We are back!

After a great summer we are here with new ideas and new members!  Join us for this first episode where we get to know Caitlyn Latham and Heather Tysor, our newest members of the Nest! 

In addition listen into what we have planned for this season as well as our Calls from the Nest featuring: 

-North Ridge MS, Birdville HS, Foster Village Elementary, and Green Valley Elementary

-Josh Huff of WMS

-Diana Martinez of HMS

-Michele Gallagher of GVES

Curious about what AMAZING events are happening this summer from the Birdville Nest?  Check out this episode to find out more! 

Call from the Nest: 

Kelly Campbell- Academy at C.F. Thomas

Liz Griffin- North Richland Middle 

Rebekah Beaver- Smithfield Elementary

Have you heard about App Smashing?  Do you know what it is?  This is a great strategy to dive into with a few weeks left.  Like combining odd ingredients into a dish to make a new creation, app smashing can create some incredible learning! 

Curious about what PBL is?  Heard of a passion project?  Jump into the conversation with the team about how this could completely change the way you approach your lessons. 

What is flipped learning and how can it make an impact in your classroom?  Join the Nest team as they discuss the reasons why Flipped has worked and the impact it could have on your classroom. 

Have you thought about differentiation in a way of mastery paths?  Join the Nest crew as they discuss how to develop and use mastery paths in Canvas! 

Join the Nest as they think about Minecraft as a tool to experiment within these final weeks of school.  What could be done to engage your students and tap into the creativity of Minecraft? 

May the Fourth Be With You! Join the Digital Learning Team as we discuss end-of-year student engagement strategies with a few of Birdvilles GATE teachers and academic coaches. In this episode of the Bird-Cast Dr. Ashly Spencer and Green Valley GATE teacher, Tug Benham, discuss the CPS (creative problem solving) strategy and the pringle potato chip challenge. Andrea Gray sits down with Stephanie Woodard, GATE teacher at Smithfield Elementary, to share the CSI (color symbol and image) strategy and student-created products. We also have Charles Creasy and Ryan Pabor visit with Mary Hadley, Academic Coach at Smithfield Middle, about taking risks and the impact of student passion projects. Be sure to check back next week as the Bird-Cast will be releasing a series of mini-episodes to continue sharing ideas and encouraging teachers to take risks!

Data should be the primary guide to every educational decision teachers make. This episode of the Birdcast dives into the importance of utilizing data to create meaningful lessons. Dr. Uphoff and Andrew Lawver discuss using data not as a single viewpoint but as a longitudinal process used from the beginning of the year through the end. The DLS team follows this interview by discussing 5 Key Discussion Points for effectively looking at data and how we personally struggled with this in the classroom.  

The STAAR tests will be here before you know it, but the copier is down (AGAIN!).  What are some ways you can avoid the dreaded STAAR Review packet and ensure students are prepared for the end of year tests?  

In this episode, we'll talk to CaraBeth Fuhrmeister from Watauga Elementary and Kristen Leidolf from North Ridge Middle School about how they approach STAAR Review and find ways to keep kids engaged, on-track, and prepared!  Welcome to the Bird-Cast