English Learners Monthly Update
October 2019
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month
Halloween with English Learners!
Halloween-themed Breakout EDU games that are perfect for team building and activate SEL skills.
9 Fantastically Diverse Halloween Activities for ESL Students by FluentU
5 Halloween English Lessons to Spook Your Students Silly
21 Scary Halloween Short Stories For Middle School
Day of the Dead Kahoot! from Carol Salva
Halloween & Día de los Muertos Are Coming Up – Here Are Related Teaching & Learning Resources by Larry Ferlazzo
Halloween Themed Books:
Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo!
Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying Parody.
Ten Timid Ghosts (Read With Me Paperbacks)
Monster Parade (Step into Reading)
Reminder: Monthly ESOL Webinar Dates!
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
MIDTESOL19: Kansas Meetup!
MIDTESOL19 was an awesome experience and I know that many of you left with some awesome strategies and resources to take back to your school/district! Our Kansas Meetup was a HUGE SUCCESS and over 40 ESOL educators from PreK through university level came out to connect! Thank you to ALL that were in attendance!
Feel free to catch up on some of the sessions offered at the conference by searching on Twitter, the hashtags #KsESOL and #KsELs!
KSDE's 1st ESOL Educators' Professional Learning Cohort Gathering
KELP Standards Online Modules for PLCS
2020 KELPA At a Glance Document
Please take a look at the 2020 KELPA At a Glance document on the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) website that outlines important dates and information about the upcoming 2020 assessment!
Direct link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VZoInUq09N_IUxm6__fRHxqazUvsO10X/view?usp=sharing
Books to Consider
Internment by Samira Ahmed
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)
Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Stella Diaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Diaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely.
When a new boy arrives in Stella’s class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say!
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:
Read & Write for Google Chrome
Within Google Docs, there is a tool called, Read&Write for Google Chrome™ toolbar. This tool can level the playing field for many of our EL students.
Students not only need to learn how to write, but they need to learn how to write with technology.
Writing with technology will help prepare students for the future as well allow them to do things that just aren’t possible on paper:
- Digital collaboration
- Digital workflow
- See the revision history and process
- Research
- Give them student ownership of learning
- Publish for a global audience
- Increase engagement and motivation
Check this one out for yourself!
EquatIO
This is another, easy to use, Google Chrome Extension. It’s a perfect partner for Google Docs plus Sheets, Forms, Slides and Drawings* - letting you add mathematical equations, formulas and more to documents with a click.
Click here for more information.
Fluencytutor
Fluency Tutor helps students of all ages and ability levels become more avid, engaged and confident readers. What’s more, it gives educators a clear picture of every child’s reading attainment and progress over time.
This easy-to-use app lets students record themselves reading aloud on their laptop, Chromebook or tablet, away from the stress and embarrassment of reading in a classroom environment.
Click here for more information.
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
Cost: $25 (book and lunch included)
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!
DIY Pronunciation Practice with "American English Sounds" - This free, teacher created website reduces classroom instruction time by allowing students to independently practice the sounds they need to improve through listening, repetition and meaningful speaking activities. Students can can also record yourself doing the "Practice" and "Use It!" activities and share the recording with an English teacher.
Tips and Strategies for improving Parent-Teacher Conferences with Parents of English Learners
How Microaggressions toward K-12 students can cause Unintended Harm
For people committed to racial equity in schools
Shared via Jennifer Gonzalez, Cult of Pedagogy:
Check out Steve James’ 10-part docuseries, America to Me. It's a deep dive into race, equity, culture and privilege in our schools and is being offered for free by Participant’s “Real Talk” campaign. Get a first-hand glimpse of how equity impacts all stakeholders, as well as an in-depth look at the effects many students feel as they strive for success in an inequitable system. Click here to sign up for the series and use the code CULT2019, good through December 31, 2019. Check out the Real Talk episode guides and make sure to join the campaign to receive future updates and offers.
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!
Opportunity: The English Language Fellow Program
Are you looking for a new challenge or life changing career move?
Enrich your TESOL career by teaching English in new contexts and gain unique international experience through the English Language Programs. If you are an experienced TESOL educator with a graduate degree in English language teaching, you can apply for paid teaching projects developed by U.S. Embassies around the world.
The 2020-2021 Fellow application is now open!
The English Language Fellow Program sends experienced U.S. TESOL professionals on paid teaching assignments at universities and other academic institutions around the world.
As a U.S. Department of State public diplomacy initiative, Fellows are cultural ambassadors that promote English language learning and mutual understanding through cultural exchange. Fellow projects are 10-month, full-time positions for professionals with a graduate degree in English language teaching and classroom TESOL teaching experience. In return, the program provides professionals with a platform to build skills that can greatly enhance their TESOL careers.
KSDE Current Happenings/ Upcoming Events
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: Struggling Readers and Complex Text
Presenter: Joann McRell, KSDE ELA Program Consultant
How might we use complex text when students aren't proficient at grade level? Participants will learn how to layer text to support struggling readers and identify how content knowledge and procedural knowledge impact reading proficiency. Strategies to impact comprehension and to increase the depth of knowledge will provide teachers with WHAT, WHY, and HOW to implement with purpose and impact.
October 10, 2019- Lawrence
October 15, 2019- Clearwater
October 17, 2019- Girard
October 24, 2019- Salina
November 12, 2019- Oakley
November 19, 2019- Hutchinson
*College Cred Available through Friends University
Cost- $25 lunch included
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Please contact Joann McRell at jmcrell@ksde.org for additional information.
KSDE Presents: Boosting Achievement for SIFE Workshop
Presenter: Carol Salva
November 4, 2019
Girard, KS
8:30-3:30pm
Cost: $25 (book and lunch included)
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!
Call for Nominations: Accreditation Advisory Council
KSDE is seeking nominations to fill four vacant positions on the KSDE Accreditation (K-12) Advisory Council. The positions are listed below. The term of appointment begins immediately and ends June 30, 2022.
PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
- Nomination deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
- Link to nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CKDXSRB
- For a nomination to be considered, all questions must be answered.
- Persons nominated will be contacted after nominations close and asked to provide a resume.
POSITIONS OPEN
- Parent Representative
- Classified Staff Representative
- Business/Industry Representative
- High School Certified Staff Representative (2 positions)
- Middle School Administrator Representative
- Middle School Certified Staff Representative
NOMINATION CRITERIA
- The person nominated must be willing to serve and available to attend Council meetings. The first meeting for the new members will be November 4th in Emporia, Kansas. Mileage and hotel (night before meeting) are reimbursed according to KSDE policy.
- Members will be selected with the purpose of maintaining a Council of dedicated professionals from across the state using criteria including but not limited to the following:
- Experience and credentials in the area represented by the Council position for which nominated
- Education and/or leadership experience
- Appropriate representation on Council from each State Board of Education district
- Appropriate representation on Council for schools/districts of all sizes (if applicable to position)
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COUNCIL:
- Meets at least four times every year. Location varies.
- Purpose:
- Review and provide input to KSDE staff concerning K-12 Accreditation documents and procedures.
- Advise KSDE staff of field needs, concerns and issues.
- Act as K-12 Accreditation advocates in the field and as liaisons to other groups.
- Provide advice and counsel to the State Board of Education on issues of policy, such as regulations, corrective action plans, sanctions, levels of accreditation, etc.
Professional Development: Online for Free!
How to Achieve Literacy Gains with Curriculum-Integrated Vocabulary Instruction
Thursday, October 3, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Daryl Diamond, Director of Innovative Learning & Arts, Broward County Public Schools; and Dr. Julie Evans, CEO, Project Tomorrow
Hosted by Michael Freedman, Co-founder and CEO, Vocabulary.com
Register here
Addressing the Crisis in Adolescent Mental Health: How Districts Can Identify and Support Struggling Students
Thursday, October 10, 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Lisa Strohman, Psychologist, Attorney, Author, and Mother; Kathleen Tuck, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Nampa (ID) School District; Dr. Melissa Williams-Scott, Executive Director of Information Systems, Dickinson (TX) ISD
Hosted by Annie Galvin Teich, Writer, Editor, and K-12 Market Specialist
Register here
Cultivating Genius: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Gholnecsar Muhammad, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Middle and Secondary Education, Georgia State University College of Education & Human Development; and Medha Tare, Senior Research Scientist, Learner Variability Project, Digital Promise
Hosted by Barbara Pape, Communications Director, Learner Variability Project
Sponsored by Digital Promise
Register here
Diversity in Context: Stretching the Idea of Building Diverse Collections
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School, CT
Register here
Changing from At-Risk to At-Promise
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Julie Evans, Board Member, RAPSA; Larry Bell, Founder, Multicultural America; Rudy Cuevas, Charter Schools Superintendent, YouthBuild; and Kim Moore, Principal, SIATech High School
Register here
Technology in Rural Schools: Leading with Why
Tuesday, October 22, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Jamie Foreman, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Albemarle County Public Schools, VA; Luke Meinert, Assistant Superintendent, Yukon-Koyukuk School District, AK; and Tim Smith, Supervisor of Instructional Practice and Technology Integration, Red Lion Area School District, PA
Hosted by Dr. Beth Holland, Digital Equity and Rural Project Director, CoSN
Register here
Improving Literacy Growth for ELLs and Dual Language Learners Using Shared Reading
Thursday, October 24, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Presented by Enid Martinez, Professional Literacy Consultant and EL Expert
Sponsored by Achieve3000
Register here
From Classroom Management to Engagement: See Why Teachers and Their Coaches are Crushing It
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Nataki Gregory, Ed.D., Chief Program Officer, CT3; Yolanda Parsons, Math & Science Multi-Classroom Leader, Oakdale Elementary; and Kyle Sliker, Grade 5 Math Teacher, Oakdale Elementary
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!
KSDE's Annual Conference
The KSDE 30th Annual Conference focuses on school improvement and the continuous improvement of academic performance for all students. The theme for this year's conference, Kansans CAN: Ignite! The conference will showcase Kansas school success stories as well as address some of our schools’ most significant challenges for the future.
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency and Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas. Conference registration includes breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
Online registration ends after October 21, 2019.
ATTENDANCE OPTIONS:
Preconference: $105.00
Main Conference: $150.00
Full Conference: $250.00
For more information and to register, click here
Monday, Oct 28, 2019, 08:00 AM
Hyatt Regency Wichita, West Waterman Street, Wichita, KS, USA
70th Annual Fall Conference for Counselors
Are you overwhelmed with high caseloads? Are you constantly putting out professional fires? Are you taxed with too many work responsibilities? Who’s got time for prevention? Come to this session to get real about prevention. In this session you will learn the key tenets to prevention, specifically within the MTSS framework, and how to aligning comprehensive school counseling with Multi-tiered Systems of Support (PBIS/RTI).
*REGISTRATION*
NOTE: There will be no PO Payments Processed – Only Online Registration
1. Online Registration & Payment ONLY. Credit card payment only. (Please bring copy of confirmation for check-in). https://secure.touchnet.com/C20725_
2. Registration/Payment Questions? Contact the ESU Conference and Scheduling Center at (620) 341-5443 or email schedule@emporia.edu
Thursday, Nov 14, 2019, 08:30 AM
Memorial Union, Commercial Street, Emporia, KS, 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
The TESOL Convention offers professional development opportunities to English language educators at all levels from around the world. With 6,000 attendees and nearly 1,000 sessions, the convention has something for everyone. It’s been more than 10 years since the convention has been in Denver. Join us in Denver to see how much the city had changed and grown since we were there last, all the while maintaining it's ease of getting around and friendly, welcoming downtown.
For more information, click here.
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