Page 16 - The Tiger Express - issue 1 Winter 2021

Valley View Junior High Incorporates Innovative Technology to Classroom

Instruction

ndoubtedly incorporating technology in education has had a tremendous impact in how teach-
Uers instruct and how students learn. Valley View ISD has always led in integrating new tech-
nology into classroom instruction, and this summer the district implemented a project to con-
tinue adding tech resources in the classrooms. The Summer Pilot Program consists of providing an
additional 40 Dell laptops, 40 Samsung LCD Television Monitors, 40 TV mounts, 40 power charging
stations, and 4 e-Glass illuminated writing boards to teachers across campuses in the district. At Val-
ley View Jr. High, twelve teachers in the Math and English Language Arts/Reading departments re-
ceived such resources. These teachers find that the new tech devices enhance their instruction by
making their classrooms a more interactive environment. Teachers
like and support the use of technology in the classroom because
digital materials help introduce new topics in class as well as sup-
plement existing ones. They agree that tech helps in reinforcing
lessons, and most conclude that it has had a positive impact on
their classroom instruction. Ms. Yvette Guerrero, ELAR 7th grade
teacher, reiterates that “the new technology assists teachers in pre-
senting and reviewing concepts to students. It makes it easier for
students to see instructions, instructional videos, interactive
lessons, and other materials”.

Technology is capable of unlocking learning with all students; the
additional resources furnished in this program will do just that.

Ready for UIL Academics at Valley View Junior High

We are just starting up UIL Academics for the 2021-2022 school year. Coaches and students gather
excitedly for weekly practice sessions to hone their skills in Number Sense, Spanish Poetry, Spelling,
Modern Oratory, Impromptu, Social Studies, Math, Dictionary Skills, Science, Maps/Graphs/Charts,
Ready Writing, Listening Skills, Poetry, Prose, & Solo and Duet Acting.

In Mr. Ricardo Lara’s Ready Writing practice session you can see
several students enthusiastically developing their stories based on
their writing prompt. Before they get started, Mr. Lara gives pointers
on what judges are looking for when rating their entries. Asked what
he was looking forward to the most at his first competition in this
event, Ruben Olivares, 6th grader, stated “I want to have fun and try
my best in the competition. I hope to win in this event by applying
what I’ve learned.” Ruben follows B.B. King’s motto, “The beautiful
thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

This academic year our students will be participating in three UIL
meets that will be held on Saturday, December 4th at K. White Jr.
High in Mission; on Saturday, February 5th at R. Cantu Jr. High in
Mission; and on Saturday, February 12th at Alton Memorial Jr. High in
Alton. We will be hosting our very own meet on January 22, 2022. We
look forward to an eventful and exciting year where we will show our
mighty Tiger skills and pride at each competition.
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