Section A: Sample Track: 7.9A: Measurement - Time & Temperature

Visit a completed track here

This sample focused on Math TAKS 7.9A: Measurement and Temperature.

Section B: TrackStar Session

Learn how to use TrackStar to create great learning centers (tracks).

Registering for TrackStar:

  ·  Please go to the TrackStar website to register at trackstar.4teachers.org. (Note: There is no cost for TrackStar.)
  ·  Once at the website, click on "Create an Account and Start Making Tracks" under the "Make A Track" Header. You'll be asked
     to enter some information including your email address. Please use your YISD email address for this question. You may choose
     any password for this account that you wish. When done entering info, please click on the Register button.
  ·  Please make note of your email address and password which will you use later on in this session.
  ·  When complete, please return to the TrackStar home page.

Finding Available Tracks - Using keywords, users may search a huge database of available tracks for use in the classroom. Before you decide to use a track from the database, it is recommended that you evaluate the quality of the track. A rubric may be a valuable tool for these evaluations. Please follow these steps to find available tracks:

In the box by "Keyword Search," type a keyword that applies to a lesson you would to integrate into your classroom. For our example, let's search for "American Presidents." Notice that there are over 13,000 available tracks that match your criteria.

There is critical information about the tracks here but please make note of the track number which identifies the individual tracks and makes them easy to locate. Please write down the track number now (#275507).

  ·  Click on the first Track "SS - USA - Presidents*. Click "Go." A window will open.
  ·  Click on the "Choosing Frames View or Text View" link. Please close the window or use the back arrow key now.
  ·  We recommend the use of "View in Frames." Please click on this button now and review the track.
  ·  We suggest that you do not click on the site location listed in the yellow box above the webpage since this will direct your students
     outside of the track.
  ·  Once you have completed your review, please click on the black TrackStar logo to return to the TrackStar home page.

Viewing Tracks - Use the track number to view tracks:

  ·  In the box by "View track #," type the number from the track we explored earlier. (#275507). Click "Go."
  ·  The track will open for your use.

Creating Tracks - Let's create our own track. Follow these steps to make yours:

  ·  You will need to login in to TrackStar. To do this, click on "Login to Make or Edit A Track" under the "Make A Track" header.
  ·  A window will open and you will need to enter the email address and password that you created earlier when you registered. Click "Login."
  ·  Please note: If you ever forget your password, you may click on the link "Click here to request your password" on this page to have
     TrackStar send it to you by email.
  ·  A new window will open. You will see two choices in the form of two buttons: "Make New Track" and "Manage My Tracks." Please
     click on "Make New Track."
  ·  Give your track a title: Add and Subtract Fractions.
  ·  Provide a detailed description of the track.
  ·  Choose some keywords for your track.
  ·  Choose "Resource List."
  ·  Choose your subject area: Math.
  ·  Choose your grade level.
  ·  Leave "Keep Until" and "Password" Blank.
  ·  Click "Next." A new window will open.
  ·  Enter the title for your first activity in the bar marked "Title."
  ·  Enter the website address in the bar marked "URL."
  ·  In the section marked "Annotation," write a detailed description of what you would like your students to do as they complete the activity.
  ·  Do this for at least two activities.
  ·  Click "Save."
  ·  Make a note of the track number which appear in the new window. This number will be placed on your webpage (SchoolCenter)
     or provided to students so they can find it for later use.
  ·  Click on "Manage Tracks" to return to your account page. You will see your track listed there. On this page, you have the option
     to edit or delete your track.

Choosing Good Material for Tracks - Recommendations - The site:

  ·  Should not contain excessive text - "If it's unappealing and boring to you, it will likely be unappealing and boring to your students."
  ·  Should contain an interactive lesson on the content
  ·  Should contain a interactive practice activity on the content
  ·  Should engage students
  ·  Should allow you to be a facilitator, not a lecturer
  ·  Should strengthen, remediate, or challenge your students

Your task - Create a track for your students and make them available on your webpage. Please use this online form to submit
     your completed track numbers.