KISD Secondary Science Newsletter

"I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I will be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here. I have things to do, people to impress, and places to go." - Rita Pierson

Middle School Science: March 11, 2026

High School Science (Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Physics): Schedule Under Revision

TEKS in Focus highlights key concepts and student expectations to assist educators in implementing the science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). A clear understanding of the changes taking place in science TEKS for the 2024 school year can directly impact student success. TEKS in Focus will highlight those changes along a vertical continuum from elementary school to high school for specific key concepts.

Across our district, one of our strongest levers for increasing student achievement on STAAR is consistent implementation of three-dimensional instruction—where students use Science & Engineering Practices to make sense of real-world phenomena while building deep understanding of the content and the recurring themes and concepts. When lessons are anchored in phenomena and designed for sensemaking, students are doing the cognitive work required by today’s assessments: analyzing data, constructing explanations, and applying concepts in new situations. The reflection questions below are intended to help teachers examine how consistently these elements show up in daily instruction and how they are supporting rigorous, coherent science learning for every student.

1. How did the phenomenon anchor my lesson?
   Did students revisit it multiple times to explain, revise ideas, or apply new learning—or was it only used as an introduction?

2. Which Science & Engineering Practices were students actually doing today?
   (e.g., modeling, arguing from evidence, analyzing data, constructing explanations)
   How did those practices deepen their understanding of the content?

3. How were students connecting the Disciplinary Core Idea to a Recuring Themes and Concepts?
   What patterns, cause-and-effect relationships, systems, or energy flows did students identify or discuss?

4. Where did students do the heavy thinking?
   At what point in the lesson were students grappling, making sense of evidence, or revising claims rather than receiving explanations first?

5. What evidence did I see that students—not me—were making sense of the science?
   What did students say, write, draw, or model that showed three-dimensional understanding?

8th Grade Science and Biology teachers are encouraged to attend the Level UP STAAR Review professional learning focused on STAAR/EOC-aligned review strategies and hands-on instruction.

This training has been successfully used at Killeen High School for the past three years to support Biology retesters, resulting in consistent student growth. Campus leadership has already received this information, and teachers are encouraged to talk with their principals and curriculum leaders about attending.

📎 For more information, please see the flyers attached. Space is limited.

📅 Dates

• February 25 – Biology

• February 27 – 8th Grade Science

⭐ Why Attend?

• Receive full access to ready-to-use STAAR/EOC review materials

• Learn hands-on, student-engaging review strategies aligned to tested TEKS

• Gain resources that support STAAR review days and Biology retesters

• Collaborate with science teachers across KISD, Belton ISD, Temple ISD, and Pflugerville ISD

TEKS Guide for Science by TEA

Free printable RTC posters by TEA

RTC Question Prompts by TEA

Texas Gateway by TEA

K-12 Scientific and Engineering Practices and Recurring Themes and Concepts Vertical Alignment (Excel)

K-12 Biology Vertical Alignment (PDF)

K-12 Earth and Space Science Vertical Alignment (PDF)

K-12 Chemistry Vertical Alignment (PDF)

K-12 Physics Vertical Alignment (PDF)

September 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/vhcfwp

October 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/ac5rp

November/December 2025: https://app.smore.com/n/djaqr

January 2026: https://app.smore.com/n/7ftz8

Hello, I am Sandra Marcussen the District Instructional Specialist for Secondary Science. I'm excited to help you in any way that you need. You can reach me at sandra.marcussen@killeenisd.org, text at 254-371-9692 or call my desk phone at 254-336-0300.