated subtraction. They also need multiple strategies to multiply and divide that will help
them make sense of what they are doing. Come and learn multiple conceptual strategies for multiplication and division that will foster greater student success and a deeper meaning for both operations.
Presenter: Melissa Hosten, CRR
Dates:
Saturdays- February 20 and March 12, 2016
Time:
8:30 AM - 12 noon
Location: Gould Simpson Building Room 849
Earn:
7 hours of professional development credit for re-certification.
Teachers in our partnership districts and schools (listed below) may attend at no cost. Others may
register for $100 for the 7 hour workshop. Payment is due at the beginning of the session. Checks
may be written to The University of Arizona. This is not considered a tax-deductible donation
since it is a payment for services rendered. To register go to http://crr.math.arizona.edu/
Conceptual%20StrategiesforMultiplicationandDivision.html
Moving Beyond Counting Strategies to Improve Students' Conceptual Understanding of Addition and
Subtraction
Students have become too reliant on counting strategies. In order to use more advanced strategies
students need apply their number sense. This session will focus on how to help your students move
beyond counting in order to fluently and efficiently add and subtract. We will explore hands-on
manipulatives, games and problems that will help students model and explain their thinking on the
road to mastery.
This workshop is intended for teachers in grades K-2.
Presenter: Allison Davis
Date:
Saturday - April 23, 2016
Time:
8:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Location:
TBA
Earn:
4 hours of professional development credit for re-certification.
Registration will be available in March.
Illustrative Mathematics Spring Virtual Series (flyer attached)
***THIS IS NOT A CRR EVENT AND DOES INCLUDE A COST***
SPEAKING OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION: PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FAMILIES
Sign up at store illustrative mathematics.org
SCIENCE
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WEBINAR- Comprehensive resources available for middle school:
Looking for ways to shift your instruction with the inception of the new science standards?
Come engage in Three Dimensional Learning using IQWST (Investigating and Questioning Our
World Through Science and Technology), a program drafted by developers of the K-12 Science
Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. Don't wait to sign up! Space will be limited to the first 30 registrants.
Please register to attend “Science Curriculum Needs An Update – IQWST.” Several sessions
are available. Please register for the date and time that works best for you: https://
attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1031013525191874305
Summer conference
The 5th Annual STEM Forum & Expo, hosted by NSTA, brings together educators and organizations who are actively implementing STEM programs in their schools or districts. This July
27-29 in Denver come prepared to learn tactics that work, build your professional learning
network, connect with effective outreach programs and partnerships, discover new resources,
and build a strong curriculum. Keynote Speaker: Derek Muller, an Australian-Canadian science communicator, filmmaker, and television presenter created the leading science YouTube
channel, Veritasium, which features experiments, expert interviews, cool demos, and discussions with the public about "everything science."
More information at http://www.nsta.org/conferences/stem.aspx
School Garden Grant Program available. The deadline to apply for a School Garden Grant is
February 15, 2016 and you could be one of 10 U.S. teachers to receive a $500-$2000 grant,
gardening supplies, and BirdSleuth’s Habitat Connections kit thanks to sponsor Alaska Fertilizer. Information at http://www.birdsleuth.org/garden-grants/
FIRST TECH CHALLENGE GRANT FOR AZ STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12
This grant offers rookie teams the chance to learn about FIRST Tech Challenge during the current 2015/16 season, and then continue their journey by fully participating during the upcoming 2016/17 season. Potential teams in Arizona can contact the Arizona FIRST Tech Challenge Affiliate Partners: Christine Sapio (csapio@fusd1.org) and Dave Thompson
(david.thompson@nau.edu) http://info.firstinspires.org/firsttechchallengegrant
FIRST® Tech Challenge (for students in grades 7-12) is a project-based, STEM education program that gets your students excited about learning through robotics. Now is a great time to
jump in and engage your students, while immersing them in the world of technology. Take advantage of a FREE Robotics Kit and Program Registration (valued at $2,000). FIRST Tech Challenge is fun and rewarding for both students and teachers alike. Up to four grants will be
awarded each week through April 15, 2016. The sooner you enter, the greater the chance you
have to win! Learn more about FIRST Tech Challenge and how to start a team at http://
info.firstinspires.org/firsttechchallengegrant Fill out the form and gain access to the full grant
guidelines.
Page 12
SCIENCE
EARTH'S CLIMATE SYSTEM COURSE: FREE GRADUATE COURSE IN ARIZONA FOR HS
TEACHERS
Earth¹s Climate System (ECS) is a free 12-week online course for teachers and staff at K-12
schools and districts http://www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/ECS/index.html
Please submit applications well before May 31, 2016. Applications for both the Fall 2016
and Spring 2017 semesters are being accepted at this time. Note on your application the
semester you wish to apply for, but also note that you are open to either semester if you
are not accepted to the semester of your choosing. Hurry and apply, the course has filled
quickly the past five years, and several teachers have already applied for the Fall 2016
course! Only 6 participants are accepted each semester. The AMS gives priority to applicants who apply in teams from the same school or district, so teams of participants from
the same school or district are preferred. To apply for the ECS course, complete the DS
ECS application. For more information contact Dana Perry, dperryaz@gmail.com, 623-236
-9391
RESOURCES
Physics Toolbox: Data Collection with Student Smartphones
The Lab Out Loud podcast guys love data collection, so they're thrilled to welcome
Chrystian and Rebecca Vieyra to the show. Working as an app developer and high school
physics teacher, this husband and wife team developed Physics Toolbox—a suite of apps
that use the built-in sensors inside smartphones to replace expensive probe ware. Listen
to the show to hear more about Physics Toolbox and how it can be used to easily collect
data in your classroom.
Membership to Arizona Association of Teachers of Math (AATM) is available to all persons and institutions interested in mathematics: Sign up during the month of February
for “Free February” membership good through September 2016.. Register with this link:
http://aatm.org/
Page 13
Director of CRPI
Lorenzo Lopez
Office: LIRC 2025 E. Winsett
520-225-2500
Culturally Responsive
Pedagogy & Instruction
CRPI Spotlight: Dr. Kris D. Gutiérrez
Dr. Gutiérrez
Online:
Learning and Expanding with
Activity Theory
http://lchc.ucsd.edu/MCA/Mail/
xmcamail.2012_01.dir/
pdfHqmCdPgVef.pdf
Resources to Develop
Culturally Responsiveness in
the Classroom:
Teaching Tolerance Feature
Article: Begin Within
Prepare yourself to discuss race,
racism and other difficult topics
with students.
http://www.tolerance.org/
magazine/number-52-spring2016/feature/begin-within
A Framework for Culturally
Responsive Teaching
http://www.ascd.org/publications/
educational-leadership/sept95/
vol53/num01/A-Framework-ForCulturally-ResponsiveTeaching.aspx
Dr. Gutiérrez is member of
the CRPI’s National Panel on
Culturally Responsive Curriculum & Instruction. This group
is a collective of renowned
scholars who are dedicated
to addressing the educational needs of children of color
in historically marginalized
communities.
Dr. Gutiérrez is a University
Distinguished Professor of
Literacy and Learning Sciences and holds the Inaugu-
ral Provost’s Chair at the
University of Colorado, Boulder. She is also Professor
Emerita of Social Research
Methodology in the Graduate School of Education &
Information Studies at the
University of California, Los
Angeles where she also
served as Director of the
Education Studies Minor and
Director of the Center for
the Study of Urban Literacies. Gutiérrez is the current
President and a Fellow of
the American Educational
Research Association (AERA).
She is also a Fellow at the
National Conference on
Research on Language and
CRC Middle School Expansion: Vail’s 1st Encuentro
The Alice Vail Middle School
Culturally Relevant classes
held their first Encuentro
(encounter/coming together)
on the evening of January
21st in the Vail M.S. cafeteria. The Encuentro showcased student academic
work to parents, siblings and
friends. Ms. Stacey Spahr’s
8th grade CR English Language Arts students and Ms.
Silvia Valdez-Rogers’ 8th
grade CR Social Studies
students accompanied their
families on a “Gallery
Walk,” to share information
about the many diverse aspects of family cultures.
cipal, Ms. Theresa LealHolmes.
The students’ work included
family history, genealogy,
geography, and favorite
recipes. Posters also highlighted families’ home languages, “I Am” poems, and
traditional holiday celebrations. The students were excited to share their work
with their parents, teachers
and peers, as well as with
the Vail Middle School prin-
After welcoming parents
and guests, participants
enjoyed a delicious potluck
dinner provided by our Vail
students and families. A
good time was had by all.
Stephen Gomez,
CRPI Itinerant Teacher
Civic Learning Conference
For more information:
Conference flierhttp://www.azed.gov/civi
cengagement/files/2016/
01/civic-learningconference-flyer2016.pdf
ADE Website linkhttp://www.azed.gov/civi
cengagement/2016-civiclearning-conference/
Ideas for developing Social Studies curriculum:
Monday, Feb. 29
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Little Brother: A conversation that will change a generation
YWCA Tucson, 525 N. Bonita Ave.
85745
This documentary was created to give African American boys a voice in http://www.ywcatucson.org/site/
Tucson’s community.
c.elLYJiOZKqLcG/b.8868399/k.AB67/
YWCA_Tucson_Events_Calendar.htm
Presented by the Tucson Urban League & YWCA Southern Arizona
Civics Test Preparation
Tools are available to K-12 Social
Studies teachers via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Additionally, the ADE Civics Test Administration Manual and a Word version of the Civics Test is posted on
SharePoint in the Teacher Assessment Resources page.
Civics Test questions only represent a
small portion of the AZ Social Studies
standards. See the ADE Social Studies
Standards page for articulations by
grade level:
http://www.azed.gov/standardspractices/academic-standards/socialstudies-standard/
All 100 questions and answers in multiple
languages—
http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/teachers/
educational-products/100-civicsquestions-and-answers-mp3-audioenglish-version
K-12 Lesson Plans and Activities—
http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/teachers/
lesson-plans-and-activities
Study Materials for the Civics Test—
http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/
study-test/study-materials-civics-test
Citizenship Study Guide Quiz—
http://www.citizenshipstudyguide.com/me
Contact: María C. Federico Brummer by email at maria.federicobrummer@tusd1.org
K-5 ELA News
Scholastic Guided Reading Teaching Cards
The teaching cards provide teachers with an essential analysis of the books students will
read.
Each text has a teaching card which includes some of the following features:









a summary of the book and a highlighted standard
supportive book features: points out scaffolded support within text
making connections
ELL Bridge: easily adapts lesson to meet the needs of English language learners
words for academic vocabulary development
suggestions for developing fluency with the specific text
mini-lessons for developing phonics and word-solving strategies and ways to apply
them to the text
ideas for developing comprehension, along with text dependent questions to ask
suggestions for writing in response to reading
“He was not of an age, but for all time!” Ben Johnson
AZCCRS standards include William Shakespeare as an essential read to fulfill the RL.9 standard
(Analyze… how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic for the 9
-10 grade band and the RL.7 standard (Analyze multiple interpretations of a … drama…at least one play by Shakespeare) for the 11-12 band. The choices outlined on the ELA
curriculum maps include: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, The
Tempest, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet.
So, whether you are a Shakespeare buff or just getting to
know the bard, William Shakespeare, the man for all time, is
coming to Tucson, which gives educators a perfect opportunity to form new curricular connections to the old classics. The Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona will host Shakespeare’s First Folio from February 15th to March 15th as part of the Wonderful World of Will:
400 Years of Shakespeare. The First Folio printed in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare’s
death, contains 36 plays including 18 plays that were not published during Shakespeare’s lifetime. This well-preserved edition of the Frist Folio weights 4lb. 13 oz. and is an amazing example of a Renaissance publication.
The First Folio will visit all 50 states between January 2016 and January 2017. To celebrate its
time in Arizona, there are a series of state-wide events and lectures most of which are free and
open to the public, including the February 20th (Saturday) workshop, Shakespeare First: from
Page to Stage, a free professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers. That same day in the afternoon is Saturday with Shakespeare, a family friendly event featuring Elizabethan music, writing with a quill, art activities, and performances from 1:00 to 4:00
on the Arizona State Museum lawn.
No celebration of Shakespeare would be complete without a live production of a play. Fortunately, the Tornabene Theatre will feature two comedies: Comedy of Errors and The Tempest.
Both plays have multiple performances.
The U of A has a website dedicated to the First Folio exhibit that includes a “teach and learn” section that is
full of fun and interesting student activities. For more information check out: http://firstfolio.arizona.edu/.
Please share your instructional strategies, projects, and insights for teaching Shakespeare with
elizabeth.slaine@tusd1.org.
ELA continued
Teach Shakespeare? How Do You Capture
Students’ Interest in the Bard?
Page 17
The Textbook Distribution Center may have
resources for you!
Here's something you might not know: At any given moment, the Tucson Unified Textbook Distribution Center stocks
nearly 6,000 titles and more than 140,000 copies of textbooks, workbooks, readers and other educational resources
available for TUSD teachers and schools.
And here's another thing you might not know: They are all free for the asking.
At the heart of the center's work are two Susans: Susan Pearson and Susan Smith, and they have important information to share:

Before you buy textbooks, workbooks, readers, etc., contact them via phone or email. There's a chance they
have what you need- for free.
You can search the center's materials from the Intranet: http://intranet/textbooks/depository.asp

If you can't find what you are looking for, contact them. They may be able to find what you need even if you don't
see it in your search.
 If you have surplus materials, box them up, put the school name on the box and send it over to the Textbook
Distribution Center. Materials are passed along, sold or recycled. They don't call the center staff "The Green Team"
for nothing.

Anyone within TUSD can request materials (tutors, teachers working off-grade, etc.)

The Susans love their jobs and want to help you.
The Textbook Distribution Team has plenty of great stories about helping schools. For example, when McCorkle
added grades six and seven, the center was able to provide about $40,000 worth of materials for those grades for
free.
Bottom line: If you need materials (including math manipulatives-they've got those, too), check out the Textbook Distribution Center website on the Intranet or shoot an email to
susan.pearson@tusd1.org or susan.smith@tusd1.org.
Page 18
WOW Book Fiesta
A program for children and families
Takes You on
Story Journeys to:
Russia: February 20
India: April 2
China: April 23
Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East: June 11
10 am to noon
Worlds of Words (Room 453)
College of Education
1430 E 2nd St
Free Parking at 2nd St. Garage
Mountain Ave & 2nd St.
Just off of the 2nd St. streetcar stop
Richard Clift
Coordinator of Collections and Outreach
The University of Arizona
College of Education
1430 E. Second Street
Tucson, AZ 85721
cliftric@email.arizona.edu
520 621-9340
Page 19
Tucson Festival of Books March 12th & 13th
Tucson Festival of Books Author Visits
Peter Lerangis (39 Clues, Seven Wonders series), Monica Brown (Pura Belpre winner), Chris
Gall (local author/artist - Dinotrux series), Caroline Arnold (great non-fiction) and Don Tate
(fantastic illustrator) are some of the great authors and illustrators coming to the Festival of
Books and are willing to do author visits in schools. Many are close to free (some book sales
required if the author is free and some need hotel paid for one night) and others are offering a deeply discounted price for a school visit. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect
children with authors! Tax credit funds can be used to pay for author visits as well.
If you are interested in an author visit, check out the website for more information:
http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org and go to the Children / Teen / Schools Information
You can also email Cheryl Gerken, gerken.cheryl@gmail.com for any additional information.
Thank you!
Cheryl
Cheryl Gerken, Librarian
Davis Bilingual Magnet School
500 W St Marys
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-225-1424
Page 20
Curriculum & Instruction
Richard Foster, Interim Assistant Superintendent
Clarice Clash Ph.D., Senior Director, Curriculum Development
MaryCarmen Cruz, Senior Director, Curriculum Deployment
Halley Freitas Ph.D., Senior Director, Assessment & Evaluation
Multicultural Curriculum
Assessment and Evaluation
Cindy Hurley, District Testing Coordinator
Dynah Oviedo, Research Project Manager
Gregg Cannon, Research Project Manager
Juliet King, Research Project Manager
Kimberley Logan, Research Project Manager
Stephen Gaarder, Research Project Manager
Bill Pearson, Research Project Manager
Connie Price-Johnson, Research Project Manager
William Brock, Inst. Data Intervention Coordinator
Desiree Cueto, Director
Susan Osiago, Program Coordinator
Junko Sakoi, Program Coordinator
Science Innovation Team
TBA, Coordinator
Sarah Clarkson, PD Academic Trainer
Meg Gebert, PD Academic Trainer
Jennifer Sprung, PD Academic Trainer
Curriculum Deployment
Tanya Schrantz, NTIP Coordinator
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Patricia Hurley, PD Trainer
Lorenzo Lopez Jr., Director
Maria Federico Brummer, Program Coordinator
Tamela Thomas, PD Trainer
Janine Strand, PD Trainer
ELA
Michelle Mathews, Sr. Program Coordinator
Dawn Markley, PD Trainer
Michael Moeykens, Classified PD Specialist
Carol Cimino, PD Academic Trainer
Michelle Merrick, PD Academic Trainer
Elizabeth Slaine, PD Academic Trainer
Isley Frazier, Classified PD Specialist
Language Acquisition
Mark Alvarez, Director
Fine Arts/OMA
Magnet Schools
Joan Ashcraft, Director
Vicky Callison, Director
Math Innovation Team
Heidi Aranda, Sr. Program Coordinator
Adelle McNiece, Sr. Program Coordinator
Sally Jacunski, Sr. Graphic Designer
Michelle Deeds, PD Academic Trainer
School Improvement Grants
Tina Stephens, Director, School Improvement & Grants
Melissa Hall, PD Academic Trainer
2015-2016 CURRICULUM CONNECTION DEADLINE
Deadline for submittal of information
Wednesday, February 17
th
Curriculum Connection
February 24th
Friday, March 4th
March 11th
Friday, March 18th
March 25th
Friday, April 1st
April 8th
Friday, April 15th
April 22nd
Friday, April 29th
May 6th
Friday, May 13th
May 20th