Slam! POW! Bang! Famous Comic Book Writer Gene Yang Invades Huntsville ISD

Huntsville Intermediate 6th grade social studies students got a real treat of superhero proportions when graphic novel author and artist, Gene Yang, came to speak to them.

Yang, who teaches at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been nominated for the National Book Award. His book American Born Chinese, is the first graphic novel to ever be nominated for this award.

He was in Huntsville this past week for an event hosted by SHSU for NBA finalists. While in town,Mr. Yang stopped by Huntsville Intermediate to speak to the students about his newest books, Boxers and Saints, a two volume set that tells the tale of the Boxer Rebellion which took place from 1898 to 1900 in China.

 The students enjoyed his books, and thought it was pretty "cool" to have a real author speak to them. Also, the 6th grade social studies teachers received classroom sets of Mr. Yang’s new books. Many of the students got his autograph and took pictures with him.

"To Start a Fire, To Arouse & Inspire" Kindle E-readers Come to Stewart Elementary

What is everyone looking at????
(Pictured clockwise from left:  Da'Nirrya in aqua sweatshirt, Nicholas  in black & grey sweatshirt,
Brittany in Blue, Angela in pink and Jaden in grey t-shirt) 

Amazon came up with the name "Kindle" for their e-readers, and that term is also very fitting for what Stewart Elementary School Librarian Ms. Johnson is creating with the help of Mrs. Mathiews and Mrs. Miller's students.

Miss Robin Miller's class gets a guided tour.

Ms. Johnson uses her hovercam to project an image of the Kindle so everyone can see her demonstrating.

Ms. Johnson, a recipient of a Huntsville Education Foundation grant, is introducing e-readers to our elementary students, hoping they will "catch fire" and spread throughout our District.  The Kindles come preloaded with everything from National Geographic, to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Ramona and The Magic Treehouse.

Mrs. Mathiews and Miller's class are familiar with Google Forms, so the sign up is a cinch.
(Ms. Johnson also created a feedback form in Google to get the kids honest opinion- not liking a Kindle is OK!)

As this is a new program, she is piloting with a few classes and making sure that she gets the student input before growing the program or buying a lot of devices.  Checkouts are for a week, and parents must first sign a permission slip.

Claudia waits her turn while Neelam checks it out for herself.

Why is Ms. Johnson smiling?  Well, if you know her she's usually smiling... plus here she's grateful
for the Amazon gift card donated by a parent to help buy books!
(Thank you, parents!)

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

PBL takes students on a journey through India

Huntsville Intermediate School 6th graders recently became tour guides for Scott Johnson Elementary students by giving them a taste of India during their Social Studies class.

HIS teachers involved were wanting to incorporate engaged PBL learning projects into their curriculum.  Using what they learned in WOW Academy and from the Design Team, they planned a unit about India. 

 Each class was broken into 5 sections. These groups then researched one main idea of India. (Diwali, Monsoons, Bollywood, Himalaya's, Religions) These groups then split the presentation part of the section between all of the teacher's classes. 

The kids talked via google hangouts, google docs, and even met up during other parts of the day. The presentation included: visual displays, animotos, and an activity. This was the most challenging part because the students had to rely on others in other class periods to accomplish their part of the project. 

Once project was completed, Scott Johnson students were invited to come over and travel through India with HIS students as their tour guides.

When asked how students responded about the project, teacher Ms. Brooke Lowery said, "On presentation day, our kids were bursting with pride and excitement. They came in eager to get things going before the elementary kids showed up. Some made costumes or came dressed in apparel that was India related. When the elementary kids stepped in the door India erupted throughout the classroom."

"It was a fun way to be creative and get to teach the little kids. I didn't just learn about my part either. By looking and talking to the other groups I learned a lot more." said 6th grader Matthew DeMatos. 

Helping Fill the Pantry with Backpack Buddies

Do you know about Backpack Buddies???

Backpack Buddies is a program that provides food items to help fill the gap for District families in need. Every Friday throughout the school year, volunteer teams throughout the district converge at the Boys and Girls Club to distribute food donations from the Houston Food Bank.

Don, a SHSU Bearkat football player, brings the goods.

We caught up with the last week's crew from the Athletic Department at Sam Houston State University when they were delivering food to Samuel Walker Houston Elementary.

More groceries coming in courtesy Emily

Soccer teammates Emily and Carlyn get it done.

A Modern Day Cornucopia!

It's a remarkable program in that allows several different groups to join forces to help make a difference to Huntsville kids.

It's a big load, but Mason can handle it.

The program started here in the District about three years ago at Samuel Walker Houston Elementary school with Covenant Fellowship working with The Boys and Girls Club of Huntsville and the Houston Food Bank.  

Xavier shows us how it's done

Over the last few years the program has helped countless families and grown throughout the district.

Top Row: Brad Hagen- Head Bowling Coach, Kevin Rodriguez- Athletic Media Services,
Alex Padron- Football Equipment Manager Donald Jackson- Football Student / Athlete
Middle Row:  Deveney Wells- Gibson Volleyball Student / Athlete, Brittany Gilliard-Student Trainer,
Chris Thompson- Associate Athletic Director, Kimberly Spino- Athletic Marketing Dept.
Front Row: Emily Edenstrom- Soccer Student /Athlete, Carlyn Neubauer- Soccer Student / Athlete,
Megan Ross- Soccer Student / Athlete

In addition to Samuel Walker Houston Elementary's partnership with the SHSUAthletic Department, Huntsville's Junior Service League works to deliver food to Stewart Elementary, and Huntsville's Second Baptist Church delivers to Scott Johnson Elementary.  The program is coming next year to Huntsville Elementary.

SHSU Associate Athletic Director Chris Thompson & Samuel Walker Houston Elementary Counselor Judy Phillips.

Feed 'em Up Kats! Bye until next Friday!

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

What do you Believe? This is what we at Huntsville Independent School District believe.

Recently our district released our beliefs to the community . . .


        


These beliefs were created by a working group of teachers, staff and administrators that spanned the district.  The idea came out as many of us noticed the "old" beliefs Huntsville ISD had published no longer reflected the views of anyone on the team.   Once finalized, we asked our superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson to help us create a video outlining them.  Take a look for yourself.

So...what do you believe?

This is what we at Huntsville Independent School District believe:

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Billy's Innovation Day Goes on the Road to Austin & TCEA

The annual TCEA Convention is a big deal for all things Tech and Texan in Education, with over 8000 educators from the Lone Star State and beyond converging on Austin for a week of presentations, workshops and staff development.

Presenter Billy with Mom, Big Brother & HIS Student Jake along with Dad Sam.

This year a particularly unique presenter team was among those representing our district.  Samuel W. Houston Elementary School fourth grader Billy Moak and his mom Cathy(Component Director at Region 6 ESC) presented, "Billy's Innovation Day," a student's perspective on Innovation Day.

Billy talks logistics.

Also on hand was the Innovative Teacher of the Year recipient, Samuel W. Houston third grade teacher and Billy's teacher last year, Jessica Moore along with a few members of our iTech team.  Attendees had the opportunity to hear representatives from all perspectives:  student, teachers, parent and technology & curriculum integrationists.

....And takes some questions from the audience.

For those of you that may be unfamiliar with Innovation Day, it's a day devoted to student generated projects.  As one of our participants said, "It's a day we tell ourselves what to do." It takes a considerable about of preparation by the teachers, but the rewards are multiple and the memories unforgettable.

Billy and Jessica.

Last school year, we produced a video with the hope that it would not only serve as a guide and preview for schools looking to launch an Innovation Day of their own, but offer a glimpse of how cool and fun it is to have one, too. It's been a hit, with over 2300 views and counting.

This video, along with our student Billy's presentation, are just a few more ways we can share the good things coming from the students, teachers and staff of Huntsville Independent School District.  For more information on Innovation Day, click here.

Shhh. We're "In Session."

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Carnival of Books = Fun!

Once a year, students from PreK-6 descend upon Huntsville Intermediate School for a celebration of books and reading. This is known as THE CARNIVAL OF BOOKS!

You might ask, what is the Carnival of Books? Well, what isn’t it?

First, when you get to the library, every student gets to pick one free book out of tables and tables of books. And they get to keep them! The books are purchased by a grant from the Huntsville Education Foundation

Then, it’s on to the cafeteria where there is popcorn, face painting, dogs that like to be read to, and other booths and goodies.

Then, head out to the 6th grade gym where every table represents a different book, from Polar Express to Pete the Cat. Games, crafts, and goodies are on every one.

Next stop is the 6th grade gym where you will find superheroes and poems, because this is Where the Sidewalk Ends, the theme of the 5th and 6th grade teachers’ booths. Want to sell a sister? We have a booth for that!

This event has been going on since 2009 and is organized by all the elementaries, Pre-K, and the Intermediate school, who host every year. Thank you to all the HISD faculty and staff that put in such hard work for our students!!