English Learners Monthly Update
September 2019
Hispanic Heritage Month
One World Club!
Have you heard about this awesome club?? Consider opening a space to help students feel included! This club can provide students with opportunities to have fun, laugh, read, write, listen and speak in English. This club can be started at ALL levels!!! These kinds of things can be such a support and help your school and your classroom be the place where your students feel safe and empowered. It’s our job to help them all leverage education for the life they want to have.
Below is a video of a neighborhood student and an immigrant who missed 5 years of education. They are explaining how your students can start a One World Club. That club is also a huge support to your newcomers.
Reminder: Monthly ESOL Webinar Dates!
September 24th
October 22nd
November 26th
January 28th
February 25th
March 24th
April 28th
All webinars will start at 9:00 am!
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://ksde.zoom.us/j/5561856948
Twitter and MIDTESOL Meetup!
Let's Connect on Twitter! Twitter is an awesome way to build your online PLC! There are so many wonderful conversations taking place there!
**Use the hashtags : #KsELs and #KsESOL when posting anything EL or ESOL related!
MIDTESOL Meetup!
Come and meet fellow Kansas ESOL educators!
When: Friday, September 27th
Location & Time: TBD (look for an email via the listserv the closer it gets!)
KELP Standards Online Modules for PLCS
Suggestions for communicating with EL families
Things to Communicate with Families
We want to communicate as many details as we can about our language program to families because we want them to be partners in their child’s growth. Families can’t help or support us if they do not know exactly what we are doing.
Work with your administration and your team to determine which of the items from the list below are appropriate to share and what details to provide. Tailor it to meet your school’s policies and practices.
Entrance & Exit Policies
- At what language proficiency does a child require or no longer require language services?
- What test(s) were used to determine their language proficiency?
- When were they tested?
- How does the test work?
- How was the test administered?
Supporting their children
Families will want to know how to promote their child’s English development. Consider advising them to:
Discourage English-only policies at home. One of the best things they can do is support the use of their own home language because we want students to be expressive in any language. If they are expressive in one language, they are more likely to be communicative in another.
Encourage reading every night. Free reading from a student-selected book is one of the best things we can do to develop comprehension, vocabulary, and writing. As students read more, they develop their comprehension skills. As they read, their vocabulary expands and they start to use the language structures used in the books. Suggest to families that they have their child read current event articles from Newsela, Tween Tribune by the Smithsonian, The Day (if they are more proficient). These sites are written for children, and Newsela can provide an article at 8 different reading levels.
News articles written for children give students a chance to read academic language. If students are super keen on developing their English skills, you can encourage them to write a quick summary or a response to the current event article. This will provide them with an opportunity to write formally.
Research Based and Evidence Based Reading Programs
Books to Consider
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.
Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.
Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.
Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?
It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?
Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Spotlight: Using Technology with ELs
One of my favorite aspects of integrating technology into instruction is the availability of resources to support students with different learning needs. Students who are struggling can benefit from the excitement and engagement offered by a tool like the iPad or Chromebook. Teachers of English Learners (ELs) can use technology to promote growth in their students.
*Please note that these are merely suggestions and are not required or sponsored by KSDE.
Here are few for you to consider:
Clicker Sentences
Understanding sentences and how they work is a really important part of early literacy. Clicker Sentences will enable students to produce work they can be proud of while learning the key skills necessary for independent writing.
Designed with the classroom in mind, Clicker Sentences includes the Sassoon font, speech feedback, and many other child-friendly features to create an accessible and engaging environment for students to work in. Clicker Sentences enables teachers to quickly create sentence building activities on any topic, tailored specifically to support each student's individual needs.
Clicker Connect S-Stix
Symbols provide reading and writing support for people with a variety of learning needs. Many different people benefit from working with symbols, including those with special needs, early learners, and those who do not have English as a first language. Each symbol focuses on a single concept and there are symbols for practically all commonly used words.
Snap & Read
Snap&Read is an assistive technology software that puts a floating toolbar over any application on your computer. The one-button interface reads any text aloud from any Internet browser, Microsoft Word, PDF files or other documents and programs.. It reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud, it levels vocabulary, and it translates, delivering usage data to teachers who then can more easily assess students’ reading needs individually.
What will be our next EL Book Club Books?
You voted and the results are in for our next book clubs. We will be reading two books for the 2019-2020 school year! I hope that you, your school/district or even PLCs take part in this awesome statewide collaboration!
Based on the votes, our first EL Book Club book will be:
Boosting Achievement by Carol Salva
Beginning:
December 2, 2019
Mark Your Calendar :
Boosting Achievement for SIFE Workshop
November 4, 2019
Girard, KS
8:30-3:30pm
Register here!
Based on votes, our second EL Book Club book will be:
ELL Frontiers: Using Technology to Enhance Instruction for English Learners by Andrea M. Honigsfeld
Beginning:
April 1, 2020
Discussions will take place weekly (Wednesdays), online, for one hour with book authors!
Sentence Patterning Charts for Writing with Beginners- Using sentence patterning charts to explicitly teach parts of speech, & incorporating L1 (student's first language) helps support the language development of emerging ELs.
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C8uipHnx3UQKcTPZubqHrsiTVASG9Qy3FEiU8qmUA2U/edit
National Art Competition: Rightfully Yours!
The National Archives Foundation is hosting a national art competition, Rightfully Yours, for students in grades 4, 5, and 6 this fall school season.
The art competition is part of the newest National Archives exhibit and national initiative, Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote. We are encouraging students to explore what the women's movement and the right to vote mean to them and how to represent this creatively through art. All students in these grades are welcome to participate and the grand prize winner will earn a trip to our National Archives Sleepover in February!
KSDE Contact: Joyce Huser, jhuser@ksde.org
Additional Home Language Surveys!
Spotlight YOUR school/district and Resources!
Do you have an awesome lesson, activity, app or site that has worked really well for your ELs? Would you be willing to share that with the rest of the state? Please send your lesson, activity, app, or site to nprimm@ksde.org and I will spotlight your resource in the next month's newsletter.
*In addition, if you would like to see something added to the newsletter, please send your suggestions to nprimm@ksde.org as well!
Professional Development: Online for Free!
Supporting English Language Learners with Free Digital Tools
Thursday, September 5, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Will Lewis, Principal PM Architect, Microsoft Translator; Sara Beebe, Educator and Professional Learning Specialist; and Mike Tholfsen, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft Education
Sponsored by Microsoft Education
Communicating by Generation: Boomer, GenX, and Millennial Parent Preferences
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Julie Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Project Tomorrow
Sponsored by Blackboard
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in All Classrooms
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Melody McAllister, Flocabulary Platinum MCE; and Joquetta Johnson, Flocabulary Platinum MCE and Library Media Specialist
Sponsored by Nearpod
5 Language Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Start the Year Off Right
Tuesday, September 17, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Presented by David Fisher, Learning Engagement Manager, Rosetta Stone
Hosted by Melanie Rogers, Training Team Lead, Rosetta Stone
Sponsored by Rosetta Stone
Best Practices for Managing Differently Abled Students in Your Inclusion Classroom
Monday, September 23, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Eleazar Vasquez, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Associate Professor and Director for the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute, University of Central Florida
Sponsored by The Social Express
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Strategies So All Learners Are Seen and Understood
Monday, September 23, 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EDT
Presented by Monica Washington, Manager of Inclusive and Responsive Educational Practices, and Instructional Coach for BetterLesson; Jenny Muñiz, Senior Program Associate, Education Policy program, New America; Kelisa Wing, Professional Development Specialist; and Medha Tare, Senior Research Scientist, Learner Variability Project, Digital Promise
Hosted by Barbara Pape, Communications Director, Learner Variability Project
Sponsored by Digital Promise
Getting It Right: Authoring Equity for All Students
Thursday, September 26, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by David C. Banks, President and CEO, Eagle Academy Foundation
Sponsored by Scholastic Education, Digital Solutions
Workshops at Service Centers!
Vocabulary & Language for English Learners: Teachers and Paras
September 24, 2019
8:30-3:30 pm
ESSDACK of Hutchinson, KS
KSDE Happenings/ Upcoming Events
KSDE Presents: Boosting Achievement for SIFE Workshop
Presenter: Carol Salva
November 4, 2019
Girard, KS
8:30-3:30pm
Cost: $25 (lunch included)
Register here!
KSDE Presents: 2019 – 2020 Regional Math Professional Learning Days!
October 7, 2019 - Salina
October 11, 2019 - Chanute
October 14, 2019 - Fort Hays State University
October 18, 2019 - Kansas City
October 21, 2019 - Emporia State University
November 1, 2019 - Derby
November 25, 2019 - Topeka
January 31, 2020 - Garden City
The content, activities, and resources shared during the Regional Math Professional Learning Days will be different from that which was shared during the 2018-2019 school year.
These events will:
Be a full day trainings beginning at 8:00am and concluding by 3:15pm
Have the same sessions so find the date that best fits your schedule
Have sessions for curriculum and instructional leaders, elementary teachers/coaches, and MS/HS teachers/coaches
Cost $45 per attendee
Math graduate credit will be available for an additional fee.
Register here!
KSDE Presents: Rapid Literacy: ELL Strategies for Secondary Emergent Readers
Presenter: Carol Salva
February 17, 2020
Lawrence, KS
8:30-3:30pm
Cost: $25 (lunch provided)
Register here!
Test Prep for Endorsement Opportunities!
Test Prep Strategies for ESOL Endorsement
October 9, 2019
Girard, KS
9- 3pm
Cost: $125 for non-members, free to Title III Consortium members
Register here!
Test Prep Strategies for ESOL Endorsement
April 8, 2020
Girard, KS
9- 3pm
Cost: $125 for non-members, free to Title III Consortium members
Register here!
2019 Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium
Join an anticipated 1,100+ educators for the 12th annual Kansas MTSS& Alignment Symposium! The Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium focuses on evidence-based practices which MTSS is built upon along with the leadership and systems that support sustained implementation. At the Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium you will get to participate in many offered breakout sessions with national experts and hear from Kansas schools highlighting their work and successes with MTSS.
To register and for more details, click here.
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019, 08:00 AM
Hyatt Regency Wichita, West Waterman Street, Wichita, KS, USA
MidTESOL Conference
Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages is an organization that aims to strengthen the effective teaching of English in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska to people whose native language is a language other than English while respecting their individual language rights. This is a regional affiliate of TESOL and a professional organization.
Theme: “Bridges to Success”
*Pre-conference workshops begin, July 15.
For more information, click here.
Friday, Sep 27, 2019, 12:00 AM
Omaha, NE, USA
La Cosecha 24th Annual Dual Language Conference
Join us for one of the largest dual language conferences in the country: La Cosecha 2019! Organized for teachers by teachers, La Cosecha Dual Language Conference provides a unique opportunity to share best practices and resources, provides current theory and practice, builds networks, and fuels our community’s efforts to build a better future for our children. The theme is “Community Directed Transformation — The Strengthening and Expansion of Dual Language Education.” The four-day conference will feature 280+ professional presentations and workshops for supporting two-way and one-way immersion, developmental bilingual, and heritage/tribal language immersion programs.
*Early registration closes July 15th.
For more information, click here.
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019, 08:00 AM
Albuquerque, NM, USA
The National ESEA Conference
Join your colleagues from across the country February 4-7 for professional development of the highest quality. The National ESEA Conference (formerly, the National Title I Conference) is one of the most highly sought-after education events of the year. In addition to a continued focus on Title I, the Conference embraces all programs within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) impacting disadvantaged students.
Attendees encompass a wide range of professionals – from school district officials, administrators, superintendents, principals and teachers, to state level officials, federal programs coordinators and everyone in between – all working towards the same vital goal – to achieve equity and academic success for all students.
Unparalleled Opportunities Await
Benefit from 4 days of Conference sessions and keynotes
Learn about the latest changes with Title programs and how they affect your state and district
Meet and ask questions of hundreds of education leaders and experts
Engage in peer discussions and group activities with colleagues
Discover relevant educational products and services for ESEA educators
Take advantage of discounted lodging rates in downtown Atlanta
Registration & Hotel Reservations are OPEN!
Sign up today to receive the Early Bird registration discount and best hotel room selection.
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2020, 08:00 AM
Atlanta, GA, USA
49th Annual NABE Conference
49th Annual NABE Conference
Pre-Conference: February 25, 2020
Conference: February 26-28, 2020
Tropicana Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Along with internationally renowned keynote and featured speakers, there will also be special presentations from experts in the field and over 200 concurrent sessions. Participants will also be able to register online for visits to local schools that are implementing successful dual language programs. The NABE Exhibit Hall will showcase educational products and services. NABE’s Job Fair provides a forum for school districts seeking to recruit.
Students, teachers, educational leaders and advocates will be recognized for their efforts to promote the importance of languages, literacy and equity during the NABE General Sessions and NABE Awards Luncheon.
Who should attend NABE: Teachers in the field of dual language, ESL, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professors, students, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and parents
For more information, click here
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2020, 08:00 AM
Las Vegas, NV, USA
TESOL International Convention 2020
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2020, 08:00 AM
Denver, CO, USA
Approved Kansas Colleges and Universities Offering ESOL Endorsement Courses
Kansas is ALWAYS looking for more ESOL Endorsed teachers! If you know of anyone interested in obtaining their ESOL Endorsement, here are a list of partnering universities and colleges:
Benedictine College
Bethany College
Emporia State University*
Friends University
Newman University*
Fort Hays State University*
Ottawa University*
Kansas State University*
Pittsburg State University*
McPherson College
University of Kansas*
Mid-America Nazarene University*
Washburn University
Wichita State University
*indicates online option available
Nicole Primm, EL Program Consultant
Email: nprimm@ksde.org
Website: ksde.org
Location: 900 Southwest Jackson Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: (785) 296-5060
Twitter: @Kansas_ELs